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AssigneeToyota Motor Europe
InventorsHiromichi Yanagihara, Mineki Soga, Harald Franz Arno Merkel
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An antenna (80,90) has a one dimensional or multidimensional array of elements (20,40), wherein spacings between successive elements of at least part of the array are non periodic and correspond to a series of multiples of a unit spacing, the multiples following a Fibonacci sequence. Two dimensional arrays can be arranged as a Fibonacci grid or as a Fibonacci square tiling. The number of elements can be reduced for a given measure of resolution, while still enabling the signal being transmitted or received to have a peak in a single unique direction and thus form a beam. Furthermore, since there will be some elements clustered close together and a few which are well spaced, it can be more suitable for vehicles (30) than a regularly spaced array. It can be used as a transmit antenna or as a receive antenna for a submillimeter radar system.
An antenna (80, 90) having a one dimensional or multidimensional array of elements (20, 40), wherein spacings between successive elements or groups of elements in at least part of the array are non periodic and correspond to a series of multiples of a unit spacing, wherein the multiples for at least five of the successive elements or groups of elements follow a Fibonacci sequence.
A method of manufacturing an antenna, the method having the preliminary step of determining spacings of elements (10) of an antenna to form a one dimensional or multidimensional array of the elements, by determining a unit spacing according to a desired wavelength, and by determining spacings between successive elements or groups of elements in at least part of the array so as to be non periodic and to correspond to a series of multiples of a unit spacing, the multiples for at least five of the successive elements or groups of elements following a Fibonacci sequence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.