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GB2142475A - Wide beam microwave antenna - Google Patents

Wide beam microwave antenna Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2142475A
GB2142475A GB08317639A GB8317639A GB2142475A GB 2142475 A GB2142475 A GB 2142475A GB 08317639 A GB08317639 A GB 08317639A GB 8317639 A GB8317639 A GB 8317639A GB 2142475 A GB2142475 A GB 2142475A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
array
antenna
substrate
wide beam
reflector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08317639A
Other versions
GB8317639D0 (en
Inventor
Amitava Banerjee
Roger Hill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Decca Ltd
Original Assignee
Decca Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Decca Ltd filed Critical Decca Ltd
Priority to GB08317639A priority Critical patent/GB2142475A/en
Publication of GB8317639D0 publication Critical patent/GB8317639D0/en
Publication of GB2142475A publication Critical patent/GB2142475A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/10—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/20—Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/206—Microstrip transmission line antennas

Landscapes

  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Abstract

A wide beam microwave antenna comprises a linear microstrip array 1, 2 provided on a low dielectric constant board 6. A reflector 4 is also provided on the surface of the board to extend parallel to and at a predetermined spacing from the array. In this way the reflector reflects energy radiated from the array so that wide beam azimuth coverage of a limited elevation is produced when the array is orientated vertically. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wide beam microwave antenna This invention relates to a microwave antenna having a wide beam characteristic.
Microstrip array antennae have been proposed for forming a linear array of elements which have a defined beam width in the plane of the array (see for example Derneryd,A.G., 'Linearly Polarised Microstrip antennas', IEEE Trans. On Antenna and Propagation, 846-850, (November 1976)).
The present invention provides a wide beam microwave antenna comprising a linear omnidirectional microstrip antenna array provided on a substantially planar electrically insulating substrate, and including a planar reflector element provided on a surface of the substrate and spaced from and extending parallel to the array to give the antenna a non-omnidirectional wide beam coverage in a plane substantially perpendicular to the array. Conveniently the reflector element can be etched from or printed on to the substrate simultaneously with forming the microstrip array. The resultant antenna is especially useful with the array orientated vertically to provide wide beam azimuth coverage over a limited elevation, for example as an automatic transponder in a navigational aid system.
It is preferable that the reflector element is spaced from the array by a quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation for which the antenna is to be employed. The microstrip array can be provided on both faces of the substrate and can comprise electrically conducting material provided on the substrate to form a line of rectangular areas having adjacent areas connected together by links having a width less than the width of said rectangular areas.
The antenna can be protected from the environment by locating it within a radome.
Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a linear microstrip array antenna with a reflector element; Figure2 illustrates a radome including a wide beam antenna embodying the invention.
Referring to Figure 1 a board 6 of a material having a low dielectric constant has printed on respective surfaces thereof rectangular areas 1 and 1' of electrically conducting material arranged in a line and connected together by links 2, 2' respectively of similar material. The links have a width which is smaller than the width of the rectangular areas. The areas 1 and 1 ' on the two sides of the substrate are oppositely phased in space as illustrated. This is a linear microstrip omnidirectional array as described by R. Hill, 8th European Microwave Conference, Paris, September 1978, p.p. 307-311.
Microwave energy is fed to the array from one end and travels along the array e.g. in the direction of arrow 3. As the microwave energy travels along the array radiation takes place at each ofthejunctions between the link 2(2') and adjacent areas 1(1'). If the dimensions of the array are correctly related to the wavelength, the array radiates, in the absence of any reflector, substantially uniformly in all directions in a plane perpendicular to the length of the array that is to say omnidirectionally.
A reflector 4 is provided on a surface of the board 6 and is arranged to extend parallel to the array at a predetermined spacing thereform in order to reflect energy radiated by the array. In this way wide beam azimuth coverage of a limited elevation is produced when the array is orientated vertically.
The reflector 4 can comprise a solid or perforated sheet of metal or a wire, preferably copper. The board can comprise a electrically insulating substrate having copper cladding on both sides. The substrate can have a low dielectric constant. The area 1(1') and links 2(2') and the reflector can be arranged to remain after etching of the board. It will be apparent that the areas and links and reflector can also be produced on a substrate by photolithog raphic techniques. It is preferred that the spacing between the array and the reflector is of the order of a quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation to be radiated from the array.
The wide beam antenna embodying the invention can be mounted inside a radome 5 and maintained in position by means of retaining elements 7 located on the radome inner surface. In this way the antenna is protected from adverse weather.
Therefore by providing the reflector on the surface of the substrate adjacent the linear omnidirectional microstrip antenna array allows the construction of a wide beam microwave antenna which is simple, light and has minimal blocking.
1. A wide beam microwave antenna comprising a linear omnidirectional microstrip antenna array provided on a substantially planar electrically insulating substrate, and including a planar reflector element provided on a surface of the substrate and spaced from and extending parallel to the array to give the antenna a non-omnidirectional wide beam coverage in a plane substantially perpendicular to the array.
2. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein the relector element is spaced from the array by a quarter of a wavelength of the microwave radiation for which the antenna is to be employed.
3. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the microstrip array is provided on both surfaces of the substrate.
4. An antenna as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said array comprises electrically conducting material provided on the substrate to form a line of rectangular areas with adjacent areas connected together by links having a width less than the width of said rectangular areas.
5. An antenna as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the antenna is located within a radome.
6. A method of producing an antenna as claimed in any preceding claim including the steps of providing a metal coated electrically insulating substrate, and etching the metal coat to form said array and reflector element.
7. A method of producing an antenna as claimed
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wide beam microwave antenna This invention relates to a microwave antenna having a wide beam characteristic. Microstrip array antennae have been proposed for forming a linear array of elements which have a defined beam width in the plane of the array (see for example Derneryd,A.G., 'Linearly Polarised Microstrip antennas', IEEE Trans. On Antenna and Propagation, 846-850, (November 1976)). The present invention provides a wide beam microwave antenna comprising a linear omnidirectional microstrip antenna array provided on a substantially planar electrically insulating substrate, and including a planar reflector element provided on a surface of the substrate and spaced from and extending parallel to the array to give the antenna a non-omnidirectional wide beam coverage in a plane substantially perpendicular to the array. Conveniently the reflector element can be etched from or printed on to the substrate simultaneously with forming the microstrip array. The resultant antenna is especially useful with the array orientated vertically to provide wide beam azimuth coverage over a limited elevation, for example as an automatic transponder in a navigational aid system. It is preferable that the reflector element is spaced from the array by a quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation for which the antenna is to be employed. The microstrip array can be provided on both faces of the substrate and can comprise electrically conducting material provided on the substrate to form a line of rectangular areas having adjacent areas connected together by links having a width less than the width of said rectangular areas. The antenna can be protected from the environment by locating it within a radome. Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a linear microstrip array antenna with a reflector element; Figure2 illustrates a radome including a wide beam antenna embodying the invention. Referring to Figure 1 a board 6 of a material having a low dielectric constant has printed on respective surfaces thereof rectangular areas 1 and 1' of electrically conducting material arranged in a line and connected together by links 2, 2' respectively of similar material. The links have a width which is smaller than the width of the rectangular areas. The areas 1 and 1 ' on the two sides of the substrate are oppositely phased in space as illustrated. This is a linear microstrip omnidirectional array as described by R. Hill, 8th European Microwave Conference, Paris, September 1978, p.p. 307-311. Microwave energy is fed to the array from one end and travels along the array e.g. in the direction of arrow 3. As the microwave energy travels along the array radiation takes place at each ofthejunctions between the link 2(2') and adjacent areas 1(1'). If the dimensions of the array are correctly related to the wavelength, the array radiates, in the absence of any reflector, substantially uniformly in all directions in a plane perpendicular to the length of the array that is to say omnidirectionally. A reflector 4 is provided on a surface of the board 6 and is arranged to extend parallel to the array at a predetermined spacing thereform in order to reflect energy radiated by the array. In this way wide beam azimuth coverage of a limited elevation is produced when the array is orientated vertically. The reflector 4 can comprise a solid or perforated sheet of metal or a wire, preferably copper. The board can comprise a electrically insulating substrate having copper cladding on both sides. The substrate can have a low dielectric constant. The area 1(1') and links 2(2') and the reflector can be arranged to remain after etching of the board. It will be apparent that the areas and links and reflector can also be produced on a substrate by photolithog raphic techniques. It is preferred that the spacing between the array and the reflector is of the order of a quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation to be radiated from the array. The wide beam antenna embodying the invention can be mounted inside a radome 5 and maintained in position by means of retaining elements 7 located on the radome inner surface. In this way the antenna is protected from adverse weather. Therefore by providing the reflector on the surface of the substrate adjacent the linear omnidirectional microstrip antenna array allows the construction of a wide beam microwave antenna which is simple, light and has minimal blocking. CLAIMS
1. A wide beam microwave antenna comprising a linear omnidirectional microstrip antenna array provided on a substantially planar electrically insulating substrate, and including a planar reflector element provided on a surface of the substrate and spaced from and extending parallel to the array to give the antenna a non-omnidirectional wide beam coverage in a plane substantially perpendicular to the array.
2. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein the relector element is spaced from the array by a quarter of a wavelength of the microwave radiation for which the antenna is to be employed.
3. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the microstrip array is provided on both surfaces of the substrate.
4. An antenna as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said array comprises electrically conducting material provided on the substrate to form a line of rectangular areas with adjacent areas connected together by links having a width less than the width of said rectangular areas.
5. An antenna as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the antenna is located within a radome.
6. A method of producing an antenna as claimed in any preceding claim including the steps of providing a metal coated electrically insulating substrate, and etching the metal coat to form said array and reflector element.
7. A method of producing an antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 including the steps of providing an electrically insulating substrate and printing said array and reflector element on to a surface of said substrate by photolithography.
8. A wide beam microwave antenna substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. A method of producing a wide beam microwave antenna substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08317639A 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Wide beam microwave antenna Withdrawn GB2142475A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08317639A GB2142475A (en) 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Wide beam microwave antenna

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08317639A GB2142475A (en) 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Wide beam microwave antenna

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8317639D0 GB8317639D0 (en) 1983-08-03
GB2142475A true GB2142475A (en) 1985-01-16

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08317639A Withdrawn GB2142475A (en) 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Wide beam microwave antenna

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2142475A (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0487053A1 (en) * 1990-11-23 1992-05-27 Andrew A.G. Improved antenna structure
GB2263581A (en) * 1992-01-23 1993-07-28 Andrew Corp Microwave antenna with a tubular radome
US5233360A (en) * 1990-07-30 1993-08-03 Sony Corporation Matching device for a microstrip antenna
US5339089A (en) * 1990-11-23 1994-08-16 Andrew Corporation Antenna structure
WO1996025775A1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-08-22 Hazeltine Corporation Low wind resistance antennas using cylindrical radiating and reflector units
EP0683542A3 (en) * 1994-05-20 1997-04-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Omnidirectional slot antenna.
US5986382A (en) 1997-08-18 1999-11-16 X-Cyte, Inc. Surface acoustic wave transponder configuration
US6060815A (en) 1997-08-18 2000-05-09 X-Cyte, Inc. Frequency mixing passive transponder
US6107910A (en) 1996-11-29 2000-08-22 X-Cyte, Inc. Dual mode transmitter/receiver and decoder for RF transponder tags
US6114971A (en) 1997-08-18 2000-09-05 X-Cyte, Inc. Frequency hopping spread spectrum passive acoustic wave identification device
US6208062B1 (en) 1997-08-18 2001-03-27 X-Cyte, Inc. Surface acoustic wave transponder configuration
WO2001059879A1 (en) * 2000-02-08 2001-08-16 Q-Free Asa Antenna for transponder
RU2177661C1 (en) * 2000-08-08 2001-12-27 Открытое акционерное общество "Центральное конструкторское бюро связи" Antenna with circular pattern in azimuth plane

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1012888A (en) * 1961-09-06 1965-12-08 Lothar Rohde Improvements in or relating to antenna systems
GB1294024A (en) * 1970-04-28 1972-10-25 Emi Ltd Improvements relating to aerial arrangements
GB1529361A (en) * 1975-02-17 1978-10-18 Secr Defence Stripline antenna arrays
GB1572273A (en) * 1977-05-31 1980-07-30 Emi Ltd Aerial arrangements
GB1586305A (en) * 1976-07-21 1981-03-18 Licentia Gmbh Microwave directional stripling antenna
GB1591643A (en) * 1977-05-31 1981-06-24 Emi Ltd Aerial arrangements

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1012888A (en) * 1961-09-06 1965-12-08 Lothar Rohde Improvements in or relating to antenna systems
GB1294024A (en) * 1970-04-28 1972-10-25 Emi Ltd Improvements relating to aerial arrangements
GB1529361A (en) * 1975-02-17 1978-10-18 Secr Defence Stripline antenna arrays
GB1586305A (en) * 1976-07-21 1981-03-18 Licentia Gmbh Microwave directional stripling antenna
GB1572273A (en) * 1977-05-31 1980-07-30 Emi Ltd Aerial arrangements
GB1591643A (en) * 1977-05-31 1981-06-24 Emi Ltd Aerial arrangements

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5233360A (en) * 1990-07-30 1993-08-03 Sony Corporation Matching device for a microstrip antenna
US5339089A (en) * 1990-11-23 1994-08-16 Andrew Corporation Antenna structure
EP0487053A1 (en) * 1990-11-23 1992-05-27 Andrew A.G. Improved antenna structure
GB2263581A (en) * 1992-01-23 1993-07-28 Andrew Corp Microwave antenna with a tubular radome
US5363115A (en) * 1992-01-23 1994-11-08 Andrew Corporation Parallel-conductor transmission line antenna
AU654595B2 (en) * 1992-01-23 1994-11-10 Andrew Corporation Parallel-conductor transmission line antenna
GB2263581B (en) * 1992-01-23 1995-10-04 Andrew Corp Parallel conductor transmission line antenna
AU675824B2 (en) * 1993-04-02 1997-02-20 Andrew Corporation Improved antenna structure
EP0618637A1 (en) * 1993-04-02 1994-10-05 Andrew A.G. Antenna structure
US5717410A (en) * 1994-05-20 1998-02-10 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Omnidirectional slot antenna
EP0683542A3 (en) * 1994-05-20 1997-04-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Omnidirectional slot antenna.
US5606333A (en) * 1995-02-17 1997-02-25 Hazeltine Corporation Low wind resistance antennas using cylindrical radiating and reflector units
WO1996025775A1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-08-22 Hazeltine Corporation Low wind resistance antennas using cylindrical radiating and reflector units
US6950009B1 (en) 1996-11-29 2005-09-27 X-Cyte, Inc. Dual mode transmitter/receiver and decoder for RF transponder units
US6531957B1 (en) 1996-11-29 2003-03-11 X-Cyte, Inc. Dual mode transmitter-receiver and decoder for RF transponder tags
US6107910A (en) 1996-11-29 2000-08-22 X-Cyte, Inc. Dual mode transmitter/receiver and decoder for RF transponder tags
US7741956B1 (en) 1996-11-29 2010-06-22 X-Cyte, Inc. Dual mode transmitter-receiver and decoder for RF transponder tags
US5986382A (en) 1997-08-18 1999-11-16 X-Cyte, Inc. Surface acoustic wave transponder configuration
US6208062B1 (en) 1997-08-18 2001-03-27 X-Cyte, Inc. Surface acoustic wave transponder configuration
US6114971A (en) 1997-08-18 2000-09-05 X-Cyte, Inc. Frequency hopping spread spectrum passive acoustic wave identification device
US6060815A (en) 1997-08-18 2000-05-09 X-Cyte, Inc. Frequency mixing passive transponder
US6611224B1 (en) 1997-08-18 2003-08-26 X-Cyte, Inc. Backscatter transponder interrogation device
US7132778B1 (en) 1997-08-18 2006-11-07 X-Cyte, Inc. Surface acoustic wave modulator
WO2001059879A1 (en) * 2000-02-08 2001-08-16 Q-Free Asa Antenna for transponder
US6885342B2 (en) 2000-02-08 2005-04-26 Q-Free Asa Antenna for transponder
RU2177661C1 (en) * 2000-08-08 2001-12-27 Открытое акционерное общество "Центральное конструкторское бюро связи" Antenna with circular pattern in azimuth plane

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8317639D0 (en) 1983-08-03

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)