Abstract:
The present invention relates to a series fed collinear antenna which includes cone-shaped radiating elements energized via a series fed common transmission line. Phasing stubs are provided between selected radiating elements and are oriented such that the phasing stub improves gain and reliability by affecting the signal to produce a beneficial elevational coordinate signal pattern. The radiating elements may be cones. Each cone has an associated base diameter. The base diameter may be uniform, resulting in similarly sized cones, or a cone may have a distinct base diameter resulting in differently sized cone elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/163,318, filed Jan. 24, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/817,589, filed Apr. 30, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/756,137, filed Jan. 24, 2013; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to a device for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. More particularly, this invention relates to a high gain omnidirectional antenna. Specifically, this invention relates to a series fed omnidirectional antenna formed via collinear cone elements which are phased using external elements angled with respect to the overall longitudinal axis of the antenna. Further, this invention relates to incorporating a dome shaped ground plane element into the overall series fed omnidirectional antenna design. 
     2. Background Information 
     The standard series-fed collinear high gain omnidirectional antenna design has several undesirable characteristics such as a distinctly narrowed frequency range. This narrowed frequency range applies to gain, standing wave radio (SWR), and overall pattern. The primary elevation coordinate signal pattern drops well below the horizon with frequency decreasing below the optimal tuned frequency. Conversely, corporate-fed coaxial dipoles seen for decades mounted on towers and masts, maintain the elevation coordinate signal pattern near the horizon at all tuned frequencies. While the series-fed collinear designs occupy a small horizontal space, typically contained in a vertical tube made of fiberglass, corporate fed coaxial dipoles around a mast or tower take up an enormous amount of horizontal space. This leads to problems with wind shear and elements as a fiberglass tube generally is not available for protection from the elements for such a large horizontal structure. 
     More recent designs have attempted to combine the smaller lateral dimension advantage of standard series-fed collinear antennas with the broader frequency range maintained near horizon of the standard horizontally spaced corporate-fed omnidirectional antennas. Inasmuch as there are increasing needs for broader frequency band antennas, there is a tremendous need in the art for antennas which have reliably broader frequency ranges. 
     As seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,804, and in particular, FIGS. 11 and 12, one significant design issue with corporate-fed coaxial dipoles relates to incorporating the complex feed system into the overall antenna design. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,804 incorporates cylindrical element dipoles of substantially larger diameter such that the corporate-fed system has room inside the center of these stacked cylindrical dipoles for encapsulating the feed system. One will readily recognize this design is inherently very complex and involves an exponentially increasing number of connections as the input signal is split for each cylindrical dipole added. 
     There have been attempts to recognize the broad frequency band characteristics of the cone-style element and incorporate such cone-style into a corporate fed design. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,855,693, and in particular, FIGS. 1 and 2, this design does not alleviate the complexity of powering each coned element. This can be further shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,880, and in particular FIG. 2. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention includes a novel approach to expanding the gain and reliability of a series fed collinear antenna. The present invention includes cone-shaped radiating elements energized via a series fed common transmission line. Phasing stubs are provided between selected radiating elements and are oriented such that the phasing stub improves gain and reliability by affecting the signal to produce a beneficial elevational coordinate signal pattern. A ground plane may be provided proximate the cone-shaped radiating elements to further enhance the radiated signal. This ground plane may be formed in a dome shape with the apex of the dome generally vertically spaced above the outer rim of the dome. This ground plane may have a surface length from the apex of the dome to the rim greater than ¼ wave, with the surface length preferably around ½ wave length or greater. 
     In one aspect, the invention may provide a series-fed collinear high gain omnidirectional antenna adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy at an intended frequency having a wave length, the antenna comprising: a first radiative element comprised of a first cone having a first apex and a second cone having a second apex, wherein the first apex is secured to the second apex; a second radiative element comprised of a third cone having a third apex; and a first phasing stub extending outwardly away from the second cone to a first phasing stub apex and extending inwardly from the first phasing stub apex the third cone, wherein the first phasing stub includes a first length configured synchronize radiative phase between the first radiative element and the second radiative element. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide a series fed collinear antenna comprising: a first cone shaped element having a first apex and a first base and adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy; a second cone shaped element having a second apex and a second base and adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy; a phasing stub having a length and extending outwardly away from the first cone shaped element and the second cone shaped element; wherein the phasing stub electrically connects the first cone shaped element and the second cone shaped element; and wherein the length is configured synchronize radiative phase between the first cone shaped element and the second cone shaped element. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide an antenna comprising: a first element having a first end and a spaced apart second end and adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy; a second element having a third end and a spaced apart fourth end and adapted to radiate electromagnetic energy; at least one phasing stub having a length and extending outwardly away from the first element to a phasing stub apex and extending inwardly to the second element from the phasing stub apex; a transmitter for supplying electrical power to one of the first element and the second element; wherein the at least one phasing stub electrically connects the first element and the second element in series; and wherein the length is configured to synchronize radiative phase between the first element and the second element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the invention is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the antenna of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the antenna of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 a    is an elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 3 b    is an elevational view of a section of the antenna of the present invention, showing two of the radiating elements; 
         FIG. 3 c    is an elevational view of a second of the antenna of the present invention, showing two of the radiating elements; 
         FIG. 4  is a representational elevational coordinate signal pattern radiated by the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a pair of antennas of the present invention extending from a mast; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of an antenna of the present invention extending from a building; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an antenna of the present invention incorporating a dome shaped ground plane; and 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of an antenna of the present invention similar to  FIG. 6  and having a radome cover disposed thereon. 
         FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention depicting cone elements of different dimensions. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The high gain wideband omnidirectional antenna of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-8  and is indicated generally at  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , antenna  1  is typically formed as part of an overall antenna module  3  having antenna  1  encapsulated within a radome protective covering  5  to offer protection from weather elements. Antenna  1  is further typically connected to a mast  7  which may be hollow or solidified, depending on the desired configuration. As shown in  FIG. 2 , mast  7  may provide a structure for bringing a power cable  9  to antenna  1  to transmit power for energizing antenna  1 . In the preferred embodiment, power cable  9  is a coaxial type of cable having a first power line  10  also referred to as the center lead and a second power line  12  also referred to as the shield, as shown in  FIG. 3 a   . However, as commonly known in the art, power cable  9  may be of any type of power delivery cable, including twin lead with balun. Further, the present invention may include other structures as well or methods commonly known in the art for energizing antenna  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   a , antenna  1  is comprised primarily of a multi-coned section  11  energized by first power line  10  and a ground plane  13  energized by second power line  12 . Coned section  11  is comprised of five cone elements, whereby each cone element  15  is formed in a conical shape and has a side length of approximately ¼ of the wavelength intended to be sent/received by antenna  1 . Cone elements  15  are stacked consecutively, transposing the vertical position of an apex  17  of the particular cone element  15 , with adjacent apexes  17  conductively connected to one another. Conversely, each cone element  15  further includes a base  19 , which is separated from the next base  19  in the series by way of a non-conductive stabilizing beam  21 . Stabilizing beams  21  separate one base  19  from the next base  19  and act to stabilize the overall coned section  11 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, cone elements  15  are made from any conductive material, for example copper, and sized to have an overall side length of generally ¼ of the wave intended to be sent and/or received via antenna  1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 a   , the apex  17  of each cone element  15  is connected or secured to the apex  17  of an adjacent cone element  15 . As such, this two cone element  15  structure is sized to have an operational resonant length of about ½ wave. As discussed previously, base  19  of each cone element  15  is not directly abuttably connected to the adjacent cone element  15 . Base  19  of each cone element  15  is spaced apart from the adjacent cone element  15 . However, inasmuch as the overall coned section  11  is energized in a series fed configuration, adjacent bases  19  are electrically connected via at least one phasing stub  23 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , at least one phasing stub  23  extends from the base  19  of a cone element  15  to the adjacent base  19  of an adjacent cone element  15 . This arrangement can be seen more particularly in  FIG. 3 b   , where cone element  15   b  and adjacent cone element  15   c  are jointly supported with stabilizing beam  21  extending therebetween. Phasing stub  23  includes a first end  25  proximate base  19   b  of cone element  15   b  which extends to a second end  27  proximate base  19   c  of cone element  15   c . As shown in  FIG. 3 b   , with respect to the overall shape, phasing stub  23  extends from base  19   b  and first end  25  in an upwardly and outwardly extending direction to a phasing stub apex  29  and thereafter extends in a downwardly and inwardly extending direction to base  19   c  and second end  27 . As shown in  FIG. 3 b   , phasing stub  23  may extend such that phasing stub apex  29  is approximately co-planer with apex  17   c  of cone element  15   c  or at least generally proximate an imaginary horizontal plane  31 . 
     Phasing stub  23  includes two important features. The first important feature relates to the overall length of phasing stub  23 , and more particularly the distance between first end  25  and second end  27  with respect to the adjacent cone elements  15  in the series. Phasing stub  23  is configured such that the operating length is approximately one-half wavelength (A). The length of phasing stub  23  ensures that the overall longitudinal wave cycle from the power cable  9  feed to the outer end of antenna  1  is similar for each two cone element  15  block. The length of phasing stub  23  therefore is configured to synchronize radiative phase between the cones it connects. Inasmuch as each two cone element  15  structure is sized to have an operational resonant length of about ½ wave and each phasing stub  23  connecting adjacent two cone element  15  structures is ½ wave, phasing stub  23  synchronizes the electromagnetic waves radiating from each two cone element  15  structure. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 b    at a given moment M x  the two cone element  15  comprised of cone element  15   a  connected to cone element  15   b  transitions from a negative wave amplitude at base  19   a , to a neutral or zero wave amplitude at apexes  17   a  and  17   b , and thereafter to a positive wave amplitude proximate base  19   b . Inasmuch as base  19   b  and  19   c  are conductively separated by stabilizing beam  21  and the overall coned section  11  is a series fed antenna design, cone element  15   b  and cone element  15   c  must necessarily be conductively connected to continue the series. This is accomplished via phasing stub  23 . To maintain longitudinal consistency with respect to wave amplitude, phasing stub  23  is provided with an operational length equal to one half wavelength (λ). As seen in  FIG. 3 b   , a half wavelength phasing stub  23  allows the wave to conductively connect to the adjacent cone at the appropriate phase to maintain longitudinal consistency throughout coned section  11 . In other terms, at a given moment M x , whatever portion of the waveform base  19   a  is experiencing, phasing stub  23  ensures base  19   c  is experiencing the same portion of the waveform at the previous cycle of the wave. For example, at moment M x , if the fraction of the wave cycle at base  19   a  of cone element  15   a  is a negative amplitude, the fraction of the wave cycle at base  19   c  of cone element  15   c  is also a similar negative amplitude. 
     The second important feature provided by phasing stub  23  is gain enhancement, particularly when compared to other phasing stub solutions which provide a parasitic effect and can diminish the overall gain of the antenna. Previous attempts at placing phasing stubs outside of the radiative elements of the antenna were failures due to the parasitic effect of the phasing stub on the electronic field radiated by the antenna. To that end, prior art phasing solutions were directed to making phasing elements more invisible with respect to the electronic field, by placing the phasing elements inside the radiating elements, as opposed to extending outwardly from the overall longitudinal axis of the antenna. These solutions were used to minimize the gain diminishing effects of the phasing elements. Conversely, rather than trying to minimize the parasitic effects of a phasing element, the present invention makes use of the phasing element to enhance the gain. 
     Phasing stub  23  is designed and positioned to generally continue the angle of the radiating cone element  15  immediately vertically below the particular phasing stub  23 . As shown in  FIG. 3 b   , one will readily recognize the angle of cone element  15   b  is continued by phasing stub  23  up to phasing stub apex  29 , generally along an imaginary axis  32  of phasing stub  23  whereby imaginary axis  32  separates phasing stub  23  into two generally identical halves. Phasing stub  23  is preferably angled with respect to plane  31  such that there is approximately a 45° to 70° angle Θ between plane  31  and axis  32  of phasing stub  23 , with the ideal angle being generally where Θ is equal to 60°. Positioning a radiating element near another radiating element may result in significant disruption to the gain and overall radiation pattern. However, it has been discovered that by orienting phasing stub  23  at approximately a 60° angle and aligning phasing stub  23  generally to continue the surface of cone element  15   b  towards phasing stub apex  29 , the gain of antenna  1  is not diminished nor is the pattern disrupted. Conversely, the gain is enhanced due to phasing stub  23  and the open nature of this radiating element with respect to cone element  15   b . A phasing stub with axis  32  parallel to plane  31  acts to “box” the signal in between the phasing stub and the lower cone element with the phasing stub as an upper bound on the signal. Conversely, the orientation of phasing stub  23  of the present invention acts to enhance the interaction between base upward cones, with base downward cones and ground plane  13 . This represents an enormous leap in the art, as phasing solutions of previous embodiments necessarily affected the radiation pattern in a gain diminishing way. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 c   , there exists an imaginary longitudinal center axis  30  extending through the axial center of antenna  1 . Further, there exists an imaginary middle plane  34  which extends horizontally through the longitudinal middle of cone element  15   c . The longitudinal middle is defined as the general midpoint between apex  17   c  and base  19   c . It is one of the primary features of the present invention that phasing stub apex  29  is disposed vertically above imaginary middle plane  34 , as shown in  FIG. 3 c   . Further, phasing stub apex  29  is disposed vertically below imaginary plane  31 , which extends through apex  17   c  of cone element  15   c . Cone element  15   c  includes an outer surface  53  and cone element  15   b  includes an outer surface  55 . To further describe the preferred orientation of phasing stub  23 , outer surface  53  in the area most proximate phasing stub  23  extends at an acute angle with respect to axis  32 . Further, outer surface  55  in the area most proximate phasing stub  23  extends at an obtuse angle with respect to axis  32 . As shown in  FIG. 3 c   , one will recognize that phasing stub apex  29  is disposed between a midpoint of phasing stub  23  and second end  27  of phasing stub  23  and is not symmetrically disposed at the midpoint between first end  25  and second end  27  due to the angled and non-symmetrical nature of phasing stub  23 . 
     Antenna  1  preferably includes three ½ wave radiating components, with the lower of those three components incorporating ground plane  13  in place of an apex-upward cone. For some background, typical ground planes used in the art may be oriented perpendicular to the axis of the antenna element and disposed generally horizontally parallel with the horizon. Other standard ground planes may angle downwardly such as a straight 30°, 45°, or 60° angle down with respect to the horizon. Further, standard ground planes generally are constructed with a radius of ¼ wave length. Ground plane  13  operates generally in the manner expected by those familiar with the art and is oriented generally horizontally parallel with the horizon. However, in addition to the expected and commonly known benefits of ground plane  13 , it has been discovered that by making ground plane  13  comparatively substantial more continuous and of greater dimension there is increase in the overall bandwidth and gain of antenna  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a ground plane  113  may be provided on antenna  1 . Ground plane  113  is formed in a dome shape that generally resembles the hollow upper third of a sphere, having an apex  114  disposed vertically above a continuous rim  116 . Ground plane  113  includes an arcuate outer surface  118  which is generally flat and smooth, although multiple curvilinear wires could be utilized, and formed in a curved or arcuate shape extending from apex  114  to rim  116 . While typical ground planes are constructed with a center-to-edge length of ¼ wave length, it has been discovered that by forming ground plane  113  with an arcuate apex-to-rim length L generally equal to ½ wave length or greater, several beneficial effects are realized. These include a greater frequency bandwidth, particularly with respect to standing wave ratio and performance. The benefits further include an improved signal pattern and overall gain, as the dome shape of ground plane  113  couples and resonate with cone elements  15  and potentially with portions of phasing stubs  23 , as described above. In summary, through extensive experimentation, it has been discovered that by forming ground plane  113  in a general dome shape and setting the arcuate apex-to-rim length of L generally equal to ½ wave length, enormous benefits have been achieved over a standard ground plane. 
       FIG. 4  shows a sample elevation coordinate signal pattern for antenna  1 . The signal pattern provided by antenna  1  portrays the merging of signal patterns provided by antenna  1  by way of reducing undesirable lobes while producing a broad and strong elevation signal pattern at, above, and below the horizon. The signal pattern also reduces signal overshoot problems seen with other designs where a radiated signal may pass over the desired target receiving unit. As shown in  FIG. 4 , antenna  1  resonates a high gain wideband omnidirectional signal which may be in the range of 3 dB above and below the horizontal and resonated at an angle generally of β. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the series-fed collinear high gain omnidirectional antenna  1  of the present invention may be stacked with multiple antennas  1  to increase the gain. As shown in  FIG. 5 , antenna  1   a  is stacked vertically coaxially with antenna  1   b . Antenna  1   b  includes mast  7   a  connected to a first horizontal arm extending from a tower  35 . Similarly, antenna  1   b  includes a mast  7   b  connected to a second vertical arm  39  extending from tower  35 . First horizontal arm and second horizontal arm are generally similar in length in order to position antenna  1   a  directly vertically above antenna  1   b  in a generally coaxial alignment. As shown in  FIG. 5 , power line  9  extends along tower  35  and into a power divider  41  whereby power cable  9  is divided and split into equal lengths first power line  43  and second power line  45 . First power line  43  energizes and provides power to antenna  1   a  while second power line  45  energizes and provides power to antenna  7   b . The configuration represented in  FIG. 5  is exemplary and may further include additional antennas  1  disposed about tower  35 . A signal pattern  47  produced by antenna  1  in  FIG. 5  is shown in phantom and is representational of the signal pattern produced by the present invention in the configuration of  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , antenna  1  may be used singularly as desired and as appropriate for particular applications, for example on a building  49 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  includes antenna  1  connected to mast  7  which is in turn connected to first horizontal arm  37 . First horizontal arm  37  extends outwardly from tower/mast  35  which is much smaller and more compact to take advantage of the overall height of building  49 . Power cable  9  extends from building  49  up tower  35  and into antenna  1  as described in previous embodiments. A signal pattern  51  produced by antenna  1  in  FIG. 6  is shown in phantom and is representational of the signal pattern produced by the present invention in the configuration of  FIG. 6 . Signal pattern  51  is broader and less far-reaching than signal pattern  47 . 
     In other embodiments ground plane  13  may be for example the sheet metal of a roof of a building or of a vehicle, and may be even larger with similar benefits. 
     As depicted throughout  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8 , energized cone elements  15  on antenna  1  include are right circular cones including a longitudinal height  102  measured from the apex  17  through the center of base  19 . Base  19  includes a diameter  104  measured from edge to edge through the center of base  19 . Each cone element  15  in this embodiment is uniform in dimension relative to the other cone elements (i.e., all cone elements  15  are the same size). The height  102  is about four inches and the diameter  104  is about four inches. These dimensions optimize a frequency range in which antenna  1  receives signals. Energized cone elements  15  having the height  102  of four inches and a diameter  104  of four inches receive signals in an operative frequency range from about 600 MHz to about 1000 MHz. More particularly, cone elements receive signals in a frequency range from about 650 MHz to about 900 MHz. Even more specifically, cone elements  15  receive signals in a frequency range from 690 MHz to 870 MHz. 
     An alternative embodiment antenna of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 9  generally as  101 . Antenna  101  includes similar outer housing elements as antenna  1  but provides a distinct energized cone section  111  including stacked cone elements  115   a ,  115   b , and  115   c . Cone element  115   a  (also referred to as first cone element  115   a ) is a right circular cone including a longitudinal height  112  measured from apex  17  through the center of base  19  and a base diameter  114  measured edge to edge through center of base  19 . Longitudinal height  112  is about five inches and diameter  114  is about nine inches. 
     Cone element  115   b  is connected apex-to-apex with cone element  115   a . However, unlike cone elements  15  in the first embodiment, cone element  115   b  (also referred to as second cone  115   b ) is a different size than first cone element  115   a . Thus, energized cone section  111  comprises cone elements of different dimensions to receive signals at desired frequencies. Longitudinal height  116  of second cone element  115   b  is about five inches and diameter  118  of second cone element  115   b  is about six inches. It may be desirable to keep the heights of each respective cone element an equal size (e.g., here each cone has a longitudinal height of five inches). More particularly, antenna  101  comprises at least two energized cone elements  115   a ,  115   b , wherein each respective cone has a base diameter different than the other cone. 
     In antenna  101 , some cone elements may be similarly dimensioned as other cone elements, as long as one cone element is distinctly dimensioned from the rest. For example, the third cone element  115   c  is similarly dimensioned to first cone element  115   a  having a longitudinal height  112  equal to about five inches and a base diameter  114  equal to about nine inches. Alternatively, third cone element may be distinctly dimensioned from either first or second cone elements, resulting in three energized cone elements all of a different dimension or size. It is contemplated that even though the cone elements may be distinctly dimensioned, they are all right circular cones. Base  19  on third cone element  115   c  is spaced apart from base  19  on second cone element  115   b . Phasing stub  23  is connected to base  19  on third cone element  115   c  and connected to base  19  on second cone element  115   b . More particularly, phasing stub  23  extends outwardly away from base  19  on second cone  115   b  to a first phasing stub apex  29  and extends inwardly from the first phasing stub apex  29  to base  19  on the third cone  115   c , wherein the phasing stub  23  includes a first length configured synchronize radiative phase between the second cone  115   b  and the third cone  115   c.    
     The dimensional configuration of cone elements  115   a ,  115   b , and  115   c  on antenna  101  allows for the reception of signals in an operative frequency range from about 300 MHz to about 600 MHz. More particularly, cone elements  115   a ,  115   b , and  115   c  receive signals in a frequency range from about 350 MHz to about 550 MHz. Even more specifically, cone elements  115   a ,  115   b , and  115   c  receive signals in a frequency range from 400 MHz to 500 MHz. 
     While the aforementioned cone elements in this application are right circular cones, other cone varieties are contemplated, such as oblique cones, circular or elliptical hyperboloids, or cones having a polygonal base. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.