Surface scattering antenna improvements
AssigneeThe Invention Science Fund I, LLC
InventorsAdam Bily, Jeff Dallas, Russell J. Hannigan, Nathan Kundtz, David R. Nash, Ryan Allan Stevenson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Surface scattering antennas provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure. In some approaches, the scattering elements are patch elements. In some approaches, the scattering elements are made adjustable by disposing an electrically adjustable material, such as a liquid crystal, in proximity to the scattering elements. Methods and systems provide control and adjustment of surface scattering antennas for various applications.
Claims34
An antenna, comprising:
- a wave-propagating structure;
- and
- a plurality of subwavelength patch elements distributed along the wave-propagating structure with inter-element spacings less than one-third of a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna, where the plurality of subwavelength patch elements have a plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses to a guided wave mode of the wave-propagating structure, and the plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses provide an adjustable radiation field of the antenna;
- wherein the wave-propagating structure includes a conducting surface, and the plurality of subwavelength patch elements corresponds to a plurality of conducting patches respectively positioned at least partially above a respective plurality of irises in the conducting surface;
- and
- wherein the plurality of conducting patches is configured to provide a plurality of elliptically-polarized radiation fields responsive to iris-intermediated couplings between the conducting patches and the guided wave mode.
An antenna, comprising:
- a wave-propagating structure;
- a plurality of subwavelength patch elements distributed along the wave-propagating structure with inter-element spacings less than one-third of a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna, where the plurality of subwavelength patch elements have a plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses to a guided wave mode of the wave-propagating structure, the plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses provide an adjustable radiation field of the antenna, the wave-propagating structure includes a conducting surface, and the plurality of subwavelength patch elements corresponds to a plurality of conducting patches respectively positioned at least partially above a respective plurality of irises in the conducting surface;
- a plurality of bias voltage lines configured to provide respective bias voltages between the plurality of conducting patches and the conducting surface;
- and
- an electrically adjustable material disposed between the plurality of conducting patches and the plurality of irises in the conducting surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.