Patent ID: 6094171
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
An aircraft antenna system structurally integrated into an external equipment pod carried by an aircraft, the antenna system comprising:an externally mounted aircraft equipment pod, at least one wall of which includes an antenna notch formed from non-conductive material and positioned between two adjacent conductive regions of the pod wall, wherein the notch and the two adjacent conductive regions are structurally integrated to perform mechanical functions of the equipment pod wall and wherein the notch extends from a narrow region to a flared wider region; andan antenna feed terminating at a feed point located in the narrow region of the notch, to couple transmitted energy into the notch and to couple received energy out of the notch;wherein the pod is mechanically connected to the aircraft by an electrically conductive connection;and wherein the adjacent conductive regions of the pod and other conductive regions of the entire aircraft structure function as a radiating and receiving component of the antenna system, which provides an omnidirectional radiation pattern supporting vertically and horizontally polarized communication functions.