Microwave plane antenna simultaneously receiving two polarizations

Claim 1

A planar high-frequency antenna including, in order: a. a rigid waveguide unit of material having a plurality of openings therethrough bounded by conductive surfaces defining respective waveguides; b. a first planar member having openings therethrough aligned with the openings in the rigid block and bounded by conductive surfaces defining continuations of the respective waveguides; c. a second planar member of dielectric material bearing a network of strip conductors having ends extending into respective ones of the waveguides in a first direction; d. a third planar member having cross-shaped openings therethrough aligned with the openings in the first planar member and bounded by conductive surfaces defining continuations of the respective waveguides, said third planar member having a thickness which is relatively small with respect to an operating wavelength of the antenna; e. a fourth planar member of dielectric material bearing a network of strip conductors having ends extending into respective ones of the waveguides in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; f. a fifth planar member having openings therethrough aligned with the openings in the third planar member and bounded by conductive surfaces defining continuations of the respective waveguides; g. a rigid chassis for supporting the planar members; h. a first pattern of separating studs disposed between the first and second planar members, and a corresponding second pattern of separating studs disposed between the second and third planar members; and i. a third pattern of separating studs disposed between the third and fourth planar members, and a fourth pattern of separating studs disposed between the fourth and fifth planar members; said patterns of studs being supported on respective ones of the planar members and being arranged to inflexibly secure the second and fourth planar members between solid portions of the rigid waveguide unit and the rigid chassis.