Power combining antenna structure
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorGeorge W. Fitzsimmons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Low-loss power combining-transmitting antenna arrangements are disclosed which are suitable for use in power distribution systems employing RF transmission of the energy being distributed and other applications in which it is necessary to coherently combine and transmit several RF signals. The disclosed arrangements utilize slot radiators that are excited at each end by separate feed lines. Narrow, nonradiating slots extend outwardly from the ends of each radiating slot to provide impedance matching. One modular arrangement includes amplifier circuitry for supplying the antenna excitation signals and phase error correction circuits for maintaining proper signal phase through the antenna module.
Claims14
An antenna comprising:
- at least one radiating element for supplying electromagnetic radiation in response to at least two separate applied electrical signals;
- antenna feed means including at least two independently excitable antenna excitation elements positioned in operative association with each said radiating element of said antenna, each independently excitable excitation element that is associated with a particular radiating element being electronically coupled to a spatially distinct portion of that particular radiating element and being independently supplied with a different one of said applied signals, each such spatially distinct portion of said radiating element being selected to cause said radiating element to supply electromagnetic radiation of like polarization and like phase when each said associated independently excitable excitation element is independently supplied with an electrical signal of predetermined frequency and phase;
- and
- transmission line means for connecting each of said antenna excitation elements of said antenna feed means for receiving said applied electrical signals.
An antenna module for transmitting electromagnetic energy at a power level substantially corresponding to the total power of a plurality of applied signals, said antenna module including:
- a conductive ground plane including at least one slot radiator formed therein, each said slot radiator having first and second longitudinal boundaries and first and second end boundaries;
- feed line means including a first and second conductive excitation element for supplying electrical energy to each said slot radiator, each said first and second conductive excitation element being mounted in spaced apart juxtaposition with said conductive ground plane and respectively extending along one of said first and second longitudinal boundaries of said slot radiator at positions near said first and second end boundaries;
- and
- transmission line means responsive to said applied signals for separately coupling a first one of said applied signals to said first excitation element of each said slot radiator element and for separately coupling a second one of said applied signals to said second excitation element of each said slot radiator, said feed line means being dimensioned and arranged to supply said first and second signals to said first and second excitation elements in an in-phase relationship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.