Waveguide horn antenna array and radar device

• US 7,423,604 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Nagai, Tomohiro
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US11/283,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 343/772, 343/776, 343/786
• US Class Current: 343/776
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0037 linear waveguide fed arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/064 using horn or slot aerials slotted waveguides arrays H01Q21/005

Abstract

A conductor member contains a linear feed waveguide extending in a fixed direction and a plurality of horn antennas coupled to the feed waveguide and set at an interval of about one half of a wavelength in the extending direction of the feed waveguide. The horn antennas are formed by horns and coupling waveguides, and the coupling waveguides are set so as to partially enter the feed waveguide. When the size of the spatial coupling portion formed by the entrance is changed, the degree of coupling between the feed waveguide and each of the coupling waveguides changes.

Claims

1. A waveguide horn antenna array comprising:

a feed waveguide; and

a plurality of horn antennas, each horn antenna having a coupling waveguide with an electromagnetic wave propagation direction perpendicular to an electromagnetic wave propagation direction of the feed waveguide, and having a horn portion coupled to a first end portion of the coupling waveguide opposite the feed waveguide,

wherein the plurality of horn antennas are set in a predetermined arrangement relative to the feed waveguide, and

wherein a second end portion of the coupling waveguide, opposite the first end portion, is at least partially protruded into the feed waveguide in a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the feed waveguide.

2. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 1:

wherein an opening surface of the feed waveguide has a long side and a short side perpendicular to an extending direction of the coupling waveguide, an opening surface of each of the coupling waveguides has a long side and a short side perpendicular to the extending direction of the feed waveguide, and

wherein the coupling waveguides are coupled to the feed waveguide so that the direction of the long side of the feed waveguide and the direction of the long side of the coupling waveguides form a predetermined angle.

3. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling waveguides are disposed at an interval of about one half of a wavelength of a signal propagated in the feed waveguide in the extending direction of the feed waveguide, and neighboring coupling waveguides in the extending direction of the feed waveguide are disposed on opposite sides of the feed waveguide.

4. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 1:

wherein the plurality of horn antennas are coupled to the feed waveguide so that the radiation direction of an electromagnetic wave is perpendicular to the E-plane of the feed waveguide, and

wherein the feed waveguide is divided into two parts by the E-plane.

5. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of dielectric lenses are coupled to respective opening portions of the plurality of horn antennas.

6. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of dielectric lenses are integrally formed with the plurality of horn antennas.

7. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 1, wherein a dielectric material is located on the horn portion of the plurality of horn antennas.

8. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dielectric material is attached to an opening of the horn portion.

9. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dielectric material is attached inside the horn portion.

10. A waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dielectric material is similar in shape to the horn portion.

11. A radar device comprising:

a waveguide horn antenna array as claimed in claim 1, wherein a target detection is performed by using an electromagnetic wave transmitted and received by the waveguide horn antenna array.