Partially metalized antenna cavity for planar antennas
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsTimothy Wallace Samson, Sean F. Indman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are various enhancements for radio frequency antennas and antenna assemblies. In one example, an antenna assembly includes a cavity structure comprising an interior volume surrounded by a wall and having an opening at a first longitudinal end and a cap at a second longitudinal end. A conductive material disposed on a portion of the wall of the cavity structure and the cap such that a dielectric gap is established between the conductive material and a planar antenna when the planar antenna is coupled onto the first longitudinal end of the cavity structure.
Claims20
An antenna assembly, comprising:
- a cavity structure having a longitudinal axis and comprising an interior volume surrounded by a cavity side wall, a planar antenna assembly forming a first longitudinal end, and a cap forming a second longitudinal end;
- the cavity side wall comprising a partially metallized configuration such that a conductive material is disposed as a band on only a portion of a dielectric material forming the cavity side wall to establish a dielectric gap about the longitudinal axis between the conductive material disposed on the cavity side wall and the planar antenna assembly;
- and
- the planar antenna assembly comprising a capacitively coupled conductive ring positioned in a same plane and about a perimeter of a planar antenna, separated by a perimeter dielectric gap from the planar antenna, and providing a further dielectric gap that extends from the conductive ring over the first longitudinal end to the dielectric gap of the cavity side wall.
A method, comprising:
- forming a cavity structure having a longitudinal axis and comprising an interior volume surrounded by a cavity side wall and having an end cap on a first longitudinal end;
- metallizing a band of the cavity side wall and the end cap with a conductive material such that a dielectric gap is established about the longitudinal axis on the cavity side wall between the conductive material and a planar antenna assembly positioned on a second longitudinal end;
- and
- forming the planar antenna assembly comprising a capacitively coupled conductive ring positioned in a same plane and about a perimeter of a planar antenna, separated by a perimeter dielectric gap from the planar antenna, and providing a further dielectric gap that extends from the conductive ring over the second longitudinal end to the dielectric gap of the cavity side wall.
An antenna apparatus, comprising:
- a cavity structure having a longitudinal axis and comprising an interior volume surrounded by a cavity side wall and having an end cap on a first longitudinal end;
- metallization over a band of the cavity side wall about the longitudinal axis and the end cap such that a dielectric gap is established on the cavity side wall between the conductive material and a planar antenna assembly positioned on a second longitudinal end;
- and
- the planar antenna assembly comprising a capacitively coupled conductive ring positioned in a same plane and about a perimeter of a planar antenna, separated by a perimeter dielectric gap from the planar antenna, and providing a further dielectric gap that extends from the conductive ring over the second longitudinal end to the dielectric gap of the cavity side wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.