Extendable/retractable antenna calibration element

• US 7,215,298 B1
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Fraschilla, John, Reese, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US11/219,978
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/776, 343/853, 343/895, 342/174, 342/360, 342/368
• US Class Current: 343/853
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/08 Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof collapsible loop antennas H01Q7/02; means for collapsing H-antennas or Yagi antennas H01Q19/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1235 Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/061 Two dimensional planar arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/267 Phased-array testing or checking devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence

Abstract

An antenna array coacts with a ground plane for radiation. Calibration of the array is accomplished with the aid of one or more extensible calibration antenna elements, such as monopole antenna elements. Each calibration monopole is ordinarily retracted below the ground plane and is not “energized.” When calibration is desired, it is extended to protrude above the ground plane so as to achieve mutual coupling with one or more of the elements of the array antenna. Calibration signals may be passed in either direction. The calibration antenna may be extended/retracted by vacuum, mechanical device, or electrical motor.

Claims

1. An antenna arrangement, comprising:

a conductive ground sheet defining at least a first broad side;

a principal antenna for at least one of transmitting and receiving, said principal antenna arrangement coacting with said conductive ground sheet for transducing electromagnetic signals flowing in space in that half-space adjacent said first broad side of said ground sheet, said principal antenna including at least one principal antenna port;

a retractable-extensible calibration radiation element capable of extending through at least said first broad side of said ground sheet, and also being capable of assuming (a) a retracted position in which said calibration radiation element does not extend into said half-space and (b) an extended position in which said calibration radiation element extends from said first side of said ground sheet into said half-space; and

a calibration antenna port associated with said calibration radiation element.

2. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said calibration radiation element is a monopole.

3. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a calibration arrangement coupled to said calibration radiation element port and to said at least one port of said principal antenna, for applying signals to one of (a) at least a portion of said principal antenna and (b) said calibration radiation element, for causing signals to flow between said calibration radiation element and said principal antenna.

4. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said principal antenna port of said principal antenna is accessible from the other half-space associated with said ground sheet.

5. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:

said principal antenna is an array antenna including a beamformer to which said principal antenna port is coupled.

6. An antenna arrangement according to claim 5, wherein:

said array antenna is an array of electromagnetic radiators, each of which is flush with said first side of said ground sheet.

7. An antenna according to claim 6, wherein:

said array antenna is an array of horn aperture elements.

8. An antenna arrangement according to claim 6, wherein:

said array antenna is an array of patch antenna elements.

9. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:

said principal antenna is an array of antenna elements, each of which extends into said half-space.

10. An antenna arrangement according to claim 9, wherein:

said array of antenna elements includes axial-mode helical antennas.

11. An antenna arrangement according to claim 9, wherein:

said array of antenna elements includes an array of individual antenna elements, each of which has a radiating aperture which is flush with the local portion of the first broad surface of the ground sheet.

12. An antenna arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said individual antenna elements are patch antennas.

13. An antenna arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said individual antenna elements are horn antennas.

14. An antenna according to claim 1, wherein said first side of said ground sheet is flat.

15. An antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said calibration radiation element comprises an electrically conductive monopole element which, in said extended position, is electrically insulated from said ground sheet.

16. An antenna according to claim 15, wherein the length of said calibration radiation element is one-quarter wavelength at the calibration frequency.

17. An antenna arrangement, comprising:

a conductive ground sheet defining at least a first broad side;

a principal antenna for at least one of transmitting and receiving, said principal antenna arrangement coacting with said conductive ground sheet for transducing electromagnetic signals flowing in space in that half-space adjacent said first broad side of said ground sheet, said principal antenna including at least one principal antenna port;

a retractable-extensible monopole calibration element capable of extending through at least said first broad side of said ground sheet, and also being capable of assuming (a) a retracted position in which said calibration element does not extend into said half-space and (b) an extended position in which said calibration element extends from said first broad side of said ground sheet into said half-space; and

a calibration antenna port associated with said calibration element.