Variable dielectric constant-based antenna and array

• US 7,466,269 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerotech, Inc. (Munters Corporation), WAFER LLC
• Original Assignee: Wavebender, Inc.
• Inventors: Haziza, Dedi David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hoang V
• Application Number:
  US11/747,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/702, 296/00, 296/01
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/36 with variable phase-shifters
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/44 varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

An antenna and antenna array are provided. A radiating elements and corresponding feed lines are provided over a variable dielectric constant material sandwiched between two panels. The sandwich may be in the form of an LCD. The dielectric constant in a selected area under the conductive line can be varied to control the phase of the radiating element. The dielectric constant in a selected area under the radiating element can be varied to control the resonance frequency of the radiating element. The dielectric constant in a selected area under the conductive line can be varied to also control the polarization of the radiating element.

Claims

1. An antenna comprising:

a back panel having a conductive layer provided on a surface thereof;

a top panel;

a variable dielectric constant material sandwiched between the back panel and the top panel;

at least one radiating element provided over the top panel; and

,

at least one conductive line provided over the top panel and coupled to the at least one radiating element.

2. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the variable dielectric constant material comprises liquid crystal.

3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the back panel and the top panel comprise an insulating material.

4. The antenna of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one electrode provided on the top panel;

an insulating layer provided over the electrode; and

,

wherein the at least one radiating element and the at least one conductive line are provided over the insulating layer.

5. The antenna of claim 4, wherein the variable dielectric constant material is provided in defined zones.

6. The antenna of claim 5, wherein the common electrode, back panel, liquid crystal, top panel and electrode comprise a liquid crystal display.

7. The antenna of claim 4, further comprising a power source coupled to the at least one electrode.

8. A scanning antenna array, comprising:

a back panel;

a top panel;

a plurality of zones of variable dielectric constant material sandwiched between the back panel and the top panel;

a plurality of radiating elements provided over the top panel;

a plurality of conductive line provided over the top panel and each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of radiating elements, each of the conductive lines traversing over at least one of the zones.

9. The antenna of claim 8, wherein each of the zones further comprises an electrode.

10. The antenna of claim 9, further comprising an insulating layer provided over the electrodes, and wherein the radiating elements and the conductive lines are provided over the insulating layer.

11. The antenna of claim 9, wherein each of the electrodes is coupled to a power source.

12. The antenna of claim 8, wherein the dielectric constant of at least one of the zones is made to differ from the dielectric constant of at least one other zone.

13. A method of manufacturing an antenna, comprising:

providing a back panel;

fabricating a conductive layer on bottom surface of the back panel;

providing a top panel;

sandwiching a variable dielectric constant material between the back panel and the top panel;

providing at least one radiating element over the top panel;

providing at least one conductive line over the top panel and coupling the conductive line to the radiating element.

14. The method of manufacturing antenna of claim 13, wherein the step of sandwiching comprises sandwiching the variable dielectric constant in a plurality of zones.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing a plurality of electrode, each electrode provided over a respective one of the zones;

providing a dielectric layer between the electrodes and the at least one radiating element and the conductive line.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sandwiching a variable dielectric constant material comprises sandwiching a liquid crystal in a plurality of zones.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the steps of providing a back panel, providing a top panel, and sandwiching a variable dielectric constant material between the back panel and the top panel, comprises providing a liquid crystal display.

18. An antenna manufactured by the process comprising:

providing a back panel;

fabricating a conductive layer on bottom surface of the back panel;

providing a top panel;

sandwiching a variable dielectric constant material between the back panel and the top panel;

providing at least one radiating element over the top panel;

providing at least one conductive line over the top panel and coupling the conductive line to the radiating element.

19. The antenna of claim 18, wherein the process of manufacture further comprises:

sandwiching the variable dielectric constant material in a plurality of zones, wherein at least one zone is provided under each of the at least one conductive line.

20. The antenna of claim 19, wherein the process of manufacture further comprises:

providing a plurality of electrode, each electrode provided over a respective one of the zones;

providing a dielectric layer between the electrodes and the at least one radiating element and the at least one conductive line.