Circularly polarized omnidirectional antennas and methods
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorAlfred R. Lopez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An antenna, suitable for battlefield identification use, employs a multifunctional design. A closed-end coaxial line structure with center conductor has slanted slot radiators provided in its outer conductor. The slot radiators excite a pattern between upper and lower disks of a radial waveguide radiator configuration so that horizontal and vertical components reach the disk circumference with a 90 degree phase differential to provide an omnidirectional antenna pattern of circular polarization. Antennas and methods are described.
Claims20
An antenna, providing an omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna pattern, comprising:
- a cylindrical structure with a vertical center axis and comprising a cylindrical side portion with upper and lower closures, the side portion having a plurality of slanted openings between said closures;
- a center conductor extending within said cylindrical structure along said center axis;
- upper and lower disk members extending in parallel relation outward from said side portion respectively above and below said slanted openings;
- and
- an input/output port coupled to said center conductor.
An antenna, comprising:
- a coaxial line section including a vertical center conductor within an outer conductor having upper and lower closures, the outer conductor including a plurality of slanted slot radiators spaced between said closures;
- upper and lower disk members extending in parallel relation outward from said outer conductor respectively above and below said slot radiators;
- and
- an input/output port coupled to said center conductor.
A method, for providing an omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna pattern, comprising the steps of:
- (a) energizing a closed-end coaxial line section having a center conductor and an outer conductor;
- (b) responsive to step (a), exciting a radiation pattern external to said coaxial line via a plurality of slanted radiator slots in said outer conductor;
- and
- (c) responsive to step (b), exciting a radial waveguide radiator, formed by upper and lower disks extending outward in parallel relation from said outer conductor respectively above and below said radiator slots, to provide an omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.