Electromagnetic band gap structure for enhanced scanning performance in phased array apertures

• US 9,030,360 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Jerauld, Jason E., Cook, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US13/558,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/909, 343/846, 343/848
• US Class Current: 343/700.MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/52 Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure absorbing means H01Q17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/006 Selective devices having photonic band gap materials or materials of which the material properties are frequency dependent, e.g. perforated substrates, high-impedance surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 17/00 Devices for absorbing waves radiated from an antenna; Combinations of such devices with active antenna elements or systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array

Abstract

Embodiments of a phased array antenna having a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell utilizing an improved electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure and a lossy material in connection with the EBG element are disclosed. The lossy material reduces the undesired coupling between the antenna radiator and the EBG, thus providing enhanced scanning performance in the phased array aperture.

Claims

1. A phased array of antenna elements disposed on a substrate, comprising a plurality of unit cells, each said unit cell comprising:

an antenna element disposed on said substrate and substantially surrounded by a periodic arrangement of metamaterial elements;

a lossy material disposed on said substrate and forms a contiguous border around each said metamaterial element;

wherein said lossy material reduces undesired coupling between said antenna element and said periodic arrangement of metamaterial elements.

2. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said lossy material forms a portion of each said metamaterial element.

3. The phased array of claim 2, wherein:

said metamaterial elements each comprise a shorting pin and a ground plane;

said lousy material is disposed within said substrate; and

said lossy material forms a contiguous connection between each said shorting pin and said ground plane.

4. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said unit cells are essentially hexagonal in shape and are arranged in a triangular lattice.

5. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said antenna element is a patch antenna.

6. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said periodic arrangement of metamaterial elements comprises a triangular lattice of essentially hexagonal metamaterial elements.

7. The phased array of claim 6, wherein said periodic arrangement of metamaterial elements is hexagonally close-packed.

8. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said antenna element is offset-coaxial-fed.

9. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said metamaterial elements each comprise a shorting pin.

10. The phased array of claim 9, wherein said shorting pin is centrally located within said metamaterial element.

11. The phased array of claim 1, wherein said metamaterial element comprises an electromagnetic baudgap structure.

12. An antenna element, comprising:

a radiator disposed on a substrate;

a periodic arrangement of metamaterial elements disposed around said radiator; and

a lossy material disposed on said substrate and forms a contiguous border around each said metamaterial element.

13. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said lossy material forms a portion of each said metamaterial element.

14. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein:

said metamaterial elements each comprise a shorting pin and a ground plane;

said lossy material is disposed within said substrate; and

said lossy forms a contiguous connection between each said shorting pin and said ground plane.

15. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said radiator is a patch antenna.

16. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said antenna element is essentially hexagonal in shape.

17. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said periodic arrangement of inetamaterial elements comprises a triangular lattice of essentially hexagonal metamaterial elements.

18. The antenna element of claim 17, wherein said periodic arrangement of metamatetial elements is hexagonally close-packed.

19. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said radiator is offset-comial-fed.

20. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said metamaterial elements each comprise a shorting pin.

21. The antenna element of claim 20, wherein said shorting pin is centrally located within said metamaterial element.

22. The antenna element of claim 12, wherein said metamaterial element comprises an electromagnetic bandgap structure.