Conformal surface wave feed
First Claim
1. A transmission line feed for a surface wave medium having a dielectric substrate with an array of electrically conductive patches formed thereon, the transmission line feed comprising:
- a. a microstrip substrate, the microstrip substrate having a first permittivity which is lower than a second permittivity of the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium, the microstrip substrate abutting against the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium;
b. a tapered microstrip disposed on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the surface wave substrate; and
c. an adapter for coupling a transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transmission line feed for a surface wave medium having a dielectric substrate with an array of electrically conductive patches formed thereon. The transmission line feed includes a microstrip substrate, the microstrip substrate having a first permittivity which is lower than a second permittivity of the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium, the microstrip substrate abutting against the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium; a tapered microstrip disposed on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the surface wave substrate; and an adapter for coupling a transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip.
209 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A transmission line feed for a surface wave medium having a dielectric substrate with an array of electrically conductive patches formed thereon, the transmission line feed comprising:
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a. a microstrip substrate, the microstrip substrate having a first permittivity which is lower than a second permittivity of the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium, the microstrip substrate abutting against the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium; b. a tapered microstrip disposed on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the surface wave substrate; and c. an adapter for coupling a transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of feeding RF energy to a surface wave medium having a dielectric substrate with an array of electrically conductive patches formed thereon, the RF energy being fed to said surface via a coaxial transmission line feed, said method comprising:
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providing a microstrip substrate having a first permittivity which is lower than a second permittivity of the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium; butting the microstrip substrate against the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium; forming a tapered microstrip on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the surface wave substrate; and coupling the coaxial transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip.
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13. A method of feeding RF energy to an AIS antenna having a dielectric substrate with an array of electrically conductive patches formed thereon, the RF energy being fed to said AIS antenna via a coaxial transmission line feed, said method comprising:
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providing a microstrip substrate having a first permittivity which is lower than a second permittivity of the dielectric substrate of the AIS antenna; butting the microstrip substrate against the dielectric substrate of the AIS antenna; forming a tapered microstrip on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the AIS antenna; and providing an adapter for coupling the coaxial transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A transmission line feed for a surface wave medium, the transmission line feed comprising:
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a. a microstrip substrate abutting against the surface wave medium; b. a tapered microstrip disposed on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the surface wave medium; and c. means for coupling a transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of feeding RF energy to a surface wave medium, the RF energy being fed to said surface via a coaxial transmission line feed, said method comprising:
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providing a microstrip substrate; butting the microstrip substrate against the dielectric substrate of the surface wave medium; forming a tapered microstrip on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the surface wave substrate; and coupling the coaxial transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip.
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29. A method of feeding RF energy to an AIS antenna having a dielectric substrate with an array of electrically conductive patches formed thereon, the RF energy being fed to said AIS antenna via a coaxial transmission line feed, said method comprising:
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providing a microstrip substrate; butting the microstrip substrate against the dielectric substrate of the AIS antenna; forming a tapered microstrip on the microstrip substrate, the tapered microstrip tapering from a relatively narrow end to a relatively wide end, the relative wide end terminating where the microstrip substrate abuts against the AIS antenna; and coupling the coaxial transmission line to the relatively narrow end of the tapered microstrip. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification