Method and apparatus for communication using variable permittivity polyrod antenna

• US 10,770,799 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2019
• Issued: 09/08/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Shikik, Britz, David M., Gerszberg, Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lam T
• Application Number:
  US16/535,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20190363446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 343785
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/24 constituted by a dielectric or ferromagnetic rod or pipe H01Q13/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/28 comprising elements constituting electric discontinuities and spaced in direction of wave propagation, e.g. dielectric elements or conductive elements forming artificial dielectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/00 Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system means for positioning H01Q1/125

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a device with a polyrod antenna having a core, where the core has a first region with a first dielectric constant and a second region with a second dielectric constant, and where the second dielectric constant is higher than the first dielectric constant. The device can include a waveguide coupled with the core, where the waveguide is configured to confine an electromagnetic wave at least in part within the core in the first region. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an antenna comprising a first region with a first dielectric constant and a second region with a second dielectric constant, wherein the second dielectric constant is different from the first dielectric constant; and

a waveguide coupled to the antenna, wherein the waveguide is configured to confine a portion of an electromagnetic wave within the antenna.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second region is closer to a distal end of the antenna than the first region.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a first outer dimension of the first region is larger than a second outer dimension of the second region.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the antenna is tapered.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna has a plurality of other regions, and wherein dielectric constants of the plurality of other regions vary in a direction towards a distal end of the antenna.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein outer dimensions of at least two of the plurality of other regions are equal.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of other regions is positioned between the first and second regions, and wherein a third region of the plurality of other regions has a tapered shape.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first and second regions have uniform outer dimensions.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions are annular regions, and wherein the second region is closer to an outer surface of the antenna than the first region.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is coupled with a tuner that enables adjustment of the first dielectric constant of the first region and adjustment of the second dielectric constant of the second region.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna has a lens positioned at a distal end of the antenna.

12. A method, comprising:

generating, by a communication device, an electromagnetic wave according to an operating frequency;

facilitating, by the communication device, propagation of the electromagnetic wave to a feedpoint of an antenna of the communication device; and

transmitting, via the antenna, a wireless signal based on the electromagnetic wave, wherein the antenna converts the electromagnetic wave into the wireless signal,

wherein the antenna has regions with a varying dielectric constant and a varying outer dimension in a direction towards a distal end of the antenna.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising selecting the operating frequency to facilitate confining an electrical field of the electromagnetic wave at least in part within the antenna as the electromagnetic wave propagates along the antenna.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising beam steering communication signals via an antenna array of the communication device, wherein the antenna array includes the antenna.

15. An antenna, comprising:

a first region and a second region, wherein the first region has a first permittivity and a first outer dimension, wherein the second region has a second permittivity and a second outer dimension, wherein the second permittivity is different from the first permittivity, wherein the first outer dimension is larger than the second outer dimension, wherein the antenna is coupled to a waveguide that facilitates launching an electromagnetic wave that propagates along the antenna without requiring an electrical return path.

16. The antenna of claim 15, wherein the second region is closer to a distal end of the antenna than the first region.

17. The antenna of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the antenna is tapered.

18. The antenna of claim 15, wherein the antenna has a plurality of other regions, and wherein permittivities of the plurality of other regions vary in a direction towards a distal end of the antenna.

19. The antenna of claim 18, wherein outer dimensions of at least two of the plurality of other regions are equal.

20. The antenna of claim 18, wherein the plurality of other regions is positioned between the first and second regions, wherein a third region of the plurality of other regions has a tapered shape, and wherein the first and second regions are non-tapered.