Patent US6100855A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6100855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground plane for GPS patch antenna
Assignee: BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1999-02-26
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Granted: 2000-08-08
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Expires: 2019-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An antenna structure including a ground plane that provides a good front to back ratio while maintaing a small size and which can mechanically be made to fit into tight areas. The antenna structure may be a GPS patch antenna, or any other antenna adapted to receive broadcast signals. The ground plane is made from radar absorbing material (RAM) in electrical contract with conductive radials. The RAM inherently acts to suppress surface currents on the ground plane, which in turn reduces back signals. Although RAM has some resistance, it is low enough such that the electrical effect of the radials is extended through the RAM, essentially simulating a "solid" conductive disk. Both the RAM and radials may be made from light and flexible material, and consequently may be adapted for use in a variety of applications.
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Vinson
- 👤 Armando DeJesus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/48; H01Q17/00; H01Q17/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
An antenna structure comprising: an antenna adapted to receive broadcast signals; and a ground plane electrically connected to the antenna, the ground plane comprising radar absorbing material and at least one radial in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
An antenna structure comprising: an antenna adapted to receive broadcast signals; and a ground plane electrically connected to the antenna, the ground plane comprising radar absorbing material and at least one radial in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the antenna is substantially centered on the ground plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the effective length of the at least one radial is substantially one-fourth of the wavelength of a desired broadcast signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of radials in electrical contact with the ground plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna structure in claim 4, wherein the plurality of radials comprises at least four radials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The antenna structure in claim 4, wherein the radials are spaced evenly through the radar absorbing material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the at least one radial is woven through the radio absorbing material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the radar absorbing material comprises a conductive material adhered to a non-conductive surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a patch antenna.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the broadcast signals are Global Positioning System (GPS) signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the ground plane is substantially circular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the at least one radial comprises high modulus material; wherein the ground plane is adapted to be folded, and then assumes substantially a flat configuration during use.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The antenna structure in claim 12, wherein the ground plane further comprises a spring that will aid in returning the ground plane to substantially its original configuration when released during use.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, wherein the ground plane is adapted to be folded, and then assumes substantially a flat configuration during use; and wherein the ground plane further comprises a spring that will aid in returning the ground to substantially its original configuration when released during use.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, further comprising a nonconductive layer that encases the ground plane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, further comprising a nonconductive layer that encases the antenna.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna structure in claim 1, further comprising a nonconductive layer that encases the ground plane and the antenna.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of using an antenna structure comprising: obtaining an antenna structure comprising: an antenna; and a ground plane electrically connected to the antenna, comprising radar absorbing material and at least one radial in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material employing the antenna structure to receive broadcast signals, whereby the ground plane is adapted to improve front to back isolation of the antenna structure.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of using an antenna structure comprising: obtaining an antenna structure comprising: an antenna; and a ground plane electrically connected to the antenna, comprising radar absorbing material and at least one radial in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material employing the antenna structure to receive broadcast signals, whereby the ground plane is adapted to improve front to back isolation of the antenna structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the broadcast signals are Global Positioning System signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the ground plane improves on the front to back isolation of the antenna structure by suppressing surface currents on the ground plane during use.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the front to back signal isolation is at least 10 dBs when measured over salt water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the effective length of the at least one radial is one-fourth of the wavelength of a desired broadcast signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the antenna structure further comprises a plurality of radials in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of radials comprises at least four radials.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the radials are spaced evenly through the radar absorbing material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the radial is woven through the radio absorbing material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the ground plane is substantially circular.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of using an antenna structure comprising: obtaining a flexible antenna structure comprising: a patch antenna; a ground plane electrically connected to the patch antenna, comprising radar absorbing material, a plurality radials in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material, a spring to aid in placing the ground plane in substantially a flat configuration when released during use, wherein the ground plane is adapted to be folded; and employing the antenna structure to receive GPS signals, whereby the ground plane is adapted to improve front to back isolation of the flexible antenna structure.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of using an antenna structure comprising: obtaining a flexible antenna structure comprising: a patch antenna; a ground plane electrically connected to the patch antenna, comprising radar absorbing material, a plurality radials in electrical contact with the radar absorbing material, a spring to aid in placing the ground plane in substantially a flat configuration when released during use, wherein the ground plane is adapted to be folded; and employing the antenna structure to receive GPS signals, whereby the ground plane is adapted to improve front to back isolation of the flexible antenna structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 28, wherein the radials comprise high modulus material.
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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) | 2003-08-08 | 2004-02-07 | 2004-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-08 | 2008-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-08 | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |