Surface scattering antennas
First Claim
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1. An antenna, comprising:
- a waveguide; and
a plurality of individually dynamically adjustable scattering elements distributed along the waveguide with inter-element spacings substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna, where the plurality of individually dynamically adjustable scattering elements have a plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses to a guided wave mode of the waveguide, and the plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses provide a dynamically adjustable radiation field of the antenna;
wherein the waveguide includes a conducting surface and the plurality of scattering elements corresponds to a plurality of apertures within the conducting surface;
wherein each one of the plurality of scattering elements corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of apertures;
wherein the plurality of scattering elements includes a respective plurality of conducting islands that are electrically disconnected from the conducting surface, and the antenna further comprises a plurality of bias voltage lines configured to provide respective bias voltages between the conducting surface and the respective plurality of conducting islands.
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Abstract
Surface scattering antennas provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure. In some approaches, the scattering elements are complementary metamaterial elements. In some approaches, the scattering elements are made adjustable by disposing an electrically adjustable material, such as a liquid crystal, in proximity to the scattering elements. Methods and systems provide control and adjustment of surface scattering antennas for various applications.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An antenna, comprising:
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a waveguide; and a plurality of individually dynamically adjustable scattering elements distributed along the waveguide with inter-element spacings substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna, where the plurality of individually dynamically adjustable scattering elements have a plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses to a guided wave mode of the waveguide, and the plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses provide a dynamically adjustable radiation field of the antenna; wherein the waveguide includes a conducting surface and the plurality of scattering elements corresponds to a plurality of apertures within the conducting surface; wherein each one of the plurality of scattering elements corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of apertures; wherein the plurality of scattering elements includes a respective plurality of conducting islands that are electrically disconnected from the conducting surface, and the antenna further comprises a plurality of bias voltage lines configured to provide respective bias voltages between the conducting surface and the respective plurality of conducting islands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification