Patent ID: 6067047
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
An electrically adjustable back-fed radio frequency (RF) antenna comprising:an RF power distribution network having at least one RF input and a plurality of RF outputs, wherein said RF power distribution network distributes RF power received at said at least one RF input into substantially equal parts to said plurality of RF outputs;a plurality of electrically-controllable phase-shifting elements coupled to said plurality of RF outputs on said RF power distribution network, said plurality of electrically-controllable phase-shifting elements, wherein an electrically-controllable phase-shifting element comprises at least one waveguide structure comprising at least one dielectric material and two pairs of parallel sides which are direct current (DC) isolated from each other;a control network coupled to a first pair of said parallel sides, said control network applying an electric field to said first pair of parallel sides for controlling a dielectric constant of said at least one dielectric material; anda plurality of antenna array elements coupled to said plurality of electrically-controllable phase-shifting elements, wherein dielectric matching layers are inserted between said plurality of electrically-controllable phase-shifting elements and said plurality of antenna array elements.