Low profile, high gain frequency tunable variable impedance transmission line loaded antenna

Claim 2

An antenna comprising: a conductive plate; a first meanderline coupler comprising a first dielectric substrate and a first elongated conductor encircling said first dielectric substrate, said first elongated conductor having a first terminal end responsive to a signal when said antenna is operative in a transmitting mode and for receiving a signal when said antenna is operative in a receiving mode, and further having a second terminal end; a second meanderline coupler comprising a second dielectric substrate and a second elongated conductor encircling said second dielectric substrate, said second elongated conductor having a first terminal end in electrical connection with said conductive plate and further having a second terminal end; a top conductive element in electrical connection with the second terminal of said first meanderline coupler proximate a first region of said top conductive element, and in electrical connection with the second terminal of said second meanderline coupler proximate a second region of said top conductive element; and wherein said first and said second meanderline couplers have independently selectable electrical lengths.

Claim 3

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the top conductive element is formed from a conductive material and is shaped to produce desired antenna characteristics.

Claim 4

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the conductive plate is substantially flat and the top conductive element is substantially parallel thereto.

Claim 5

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the distance between the conductive plate and the top conductive element is chosen to achieve certain antenna characteristics.

Claim 6

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the sum of the effective electrical length of the conductive plate plus the effective electrical length of the first meanderline coupler plus the effective electrical length of the top conductive element, plus the effective electrical length of the second meanderline coupler presents an approximately resonant condition over a desired frequency band.

Claim 7

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first meanderline coupler and the second meanderline coupler each comprise a folded transmission line.

Claim 8

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first meanderline coupler and the second meanderline coupler have an externally controllable effective length.

Claim 9

The antenna of claim 1 having a radiation pattern that is substantially in the azimuth plane at a first frequency.

Claim 10

The antenna of claim 1 having a radiation pattern that is substantially in the elevation direction at a second frequency.

Claim 11

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the signal to which the first meanderline coupler is responsive in the transmitting mode comprises a plurality of differing frequency signals.

Claim 12

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first meanderline coupler and the second meanderline coupler each comprise a dielectric substrate and a transmission line proximate to said dielectric substrate.

Claim 13

The antenna of claim 11 wherein each of the dielectric substrates is in the form of a parallelepiped.

Claim 14

The antenna of claim 11 wherein the substrate of the first meanderline coupler and the substrate of the second meanderline coupler are oriented beneath the top conductive element such that the distance between the conductive plate and the top conductive element is minimized.

Claim 15

The antenna of claim 11 wherein the transmission line further comprises a conductor, wherein a portion of said conductor encircles the dielectric substrate.

Claim 16

The antenna of claim 14 wherein the dielectric substrate of the first and the second meanderline couplers are positioned between the conductive plate and top conductive element, wherein the shortest side of each one of the dielectric substrates is oriented perpendicular to the conductive plate and the top conductive element.

Claim 17

The antenna of claim 1 wherein the first and the second meanderline couplers comprise, respectively, a first dielectric substrate having a first conductive trace disposed thereon, and a second dielectric substrate having a second conductive trace disposed thereon, and wherein said first and said second conductive traces include first and second opposing ends, and wherein the first and the second terminals of the first meanderline coupler comprise the first and the second opposing ends of said first conductive trace, and wherein the first and the second terminals of the second meanderline coupler comprise the first and the second opposing ends of said second conductive trace.

Claim 18

An antenna comprising: a conductive plate; a first conductive element responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in the transmitting mode and for producing a received signal when said antenna is in the receiving mode, said first conductive plate having a first edge; a second conductive element having a first edge electrically connected to said conductive plate in a substantially orthogonal relationship, said second conductive element further having a second edge parallel to the first edge thereof; a top conductive element, wherein said first edge of said first conductive element is spaced proximate to a first location on said top conductive element so as to form a gap there between, and wherein said second edge of said second conductive element is spaced proximate to a second location on said top conductive element so as to form a gap there between; a first meanderline coupler comprising a first dielectric substrate and a first elongated conductor encircling said first dielectric substrate, said first elongated conductor having a first terminal end connected to said first conductive element and having a second terminal end connected to said top conductive element so as to provide an electrical path across the gap therebetween; a second meanderline coupler comprising a second dielectric substrate and a second elongated conductor encircling said second dielectric substrate, said second elongated conductor having a first terminal end connected to said second conductive element and having a second terminal end connected to said top conductive element so as to provide an electrical path across the gap there between; and wherein operating characteristics of the antenna are dependent upon the effective electrical length of said first and said second meanderline couplers.

Claim 19

An antenna comprising: a conductive plate; a first conductive element responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in the transmitting mode and for producing a received signal when said antenna is in the receiving mode, said first conductive plate having a first edge; a second conductive element having a first edge electrically connected to said conductive plate in a substantially orthogonal relationship, said second conductive element further having a second edge parallel to the first edge thereof; a top conductive element, wherein said first edge of said first conductive element is spaced proximate to a first location on said top conductive element so as to form a gap there between, and wherein said second edge of said second conductive element is spaced proximate to a second location on said top conductive element so as to form a gap there between; a first meanderline coupler comprising a first dielectric substrate and a first elongated conductor encircling said first dielectric substrate, said first elongated conductor having a first terminal end connected to said first conductive element and having a second terminal end connected to said top conductive element so as to provide an electrical path across the gap therebetween; a second meanderline coupler comprising a second dielectric substrate and a second elongated conductor encircling said second dielectric substrate, said second elongated conductor having a first terminal end connected to said second conductive element and having a second terminal end connected to said top conductive element so as to provide an electrical path across the gap there between; and wherein operating characteristics of the antenna are dependent upon the effective electrical length of said first and said second meanderline couplers.

Claim 20

An antenna comprising: a first dielectric substrate; a meanderline layer including a first and a second meanderline transmission line disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said meanderline layer; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein said first and said second meanderline transmission lines are conductively connected to said radiating element; and wherein said first meanderline transmission line is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing the received signal when said antenna is in a receiving mode.

Claim 21

An antenna comprising: a first dielectric substrate; a meanderline layer including a first and a second meanderline transmission line disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said meanderline layer; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein said first and said second meanderline transmission lines are conductively connected to said radiating element; and wherein said first meanderline transmission line is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing the received signal when said antenna is in a receiving mode.

Claim 22

The antenna of claim 18 wherein the radiating element is shaped to provide certain antenna characteristics.

Claim 23

The antenna of claim 18 wherein the first and the second meanderline transmission lines are shaped to provide certain antenna characteristics.

Claim 24

The antenna of claim 18 wherein the meanderline layer comprises a dielectric substrate with the first and the second meanderline transmission lines embedded therein.

Claim 25

The antenna of claim 18 wherein the first dielectric substrate comprises one or more vias, and wherein each one of the first and second meanderline transmission lines includes a terminal end, and wherein each of said terminal ends passes through a via for conductive connection to the radiating element.

Claim 26

An antenna comprising: a ground plane; a first dielectric substrate overlying said ground plane; first and second conductive traces disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said first and said second conductive traces; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein a first terminal of each of said first and said second conductive traces are conductively connected to said radiating element; and wherein said first and said second terminal of said second conductive trace is conductively connected to said ground plane, and wherein said second terminal of said first conductive traces is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing the received signal when said antenna is in a receiving mode.

Claim 27

An antenna comprising: a ground plane; a first dielectric substrate overlying said ground plane; first and second conductive traces disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said first and said second conductive traces; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein a first terminal of each of said first and said second conductive traces are conductively connected to said radiating element; and wherein said first and said second terminal of said second conductive trace is conductively connected to said ground plane, and wherein said second terminal of said first conductive traces is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing the received signal when said antenna is in a receiving mode.

Claim 28

The antenna of claim 23 wherein the radiating element is shaped in accord with desired antenna characteristics.

Claim 29

The antenna of claim 23 wherein each one of the first and the second conductive traces comprises a slow-wave transmission line.

Claim 30

The antenna of claim 23 wherein each one of the first and the second conductive traces has a controllable length.

Claim 31

An antenna array comprising: a ground plane; a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element comprises: a first meanderline coupler comprising a first dielectric substrate and a first elongated conductor encircling said first dielectric substrate, said first elongated conductor having first and second spaced apart terminal ends, wherein said first terminal end is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in the transmitting mode and for providing a received signal when said antenna is in the receiving mode; a second meanderline coupler comprising a second dielectric substrate and a second elongated conductor encircling said second dielectric substrate, said second elongated conductor having first and second spaced apart terminal ends, wherein said first terminal end is in electrical connection with said ground plane; a top conductive element in electrical connection with said second terminal end of said first meanderline coupler and in electrical connection with said second terminal end of said meanderline coupler; and wherein said first and said second meanderline couplers have independent selectable electrical lengths.

Claim 32

An antenna array comprising: a ground plane; a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element comprises: a first meanderline coupler comprising a first dielectric substrate and a first elongated conductor encircling said first dielectric substrate, said first elongated conductor having first and second spaced apart terminal ends, wherein said first terminal end is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in the transmitting mode and for providing a received signal when said antenna is in the receiving mode; a second meanderline coupler comprising a second dielectric substrate and a second elongated conductor encircling said second dielectric substrate, said second elongated conductor having first and second spaced apart terminal ends, wherein said first terminal end is in electrical connection with said ground plane; a top conductive element in electrical connection with said second terminal end of said first meanderline coupler and in electrical connection with said second terminal end of said meanderline coupler; and wherein said first and said second meanderline couplers have independent selectable electrical lengths.

Claim 33

The antenna array of claim 27 wherein a first number of the plurality of antenna elements are oriented for vertical polarization, and wherein a second number of the plurality of antenna elements are oriented for horizontal polarization.

Claim 34

The antenna array of claim 28 wherein the first number of the plurality of antenna element includes four antenna elements spaced circumferentially at a spacing of 90 degrees.

Claim 35

The antenna array of claim 28 wherein the second number of the plurality of antenna elements includes four antenna elements spaced circumferentially at a spacing of 90 degrees.

Claim 36

The antenna array of claim 27 wherein the ground plane is cylindrically shaped, and wherein a first number of the plurality of the antenna elements are spaced circumferentially around the ground plane at a first axial location, and wherein a second number of the plurality of antenna elements are spaced circumferentially around the ground plane at a second axial location, spaced apart from said first axial location.

Claim 37

The antenna array of claim 27 wherein the ground plane is cylindrically shaped and wherein a first number of the plurality of the antenna elements are spaced circumferentially around the ground plane such that all of the second number are staggered about a first axial location, and wherein a second number of the plurality of the antenna elements are spaced circumferentially around the ground plane at a second axial location, spaced apart from said first axial location.

Claim 38

An antenna array comprising; a ground plane; a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna elements comprises: a first dielectric substrate; a meanderline layer, including a first and a second conductive trace, disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said meanderline layer; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein said first and said second conductive traces are conductively connected to said radiating element at a first terminal of each of said first and said second conductive traces; wherein a second terminal of said second conductive trace is connected to said ground plane; and wherein a second terminal of said first conductive trace is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing the received signal when said antenna is in a receiving mode.

Claim 39

An antenna array comprising; a ground plane; a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna elements comprises: a first dielectric substrate; a meanderline layer, including a first and a second conductive trace, disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said meanderline layer; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein said first and said second conductive traces are conductively connected to said radiating element at a first terminal of each of said first and said second conductive traces; wherein a second terminal of said second conductive trace is connected to said ground plane; and wherein a second terminal of said first conductive trace is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing the received signal when said antenna is in a receiving mode.

Claim 40

An antenna array comprising: a ground plane; a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element comprises: a first dielectric substrate; first and second conductive traces disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said first and said second conductive traces; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein a first terminal of each one of said first and said second conductive traces is conductively connected to said radiating element; wherein a second terminal of said second conductive trace is connected to said ground plane; wherein a second terminal of said first conductive trace is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing a received signal once the antenna is in a receiving mode; wherein the permittivity of the second dielectric substrate is less than the permittivity of said first dielectric substrate.

Claim 41

An antenna array comprising: a ground plane; a plurality of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element comprises: a first dielectric substrate; first and second conductive traces disposed on said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate overlying said first and said second conductive traces; a radiating element disposed on said second dielectric substrate; wherein a first terminal of each one of said first and said second conductive traces is conductively connected to said radiating element; wherein a second terminal of said second conductive trace is connected to said ground plane; wherein a second terminal of said first conductive trace is responsive to an input signal when said antenna is in a transmitting mode and for providing a received signal once the antenna is in a receiving mode; wherein the permittivity of the second dielectric substrate is less than the permittivity of said first dielectric substrate.

Claim 42

The antenna array of claim 34 wherein the radiating element of each of the plurality of antenna elements is shaped to provide certain antenna characteristics.

Claim 43

The antenna array of claim 34 wherein the first and the second conductive traces of each one of the plurality of antenna elements is shaped to provide certain antenna characteristics.