Dual function antenna

Claim 2

A dual function antenna system for a conical aerospace re-entry body comprising: (a) a pair of flush-mounted, circumferential cavity-backed slot antennas located diametrically opposite each other near the base of said re-entry body; (b) means for feeding said antennas out-of-phase to produce an a gain pattern with peaks at nose-on and aft aspects; (c) first means inserted into said cavity to form a tee-bar transition for exciting said antenna at a low frequency; and (d) second means inserted in said cavity for exciting said cavity at a higher order mode, higher band frequency, said second means being separated from said first means.

Claim 3

A dual function antenna system for a conical aerospace re-entry vehicle comprising: (a) a pair of flush-mounted, circumferential cavity-backed slot antennas located diametrically opposite each other near the base of said re-entry body, each of said antennas having (i) an approximately rectangular housing having a back and sides, (ii) a faceplate integral with and enclosing the front of said housing, said faceplate having a pair of parallel circumferential slots therein the length of said housing to form a slotted cavity and having a cross-bar separating said slots, (iii) a first probe inserted through one of the longitudinal sides of said housing at the midpoint and through a flange protruding into said slotted cavity to form a tee-bar transition such that when said first probe is electrically excited said cavity resonates at a low-band frequency, and (iv) a second probe inserted through the opposite longitudinal side of said housing from said first probe at a point laterally spaced from said first probe and extending to the longitudinal side of said first probe such that when said second probe is electrically excited said cavity resonates at a high-band frequency which is a harmonic of said low-band frequency; (b) means for feeding said antennas out-of-phase to produce a gain pattern with peaks at nose-on and aft aspects; and (c) means for exciting each of said antennas at said low-band frequency and at said high-band frequency.

Claim 4

A dual function antenna system for a conical aerospace re-entry vehicle comprising: (a) a pair of flush-mounted, circumferential cavity-backed slot antennas located diametrically opposite each other near the base of said re-entry body, each of said antennas having (i) an approximately rectangular housing having a back and sides, (ii) a faceplate integral with and enclosing the front of said housing, said faceplate having a pair of parallel circumferential slots therein the length of said housing to form a slotted cavity and having a cross-bar separating said slots, (iii) a first probe inserted through one of the longitudinal sides of said housing at the midpoint and through a flange protruding into said slotted cavity to form a tee-bar transition such that when said first probe is electrically excited said cavity resonates at a low-band frequency, and (iv) a second probe inserted through the opposite longitudinal side of said housing from said first probe at a point laterally spaced from said first probe and extending to the longitudinal side of said first probe such that when said second probe is electrically excited said cavity resonates at a high-band frequency which is a harmonic of said low-band frequency; (b) means for feeding said antennas out-of-phase to produce a gain pattern with peaks at nose-on and aft aspects; and (c) means for exciting each of said antennas at said low-band frequency and at said high-band frequency.

Claim 5

A dual function antenna system as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said antennas further comprises means for isolating the low-band source from high-band energy via said first probe.

Claim 6

A dual function antenna system as recited in claim 3 wherein said isolating means comprising a conductive sheath surrounding said first probe, said sheath being in contact with said cross-bar.