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AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsThomas P. Cencich, Julie A. Huffman, Jason B. Burford
Estimating the term…
A spiral antenna system that is designed to have an increased upper frequency limit. The system includes a spiral antenna element having a feed end, and a helical antenna element having a helical portion electrically interconnected with the feed end of the spiral antenna element. In one embodiment, the helical antenna element comprises a coaxial cable having a portion of the outer conductor removed (e.g., tapered). For example, the helical antenna element could comprise a portion of the feedline that follows a substantially helical path. Preferably, the spiral antenna element defines a spiral axis, and the helical antenna element defines a helical axis substantially aligned with the spiral axis. The helical antenna element can be spaced from the helical axis a distance less than or equal to the radial distance of the feed end of the spiral antenna.
An antenna system comprising:
6 The antenna as set forth in claim 1, wherein the feedline comprises a tapered coaxial transmission line having an uncoupled part, a highly coupled part, and a transition section located between the uncoupled part and highly coupled part.
An antenna system comprising:
A method of transmitting a signal using an antenna element and a feedline electrically interconnected with the antenna element, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.