Patent ID: 8669908
Filing Date: 2014-03-11
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A broadband antenna array comprising: a flat planar device comprising; a substrate surface having a first edge opposite a second edge and a third edge opposite a fourth edge; a centerline parallel to said third and fourth edges being defined by an axis midway between said third and fourth edges, said substrate surface having an upper surface and a lower surface; a portion of said upper surface of said substrate surface being covered with a conductive material and a portion of said upper surface of said substrate surface being uncovered; said conductive material forming an antenna element, said antenna element having a first half portion on a side of said centerline closer to said third edge and a second half portion on a side of said centerline closer to said fourth edge; a cavity formed on a portion of said uncovered substrate portion, said cavity having a mouth area, said mouth area contacting said first edge and extending from said first edge of said substrate surface toward said second edge of said substrate surface, an upper portion of said mouth area also contacting said third edge of said substrate surface and extending entirely along said first edge to said fourth edge and contacting said fourth edge; said mouth area of said cavity having a cross section diminishing in size from a widest point wherein said mouth area of said cavity contacts said first edge, to a narrowest point of said cavity closest to said second edge; said mouth area having a first mouth edge on a side of said centerline proximal said third edge of said substrate surface and a second mouth edge on a side of said centerline proximal said fourth edge of said substrate surface, said first and second mouth edges each having a slope, said first and second mouth edges each extending from proximal said first edge toward said centerline and toward said second edge to an angle slope change point, a third mouth edge on a side of said centerline proximal said third edge and a fourth mouth edge on a side of said centerline proximal said fourth edge, said third and fourth mouth edges each extending from said angle slope change point to said narrowest point; wherein said narrowest point of said cavity leads into a curvilinear cavity portion of said cavity; said curvilinear cavity portion of said cavity being substantially semi-circular in shape along said substrate surface, said curvilinear cavity portion curving downwards toward said second edge from said narrowest point and then curving upwards towards said third edge; wherein said uncovered substrate portion further includes a first and a second generally rectangular-shaped portions extending from said upper portion of said mouth area extending entirely along said first edge to said fourth edge, said first generally rectangular-shaped portion extending toward said second edge of said substrate surface and contacting said second edge of said substrate surface, one edge of said first generally rectangular-shaped portion collinear with said third edge of said substrate surface, said second generally rectangular-shaped portion extending toward said second edge of said substrate surface and contacting said second edge of said substrate surface, one edge of said second generally rectangular-shaped portion collinear with said fourth edge of said substrate surface; said first half portion of said antenna element having a wide portion proximal said second edge of said substrate surface and narrowing to a tip proximal said first and third edges of said substrate surface and not contacting said first and third edges of said substrate surface; and said second half portion of said antenna element having a wide portion proximal said second edge of said substrate surface and narrowing to a tip proximal said first and fourth edges of said substrate surface.