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US 2012/0268334 A1Published application
Optimal loading for increased gain in an array antenna
AssigneeEMS Technologies Canada, Ltd.
InventorsPeter C. Strickland, Timothy Edward Best
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a high-performance helical antenna element and array thereof for use in an aircraft communication system or the like, where stringent spatial restrictions and gain requirements generally apply. The performance of the array is enhanced by connecting conductive plates to the windings of the antenna elements at the terminal ends thereof such that the conductive plates are offset from the axes of the antenna elements and toward the center of the array.
Claims14
An antenna comprising:
- a ground plane;
- and
- an array of helical antenna elements, each helical antenna element comprising a support structure and a conductor helically supported thereby, geometric centers of cross-sections of a helix formed by the conductor defining a respective axis of the helical antenna element, the axis extending from the ground plane in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, the helical antenna element having a terminal end and having a base end mounted to the ground plane;
- wherein at least one helical antenna element of the array of helical antenna elements further comprises a conductive loading element at the terminal end of the helical antenna element, the conductive loading element of the helical antenna element being connected to the conductor thereof and laterally offset from the axis of the helical antenna element toward the centre of the array.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.