Surface scattering antennas
AssigneeThe Invention Science Fund I, LLC
InventorsAdam Bily, Anna K. Boardman, Russell J. Hannigan, John Hunt, Nathan Kundtz, David R. Nash, Ryan Allan Stevenson, Philip A. Sullivan
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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 complementary metamaterial 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.
Claims18
An antenna, comprising:
- a waveguide;
- and
- a plurality of individually dynamically adjustable scattering elements distributed along the waveguide with inter-element spacings substantially less than a free-space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna, where the plurality of individually dynamically adjustable scattering elements have a plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses to a guided wave mode of the waveguide, and the plurality of adjustable individual electromagnetic responses provide a dynamically adjustable radiation field of the antenna;
- wherein the waveguide includes a conducting surface and the plurality of scattering elements corresponds to a plurality of apertures within the conducting surface;
- wherein each one of the plurality of scattering elements corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of apertures;
- wherein the plurality of scattering elements includes a respective plurality of conducting islands that are electrically disconnected from the conducting surface, and the antenna further comprises a plurality of bias voltage lines configured to provide respective bias voltages between the conducting surface and the respective plurality of conducting islands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.