Multi-mode broadband patch antenna
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorRobert R. Romanofsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-mode broad band patch antenna is provided that allows for the same aperture to be used at independent frequencies such as reception at 19 GHz and transmission at 29 GHz. Furthermore, the multi-mode broadband patch antenna provides a ferroelectric film that allows for tuning capability of the multi-mode broadband patch antenna over a relatively large tuning range. The alternative use of a semiconductor substrate permits reduced control voltages since the semiconductor functions as a counter electrode.
Claims44
A tunable microstrip patch antenna element comprising;
- a ground plane comprised of a conductive material;
- a substrate comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of dielectric and semiconductive materials and mounted on said ground plane;
- a radiator having an apparent electrical dimension and with parameters selected so as to operate in a fundamental mode at an odd order common denominator of desired fundamental frequencies, said radiator having a circuit for connecting to a variable bias voltage comprising means for generating a dc electric field between said radiator and said ground plane;
- and
- a ferroelectric film placed on said substrate and in cooperation with said substrate being deterministic of said apparent electrical dimension of said radiator.
An antenna system including a plurality of tunable microstrip patch antenna elements each comprising;
- a ground plane comprised of a conductive material;
- a substrate comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of dielectric and semiconductive materials and mounted on said ground plane;
- a radiator having an apparent electrical dimension and with parameters selected so as to operate in a fundamental mode at an odd order common denominator of desired fundamental frequencies, said radiator having a circuit for connecting to a variable bias voltage comprising means for generating a dc electric field between said radiator and said ground plane;
- and
- a ferroelectric film placed on said substrate and in cooperation with said substrate being deterministic of said apparent electrical dimension of said radiator.
A method to provide a tunable microstrip patch antenna element selected to operate at a frequency range having a fundamental frequency thereof comprising the steps of;
- providing a ground plane comprised of a conductive material;
- providing a substrate comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of dielectric and semiconductive materials and mounted on said ground plane;
- providing a radiator having an apparent electrical dimension and with parameters selected so as to operate in a fundamental mode at an odd order common denominator of said fundamental frequency, said radiator having a circuit for connecting to a variable bias voltage comprising means for generating a dc electric field between said radiator and ground plane;
- providing a ferroelectric film placed on said substrate and in cooperation with said substrate being deterministic of said apparent electrical dimension of said radiator;
- and
- applying and varying said dc electric field so as to tune said radiator over said frequency range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.