Microstrip patch antenna structure

An antenna structure, comprising:

• a support member, having:
• a plurality of recesses formed in an upper surface;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive reference surfaces, each located at the bottom of one of said plurality of recesses;
• a plurality of electromagnetically coupled patch pairs for transmitting/receiving radio frequency signals, each of said patch pairs in a one-to-one corresponding relation with one of said plurality of recesses and one of said plurality of reference surfaces and having:
• a first microstrip patch element within said corresponding recess free from contact with said support member, positioned above and substantially parallel to said corresponding reference surface and separated therefrom by a first dielectric layer;
• a second microstrip patch element positioned above said first patch element and separated therefrom by a second dielectric layer, said second patch element being substantially flush with said upper surface of said support member and free from contact therewith and being substantially parallel to said first patch element;
• feed means for providing radio frequency signals to/from said patch pairs, including:
• interface means connected to said support member and adapted for electrical interconnection with transmitter/receiver means;
• and
• interconnect means for electrically coupling said radiating means with said interface means, said interconnect means including transmission means electrically connected to one of said first and second patch elements to permit electromagnetic coupling between said first and second patch elements;
• and
• transition means interposed between said interconnect means and said interface means for permitting relative rotation therebetween.

A scanned array antenna structure, comprising:

• an upper support member having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, each of said openings having electrically conductive walls and a flared upper aperture;
• a lower support member having:
• a plurality of recesses formed in a upper surface, each in substantial registration with one of said plurality of openings and having electrically conductive walls;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive reference surfaces, each located at the bottom of one of said plurality of recesses;
• a plurality of electromagnetically coupled patch pairs for transmitting/receiving radio frequency signals, each of said patch pairs in a one-to-one corresponding relation with one of said plurality of openings, one of said plurality of recesses and one of said plurality of reference surfaces and having:
• a first dielectric layer above said corresponding reference surface with said corresponding recess;
• a first insulating sheet positioned between said upper and lower support members and above said corresponding reference surface within said corresponding recess, said first insulating sheet being separated from said corresponding reference surface by said first dielectric layer;
• a driven element disposed on said first insulating sheet free from contact with said upper and lower support members and substantially parallel to said corresponding reference surface;
• a second insulating sheet positioned on an electrically conductive upper surface of said upper support member above an aperture of said corresponding opening, said second insulating sheet being separated from said first insulating sheet by a second dielectric layer;
• and
• an parasitic element disposed on said second insulating sheet substantially flush with said upper surface of said upper support member and free from contact therewith, said parasitic element being substantially parallel to said driven element;
• feed means for providing radio frequency signals to/from said plurality of patch pairs, comprising:
• interface means connected to said upper and lower support members and adapted for electrical interconnection with transmitter/receiver means;
• and
• interconnect means for electrically coupling said driven elements with said interface means, said interconnect means being electrically connected to said driven elements to permit electromagnetic coupling between said driven elements and said parasitic elements;
• and
• transition means interposed between said interconnect network and said interface means for permitting relative rotation therebetween.