Optically Fed Antenna and Optically Fed Antenna Array
AssigneePhase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.
InventorsShouyuan Shi, Jian Bai, Chris Schuetz, Garrett Schneider, Dennis Prather
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40° from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.
Claims20
An antenna array, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of dipole antennas mounted on said substrate and configured to operate as an antenna array, each dipole antenna having first and second radiating arms extending in a first direction and having a length in the first direction of L;
- and
- a plurality photodiodes mounted on the substrate, each photodiode configured to generate an RF current to drive a corresponding dipole antenna to which the photodiode is connected, each photodiode having an anode electrically connected to the first radiating arm of a corresponding dipole antenna with a first conductor, and a cathode electrically connected to the second radiating arm of the corresponding dipole antenna with a second conductor, wherein an extending length of the first conductor as measured from a first connection point of the first conductor to the anode to a second connection point of the first conductor to the first radiating arm is less than the length L of the dipole antennas, and wherein an extending length of the second conductor electrically as measured from a first connection point of the second conductor to the cathode to a second connection point of the second conductor to the second radiating arm is less than the length L of the dipole antennas.
An antenna array system, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of dipole antennas mounted on said substrate and configured to operate as an antenna array, each dipole antenna having first and second radiating arms extending in a first direction and having a length in the first direction of L;
- and
- a plurality photodiodes mounted on the substrate, each photodiode configured to generate an RF signal to drive a corresponding dipole antenna to which the photodiode is connected, each photodiode having an anode electrically connected to the first radiating arm of a corresponding dipole antenna with a first conductor, and a cathode electrically connected to the second radiating arm of the corresponding dipole antenna with a second conductor,
- wherein said system does not include any RF amplifiers and/or baluns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.