US6133877A — Microstrip distribution network device for antenn…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 155 words

Device for microstrip distribution networks for group antennas where the microstrip distribution network distributes and combines at least one electromagnetic signal within a predetermined frequency band and comprises a ground plane on a first surface and a distribution network with at least one separate branch on a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface are divided by a dielectric and substantially equidistant from each other, whereby at least two feed points transfer the electromagnetic signals between the distribution network and a group antenna's antenna elements through the ground plane, the device comprising a waveguide substructure arranged in association with the microstrip distribution network and forming part of a waveguide structure where the waveguide structure is dimensioned so that it has a cut-off frequency that is higher than a frequency in the predetermined frequency band for the suppression of unwanted modes generated by the group antenna and by discontinuities in the distribution network.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 155 words

Device for microstrip distribution networks for group antennas where the microstrip distribution network distributes and combines at least one electromagnetic signal within a predetermined frequency band and comprises a ground plane on a first surface and a distribution network with at least one separate branch on a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface are divided by a dielectric and substantially equidistant from each other, whereby at least two feed points transfer the electromagnetic signals between the distribution network and a group antenna's antenna elements through the ground plane, the device comprising a waveguide substructure arranged in association with the microstrip distribution network and forming part of a waveguide structure where the waveguide structure is dimensioned so that it has a cut-off frequency that is higher than a frequency in the predetermined frequency band for the suppression of unwanted modes generated by the group antenna and by discontinuities in the distribution network.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

Device according to claim 1, wherein the cut-off frequency is higher than the highest frequency in the predetermined frequency band.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

Device according to claim 1, the waveguide substructure is arranged in association with at least one of the feed points.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

Device according to claim 1, at least part of the distribution network is situated within the waveguide structure.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

Device according to claim 1 wherein the waveguide substructure is substantially shaped as a U.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

Device according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the ground plane forms a demarcation surface for the waveguide structure.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

Device according to claim 6, wherein the waveguide substructure is connected to the microstrip distribution network along two connection lines.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

Device according to claim 7, wherein the waveguide substructure and the ground plane are electrically connected by at least one electrically-conductive connection along each connection line.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 57 words

Device according to claim 7, wherein the waveguide substructure and the ground plane are electrically connected by at least two electrically-conductive connections along each connection line and on a connection line the distance between the electrically-conductive connections is at most half a wavelength in the microstrip distribution network's dielectric of a frequency in the predetermined frequency band.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 62 words

Device according to claim 7, wherein the waveguide substructure comprises at least one opening along and open towards a connection line in order to make possible the passage of at least one conductor belonging to the distribution network on the second surface from one side to the other of the connection line along which there is an opening in the waveguide substructure.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

Device according to claim 10, wherein the opening has a length of at most half a wavelength along a connection line on which there is an opening in the waveguide substructure and a depth of at least an eighth of a wavelength in the waveguide substructure from the second surface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

Device according to claim 10, characterised wherein the waveguide substructure and the ground plane are electrically connected by at least two electrically-conductive connections along each connection line and except along openings on a connection line, the distance between the electrically-conductive connections is at most half a wavelength of a frequency in the predetermined frequency band, and an opening has, connected to it, electrically-conductive connections on each side.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

Device according to claim 1, wherein a demarcation surface of the waveguide substructure is so designed and dimensioned that the function of the microstrip distribution network is in principle not affected.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

Device according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide substructure is manufactured out of extruded aluminium.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

Device according to claim 1, wherein the waveguide substructure forms part of a box structure upon which the microstrip distribution network is installed.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 146 words

Group antenna comprising at least two antenna elements and a microstrip distribution network that distributes and combines electromagnetic signals within a predetermined frequency band and that comprises a ground plane on a first surface and a distribution network on a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface are divided by a dielectric and substantially equidistant from each other, whereby at least two feed points transfer the electromagnetic signals between the distribution network and antenna elements through the ground plane, and a waveguide substructure arranged in association with the microstrip distribution network and forming part of a waveguide structure where the waveguide structure is dimensioned so that it has a cut-off frequency that is higher than a frequency in the predetermined frequency band for the suppression of unwanted modes generated by the group antenna in order to thereby avoid unwanted coupling between antenna elements.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 146 words

Group antenna comprising at least two antenna elements and a microstrip distribution network that distributes and combines electromagnetic signals within a predetermined frequency band and that comprises a ground plane on a first surface and a distribution network on a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface are divided by a dielectric and substantially equidistant from each other, whereby at least two feed points transfer the electromagnetic signals between the distribution network and antenna elements through the ground plane, and a waveguide substructure arranged in association with the microstrip distribution network and forming part of a waveguide structure where the waveguide structure is dimensioned so that it has a cut-off frequency that is higher than a frequency in the predetermined frequency band for the suppression of unwanted modes generated by the group antenna in order to thereby avoid unwanted coupling between antenna elements.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein the cut-off frequency is higher than the highest frequency in the predetermined frequency band.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

Group antenna according to claim 16 wherein the waveguide substructure is arranged in association with at least one of the feed points.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein at least part of the distribution network is situated within the waveguide structure.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein the waveguide substructure is substantially shaped as a U.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 22 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein at least part of the ground plane forms a demarcation surface for the waveguide structure.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

Group antenna according to claim 21, wherein the waveguide substructure is connected to the microstrip distribution network along two connection lines.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

Group antenna according to claim 22, wherein the waveguide substructure and the ground plane are electrically connected by at least one electrically-conductive connection along each connection line.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 58 words

Group antenna according to claim 22, wherein the waveguide substructure and the ground plane are electrically connected by at least two electrically-conductive connections along each connection line and on a connection line the distance between the electrically-conductive connections is at most half a wavelength in the microstrip distribution network's dielectric of a frequency in the predetermined frequency band.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 63 words

Group antenna according to claim 22, wherein the waveguide substructure comprises at least one opening along and open towards a connection line in order to make possible the passage of at least one conductor belonging to the distribution network on the second surface from one side to the other of the connection line along which there is an opening in the waveguide substructure.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 54 words

Group antenna according to claim 25, wherein the opening has a length in the order of at most half a wavelength along a connection line on which there is an opening in the waveguide substructure and a depth of at least an eighth of a wavelength in the waveguide substructure from the second surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 67 words

Group antenna according to claim 25, wherein the waveguide substructure and the ground plane are electrically connected by at least two electrically-conductive connections along each connection line and except along openings on a connection line the distance between the electrically-conductive connections is at most half a wavelength of a frequency in the predetermined frequency band, and an opening has, connected to it, electrically-conductive connections on each side.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein a demarcation surface of the waveguide substructure is so designed and dimensioned that the function of the microstrip distribution network is in principle not affected.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein the waveguide substructure is manufactured out of extruded aluminium.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

Group antenna according to claim 16, wherein the waveguide substructure forms part of a box structure upon which the microstrip distribution network is installed.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-10-17	2004-04-17	2004-10-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-10-17	2008-04-17	2008-10-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-10-17	2012-04-17	2012-10-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Microstrip distribution network device for antennas

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