US4475108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronically tunable microstrip antenna
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1982-08-04
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2002-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A microstrip antenna with a linearly polarized radiating patch is varied in resonant frequency by an electronic tuning technique. A dc bias voltage is combined with the excitation signal to regulate the capacitance of a varactor diode mounted in the antenna structure. In one embodiment the varactor is in shunt with a half wave open circuited radiator and adds electrical length to the antenna, while in another embodiment the varactor is in series with a shorted quarter wave radiator and subtracts electrical length therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth R. Moser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407; H01Q9/0442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An antenna structure comprising: a generally rectangular microstrip radiator having a nominal physical length of one half of the wavelength of a desired resonant frequency, and a grond plane spaced from said radiator by a dielectric lamina with a thickness much less than said wavelength; a varactor diode, electrically connected between said ground plane and said radiating element, located at one extreme of the longitudinal axis of the radiating element; a feed pin, electrically connected to said radiator, located at the other extreme of the longitudinal axis of the radiating element; a transmission line with a signal conductor electrically connected to said feed pin; means for generating a variable dc bias voltage with which to reverse bias said diode; means for generating a rf signal voltage with which to excite said radiating element; and means, electrically connected to said signal conductor, for combining said rf signal and said dc bias voltage for transmission over said transmission line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An antenna structure comprising: a generally rectangular microstrip radiator having a nominal physical length of one half of the wavelength of a desired resonant frequency, and a grond plane spaced from said radiator by a dielectric lamina with a thickness much less than said wavelength; a varactor diode, electrically connected between said ground plane and said radiating element, located at one extreme of the longitudinal axis of the radiating element; a feed pin, electrically connected to said radiator, located at the other extreme of the longitudinal axis of the radiating element; a transmission line with a signal conductor electrically connected to said feed pin; means for generating a variable dc bias voltage with which to reverse bias said diode; means for generating a rf signal voltage with which to excite said radiating element; and means, electrically connected to said signal conductor, for combining said rf signal and said dc bias voltage for transmission over said transmission line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An antenna structure as defined in claim 1 wherein: said feed pin is varied in location along said longitudinal axis to match the impedance of said radiator with said transmission line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An antenna structure as defined in claim 2 wherein: said dc bias voltage causes an addition of electrical length by regulating the capacitance of said diode according to the magnitude of the bias voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An antenna structure as defined in claim 3 wherein: said feed pin is located along the longitudinal axis of the radiator so as to impedance match the midpoint of the variance in electrical length caused by said diode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |