Passive parabolic antenna, wireless communication system and method of boosting signal strength of a subscriber module antenna

• US 8,085,214 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2010
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Charles Mccown
• Original Assignee: James Charles Mccown
• Inventors: McCown, James Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C
• Application Number:
  US12/886,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20110006956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/702, 343/818, 343834-837, 343/840, 343/872
• US Class Current: 343/840
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/13 the primary radiating source being a single radiating element, e.g. a dipole, a slot, a waveguide termination H01Q19/15 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention is a passive parabolic antenna system for use with conventional subscriber module radio antennas. The passive parabolic antenna system includes a microwave feed assembly that forms a resonant cavity coupling device for coupling to an internal patch antenna of a conventional subscriber module radio antenna. A method of boosting signal strength of a conventional subscriber module radio antenna and a wireless communication system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A passive parabolic antenna, comprising:

a parabolic reflector;

a microwave feed assembly mounted to the parabolic reflector and configured to mate with a subscriber module antenna by forming a resonant cavity, the microwave feed assembly further comprising;

a patch antenna configured to form part of a resonant cavity;

a planar sheet of conductive material adjacent to the patch antenna;

a linear conductive rod connected at one end to the planar sheet of conductive material; and

a dipole connected to an opposite end of the linear conductive rod; and

an antenna cover configured to mate with the parabolic reflector and enclose the microwave feed assembly.

2. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the parabolic reflector further comprises a plastic material having a metallic lining on an inner surface.

3. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the metallic lining comprises plasma arc coated metal.

4. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the metallic lining comprises adhesively secured metal foil.

5. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, further comprising a subscriber module pocket approximately centered in the parabolic reflector.

6. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 5, further comprising an insert panel for receiving the microwave feed assembly and interfacing with the subscriber module pocket.

7. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the patch antenna is further configured for connection to an inner conductor within the linear conductive rod.

8. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 7, wherein the inner conductor is further configured for connection to the dipole.

9. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the subscriber module pocket is configured to receive a subscriber module radio antenna.

10. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 9, wherein the subscriber module pocket is further configured to receive the subscriber module radio antenna in interference fit.

11. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 10, wherein the subscriber module pocket further comprises indentations configured to provide ramps inside the subscriber module pocket to achieve the interference fit with the subscriber module radio antenna.

12. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 5, wherein the subscriber module pocket is further configured to secure a subscriber module radio antenna using fasteners.

13. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 5, wherein the subscriber module pocket is further configured to secure a subscriber module radio antenna using a detent mechanism.

14. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna cover comprises a dish having a flat portion.

15. The passive parabolic antenna according to claim 14, wherein the antenna cover further comprises a metallic subreflector on an inside surface of the flat portion.

16. A method of boosting signal strength of a conventional subscriber module radio antenna, comprising:

providing a passive parabolic antenna, comprising;

a parabolic reflector;

a microwave feed assembly placed at a focal point of the parabolic reflector, the microwave feed assembly further comprising;

a patch antenna configured to form part of a resonant cavity;

a planar sheet of conductive material adjacent to the patch antenna;

a linear conductive rod connected at one end to the planar sheet of conductive material; and

a dipole connected to an opposite end of the linear conductive rod; and

an antenna cover configured to mate with the parabolic reflector and enclose the microwave feed assembly; and

sliding the subscriber module pocket over the top of a subscriber module radio antenna.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a subscriber module pocket mounted approximately center of the parabolic reflector.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein sliding the subscriber module pocket over the top of the conventional subscriber module radio antenna comprises an interference fit between the subscriber module pocket and the subscriber module radio antenna.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising applying an adhesive to the top of the subscriber module radio antenna, or an inside of the subscriber module pocket, or both, prior to sliding the subscriber module pocket over the top of the subscriber module radio antenna.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising adjusting the aim of the passive parabolic antenna toward a selected target to maximize signal gain.

21. A wireless communications system, comprising:

a pair of wireless transceivers directed at each other, each wireless transceiver further comprising;

a subscriber module radio antenna; and

a passive parabolic antenna in communication with the subscriber module radio antenna, wherein the passive parabolic antenna comprises;

a parabolic reflector;

a microwave feed assembly located at a focal point of the parabolic reflector, the microwave feed assembly further comprising;

a patch antenna configured to form part of a resonant cavity;

a planar sheet of conductive material adjacent to the patch antenna;

a linear conductive rod connected at one end to the planar sheet of conductive material; and

a dipole connected to an opposite end of the linear conductive rod; and

an antenna cover configured to mate with the parabolic reflector and enclose the microwave feed assembly.

22. The wireless communications system according to claim 21, further comprising a subscriber module pocket located approximately center of the parabolic reflector.

23. The wireless communications system according to claim 22, wherein the passive parabolic antenna further comprises an insert panel for receiving the microwave feed assembly and interfacing with the subscriber module pocket.

24. The wireless communications system according to claim 21, wherein the parabolic reflector further comprises a plastic material having a metallic lining on an inner surface.

25. The wireless communications system according to claim 22, wherein the subscriber module pocket is configured to receive a subscriber module radio antenna.

26. The wireless communications system according to claim 25, wherein the subscriber module pocket is further configured for interference fit with the subscriber module radio antenna.