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US 7,843,392 B2Granted
Dual frequency antenna system
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc.
InventorsArcher David Munger, Kevin Duane House, Russell Thomas Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-frequency conformal multi-filiar helical antenna system (20) provides a low-profile, low drag antenna useable in flying equipment. This antenna system (20) securely holds within its shell (22) signal distribution circuitry (64), signal combining circuitry (68), and any other circuit components necessary for antenna system (20) to communicate with other stations or devices. Antenna system (20) has radiating conductors (24, 32) tuned to two different frequencies such that simultaneous transmission and reception of signals is possible in the same and opposite directions.
Claims6
An antenna system comprising:
- a shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface;
- a first antenna having a first radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface, tuned to a first frequency and having a transmit signal pattern;
- a second antenna having a second radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface, tuned to a second frequency and having a receive signal pattern;
- a ground plate substantially covering said interior surface of said shell, said ground plate being configured to be a ground plane against which said first and second radiating conductors operate in order to form microstrip patch antenna elements;
- a signal distribution circuit connected to said first antenna;
- and
- a signal combining circuit connected to said second antenna;
- wherein said shell is configured to move in a direction substantially coincident with an axis of said antenna system and one of said transmit signal pattern and said receive signal pattern favors said direction.
5 more elements
An antenna system comprising:
- a shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface;
- a first antenna having a first radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface and tuned to a first frequency;
- a second antenna having a second radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface and tuned to a second frequency;
- a ground plate substantially covering said interior surface of said shell, said ground plate being configured to be a ground plane against which said first and second radiating conductors operate in order to form microstrip patch antenna elements;
- a signal distribution circuit connected to said first antenna;
- and
- a signal combining circuit connected to said second antenna;
- wherein said first antenna , said second antenna , said signal distribution circuit and said signal combining circuit are mutually configured such that transmission and reception take place simultaneously.
5 more elements
An antenna system comprising:
- a shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface;
- a first antenna having a first radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface and tuned to a first frequency;
- a second antenna having a second radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface and tuned to a second frequency;
- and
- a ground plate substantially covering said interior surface of said shell, said ground plate being configured to be a ground plane against which said first and second radiating conductors operate in order to form microstrip patch antenna elements;
- wherein said shell has a front end and is configured to move along an axis of motion;
- and
- said antenna system further comprises a cone joined to said front end of said shell and aligned with said axis of motion.
5 more elements
An antenna system comprising:
- a shell having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an interior cavity;
- a first antenna having a first radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface;
- a second antenna having a second radiating conductor wrapped around said exterior surface;
- a ground plate substantially covering said interior surface of said shell, said ground plate being configured to be a ground plane against which said first and second radiating conductors operate in order to form microstrip patch antenna elements;
- a signal distribution circuit held within said interior cavity and connected to said first antenna;
- and
- a signal combining circuit held within said interior cavity and connected to said second antenna.
4 more elements
An antenna system comprising:
- a shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a first multi-filar antenna having a plurality of helical radiating conductors wrapped around said exterior surface and tuned to a first frequency;
- a second multi-filar antenna having a plurality of helical radiating conductors wrapped around said exterior surface and tuned to a second frequency;
- a ground plate substantially covering said interior surface, said ground plate being configured to be a ground plane against which said radiating conductors of said first and second multi-filar antennas operate in order to form microstrip patch antenna elements;
- a signal distribution circuit held within said interior cavity and connected to said first antenna;
- and
- a signal combining circuit held within said interior cavity and connected to said second antenna;
- wherein said plurality of helical radiating conductors of said first multi-filar antenna are interleaved between said plurality of helical radiating conductors of said second multi-filar antenna.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.