# US 6,724,345 B2 · Antenna with periodic electromagnetic mode suppression structures and method for same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,724,345 B2 - Document ID: US6724345B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/128,764 - Filed: 2002-04-22 - Published: 2003-10-23 - Granted: 2004-04-20 - Earliest claimed: 2002-04-22 - Assignees: Kyocera Wirless Corp. - Inventors: Allen Tran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6724345B2 ## CPC - H01Q 19/021: {Means for reducing undesirable effects} - H01Q 1/38: formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support {(patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142)} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract A family of antennas, and a method for the same, are provided. The antennas include periodic electromagnetic structures to suppress non-radiating modes of propagation. Each antenna comprises a radiator resonant at a first frequency. A first dielectric is proximate to the radiator. Typically, a counterpoise is formed to the radiator. The periodic electromagnetic structures propagate a radiating mode, and suppress the propagation of a non-radiating mode. The periodic electromagnetic structures can be formed in the radiator, the counterpoise (when the counterpoise is distinctly distinguishable from the radiator), or in the first dielectric. The electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. For example, the shapes can be cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, or semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for forming an antenna with periodic electromagnetic structures, the method comprising: forming a radiator; forming a first dielectric, with a first dielectric constant, proximate to the radiator; at a first resonant frequency, propagating a radiating mode; and, using a predetermined periodic pattern in an antenna element, suppressing the propagation of a non-radiating mode at the first resonant frequency. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein forming a first dielectric proximate to the radiator includes forming the first dielectric in a predetermined periodic pattern; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the first dielectric periodic pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein forming the first dielectric in a periodic pattern includes forming a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the first dielectric having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein forming the first dielectric in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes forming blocks selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein forming the first dielectric in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes filling the blocks with a second dielectric, having a second dielectric constant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein forming the first dielectric in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes selecting the second dielectric from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further comprising: forming a third dielectric proximate to the first dielectric. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein forming a third dielectric proximate to the first dielectric includes forming the third dielectric in a predetermined periodic pattern; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the first and third dielectric periodic patterns. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein forming a radiator includes forming the radiator in a predetermined periodic pattern; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the radiator periodic pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein forming the radiator in a periodic pattern includes forming a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the counterpoise having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes forming blocks selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes filling the blocks with a second dielectric, having a second dielectric constant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes the second dielectric being the same as the first dielectric. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein forming the radiator in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes selecting the second dielectric from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a counterpoise to the radiator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein forming a counterpoise includes forming the counterpoise in a predetermined periodic pattern; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the counterpoise periodic pattern. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein forming the counterpoise in a periodic pattern includes forming a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the counterpoise having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes forming blocks selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks includes filling the blocks with a second dielectric, having a second dielectric constant. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes the second dielectric being the same as the first dielectric. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein forming the counterpoise in a pattern of volumetric blocks filled with a second dielectric includes selecting the second dielectric from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the first dielectric; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the first dielectric includes forming a periodic pattern in both the radiator and the first dielectric; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the radiator and the first dielectric. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a counterpoise to the radiator; forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the counterpoise; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the counterpoise includes forming a periodic pattern in both the radiator and the counterpoise; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in both the radiator and the counterpoise. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a counterpoise to the radiator; forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the first dielectric and the counterpoise; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the first dielectric and the counterpoise includes forming a periodic pattern in both the first dielectric and the counterpoise; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in both the first dielectric and the counterpoise. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a counterpoise to the radiator; forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator, the first dielectric and the counterpoise; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the selected elements. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein forming a predetermined periodic pattern in an element selected from the group including the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise includes forming a periodic pattern in the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise; and, wherein suppressing the propagation of the non-radiating mode includes suppressing in response to the periodic patterns in the radiator, first dielectric, and the counterpoise. ### Claim 30 An antenna with periodic electromagnetic structures, the antenna comprising: a radiator resonant at a first frequency; a first dielectric, with a first dielectric constant, proximate to the radiator; and, a plurality of periodic electromagnetic structures propagating a radiating mode, and suppressing the propagation of a non-radiating modes where the periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the first dielectric. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The antenna of claim 31 wherein first dielectric periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the first dielectric having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The antenna of claim 32 wherein first dielectric volumetric blocks are selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The antenna of claim 33 further comprising: a second dielectric with a second dielectric constant; and, wherein the first dielectric volumetric blocks are filled with the second dielectric. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The antenna of claim 34 wherein the second dielectric is selected from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) The antenna of claim 31 further comprising: a third dielectric proximate to the first dielectric. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The antenna of claim 36 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the first and third dielectrics having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 38 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the radiator. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The antenna of claim 38 wherein radiator periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the radiator having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The antenna of claim 39 wherein radiator volumetric blocks are selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The antenna of claim 40 further comprising: a second dielectric with a second dielectric constant; and, wherein the radiator volumetric blocks are filled with the second dielectric. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The antenna of claim 41 wherein the second dielectric is the same as the first dielectric. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The antenna of claim 41 wherein the second dielectric is selected from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant. ### Claim 44 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 further comprising: a counterpoise to the radiator. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The antenna of claim 44 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the counterpoise. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The antenna of claim 45 wherein counterpoise periodic electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks in the counterpoise having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The antenna of claim 46 wherein counterpoise volumetric blocks are selected from the group including cylindrical blocks having predetermined diameters, cross-shaped blocks having predetermined arm widths and arm lengths, rectangular blocks having predetermined lengths and widths, and semi-spherical blocks having predetermined diameters. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The antenna of claim 47 further comprising: a second dielectric with a second dielectric constant; and, wherein the counterpoise volumetric blocks are filled with the second dielectric. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The antenna of claim 48 wherein the second dielectric is the same as the first dielectric. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The antenna of claim 48 wherein the second dielectric is selected from the group including air, electrical conductors, and dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, different than the first dielectric constant. ### Claim 51 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the first dielectric. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The antenna of claim 51 wherein periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in both the radiator and the first dielectric. ### Claim 53 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 further comprising: a counterpoise to the radiator; wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the radiator and the counterpoise. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The antenna of claim 53 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in both the radiator and the counterpoise. ### Claim 55 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 further comprising: a counterpoise to the radiator; wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the first dielectric and the counterpoise. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The antenna of claim 55 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in both the first dielectric and the counterpoise. ### Claim 57 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 further comprising: a counterpoise to the radiator; wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in an element selected from the group including the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The antenna of claim 57 wherein the periodic electromagnetic structures are formed in the radiator, the first dielectric, and the counterpoise. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a patch; wherein the radiator is a first conductive panel; wherein the counterpoise is a second conductive panel, parallel to the first panel; wherein the first dielectric is a layer interposed between the first and second parallel panels. ### Claim 60 (depends on 57) The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a slot antenna further comprising; a slot having a length selected from the group including one-half and one-quarter the wavelength of the first frequency with respect to the first dielectric. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The antenna of claim 60 wherein the radiator, first dielectric, and counterpoise form a microstrip line; and, wherein the slot is formed in the counterpoise. ### Claim 62 (depends on 60) The antenna of claim 60 wherein the radiator and counterpoise form a waveguide having an interior area; wherein the first dielectric fills the waveguide interior area; and, wherein the slot is formed in the waveguide. ### Claim 63 (depends on 60) The antenna of claim 60 wherein the radiator and counterpoise form a flare-notch structure resonant at a first frequency; wherein the first dielectric includes a first layer and a second layer; and, wherein the flare-notch structure is interposed between the first and second layers of the first dielectric. ### Claim 64 (depends on 57) The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a dipole antenna; and, wherein the radiator and counterpoise have matching lengths selected from the group including one-half and one-quarter the first frequency wavelength with respect to the first dielectric. ### Claim 65 (depends on 57) The antenna of claim 57 in which the antenna is a monopole antenna; and, wherein the radiator has a length selected from the group including one-half and one-quarter the first frequency wavelength with respect to the first dielectric. ### Claim 66 (depends on 30) The antenna of claim 30 in which the antenna is a loop antenna; and, wherein the radiator forms a closed loop structure with a gap.