Multi-beam antenna with shared dielectric lens
First Claim
1. Multi-beam antenna providing a plurality of radiation beams, each radiation beam having a shape and angular direction relative to the antenna, the multi-beam antenna comprising:
- a dielectric lens having a surface, and defined physical and dielectric characteristics;
an antenna feed configuration comprising a plurality of waveguide feeds, each waveguide feed having a physical structure for propagating electromagnetic energy at a selected frequency, and opposing ends with one end forming a feed port and the other end forming a feed aperture contiguous with the dielectric lens at a predetermined position along the lens surface; and
wherein the shape and angular direction of each of the plurality of radiation beams of the multi-beam antenna are determined by the physical and dielectric characteristics of the dielectric lens, the position the feed aperture a corresponding one of the waveguide feeds on the surface of the dielectric lens, and the frequency of electromagnetic energy propagating in the corresponding one of the waveguide feeds.
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Abstract
An integrated multi-beam antenna with a shared dielectric lens is disclosed. The antenna is formed by positioning the feed apertures of a plurality of waveguide feeds at positions located on the surface of the shared dielectric lens. The angular direction and shape of radiation beams produced by the waveguide feeds are determined by the physical and dielectric characteristics of the lens, the location of feed apertures of the waveguide feeds on the surface of the lens, and the frequency of electromagnetic energy propagating in the waveguide feeds. The principles of the invention are applied to realize an inexpensive, integrated multi-feed antenna adapted to provide desired angular areas of coverage for both a long range and short range radar in an automotive radar safety system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Multi-beam antenna providing a plurality of radiation beams, each radiation beam having a shape and angular direction relative to the antenna, the multi-beam antenna comprising:
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a dielectric lens having a surface, and defined physical and dielectric characteristics; an antenna feed configuration comprising a plurality of waveguide feeds, each waveguide feed having a physical structure for propagating electromagnetic energy at a selected frequency, and opposing ends with one end forming a feed port and the other end forming a feed aperture contiguous with the dielectric lens at a predetermined position along the lens surface; and wherein the shape and angular direction of each of the plurality of radiation beams of the multi-beam antenna are determined by the physical and dielectric characteristics of the dielectric lens, the position the feed aperture a corresponding one of the waveguide feeds on the surface of the dielectric lens, and the frequency of electromagnetic energy propagating in the corresponding one of the waveguide feeds. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Multi-beam antenna providing a plurality of radiation beams, each radiation beam having a half power beamwidth and an angular direction relative to the antenna, the multi-beam antenna comprising:
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a dielectric lens having a substantially spherical shape and surface determined by a diameter, the dielectric lens being formed of a material characterized by a relative dielectric constant; an antenna feed configuration comprising a plurality of waveguide feeds, each waveguide feed formed as an electrically conducting channel for propagating electromagnetic energy at a selected frequency, each electrically conducting channel having opposing ends, with one end forming a feed port and the other end forming a feed aperture contiguous with the dielectric lens at a position along the lens surface; and wherein the angular direction of each radiation beam is adjustable based upon the position of the feed aperture of a corresponding one of the waveguide feeds on surface of the dielectric lens, and the beamwidth of each radiation beam is adjustable based upon the diameter of the dielectric lens and the selected frequency of electromagnetic energy propagating in the electrically conducting channel of the corresponding one of the waveguide feeds. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification