US 8,786,508 B1 · Tri-band feed horn

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) coaxial horn can comprise an inner RF horn disposed inside a larger outer RF horn. An interior surface of the inner horn can comprise a pattern of irregular, aperiodic features that excite modes in first and second RF signals each at a different frequencies that produce substantially Gaussian beam profiles of the first and second signals at the output aperture of the inner horn. The waists of the beam profiles of the first and second signals can be outside the inner horn but inside the outer horn. An interior surface of the outer horn and/or an outer surface of the inner horn can similarly excite modes in a third RF signal at a frequency different than the first and second RF signals to produce a substantially Gaussian beam profile of the third signal at the output aperture of the outer horn. The waist of the beam profile of the third signal can be aligned with the waists of the beam profiles of the first and second signals. Even though the signals are at different frequencies, the illumination pattern of the three RF signals on a reflector antenna at which the horn is directed can be substantially the same.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A coaxial radio frequency (RF) feed horn comprising:

an inner RF feed horn having an inner geometry with an irregular, aperiodic profile configured to:
excite from a first RF signal introduced at an input to the inner feed horn higher order modes that combine with a fundamental mode of the first RF signal such that the first signal has a substantially Gaussian beam profile at an output aperture of the inner feed horn, and
excite from a second RF signal introduced at the input of the inner feed horn higher order modes that combine with a fundamental mode of the second RF signal such that the second signal has a substantially Gaussian beam profile at the output aperture of the inner feed horn;
an outer RF feed horn, wherein the inner feed horn is disposed inside and coaxially with the outer feed horn;
and
a surface having an inner geometry with an irregular, aperiodic profile configured to excite from a third RF signal introduced at an input of the outer feed horn higher order modes that combine with a fundamental mode of the third RF signal such that the third signal has a substantially Gaussian beam profile at an output aperture of the outer feed horn,
wherein a frequency of the first signal, a frequency of the second signal, and a frequency of the third signal are different one from another.

4 more elements

A method of projecting a first radio frequency (RF) signal, a second RF signal, and a third RF signal onto an RF reflector antenna, the method comprising:

introducing into an inner feed horn of a coaxial feed horn the first RF signal at a first frequency;
exciting in the inner feed horn with an inner geometry having an irregular, aperiodic profile higher order modes of the first signal that combine with a fundamental mode of the first RF signal such that the first signal has a substantially Gaussian beam profile at an output aperture of the inner feed horn;
introducing into the inner feed horn the second RF signal at a second frequency different than the first frequency;
exciting in the inner feed horn with the inner geometry higher order modes of the second signal that combine with a fundamental mode of the second RF signal such that the second signal has a substantially Gaussian beam profile at the output aperture of the inner feed horn;
introducing into an outer feed horn of the coaxial feed horn the third RF signal at a third frequency that is different than the first frequency and the second frequency;
exciting in the outer feed horn with a geometry having an irregular, aperiodic profile higher order modes of the third signal that combine with a fundamental mode of the third RF signal such that the third signal has a substantially Gaussian beam profile at an output aperture of the outer feed horn.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tri-band feed horn

Life of this patent

Tri-band feed horn

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28