Optically transparent antenna and associated antenna array
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Systems Corporation
InventorsGrant Camden Miars, Torrence Gue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An antenna extending in a lateral direction and a transverse direction orthogonal to the lateral direction includes a ground plane layer, a solar panel layer positioned on the ground plane layer, and an optically transparent electrically conductive layer positioned on the solar panel layer. The optically transparent electrically conductive layer, in turn, is configured to receive or transmit at least one of radio waves or microwaves. As such, at least a portion of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer is aligned with at least a portion of the solar panel layer in the lateral direction and the transverse direction.
Claims20
An antenna extending in a lateral direction and a transverse direction orthogonal to the lateral direction, the antenna comprising:
- a ground plane layer;
- a solar panel layer positioned on the ground plane layer;
- and
- an optically transparent electrically conductive layer positioned on the solar panel layer, the optically transparent electrically conductive layer configured to receive or transmit at least one of radio waves or microwaves,
- wherein at least a portion of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer is aligned with at least a portion of the solar panel layer in the lateral direction and the transverse direction.
An antenna array extending in a lateral direction and a transverse direction orthogonal to the lateral direction, the arrayed antenna assembly comprising:
- a ground plane layer;
- a solar panel layer positioned on the ground plane layer;
- and
- a plurality of antenna elements positioned on the solar panel layer, each antenna element comprising an optically transparent electrically conductive layer,
- wherein at least a portion of each optically transparent electrically conductive layer is aligned with at least a portion of solar panel layer in the lateral direction and the transverse direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.