Patent ID: 7907096
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: H01P,H01Q

Abstract:
1. An antenna including a plurality of antenna elements and a feed network configured to feed signals to and/or receive signals from the antenna elements, wherein the feed network includes a multi-bladed wiper-type phase shifter including: i. two or more conductive strips positioned about a pivot point, at least one of the conductive strips including at least one of: meander sections and notched sections, wherein the at least one of meander sections and notched sections provides increased electrical length having an electrical length greater than the electrical length of a simple conductive strip of the same physical length; ii. a wiper configured to pivot about the pivot point and having a first blade extending in a first direction for coupling with one or more of the conductive strips and a second blade extending in a second direction for coupling with one or more of the conductive strips; and iii. an input line configured to couple with the wiper near the pivot point; wherein the wiper is configured to pivot about the pivot point so as to vary the path lengths from the input line to antenna elements connected to the conductive strips; and wherein an antenna element having a first maximum phase shift is connected to a first conductive strip and another antenna element having a second maximum phase shift opposite to the first maximum phase shift is connected to a second conductive strip.