# US 2014/0198014 A1 · Patch Antenna > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0198014 A1 - Document ID: US20140198014A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/839,976 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15 - Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation - Inventors: Kathleen Fasenfest - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140198014A1 ## CPC - H01Q 9/045: {with particular feeding means (for circular polarisation H01Q9/0428)} - H01Q 9/0457: {electromagnetically coupled to the feed line} - H01Q 1/38: formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support {(patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142)} - H01Q 9/0428: {radiating a circular polarised wave} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract A patch antenna includes a dielectric substrate having a body that extends a thickness from a first side to a second side that is opposite the first side. The body of the substrate has a perimeter that is defined by at least one side wall that extends along the thickness of the substrate from the first side to the second side. The body of the substrate has a dielectric constant that is greater than air. The patch antenna also includes a radiating patch positioned on the first side of the body of the substrate, a ground plane positioned on the second side of the body of the substrate, and at least three feed probes electromagnetically coupled to the radiating patch such that the patch antenna is configured to generate a circularly polarized radiation pattern. The feed probes are positioned relative to the body of the substrate such that adjacent feed probes are spaced apart from each other along the body. The feed probes are configured to feed the radiating patch at at least three points with approximately equal power amplitude. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A patch antenna comprising: a dielectric substrate having a body that extends a thickness from a first side to a second side that is opposite the first side, the body of the substrate having a perimeter that is defined by at least one side wall that extends along the thickness of the substrate from the first side to the second side, wherein the body of the substrate has a dielectric constant that is greater than the dielectric constant of air; a radiating patch positioned on the first side of the body of the substrate; a ground plane positioned on the second side of the body of the substrate; and at least three feed probes electromagnetically coupled to the radiating patch such that the patch antenna is configured to generate a circularly polarized radiation pattern, the feed probes being positioned relative to the body of the substrate such that adjacent feed probes are spaced apart from each other along the body, the feed probes being configured to feed the radiating patch at at least three points with approximately equal power amplitude. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the feed probes are positioned around the perimeter of the body such that the adjacent feed probes are spaced apart from each other along the perimeter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the patch antenna includes four feed probes, adjacent feed probes being spaced apart from each other along the body of the substrate by approximately 90° along the perimeter, the feed probes being configured to feed the radiating patch with a progressive 90° phase shift. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the feed probes comprise L-shaped pins having ends that are received within corresponding openings that extend into the at least one side wall of the body of the substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises electrically conductive strips positioned on the at least one side wall of the body, the feed probes comprising approximately straight pins that are positioned around the perimeter of the body of the substrate such that the pins are electrically connected to corresponding strips and extend lengths along the thickness of the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises electrically conductive strips positioned on the at least one side wall of the body, the feed probes being soldered to corresponding strips such that the feed probes are electrically connected to the corresponding strips. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the body of the substrate comprises openings that extend into the second side of the body, the feed probes having ends that are received within corresponding openings such that the feed probes extend into the body of the substrate through the second side of the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the body of the substrate comprises openings that extend into the substrate, the feed probes extending into corresponding openings such that the feed probes are disengaged from physical contact with the body of the substrate within the openings. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the body of the substrate has a dielectric constant that is greater than approximately 5.0. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the radiating patch is configured to at least one of receive or transmit radio frequency (RF) energy over a bandwidth of at least approximately 100 MHz. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna has a width of less than approximately 2.0 inches (50.8 mm). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The antenna of claim 1, further comprising an electrically conductive pin positioned within the body of the substrate. ### Claim 13 A patch antenna comprising: a dielectric substrate having a body that extends a thickness from a first side to a second side that is opposite the first side, the body of the substrate having a perimeter that is defined by at least one side wall that extends along the thickness of the substrate from the first side to the second side, wherein the body of the substrate has a dielectric constant that is greater than the dielectric constant of air; a radiating patch positioned on the first side of the body of the substrate; a ground plane positioned on the second side of the body of the substrate; and four feed probes electromagnetically coupled to the radiating patch such that the patch antenna is configured to generate a circularly polarized radiation pattern, the feed probes being positioned relative to the body of the substrate such that adjacent feed probes are spaced apart from each other by approximately 90° along the body, the feed probes being configured to feed the radiating patch at four points with approximately equal power amplitude and a progressive 90° phase shift. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The antenna of claim 13, wherein the feed probes are positioned around the perimeter of the body such that the adjacent feed probes are spaced apart from each other by approximately 90° along the perimeter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The antenna of claim 13, wherein the feed probes comprise L-shaped pins having ends that are received within corresponding openings that extend into the at least one side wall of the body of the substrate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The antenna of claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises electrically conductive strips positioned on the at least one side wall of the body, the feed probes comprising approximately straight pins that are positioned around the perimeter of the body of the substrate such that the pins are electrically connected to corresponding strips and extend lengths along the thickness of the body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The antenna of claim 13, wherein the body of the substrate comprises openings that extend into the second side of the body, the feed probes having ends that are received within corresponding openings such that the feed probes extend into the body of the substrate through the second side of the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The antenna of claim 13, wherein the radiating patch is configured to at least one of receive or transmit radio frequency (RF) energy over a bandwidth of at least approximately 400 MHz. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The antenna of claim 13, wherein the body of the substrate is fabricated from at least one of ceramic, rubber, fluoropolymer, composite material, fiber-glass, or plastic. ### Claim 20 An antenna system comprising; a feed network configured to be operatively connected to at least one of a receiver or a transmitter; and a patch antenna operatively connected to the feed network for at least one of receiving radio frequency (RF) waves from the feed network or delivering RF waves to the feed network, the patch antenna comprising: a dielectric substrate having a body that extends a thickness from a first side to a second side that is opposite the first side, wherein the body of the substrate has a dielectric constant that is greater than the dielectric constant of air; a radiating patch positioned on the first side of the body of the substrate; a ground plane positioned on the second side of the body of the substrate; and four feed probes electromagnetically coupled to the radiating patch such that the patch antenna is configured to generate a circularly polarized radiation pattern, the feed probes being positioned relative to the body of the substrate such that adjacent feed probes are spaced apart from each other along the body, the feed probes being configured to feed the radiating patch at four points with approximately equal power amplitude.