Selectable-mode microstrip antenna and selectable-mode microstrip antenna arrays
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsFrederick G. Farrar, Daniel H. Schaubert
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Abstract
An inexpensive, flush mounted selectable mode microstrip antenna which is equency-agile and has polarization diversity. The mode, frequency and polarization of the antenna can be selected by selecting the location of shorting posts in the antenna. The use of switching diodes in place of shorting posts provides the means of electronically switching the mode, frequency and polarization characteristics of the antenna. The selectable mode microstrip antenna arrays are also provided. The selection of mode, frequency and polarization can be selected and controlled by digital means such as a computer.
Claims13
A selectable mode microstrip antenna comprising:
- a dielectric substrate;
- a conductive patch on one surface of said substrate, said conductive patch being substantially rectangular with a first pair of sides with dimensions "a" and a second pair of sides with dimensions "b", said conductive patch having a first centerline parallel to said first pair of sides and a second centerline parallel to said second pair of sides;
- a conductive layer, forming a ground plane, on an opposed surface of said substrate;
- means for providing a radio frequency transmission path to said conductive patch;
- and
- means for selecting the radiation pattern of said conductive patch comprising first multiple pairs of switchable shorting means for providing electrically conductive paths between said conductive patch and said ground plane, said multiple pairs of switchable shorting means selectively positioned symmetrically on said first centerline around a center of said first centerline and substantially away from said center.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.