Pole antenna with multiple array segments

A radio-frequency (RF) pole antenna with multiple arrays, the antenna comprising:

• a ground plane structure having a plurality (n) of structurally and electrically connected facets directed in uniformly spaced angular directions;
• a plurality (n) of antenna feed printed circuit boards, each of which is attached to but spaced apart from one of the ground plane facets, wherein each antenna feed printed circuit board has two feed points and two symmetrical circuit paths for feeding RF signals of different polarizations, and wherein each of the circuit paths has divergent branches leading to a plurality (m) of antenna patch drive segments;
• a plurality (n) of arrays of antenna patches, each array having a plurality (m) of antenna patches distributed along one of the antenna feed printed circuit boards and mounted to provide electromagnetic coupling between each antenna patch and a pair of antenna patch drive segments, one from each circuit path in the antenna feed printed circuit board, wherein each antenna patch is coupled simultaneously to an associated pair of antenna feed patch drive segments, and wherein each antenna patch includes a drive element electromagnetically coupled to its associated pair of antenna feed patch drive segments, and two additional parasitic elements mounted one over the other in an overlapping, spaced relationship with the drive element;
• a plurality (n) of pairs of RF feed connectors, each pair providing electromagnetic coupling with respective feed points on one of the antenna feed printed circuit boards, and providing connection to RF transmitting and receiving circuitry that employ the pole antenna;
• and
• a cylindrical cover positioned to conceal the ground plane structure, the antenna feed printed circuit boards, the antenna patches and the RF feed antennas, wherein the entire antenna is enclosed in the cylindrical cover, and whereby the enclosed antenna is highly suited for mounting on a support pole of similar diameter to that of the cover;
• wherein each antenna array formed by the ground plane structure, one of the antenna feed printed circuit boards, one of the arrays of antenna patches, and one of the pairs of RF feed connectors, has metal-to-metal connection only in the pair of RF feed connectors, whereby intermodulation effects on antenna performance are minimized, and wherein the ground plane structure is assembled using a dimple welding process that further reduces the likelihood of adverse intermodulation effects;
• and wherein each array of antenna patches is driven simultaneously in linear polarization modes at +45° and −45° with respect to a vertical axis of the pole antenna, for polarization diversity gain and improved reliability in transmitting digital data.

A radio-frequency (RF) pole antenna with three arrays, the antenna comprising:

• a ground plane structure having three structurally and electrically connected facets directed in uniformly spaced angular directions;
• three antenna feed printed circuit boards, each of which is attached to but spaced apart from one of the ground plane facets, wherein each antenna feed printed circuit board has two feed points and two symmetrical circuit paths for feeding RF signals of different polarizations, and wherein each of the circuit paths has divergent branches leading to a plurality (m) of antenna patch drive segments;
• three arrays of antenna patches, each array having a plurality (m) of antenna patches distributed along one of the antenna feed printed circuit boards and mounted to provide electromagnetic coupling between each antenna patch and a pair of antenna patch drive segments, one from each circuit path in the antenna feed printed circuit board, wherein each antenna patch is coupled simultaneously to an associated pair of antenna feed patch drive segments, and wherein each antenna patch includes a drive element electromagnetically coupled to its associated pair of antenna feed patch drive segments, and two additional parasitic elements mounted one over the other in an overlapping, spaced relationship with the drive element;
• three pairs of RF feed connectors, each pair providing electromagnetic coupling with respective feed points on one of the antenna feed printed circuit boards, and providing connection to RF transmitting and receiving circuitry that employ the pole antenna;
• and
• a cylindrical cover positioned to conceal the ground plane structure, the antenna feed printed circuit boards, the antenna patches and the RF feed antennas, wherein the entire antenna is enclosed in the cylindrical cover, and whereby the enclosed antenna is highly suited for mounting on a support pole of similar diameter to that of the cover;
• wherein each antenna array formed by the ground plane structure, one of the antenna feed printed circuit boards, one of the arrays of antenna patches, and one of the pairs of RF feed connectors, has metal-to-metal connection only in the pair of RF feed connectors, whereby intermodulation effects on antenna performance are minimized, and wherein the ground plane structure is assembled using a dimple welding process that further reduces the likelihood of adverse intermodulation effects;
• and wherein each array of antenna patches is driven simultaneously in linear polarization modes at +45° and 45° with respect to a vertical axis of the pole antenna, for polarization diversity gain and improved reliability in transmitting digital data.