Antenna with periodic electromagnetic mode suppression structures and method for same

Abstract

A family of antennas, and a method for the same, are provided. The antennas include periodic electromagnetic structures to suppress non-radiating modes of propagation. Each antenna comprises a radiator resonant at a first frequency. A first dielectric is proximate to the radiator. Typically, a counterpoise is formed to the radiator. The periodic electromagnetic structures propagate a radiating mode, and suppress the propagation of a non-radiating mode. The periodic electromagnetic structures can be formed in the radiator, the counterpoise (when the counterpoise is distinctly distinguishable from the radiator), or in the first dielectric. The electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. For example, the shapes can be cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, or semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.