Low backscatter polymer antenna with graded conductivity
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorDonald Waschenko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Polymer antenna structures having low reflectivity and high efficiency are disclosed. Wire antennas can be configured from coaxial cable having center conductors and outer conductors made from conductive polymer. Fabrics can also be configured with conductive polymer antenna elements formed in or on the fabric. The conductive polymer antenna elements can be configured with a graded conductivity to facilitate capture (as opposed to reflection) of electromagnetic energy.
Claims21
A low backscatter antenna having a conductive element for at least one of receiving and radiating information, the antenna comprising:
- a conductive polymer center conductor having an exposed portion that forms at least a portion of the conductive element of the antenna and has a graded conductivity ranging from relatively low conductivity at its perimeter to relatively high conductivity at its center.
A low backscatter antenna having a conductive element for at least one of receiving and radiating information, the antenna comprising:
- a plurality of nonconductive strands interweaved with one another;
- and
- one or more conductive polymer strands interweaved with the nonconductive strands so as to provide one or more conductive elements of the antenna.
A low backscatter antenna having a conductive element for at least one of receiving and radiating information, the antenna comprising:
- a plurality of nonconductive strands formed into a fabric;
- and
- one or more conductive polymer coatings on the fabric so as to provide one or more conductive elements of the antenna.
A fabric having graded conductivity comprising:
- a plurality of nonconductive strands formed into a fabric;
- and
- one or more conductive polymer strands or coatings formed into or on the fabric, so as to provide one or more conductive regions of the fabric;
- wherein each of the one or more conductive regions has a graded conductivity ranging from relatively low conductivity at its outer surface to relatively high inner conductivity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.