Linear array antenna with E-plane backlobe suppressor

Claim 2

An antenna system with a radiation pattern primarily directed in a forward direction, the antenna system having a limited overall width in a transverse direction and a composite reflector for providing operation with reduced E-plane back radiation, comprising: a plurality of radiating elements spaced in a longitudinal direction transverse to said forward and said transverse directions, each said element including a radiating segment extending in said transverse direction from a coupling point outward to a furthermost point, for providing a free space radiation pattern having a low field strength region outward form the furthermost points; and a composite reflector including: a backwall section positioned behind said radiating segments and having a backwall width in said transverse direction substantially equal to said limited overall width, said backwall width terminating in an edge extending in said longitudinal direction; and sidewall means, coupled along said edge of said backwall section and extending forward substantially perpendicularly to said radiating segments and terminating in a longitudinally extending composite reflector edge, for positioning said composite reflector edge behind, and outward in said transverse direction from, said furthermost points in said low field strength region; whereby, said composite reflector is effective to reduce E-plane back radiation as compared to a back reflector of similar width, while having an overall width approximately that of said backwall section alone.

Claim 3

An antenna system in accordance with claim 1, additionally comprising means for feeding energy to each of said radiating elements.

Claim 4

An antenna system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said backwall section has a backwall width such that said edge of said backwall section lies outward from said furthermost points of said radiating segments by less than one-half the average operating wavelength.

Claim 5

An antenna system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said backwall section is substantially rectangular with a flat reflective surface and said sidewall means is attached along the extends forward from said edge of said backwall section, so that said limited overall width of the antenna system is not significantly greater than said backwall width.

Claim 6

An antenna system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said sidewall means comprises a series of metallic slats extending forward perpendicularly from said backwall section.

Claim 7

An antenna system with a radiation pattern primarily directed in a forward direction, the antenna system having a limited overall width in a transverse direction and a composite reflector for providing operation with reduced E-plane back radiation, comprising: a plurality of dipole radiating elements spaced in a longitudinal direction transverse to said forward and said transverse directions, each said element including a pair of radiating segments extending in said transverse direction from a coupling point oppositely outward to furthermost points, for providing a free space radiation pattern having a low field strength region outward form the furthermost points; and a composite reflector including: a backwall section positioned behind said radiating segments and having a backwall width in said transverse direction substantially equal to said limited overall width, said backwall width terminating in two substantially parallel opposite edges extending in said longitudinal direction; and sidewall means, including a sidewall section coupled along each said edge of said backwall section and extending forward substantially perpendicularly to said radiating segments and terminating in a longitudinally extending composite reflector edge, for positioning said composite reflector edges behind, and outward in said transverse direction from, said furthermost points in said low field strength region; whereby, said composite reflector is effective to reduce E-plane back radiation as compared to a back reflector of similar width, while having an overall width approximately that of said backwall section alone.

Claim 8

An antenna system with a radiation pattern primarily directed in a forward direction, the antenna system having a limited overall width in a transverse direction and a composite reflector for providing operation with reduced E-plane back radiation, comprising: a plurality of dipole radiating elements spaced in a longitudinal direction transverse to said forward and said transverse directions, each said element including a pair of radiating segments extending in said transverse direction from a coupling point oppositely outward to furthermost points, for providing a free space radiation pattern having a low field strength region outward form the furthermost points; and a composite reflector including: a backwall section positioned behind said radiating segments and having a backwall width in said transverse direction substantially equal to said limited overall width, said backwall width terminating in two substantially parallel opposite edges extending in said longitudinal direction; and sidewall means, including a sidewall section coupled along each said edge of said backwall section and extending forward substantially perpendicularly to said radiating segments and terminating in a longitudinally extending composite reflector edge, for positioning said composite reflector edges behind, and outward in said transverse direction from, said furthermost points in said low field strength region; whereby, said composite reflector is effective to reduce E-plane back radiation as compared to a back reflector of similar width, while having an overall width approximately that of said backwall section alone.

Claim 9

An antenna system in accordance with claim 6, additionally comprising means for feeding energy to each of said radiating elements.

Claim 10

An antenna system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said backwall section has a backwall width such that said edges of said backwall section lie outward from said furthermost points of said radiating segments by less than one-half the average operating wavelength.

Claim 11

An antenna system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said backwall section is substantially rectangular with a flat reflective surface and said sidewall section are attached along and extend forward from said edges of said backwall section, sot hat said limited overall width of the antenna system is not significantly greater than said backwall width.

Claim 12

An antenna system with a radiation pattern primarily directed in a forward direction, the antenna system having a limited overall width in a transverse direction and a composite reflector for providing operation with reduced E-plane back radiation, comprising: a plurality of dipole radiating elements spaced in a longitudinal direction transverse to said forward and said transverse directions, each said element including a pair of radiating segments extending in said transverse direction from a coupling point oppositely outward to furthermost points; and a composite reflector including: a substantially rectangular backwall section positioned behind said radiating segments and having a backwall width in said transverse direction substantially equal to said limited overall width, said backwall width terminating in two side edges extending in said longitudinal direction and respectively lying outward in said transverse direction from the furthermost points of said oppositely extending radiating segments by less than one-half of the average operating wavelength; and sidewall means, including a sidewall section coupled along each said edge of said backwall section and extending forward substantially perpendicularly to said radiating segments and terminating in a longitudinally extending composite reflector edge for positioning said composite reflector edge behind, and outward in said transverse direction from, said furthermost points; whereby, said composite reflector is effective to reduce E-plane back radiation as compared to a back reflector of similar width, while having an overall width approximately that of said backwall section alone.

Claim 13

An antenna system with a radiation pattern primarily directed in a forward direction, the antenna system having a limited overall width in a transverse direction and a composite reflector for providing operation with reduced E-plane back radiation, comprising: a plurality of dipole radiating elements spaced in a longitudinal direction transverse to said forward and said transverse directions, each said element including a pair of radiating segments extending in said transverse direction from a coupling point oppositely outward to furthermost points; and a composite reflector including: a substantially rectangular backwall section positioned behind said radiating segments and having a backwall width in said transverse direction substantially equal to said limited overall width, said backwall width terminating in two side edges extending in said longitudinal direction and respectively lying outward in said transverse direction from the furthermost points of said oppositely extending radiating segments by less than one-half of the average operating wavelength; and sidewall means, including a sidewall section coupled along each said edge of said backwall section and extending forward substantially perpendicularly to said radiating segments and terminating in a longitudinally extending composite reflector edge for positioning said composite reflector edge behind, and outward in said transverse direction from, said furthermost points; whereby, said composite reflector is effective to reduce E-plane back radiation as compared to a back reflector of similar width, while having an overall width approximately that of said backwall section alone.

Claim 14

An antenna system in accordance with claim 10, additionally comprising means for feeding energy to each of said radiating elements.

Claim 15

An antenna system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said backwall section is substantially rectangular with a flat reflective surface and said sidewall sections each provide a substantially rectangular flat reflective surface attached along and extending forward from one of said edges of said backwall section, so that said limited overall width of the antenna system is not significantly greater than said backwall width.

Claim 16

An antenna system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said sidewall means comprise a series of metallic slats extending forward perpendicularly from said backwall section.