Patent ID: 7053847

Claim:
A ring slot radiator structure for use in a phased array antenna system, the ring slot radiator structure comprising: a dielectric substrate, having a top face and a bottom face; a conductive layer formed over the top face of the substrate and having an annular gap that in part defines a radiator element; a conductive feed via extending part-way through the substrate in a direction normal to the conductive layer, to transmit radio-frequency (RF) energy from a location located at the bottom of the substrate to transition point located outside the annular gap in the conductive layer and spaced beneath the conductive layer; a strip line feed probe extending from the transition point in a generally radial direction parallel to the conductive layer and at least partially across the annual gap; and a plurality of mode suppressor posts extending through the substrate in a direction parallel to the conductive feed via and spaced in a generally uniform array around the conductive feed via; wherein the plurality of mode suppressor posts effect a smooth transition from a coaxial mode of transmission through the conductive feed via to a strip line mode of transmission along the strip line feed probe that couples RF energy to the ring slot radiator.