Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A compact microstrip antenna comprising: an array of antenna elements arranged in a closed loop pattern and being non-resonant over an operating band, said array having a diameter smaller than 0.7 mλ c /π, wherein m is a number indicating a spiral mode produced by said antenna and wherein λ c is the wavelength at the center frequency of the operating band, said elements adapted to be driven out of phase from one another for generating at least one spiral mode; a ground surface; and a substrate positioned to one side of said antenna elements for spacing said antenna elements a selected distance from said ground surface, said selected distance being greater than or equal to 1/60 and less than or equal to 1/2 said wavelength at said center frequency, and said substrate having a relative dielectric constant which is greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.0.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A compact microstrip antenna comprising: an array of antenna elements arranged in a closed loop pattern and being non-resonant over an operating band, said array having a diameter smaller than 0.7 mλ c /π, wherein m is a number indicating a spiral mode produced by said antenna and wherein λ c is the wavelength at the center frequency of the operating band, said elements adapted to be driven out of phase from one another for generating at least one spiral mode; a ground surface; and a substrate positioned to one side of said antenna elements for spacing said antenna elements a selected distance from said ground surface, said selected distance being greater than or equal to 1/60 and less than or equal to 1/2 said wavelength at said center frequency, and said substrate having a relative dielectric constant which is greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.0.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said antenna elements comprises a metal foil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 2 wherein said antenna elements comprise patches which each are closely spaced with adjacent ones of other patches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said antenna elements comprises a dissipative load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein said array of antenna elements comprises at least four elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein said array of antenna elements comprises at least six elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein said array of antenna elements comprises at least eight elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 wherein said substrate is dimensioned so that said selected distance is between 0.1 and 0.3 inches for operating frequency range of 2-18 GHz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A microstrip antenna as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one more array of antenna elements arranged concentrically with said closed loop pattern, said one more array having a diameter smaller than Mλ c /πwherein m is a number indicating a spiral mode produced by said antenna and wherein λ c corresponds to the wavelength at said center frequency of said operating band.