Dynamically changing operational band of an electromagnetic horn antenna using dielectric loading
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorsStephen Brown, James Rawnick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention concerns a multi-mode electromagnetic horn antenna that can operate over two or more distinct bands of frequencies. The horn (100) includes a throat portion (102) and an aperture (108) disposed at an end of the horn (100) opposed to the throat portion (102). A flared section (104, 106) is disposed between the throat portion and the aperture. At least one dimension of the flared section can increase in size along an axial length of the horn defined between the throat portion (102) and the aperture (108). Further, a dielectric load (103) can be disposed within the throat portion (102). The dielectric load is advantageously comprised a fluid dielectric (103).
Claims31
An electromagnetic horn antenna, comprising:
- a throat portion;
- an aperture disposed at an end of the horn opposed to said throat portion;
- a flared section disposed between said throat portion and said aperture, at least one dimension of said flared section increasing in size along an axial length of said horn defined between said throat portion and said aperture;
- and
- a dielectric load disposed within said throat portion, said dielectric load comprised of at least one fluid dielectric;
- and
- a fluid management system capable of selectively controlling said dielectric load to vary at least one of a load permeability and a permittivity.
A method for selectively varying a cutoff frequency of an electromagnetic horn antenna, comprising the steps of:
- dielectrically loading said horn with a dielectric load comprising a first fluid dielectric;
- selectively controlling said dielectric load by varying at least one of a dielectric load permeability and a load permittivity.
A method for dynamically varying the effective electrical size of a throat of an electromagnetic horn antenna to allow single mode excitation of the horn over a broad frequency range, comprising the steps of:
- dielectrically loading said horn with a dielectric load comprising a first fluid dielectric;
- selectively controlling said dielectric load by varying at least one of a dielectric load permeability and a load permittivity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.