CA2390717A1 - Transmitting antenna - Google Patents
Transmitting antenna Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2390717A1 CA2390717A1 CA002390717A CA2390717A CA2390717A1 CA 2390717 A1 CA2390717 A1 CA 2390717A1 CA 002390717 A CA002390717 A CA 002390717A CA 2390717 A CA2390717 A CA 2390717A CA 2390717 A1 CA2390717 A1 CA 2390717A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- transmitting antenna
- radome
- snow
- rain
- ice
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/02—Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
Landscapes
- Details Of Aerials (AREA)
- Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)
- Surgical Instruments (AREA)
- Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a transmitting antenna for navigation systems. Antennae of this type are normally protected against mechanical and chemical atmospheric influences by a radome. Antenna signals received by the monitor probe are, however, corrupted by weather-related accumulations on the radome such as rain, ice or snow. In order to prevent this influence to the greates t possible extent, a combination consisting of a reflector and of an absorptio n layer is applied to the inside of the radome in the area on which rain, ice or snow is expected to accumulate.
Description
i Transmitting antenna The invention relates to a transmitting antenna for navigation systems.
When such antennas are employed in air traffic navigation systems, in particular for an instrument landing, a high degree of accuracy is obviously required. This includes the requirement that the signals must be transmitted with the necessary accuracy and without disturbance.
In prior art, a conventional measure for monitoring the transmitted signals is to use monitor probes. With such monitor probes, which are provided either for the overall antenna or for the individual antenna transmitter groups, as the case may warrant, the signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna is received and relayed to an evaluation unit. A
conventional method is also used to relay to this evaluation unit a signal derived from the antenna feed signal. A comparison between these two signals allows conclusions about possible deviations, so that appropriate corrections can be made.
In most cases, the above named antennas are set up and operated ~'1 outdoors. To protect them against atmospheric damage, the antennas are accommodated in protective housings which are also called radomes.
In practice, it has often been found that weather-related accumulations on the outside of the radome, such as snow and ice as well as rain, can cause undesirable reflections. These reflections cause the monitor probes to produce wrong or disturbed signals, resulting in a false evaluation.
Since radomes are always three-dimensional structures, the accumulations mentioned above can never be completely eliminated by means of design features.
It is therefore the abject of the present invention to create a transmitting antenna for navigation systems in which the monitoring probes) receives) the transmitted signal and relays) it to an internal evaluation unit in which the signal received from the monitoring probes) is/are compared with the signal received from the antenna feed device, and the ~i transmitting antenna is surrounded by a protective housing, a so-called radome, which allows the transmission of undisturbed signals, i.e. in which sensitivity to weather-related accumulations is greatly reduced.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of reflectors arranged on the inside of the radome and an absorption layer in those areas of the radome which are subject to weather-related accumulations of snow, ice, or rain.
This combination of two measures has proven to be effective and easy to accomplish.
Further details and advantages of the invention and its embodiments are explained below by means of the single drawing.
The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of a transmitter group of a navigation antenna system for instrument landing, in particular a so-called glide-path antenna. Such antennas are operated in a frequency range of 328 to 335 MHz. Each of the above mentioned transmitter groups consists of a double row of dipoles 1 and 2, which are arranged in front of a conductive back 6. Also fastened to back 6 is a monitor probe, of which parts 3 and 4 are shown in the drawing. This particular case represents a loop probe. The signal transmitted by dipoles 1 and 2 is also picked up by the monitor probe and relayed to the evaluation unit (not shown here) in a manner not shown here. The antenna feed arrangement is not shown either, since it does not contribute to the understanding of the invention; at any rate, these are functional elements of an antenna which are known in prior art. A radome 5 is provided to protect the transmitting antenna. In this particular case, it consists of a tub-like housing of an almost rectangular cross section, as the drawing shows.
Here, the transmitting antenna is shown in the position in which it is operated. Therefore, an accumulation 9 of snow can form on he top side of the radome in winter. When the transmitting antenna is operated, certain parts of the transmission signal are reflected due to the physical ~ CA 02390717 2002-05-08 properties of the snow cover. These reflected signal are received in the same manner as the transmission signals coming from the dipoles and impinging directly upon the monitor probe. This results in a signal overlapped by the reflection signals which is relayed to the evaluation unit. However, this signal does not correspond to the transmission signal received by the aircraft.
According to the invention, a remedy is offered by attaching an additional reflector 7 and an absorption layer 8 to the inside of radome 5, namely where a snow accumulation 9 may normally be formed.
The reflector can be designed in a variety of ways. The drawing, for example, shows reflector bars. Other solutions could include the use of a conductive foil. To ensure that radiation reflected by rain or ice in the front of radome 5, which in this case acts as a kind of corner reflector, affects the monitor signal, reflector 7 is attached together with an absorption layer 8 on the inside of radome 5. When such a combination is applied, the transmitting antenna becomes largely insensitive to atmospheric effects (rain, ice, snow).
When such antennas are employed in air traffic navigation systems, in particular for an instrument landing, a high degree of accuracy is obviously required. This includes the requirement that the signals must be transmitted with the necessary accuracy and without disturbance.
In prior art, a conventional measure for monitoring the transmitted signals is to use monitor probes. With such monitor probes, which are provided either for the overall antenna or for the individual antenna transmitter groups, as the case may warrant, the signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna is received and relayed to an evaluation unit. A
conventional method is also used to relay to this evaluation unit a signal derived from the antenna feed signal. A comparison between these two signals allows conclusions about possible deviations, so that appropriate corrections can be made.
In most cases, the above named antennas are set up and operated ~'1 outdoors. To protect them against atmospheric damage, the antennas are accommodated in protective housings which are also called radomes.
In practice, it has often been found that weather-related accumulations on the outside of the radome, such as snow and ice as well as rain, can cause undesirable reflections. These reflections cause the monitor probes to produce wrong or disturbed signals, resulting in a false evaluation.
Since radomes are always three-dimensional structures, the accumulations mentioned above can never be completely eliminated by means of design features.
It is therefore the abject of the present invention to create a transmitting antenna for navigation systems in which the monitoring probes) receives) the transmitted signal and relays) it to an internal evaluation unit in which the signal received from the monitoring probes) is/are compared with the signal received from the antenna feed device, and the ~i transmitting antenna is surrounded by a protective housing, a so-called radome, which allows the transmission of undisturbed signals, i.e. in which sensitivity to weather-related accumulations is greatly reduced.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of reflectors arranged on the inside of the radome and an absorption layer in those areas of the radome which are subject to weather-related accumulations of snow, ice, or rain.
This combination of two measures has proven to be effective and easy to accomplish.
Further details and advantages of the invention and its embodiments are explained below by means of the single drawing.
The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of a transmitter group of a navigation antenna system for instrument landing, in particular a so-called glide-path antenna. Such antennas are operated in a frequency range of 328 to 335 MHz. Each of the above mentioned transmitter groups consists of a double row of dipoles 1 and 2, which are arranged in front of a conductive back 6. Also fastened to back 6 is a monitor probe, of which parts 3 and 4 are shown in the drawing. This particular case represents a loop probe. The signal transmitted by dipoles 1 and 2 is also picked up by the monitor probe and relayed to the evaluation unit (not shown here) in a manner not shown here. The antenna feed arrangement is not shown either, since it does not contribute to the understanding of the invention; at any rate, these are functional elements of an antenna which are known in prior art. A radome 5 is provided to protect the transmitting antenna. In this particular case, it consists of a tub-like housing of an almost rectangular cross section, as the drawing shows.
Here, the transmitting antenna is shown in the position in which it is operated. Therefore, an accumulation 9 of snow can form on he top side of the radome in winter. When the transmitting antenna is operated, certain parts of the transmission signal are reflected due to the physical ~ CA 02390717 2002-05-08 properties of the snow cover. These reflected signal are received in the same manner as the transmission signals coming from the dipoles and impinging directly upon the monitor probe. This results in a signal overlapped by the reflection signals which is relayed to the evaluation unit. However, this signal does not correspond to the transmission signal received by the aircraft.
According to the invention, a remedy is offered by attaching an additional reflector 7 and an absorption layer 8 to the inside of radome 5, namely where a snow accumulation 9 may normally be formed.
The reflector can be designed in a variety of ways. The drawing, for example, shows reflector bars. Other solutions could include the use of a conductive foil. To ensure that radiation reflected by rain or ice in the front of radome 5, which in this case acts as a kind of corner reflector, affects the monitor signal, reflector 7 is attached together with an absorption layer 8 on the inside of radome 5. When such a combination is applied, the transmitting antenna becomes largely insensitive to atmospheric effects (rain, ice, snow).
Claims (4)
1. Transmitting antenna for navigational systems whereby the monitoring probe(s) receive(s) the transmitted signal and relay(s) it to an internal evaluation unit in which the signal received by the monitoring probe(s) is compared with the signal relayed by the transmitting antenna from the antenna feed arrangement, and whereby the transmitting antenna is surrounded by a protective housing, a so-called radome, characterized in that reflectors and an absorption layer are attached to the inside of the radome, in those areas of the radome which can be covered by snow, ice or rain, depending on weather conditions.
2. Transmitting antenna according to Claim 1,characterized in that the reflectors consist of metal bars.
3. Transmitting antenna according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reflectors are attached in the form of a conductive layer on the inside surface of the radome.
4. Transmitting antenna according to Claim 1,characterized in that the conductive layer consists of a metal foil.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19953271.0 | 1999-11-06 | ||
| DE19953271A DE19953271A1 (en) | 1999-11-06 | 1999-11-06 | Transmitting antenna |
| PCT/EP2000/010651 WO2001035486A1 (en) | 1999-11-06 | 2000-10-30 | Transmitting antenna |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2390717A1 true CA2390717A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 |
Family
ID=7928021
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002390717A Abandoned CA2390717A1 (en) | 1999-11-06 | 2000-10-30 | Transmitting antenna |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1234349B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE244941T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2390717A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19953271A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001035486A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2180585B1 (en) * | 1972-04-21 | 1974-12-20 | Thomson Csf | |
| DE3533211A1 (en) * | 1985-09-18 | 1987-03-19 | Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag | Parabolic antenna for directional-radio systems |
| GB8627333D0 (en) * | 1986-11-14 | 1992-04-08 | Marconi Co Ltd | Antenna arrangement |
| US5047787A (en) * | 1989-05-01 | 1991-09-10 | Motorola, Inc. | Coupling cancellation for antenna arrays |
| DE4227857A1 (en) * | 1992-08-22 | 1994-02-24 | Sel Alcatel Ag | Device for obtaining the aperture assignment of a phase-controlled group antenna |
| GB2282292B (en) * | 1993-09-28 | 1997-12-17 | Siemens Plessey Electronic | Improvements in or relating to aircraft landing systems |
| GB2326530B (en) * | 1997-04-22 | 2001-12-19 | Andrew Corp | A broadband omnidirectional microwave parabolic dish shaped cone antenna |
| DE19724320B4 (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 2008-07-10 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method for producing a heatable antenna lens |
| US5841394A (en) * | 1997-06-11 | 1998-11-24 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Self calibrating radar system |
| FR2782846A1 (en) * | 1998-08-28 | 2000-03-03 | Thomson Csf | One-piece radome for protecting hyper-frequency airborne systems has transparent fiberglass zone and carbon-fiber zone to absorb parasite waves |
-
1999
- 1999-11-06 DE DE19953271A patent/DE19953271A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-10-30 AT AT00974480T patent/ATE244941T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-10-30 CA CA002390717A patent/CA2390717A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-10-30 EP EP00974480A patent/EP1234349B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-30 DE DE50002869T patent/DE50002869D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-30 WO PCT/EP2000/010651 patent/WO2001035486A1/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2001035486A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 |
| DE19953271A1 (en) | 2001-05-10 |
| DE50002869D1 (en) | 2003-08-14 |
| ATE244941T1 (en) | 2003-07-15 |
| EP1234349B1 (en) | 2003-07-09 |
| EP1234349A1 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |