Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US4937585?dq=6680675
Timestamp: 2016-10-24 13:12:05
Document Index: 183463984

Matched Legal Cases: ['art)            11', 'art)            11', 'art)                                 150', 'art)                                 125', 'art)            150', 'art)                                 50', 'art)         10']

Patent US4937585 - Microwave circuit module, such as an antenna, and method of making same - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA microwave circuit module, more particularly an antenna, comprised of a polyethylene foam substrate having a loss tangent less 0.001 and a dielectric constant less than 1.3, a predetermined pattern of one or more elements, such as an array of n�m radiator elements, formed of electrically conductive...http://www.google.com/patents/US4937585?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4937585 - Microwave circuit module, such as an antenna, and method of making sameAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS4937585 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/094,511Publication dateJun 26, 1990Filing dateSep 9, 1987Priority dateSep 9, 1987Fee statusLapsedAlso published asEP0330699A1, EP0330699A4, WO1989002662A1Publication number07094511, 094511, US 4937585 A, US 4937585A, US-A-4937585, US4937585 A, US4937585AInventorsKevin O. ShoemakerOriginal AssigneePhasar CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (39), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (88), Classifications (15), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMicrowave circuit module, such as an antenna, and method of making same
19. An antenna array comprised of:a polyethylene foam substrate having a loss tangent less than 0.001 and a dielectric constant less than 1.3; an array of n�m radiator elements formed of electrically conductive material deposited on a first surface of said substrate; a feed network formed of electrically conductive material deposited on said first surface of said substrate for electrically interconnecting said radiator elements in said array, said feed network including respective column conductor means for electrically interconnecting said radiator elements in respective columns;and wherein adjacent radiator elements are separated from each other by a distance equal approximately to λ/2; a feed network formed of electrically conductive material deposited on said first surface of said substrate for electrically interconnecting said radiator elements in said array; I/O means coupled to said feed network for supplying a signal to be transmitted by said antenna array or for receiving a signal received by said antenna array; and a ground plane of conductive material deposited on a second surface of said substrate. 20. The antenna array of claim 19 further including means for varying the phase shifts of said phase shift means by different amounts, thereby electronically steering the beam directivity of said antenna array.
23. An antenna array comprised of:a polyethylene foam substrate having a loss tangent less than 0.001 and a dielectric constant less than 1.3; an array of n�m radiator elements formed of electrically conductive material deposited on a first surface of said substrate, said radiator elements are all of substantially the same dimensions and are substantially square in shape, the length of the side of each radiator element being substantially equal to one-half the wavelength of the signal transmitted or received by said antenna array and wherein adjacent radiator elements are separated from each other by a distance equal approximately to λ/2; a feed network formed of electrically conductive material deposited on said first surface of said substrate for electrically interconnecting said radiator elements in said array; I/O means coupled to said feed network for supplying a signal to be transmitted by said antenna array; and a ground plane of conductive material deposited on a second surface of said substrate. 24. The antenna array of claim 23 wherein n=m.
This invention relates to microwave circuit modules and, more particularly, to an antenna array that is relatively efficient, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, may provide electronic beam steering, is relatively light in weight and may be more aesthetically pleasing than other kinds of antennas.
So-called suspended strip line (SSL) antennas have been proposed for compact phased array antennas, as described in the March 1984 publication Microwave Systems News. The SSL antenna uses an SSL feed network; and the antenna has an open waveguide transition. According to this publication, the SSL antenna is composed of two metal plates, each with openings corresponding to the antenna elements, and the feed network includes a central conductor supported by a thin dielectric sheet. The SSL antenna achieves circular polarization by using two superimposed networks rotated 90� with respect to each other. The two orthogonal outputs are combined through a 3db hybrid coupler; and left-hand circular polarization as well as right-hand circular polarization can be achieved. Electronic beam steering is attained through an appropriate phase control in the feed network.
An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna array that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is of simple construction, is light in weight and may be expanded in modular form.
In accordance with this invention, a microwave circuit module is comprised of a polyethylene foam substrate having a loss tangent less than 0.001 and a relative dielectric constant less than 1.3, with a predetermined pattern formed of conductive ink (or conductive spray or epoxy) on one surface of the polyethylene foam substrate and an electrically conductive ground plane secured to the opposite surface of that substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the microwave circuit module is formed as an antenna array having modifiable, optimum electrical characteristics with the predetermined pattern formed as an array of n�m radiator elements coupled to a feed network, both the radiator elements and the feed network being deposited on one surface of the substrate, with the feed network being coupled to input/output (I/O) means for supplying a signal to be transmitted to or for receiving a signal from the array of radiator elements.
The following detailed description of the present invention, given by way of example and not intended to limit the invention solely to the embodiments described herein, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one basic embodiment of the present invention constituting antenna array 20 (sometimes referred to herein simply as the antenna). Antenna 20 is formed of a polyethylene foam substrate 22 upon which various microwave circuit modules are deposited. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the microwave circuit modules are radiator elements 24 physically and electrically connected to feed conductors 26. The radiator elements are known as "patches"; and in the preferred embodiment each patch is formed as a square.
If it is assumed that antenna 20 is adapted to transmit or receive at a center frequency of fc, then the wave length of the signal transmitted or received thereby is seen to be λ=c/f. Each radiator element is of substantially identical shape, and the side of each such square is substantially one-half the signal wave length, or λ/2. Preferably, all of the radiator elements are equally spaced from adjacent elements such that the spacing between antenna centers is represented as d and d is approximately between 0.7λ and 1λ.
Radiator elements 24 are deposited on, for example, the top surface of polyethylene foam substrate 22 in an n�m array, and a ground plane is deposited on the bottom surface (not shown) of the substrate. The ground plane may be a conductive ink coated on the bottom surface of the substrate; or it may be formed as a plate or foil. Alternatively, the ground plane may be constituted by a conductive ink coated on a structural foam plastic support which is adhered to the bottom surface of substrate 22. Examples of such foam plastic are sold under the trademarks Lexan and Noryl. In the illustrated embodiment, n=m and, for simplicity, radiator elements 24 are disposed in a 4�4 array. It will be appreciated that the size of the array may vary, as desired, and depending upon the intended applications of the antenna. However, for numerical simplicity, it is assumed that the example described herein is formed of a 4�4 array. Radiator elements 24 may be thought of as being arranged in 2�2 subarrays, with each subarray being connected by a conventional corporate feed network 28. As will be described, radiator elements 24, feed conductors 26 and corporate feed networks 28 all may be deposited on the top surface of substrate 22 in the same operation (e.g. by printing, silk screening, vacuum deposition, or other techniques to be described). If desired, the top surface of the substrate first may be coated with conductive material (as by the foregoing techniques) to provide a "seed" coating on which elements 24, conductors 26 and corporate feeds 28 may be deposited. This enhances the conductivity of the elements, conductors and corporate feeds.
The substrate may be manufactured by Voltek Division of Sekisui America Corp. and sold under the trademarks Volaro, Minicel or Volasta. If the antenna is to be used in the L band, the thickness of this material may be on the order of 0.25 inches �100 mils. If the antenna is to be used in the C band, the thickness of the substrate is 0.125 inches �50 mils. If the antenna is to be used in the Ku band, the thickness of the substrate is on the order of 0.3125 inches �25 mils. The dielectric constant is on the order of about 1.05 and the loss tangent is on the order of 0.0002. The density of the polyethylene foam is 1.5 to 20 pounds per cubic foot. As an alternative, the thickness of the polyethylene foam may be on the order of 0.03125 inches �7 mils, for use in the Ku band, the dielectric constant is on the order of 1 and the loss tangent is on the order of 0.0002. The density of this thin substrate is on the order of 3 pounds per cubic foot. If the material is formed of Volasta, its thickness may be on the order of 1/32 inches to 1 inch for use throughout the L, C and Ku frequency bands. Here, the dielectric constant is approximately 1.2 with a loss tangent of 0.001 and a density of 10 pounds per cubic foot.
As another example, the polyethylene foam substrate may be manufactured by Sentinel Foam Products Company with a thickness having a multiple of 4 mils. The antenna formed of this material may be used throughout the L, C, Ku bands; and the polyethylene foam substrate has a dielectric constant of approximately 1.05 at 1 KHz and a loss tangent of 2.0�10-4 at 28� C. and at a frequency of 1KHz. The density of this polyethylene material is 1.0-1.2 pounds per cubic foot. Alternatively, Rogers polyethylene may be used as the substrate, and this polyethylene may have a thickness of any desired multiple of 0.16 inches. The frequency band of the antenna formed of this material is throughout the L, C, Ku bands; and the polyethylene has a dielectric constant on the order of 2.1 and a loss tangent of approximately 0.0024. The density of this polyethylene is 6 pounds per cubic foot.
Other examples of polyethylene materials that may be used as substrate 22 include materials available from Halstead/Nomaco of Wynne, Ark. These materials include NP 1200 having a thickness of 3/8 inches to 41/8 inches �0.25 mils. An antenna formed of this substrate operates throughout the L and C bands.
Dupont type 4007 and 4008 polymeric compositions contain approximately 72% solids (silver) �2%. This conductive ink may be applied by silk screen techniques and, depending upon the screen size, approximately 120-230 square centimeters per gram may be printed. The recommended curing temperature is 120� C. for five minutes and the resultant resistivity is on the order of 15 milliohms/square/mil.
Epotek Model H20F, manufactured by Epoxy Technology, Inc. of Billerica, Mass., is a two-component epoxy resin with hardener and may be cured at 150� C. for 10 minutes. The resultant resistivity is on the order of 1.3 milli- ohms/square/mil. Alternatively, Epotek type H20E epoxy resin with silver powder and a two-part hardener may be cured at 175� C. for 45 minutes, at 150� C. for 5 minutes, at 120� C. for 15 minutes, at 80� C. for 90 minutes and, finally, at 50� C. for 60 minutes, resulting in a resistivity on the order of 1 to 4 milliohms per centimeter.
Carroll Coating Type C-641 acrylic coating, manufactured by Carroll Coating Co. of Providence, R.I., may be printed at 75 square feet per pound of material, resulting in a resistivity of 0.02 ohms/square/mil when cured at 80� C. for 15 minutes. When Carroll Coating Type C-621 polyurethane is used, it may be printed at the rate of 75 square feet per pound of material, and results in a resistivity of 0.03 ohms/square/mil when cured at 80� C. for 30 minutes. The application of Carroll Coating Type C-605 Epoxy at the rate of 65 square feet per pound of material results in a resistivity of 0.04 to 0.07 ohms/square/mil when cured at 80� C. for 1 hour.
Heraeus Cermalloy Type 5450 thermoplastic, manufactured by Heraeus, Inc. of West Conshohocken, Pa., containing approximately 61% solids, may be applied at the rate of 125 square centimeters per gram of material and, when cured at 100� C. for 15 minutes, followed by 80� C. for 30 minutes, followed by 130� C. infrared curing for 3 minutes, results in a resistivity on the order of 9-30 milliohms/sq./mil. Type 5260 thermosetting material, containing 84.5% �1 solids, applied at the rate of 65 centimeters per gram of material and cured at 150� C. for 30 minutes results in a resistivity less than 0.008 ohms. Heraeus Cermalloy Type AD-1608.05 air dry or thermoset conductive material, containing 60% silver �1 solids and cured at 200� C. for 30 minutes results in aresistivity of about 8 milliohms/sq./mil. Type AD-1548.07, containing 54% silver �1 and cured at 200� C. for 30 minutes results in a resistivity of about 8 milliohms/sq./mil. Type AD-1688.06 material, containing 68% silver �1 solids and cured at 200� C. for 30 minutes results in a resistivity of about 8 milliohms/sq./mil.
Aremco Type 525 silver/epoxy, manufactured by Aremco Products, Inc. of Ossining, N.Y., the majority of whose solids are silver, and cured at 300� F. for 2 hours, 325� F. for 11/2 hours and then 350� F. for 1 hour results in a resistivity of 10 milliohms-centimeters. When type 616 silver-silver matrix is used, and cured at room temperature for 16 hours, then 100� F. for 2 hours, then 200� F. for 1 hour and then 300� F. for 1/2 hour, a resistivity on the order of 18 milliohms-centimeters is obtained.
__________________________________________________________________________Manufacturer  Type  Composition                   % Solids                         Application                                 Curing                                      Resistivity__________________________________________________________________________Thermoset  ME-138        Electrically                   70%   1.8 m2 /gm                                 135� C.                                      0.0005Plastics, Inc.        conductive,              for  ohm-centimetersIndianapolis,        solvent-free,            90 mins.Indiana      fast curing,        epoxy adhesive           150� C.        with very low            for        levels of ionic          60 mins.        impurities               165� C.        (1 part)                 for                                 30 mins.Thermoset  ME-137        Electrically                   70%   1.8 m2 /gm                                 130� C.                                      0.00005        conductive,              for  ohm-centimerers        silver filler,           2 hrs.        epoxy adhesive        with low levels          150� C.        of ionic impuri-         for        ties (2 part)            11/2 hrs.                                 180� C.                                 for                                 1 hr.Thermoset  ME-135        Electrically                   70%   1.8 m2 /gm                                 130� C.                                      0.00005        conductive,              for  ohm-centimerers        silver filler,           2 hrs.        epoxy adhesive        with low levels          150� C.        of ionic impuri-         for        ties (1 part)            11/2 hrs.                                 180� C.                                 for                                 1 hr.Formulated  4000  Semiconductor                   76% silver                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 150� C.                                      0.001Resins, Inc. grade silver             for  ohm-centimetersGreenville,  filled adhesive          2 hrs.Rhode Island (1 part)                                 150� C.                                 for                                 1 hr.                                 75� C.                                 for                                 1/2 hr.Formulated  4020  Semiconductor                   73% silver                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 100� C.                                      0.001Resins       grade silver             for  ohm-centimeters        filled adhesive          1 hr.        (2 part)                                 125� C.                                 for                                 1/2 hr.                                 150� C.                                 for                                 10 mins.Formulated  4140  High temperature                   76% silver                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 125� C.                                      0.001Resins       resistant silver         for  ohm-centimeters        filled epoxy             2 hrs.        conductive adhe-        sive (1 part)            150� C.                                 for                                 1 hr.                                 175� C.                                 for                                 1/2 hr.Formulated  4150  Silver filled,                   75% silver                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 room 0.001Resins       room temperature         tempera-                                      ohm-centimeters        curing, conductive       ture for        epoxy adhesive           24 hrs.        polymer (2 part)                                 50� C.                                 for                                 45 mins.                                 100� C.                                 for                                 15 mins.Formulated  4360  Flexible, screen-                   60% silver                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 100� C.                                      0.015Resins and   printable, silver        for  ohm-centimeters  4361  conductive ink           10-15        coating (1 part)         mins.Formulated  4380  Flexible, heat                   60% silver                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 120� C.                                      0.01Resins       curing, screen           for  ohm-centimeters        printable silver         1/2 hr.        conductive ink        coating (2 parts)Formulated  4443  Solderable, or-                   43% and                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 room 0.0001Resins and   ganci silver                   46% silver    tempera-                                      ohm-centimeters  4446  conductive polymer       ture for        coating (1 part)         10-30                                 mins.                                 125� C.                                 for                                 1 hr.Formulated  4450  High temperature                   50% to                         250-300 ft.2 /gal.                                 175� C.                                      0.0002Resins and   resistant organic                   70% silver    for  ohm-centimeters  4470  silver conductive        1 hr.                                      and 0.0001        coating (1 part)              ohm-centimeters                                 175� C.                                 or                                 2-8 hrs.                                 120�  C.                                 for                                 1 hr.                                 175� C.-                                 200� C.                                 for                                 1-2 hrs.Amicon CT-5207        Thermoplastic silver                   50% to                         180     80� C.                                      less than        filled, heat cured,                   70% silver                         square  for  0.01 ohms/sq. mil.        solvent based conduc-                         centi-  1 hr.        tive coating and meters        ink (2 parts)    per gram                                 90� C.                         (wet)   for                                 30 mins.                                 100� C.                                 for                                 10 mins.Ablestik  Ablebond        Ultrahigh thermal                   75%   squeezed on                                 125� C.                                      .3 milliohm perLaboratories,  84-1LMITI        conductivity solvent-                         from applicator                                 for  centimeterGarden, CA.  free electrically        2 hrs.        conductive hybrid        chip attachment          150� C.        adhesive                 for                                 1 hr.Acheson  423SS Graphite based                   36%   370 sq. 71� C.                                      greater thanColloid Co.  polymer thick                   silver                         mils/gram                                 for  50 ohms/sq./milPort Huron,  film ink                 30 mins.Michigan                                 93� C.                                 for                                 15 mins.                                 121� C.                                 for                                 5 mins.Acheson  550   Easy mixing                   59.5% 405 sq. room less than 0.5Colloid      stable highly silver                   mils/gram                         temp.   ohms/sq./mil        conductive               for        nickel coating           5 mins.Acheson  440   Highly conductive                   69.8% 500 sq. room less than oneColloid      nickel coating   ft./gal.                                 temp.                                      ohm/sq./mil                                 for                                 5 mins.Acheson  415C  Economical fast                   62%   265 sq. air dry                                      0.04-0.07 ohms/Colloid      drying silver                   silver                         mils/gm.                                 for 10                                      sq./mil        conductive coating       mins.Acheson  437   Stable highly                   63.5% 510 sq. room less than 0.5Colloid      conductive copper                   copper                         mils/gm.                                 temp.                                      ohms/sq./mil        coating                  for                                 5 mins.Acheson  427SS Silver based                   77%   626 sq. 71� C.                                      at least 0.075Colloid      polymer thick                   silver                         mils/gm.                                 for  ohms/sq./mil        film ink                 30 mins.                                 93� C.                                 for                                 15 mins.                                 121� C.                                 for 5                                 mins.__________________________________________________________________________
As mentioned previously, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, polyethylene foam substrate 22 upon which radiator elements 24, feed conductors 26 and corporate feed networks 28 are deposited, as by silk screen techniques using the conductive inks referred to above, may constitute one of several separate panels which, when combined to form an integral structure, constitute the overall antenna. Although a single panel may be used, as shown in FIG. 1, providing an n�m (e.g. 4�4) array, FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically illustrate the manner in which the overall integral antenna structure may be formed by interconnecting individual panels. As shown in FIG. 2, polyethylene foam substrate 22 comprises one of these panels and is provided along at least one edge thereof with a plurality of tongues 32. These tongues may be formed integrally with the foam substrate and, preferably, constitute several, individual tongue-like projections. Alternatively, these several projections may be replaced by a single tongue-like projection disposed along a significant length of the edge of the substrate.
As shown in FIG. 3, tongues 32, which project outwardly from one side edge of one panel 22, are adapted to be received and retained by a mating groove 34 which is formed in the opposite side edge of yet another panel 22. By fitting tongue 32 into groove 34, two substantially identical panels may be arranged in side-by-side configuration. For uniformity and ease of manufacture, it will be appreciated that each panel 22 thus may be provided with tongues 32 projecting from, for example, the right side edge thereof, and each such panel also may be provided with a mating groove 34 disposed along the left side edge thereof. Still further, in order to form a larger array, the bottom edge of each panel 22 may be provided with similar tongues (not shown) and the top edge likewise may be provided with a mating groove (also not shown). Thus, successive panels may be arranged in a row, and additional panels also may be arranged in column form. By reason of this mating tongue and groove structure, an array of 2�2, 3�3, 4�4, etc. panels may constitute the overall antenna.
In the embodiment wherein a 2�2 panel array, for example, is constructed, it is appreciated that a common point is provided at the intersection of all four panels. In the preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, each panel is provided at its intersecting corner with an arcuate quadrant-shaped cutout 36. When all four panels are interconnected, the four arcuate quadrant cutouts result in a circular opening which, as will be described, is adapted to receive a circular feed conductor which connects to the feed conductors and corporate feed networks on each panel.
Turning to FIG. 4, a schematic representation of the manner in which a 2�2 panel array is formed to constitute a multi-panel array 40 is illustrated. Individual polyethylene foam panels 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d, each similar to polyethylene foam substrate 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be interconnected by the tongue and groove arrangement shown particularly in FIG. 3. An n�m array of radiator elements 24 is formed on each panel, although only the array of radiator elements formed on panel 42a is illustrated. Column conductors 30 serve to interconnect in series relationship the radiator elements in each column; and the column conductors are fed by means of a corporate feed network 28. As a numerical example, and consistent with the examples discussed above, four columns of radiator elements 24, with four elements provided in each column, are deposited on each polyethylene foam panel 42. Of course, a greater (or lesser) number of columns and of radiator elements can be used, as desired.
FIG. 5 is yet another schematic representation of the manner in which an overall 2�2 panel array is formed of polyethylene foam panels 42a-42d. As before, these panels may be interconnected by the tongue and groove arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 particularly illustrates the use of a circular feed conductor 48, which may be formed of a copper plate or other disk of suitably conductive material, disposed in the opening formed by the combination of arcuate shaped cutout quadrants 36 of the interconnected panels. The conductor 48 is provided with, for example, an SMA connector on its reverse side (not shown) to be supplied with a signal from a suitable source (or, alternatively, to feed a received signal to a central processing arrangement); and the feed conductor also is provided with OSP type snap fit connectors for the purpose of connecting radiator elements 24 thereto. A pair of OSP type connectors is provided on feed conductor 48 in the vicinity of a respective one of panels 42a-42d. Each connector included in a respective pair functions to connect a column or row of radiator elements 24 in series. For example, and as shown more particularly with respect to panel 42a, four column conductors 30 form four separate columns of series-connected radiator elements, and the four column conductors are, in turn, connected to a single OSP type connector on feed conductor 48. Likewise, four separate row conductors 50 form four rows of radiator elements 24, each row including four series-connected elements. These four row conductors 50 are, in turn, connected to a single OSP type connector on feed conductor 48. Thus, one OSP type connector feeds all four columns of radiator elements provided on panel 42a and another OSP type connector feeds all four rows of these radiator elements. Similarly, yet another OSP type connector feeds all four columns of radiator elements provided on panel 42b, while a still further OSP type connector feeds all four rows of series-connected radiator elements on this panel 42b. Similar connections are provided between feed conductor 48 and the remaining panels. By reason of the illustrated geometry, it is appreciated that feed conductor 48 is equidistant from the column and row conductors on each of panels 42a-42d and, thus, conductive paths of equal length are traversed by the signals from the feed conductor to the respective radiator elements.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a circuit 70 for providing the requisite control voltages to establish the desired phase shift for each of phase shifters 52. Thus, the phase shift produced by, for example, phase shifting circuit 52a is determined by control voltage Va applied thereto; the phase shift produced by phase shifting circuit 52b is determined by control voltage Vb ; the phase shift produced by phase shifting circuit 52c is determined by control voltage Vc, and so on. It is appreciated that phase shifting circuits 52a, 52b, 52c . . . are included in phase shifters 52.
Circuit 70 of FIG. 7 is comprised of cascaded voltage dividers, the output of each voltage divider producing a respective control voltage Va, Vb, Vc, . . . ; and phase shifting circuits 52a, 52b, 52c. . . being connected in series with the cascaded voltage dividers. An input terminal 72 supplies an input phase control voltage which is divided by the voltage divider formed of resistors 74 and 76 to apply control voltage Va to phase shifting circuit 52a. A voltage is provided at the output of phase shifting circuit 52a and is divided by the voltage divider formed of resistors 78 and 80 to apply control voltage Vb to phase shifting circuit 52b. Likewise, the voltage provided at the output of phase shifting circuit 52b is divided by the voltage divider formed of resistors 82 and 84 to apply control voltage Vc to phase shifting circuit 52c. This voltage division operation continues to produce the remaining control voltages Vd . . . . Thus, different phase shifts are imparted by phase shifting circuits 52a, 52b, 52c, . . . in response to control voltages Va, Vb, Vc. . . to change the direction of the antenna beam. A circuit similar to circuit 70 is used to apply phase shift control voltages to the phase shifting circuits included in phase shifters 54.
Turning now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated yet another embodiment of an antenna array 20, this array being shown in sectional form. Here, polyethylene foam substrate 22 is provided with a ground plane 60 which may be formed of aluminum, nickel, copper or silver. For convenience of description, the ground plane may be thought of as being applied to the bottom, or reverse, surface of substrate 22; and radiator elements 24 are deposited on the top surface of the substrate. More particularly, radiator elements 24, which may be formed in the manner described above, such as by silk screen printing techniques, are deposited upon a plastic layer 62 which, in turn, is adhered to the top surface of substrate 22. Plastic layer 62 may be formed of suitable plastic film materials, such as type 5500, manufactured by GTS, which is formed of copper and a polyester, and exhibits a thickness of 5 mils �10%. Copper is present in the amount of 1%; and the polyester, which may be of the pre-shrunk type is present in the amount of 3 mils.
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is schematically illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention which achieves circular polarization of the radiant energy transmitted/received by antenna array 20. It will be appreciated that a multi-panel array, similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, may be used; but for convenience, only a single one of such panels is illustrated. As before, radiator elements 24 are disposed in an n�m array, such as a 4�4 array, with columns of elements connected by column conductors 30 to a corporate feed network 28 and, similarly, with rows of radiator elements connected by row conductors 50 to yet another corporate feed network 28. A switch 58, similar to aforedescribed switch 58 (shown in FIG. 6) is used to connect an I/O source 56 either to the rows of radiator elements or to the columns of radiator elements.
In the illustrated embodiment, each radiator element is provided with a diagonal slit 66. Preferably, this slit is formed as a rectangular slit; but other geometric configurations may be used, such as an ellipse. Each slit 66 is arranged along a diagonal so as to form an angle of, for example, +45� with respect to column conductors 30. This same slit is seen to form an angle of -45� with respect to row conductors 50.
Thus, by providing diagonal slit 66 in each radiator element and, further, by supplying a signal for transmission along conductors which are disposed at +90� or -90� with respect to this slit, right-hand circular polarization or left-hand circular polarization may be attained.
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maintenance feesSep 8, 1998FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 19980701RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services