CN117981173A - Dual band antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

A dual band antenna comprising: a substrate having a magneto-dielectric material and a conductive patch disposed on the substrate, wherein the patch has at least one in-plane cutout having an H-shape or an I-shape as viewed in plan view of the patch.

Description

Dual band antenna

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/948,766, filed on day 9 at 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/247,570, filed on day 9 at 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

The present disclosure relates generally to antennas, particularly to dual-band antennas, and more particularly to dual-band, double-feed, dual-polarized antennas.

Applications involving emergency calls (EMERGENCY CALLING, eCall) and autonomous driving require accurate point positioning and tracking of at least two frequency bands from multiple satellite constellations. While existing antennas may be suitable for their intended purpose in such applications, there remains a need for improved antennas in more compact designs.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments include a dual band antenna as defined in the appended independent claims. Further advantageous modifications of the dual band antenna are defined by the appended dependent claims.

In an embodiment, a dual band antenna includes: a substrate having a magneto-dielectric material, and a conductive patch disposed on the substrate, wherein the patch has at least one in-plane cutout having an H-shape or an I-shape as viewed in plan view of the patch.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Referring to the exemplary, non-limiting drawings wherein like elements are numbered or shown similarly in the accompanying figures:

Fig. 1 depicts a plan view of an example design 1 antenna according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 depicts a rotational isometric view of the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1, according to an embodiment;

fig. 3 depicts a plan view of a portion of the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1 with example fabrication details, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 4 depicts another plan view of a portion of the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1 with additional example fabrication details, according to an embodiment;

fig. 5 depicts another plan view of the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1 with an example feed network, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6 depicts performance characteristics of the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 7 depicts other performance characteristics of the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1, according to an embodiment;

fig. 8 depicts a plan view of an example design 2 antenna compared to the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment;

fig. 9 depicts a rotated isometric view of the example design 2 antenna of fig. 8, in accordance with an embodiment;

fig. 10 depicts a plan view of the example design 2 antenna of fig. 8 with example fabrication details, in accordance with an embodiment;

Fig. 11 depicts performance characteristics of the example design 2 antenna of fig. 8, according to an embodiment;

fig. 12 depicts other performance characteristics of the example design 2 antenna of fig. 8, according to an embodiment;

fig. 13 depicts a side view of the unfolding assembly and final assembly of at least two stacked antennas on a ground plane according to an embodiment;

Fig. 14 depicts a bottom-up transparent plan view of an example feed network in combination with the example design 1 antenna of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment; and

Fig. 15 depicts an end view of the example feed network and design 1 antenna of fig. 14, in accordance with an embodiment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings described further below are for illustration purposes only. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions or proportions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, or similar elements may not be repeated among all the figures, wherein it is to be understood and appreciated that in the absence of such recitation, such recitation is disclosed in nature.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the phrase "embodiments" refers to "embodiments disclosed and/or illustrated herein," which may not necessarily include a particular embodiment of the invention according to the appended claims, but are nonetheless provided herein as useful for a complete understanding of the invention according to the appended claims.

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purpose of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the appended claims. For example, where features described may not be mutually exclusive, and where features described are not mutually exclusive with respect to other described features, combinations of such non-mutually exclusive features are considered to be inherently disclosed herein. Furthermore, common features may be shown in common in the various figures, but for simplicity may not be specifically enumerated in all figures, but will be recognized by those skilled in the art as explicitly disclosed features, even though the features may not be enumerated in a particular figure. Accordingly, the following example embodiments are set forth without loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention disclosed herein.

In autonomous driving applications, accurate point positioning for GPS (global positioning system) frequencies greater than the GPS L2 band may require tracking of at least two bands from multiple satellite constellations (e.g., GPS L5 and Galileo E5 b). Existing multi-band GPS antennas typically combine a single GPS L5 and GPS L1 band into a stacked patch antenna, but cannot cope with multiple satellite constellations unless the antenna is large (e.g., 50mm x 50mm or 70mm x 70 mm). By increasing the instantaneous bandwidth of each patch antenna, a single antenna can be made to cover at least two and potentially three constellations, each having two frequency bands. In the prior art, the first current coverage scenario spans the GPS L5 band and the Galileo E5B band, but does not span the GPS L2 band, and the second current coverage scenario spans the BDS B2 band, the GPS L1 band, and the GLO L1 band. As discussed below, the improved coverage scenario of the antenna disclosed herein spans the GPS L5 band and the GPS L2 band and distinguishes the galileo E5b band.

The embodiments of antennas disclosed herein are dual feed and dual polarized antennas that can be fabricated by printing or otherwise depositing conductive patches onto a magneto-dielectric substrate. In an embodiment, by alternating the phase in the signaling probe, the dual polarization is circular polarization, and more specifically right-hand-circular-polarization (RHCP) or left-hand-circular-polarization (LHCP).

Prototype antenna designs according to embodiments disclosed herein were fabricated on magneto-dielectric materials developed in the laboratory that have realized characteristics (i.e., dielectric constant and permeability with loss). The aim is to use the material for specific applications and to demonstrate miniaturization of the antenna. The technical application mentioned herein is directed to GPS (global positioning system). The GPS frequency band in which the disclosed antenna operates includes at least two distinct frequency bands: a GPS L2 band and a GPS L5 band, where the L2 band has a nominal center frequency at 1227.6MHz and a bandwidth of 11MHz, and the L5 band has a nominal center frequency at 1176.45MHz and a bandwidth of 12.5 MHz. The third frequency band in which the disclosed antenna operates is the GPS L1 band, with a nominal center frequency of 1575.42MHz and a bandwidth of 15.345 MHz. The shape of the conductive patch actively radiating EM energy has a uniquely defined profile with grooves, shapes and notches that facilitate improved bandwidth and tuning of the entire operating band. The antenna design developed on magnetic materials covers the desired operating frequency band, which also includes the lower frequency bands of galileo E5b and E5 a.

Embodiments of the disclosed antenna designs disclosed herein provide a wide impedance bandwidth of equal to or greater than 75MHz, a wide axial ratio bandwidth of equal to or less than 1.5dBi, a radiation efficiency of equal to or greater than 52%, and an ultra-wide axial ratio bandwidth at 3dBi of equal to or greater than 10MHz, alternatively equal to or greater than 50MHz, and still alternatively equal to or greater than 100MHz within the operating band. The design is performed on a single sheet of magneto-dielectric material, as opposed to the stacked layers of similar commercial antenna designs currently on the market.

Embodiments of the disclosed antenna have a shaped conductive patch antenna that is substantially circular with a shaped internal cutout and a notch on a peripheral edge designed and disposed on a magneto-dielectric substrate having dielectric properties that have both dielectric constant and magnetic permeability values. Two strategically placed electrical signal probes provide Electromagnetic (EM) excitation to the patch. The magneto-dielectric substrate has the advantage that current is present at electromagnetic excitation as well as magnetic flow, since the permeability component of the material is used to improve antenna performance such as radiation and matching bandwidth. The dielectric constant and magnetic permeability values contribute to the miniaturization factor of the antenna disclosed herein. An advantage of antenna design is the material properties, which contribute to miniaturization of the antenna and lead to a design that achieves the desired antenna performance properties.

Magneto-dielectric substrates suitable for the purposes disclosed herein may be magnetic particles or magnetic particle-polymer composites. In an embodiment, at a frequency band of 100MHz to 2GHz, the magnetic permeability is 1.5 to 15, the magnetic loss tangent (magnetic loss tangent) is 0.01 to 0.10, the dielectric constant is 5 to 15, and the dielectric loss tangent (DIELECTRIC LOSS TANGENT) is 0.002 to 0.01. In an embodiment, the magneto-dielectric composite may include 10 to 80 volume percent of the magnetic filler (ferrite or metal particles) and 20 to 90 volume percent of the polymer.

Example magneto-dielectric substrates found useful for the purposes disclosed herein are ba1.5sr1.5co2.12mo0.12fe22.16o41, 45 vol% ferrite, 55 vol% LDPE. This particular magneto-dielectric substrate has the following properties at 1.2 Ghz: the magnetic permeability is equal to 1.80; the magnetic loss tangent is equal to 0.03; a dielectric constant equal to 6.269; and dielectric loss tangent is equal to 0.0037.

The embodiments as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text provide dual band antennas useful, for example, in eCall and autonomous driving applications. Another application contemplated is a six-band global navigation satellite system (Global Navigation SATELLITE SYSTEM, GNSS) chipset for automotive applications.

The embodiments of the antenna disclosed herein are suitable for applications that cover the entire low L-band (1164 MHz to 1300 MHz) of GNSS, e.g., L5/L2 band, E5a/E5B/E6 band, G2/G3 band, B2/B3 band, BDS B2 band, GPS L1 band, and GLO L1 band.

As used herein, the term "monomeric" refers to a structure integrally formed from a single material composition.

While the embodiments shown and described herein depict an example dual band antenna having a conductive patch with a particular two-dimensional (2D) plan view geometry, particularly with respect to an in-plane notch, it should be understood that this geometry is merely one example of many geometries that may be employed in the design of the dual band antenna disclosed herein according to the desired performance characteristics (polarization, operating frequency, bandwidth, gain, return loss, radiation pattern, etc.) of the dual band antenna. It should also be understood that the disclosed geometries may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure herein is applicable to any dual band antenna design that falls within the scope of the appended claims, as well as any 2D geometry of the conductive patch that falls within the scope of the disclosure herein, and is suitable for the purposes disclosed herein, contemplated and considered as supplementing the specific embodiments disclosed herein.

Reference is now made to fig. 1 to 5, in which: fig. 1 depicts a plan view of an example design 1 antenna 1000; fig. 2 depicts a rotated isometric view of the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1; fig. 3 depicts a plan view of the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1 with example fabrication details presented; fig. 4 depicts another plan view of the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1 with additional example fabrication details presented; and fig. 5 depicts another plan view of the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1 with the example signal feed network 1500 depicted with the example signal probes 1550. Also depicted in fig. 2 is a signal probe 1550 wherein one of the two probes is a signal injection probe isolated from the patch 1200 via a coaxial feed and passing through the patch 1200, and the other of the two probes is electrically connected to the patch 1200. In an embodiment and as depicted in fig. 4, a first probe 1551 of two signal probes 1550 is disposed on the x-axis of patch 1200 instead of the y-axis, and a second probe 1552 of two signal probes 1550 is disposed on the y-axis of patch 1200 instead of the x-axis.

In an embodiment, antenna 1000 includes a conductive patch 1200 disposed on a magneto-dielectric MD substrate 1400, the magneto-dielectric MD substrate 1400 disposed on a conductive ground plane 1600. Patch 1200 has a specific 2D plan view geometry that includes an in-plane edge cutout or void 1220 and an in-plane interior cutout or void 1240 having an H-shape or I-shape (collectively referred to herein as an H-shape). In an embodiment, the material of the substrate 1400 in the region of the voids 1220, 1240 may comprise a dielectric-only material that by strategically placing the voids in the patch material, the electric and magnetic fields may be pushed to the edges of the substrate to effectively improve the fringing fields.

Example design specifications for antenna 1000 include the following: MD substrate 1400 having epsilon=6.3, μ=1.8, tan δ=0.004, tan μ=0.03; antenna 1000 with miniaturization factor = 11.34; patch 1200 having a total diameter d1=1.7 inches; a substrate 1400 having a thickness t1=7.52 mm (into the plane of fig. 1), an x-dimension sx1=49.96 mm, and a y-dimension sy1=49.96 mm; a ground plane 1600 having an x dimension gx1=101.6 mm and a y dimension Gy 1=101.6 mm; and a signaling probe 1550 having a diameter pd1=1.27 mm. Here, a specific size of the antenna 1000 and substrate thickness T1 are presented, which is used to analytically model the performance characteristics of the design 1 antenna 1000. And while specific dimensions are presented, it should be understood that these specific dimensions are for illustration purposes only and may be modified according to the desired antenna performance characteristics for a particular application.

Referring specifically to fig. 3, specific dimensions of the patch 1200, the cutout 1240 of the patch 1200, and the peripheral notch 1220 of the patch 1200 are presented. Although specific dimensions are presented, it should be understood that these specific dimensions are for illustration purposes only and may be modified according to the desired antenna performance characteristics for a particular application. Fig. 3 also depicts specific locations of two signal probes 1550 relative to the perimeter of notch 1240 and notch 1220 of patch 1200.

In an embodiment, the H-shaped cutout 1240 has two parallel legs 1242, 1244 and a bridge 1246 perpendicular to the two legs 1242, 1244. In an embodiment, each of the two legs 1242, 1244 has a total length HL, a width HW, and a tail having a length HT. In an embodiment, the bridge 1246 of the H-shaped cutout 1240 has a length HB. In an embodiment, the H-shaped cutout 1240 has mirror symmetry in two planes orthogonal to the planar view plane of the patch 1200 such that the width of the bridge 1246 is equal to (HL minus (2 HT))) and such that the total width of the H-shaped cutout 1240 is equal to (HB plus (2 HW)). In an embodiment, legs 1242, 1244 of H-shaped cutout 1240 are disposed at an angle α relative to the y-axis of the center xyz orthogonal reference frame of patch 1200, and H-shaped cutout 1240 is radially offset from center z-axis 1201 of patch 1200, center z-axis 1201 extending perpendicular to the planar view of patch 1200 (see, e.g., fig. 3).

In an embodiment, the overall diameter D1 of the patch 1200 has a plurality of edge cuts (peripheral notches) 1220, where each cut has a width NW and a length NL. In an embodiment, patch 1200 has four edge cuts 1220 evenly distributed around the perimeter of patch 1200.

In an embodiment, two signal probes 1550 are located at x-dimension PX and y-dimension PY, respectively, relative to the central z-axis 1201 of patch 1200.

In a particular embodiment for analytical modeling, hl=15 mm, hw=2.5 mm, ht=5 mm, hb=5 mm, nw=10 mm, nl=5 mm, px=8 mm, py=8 mm, and α=40 degrees.

The particular position and orientation of the H-shaped cutout 1240 of patch 1200 relative to the central z-axis 1201 will now be described with reference to fig. 4. As depicted, four edge cuts 1220 are evenly distributed at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of patch 1200, positioned such that the x-axis splits two opposing ones of cuts 1220 and the y-axis splits the other two opposing ones of the cuts. In an embodiment, an inner edge of one of the cutouts 1220 is located along the X-axis at a distance from the central z-axis 1201X 1. In an embodiment, the H-shaped cutout 1240 has an outer contour of an "H" shape defining corner points P1, P2, P3 and P4, wherein each of the corner points P1 to P4 is located at defined x, y coordinates that establish a specific orientation of the H-shaped cutout 1240 with respect to the z-axis in the xy-plane of the xyz orthogonal coordinate system. In an embodiment, the distance x1=19.1 mm, P1 has an X, y coordinate (-8.6 mm, -3.2 mm), P2 has an X, y coordinate (2.9 mm, -12.8 mm), P3 has an X, y coordinate (9.2 mm, -5.2 mm), and P4 has an X, y coordinate (-2.2 mm,4.4 mm). While specific coordinates of P1 through P4 are presented in fig. 4, it should be understood that these coordinates are for exemplary purposes only and may be modified according to the desired antenna performance characteristics for a particular application.

Fig. 5 depicts an example feed network 1500 disposed below a ground plane 1600 and configured to provide double feed via signal probes 1550, wherein the feed network 1500 is adapted to communicate, for example, over a GPS L5 frequency band and a GPS L2 frequency band. In an embodiment, feed network 1500 is connected to other system components (not shown) via connector 1560.

In an embodiment, other specifications for the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1 for dual band performance include: a dual frequency range of-10 dBi from 1.164GHZ to 1.189GHZ and 1.215GHZ to 1.239 GHZ; gain of 3 dBi; an axial ratio AR bandwidth of 3 dBi; an efficiency of greater than 50%; and RHCP (right hand circular polarization).

While specific specifications are defined, it should be understood that these specifications are merely examples and may be modified according to the desired antenna performance characteristics for a particular application.

Fig. 6 depicts performance characteristics of the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1. Here, the reflection coefficient, efficiency, and RHCP gain versus frequency for the antenna 1000 are graphically illustrated.

Fig. 7 depicts other performance characteristics of the example design 1 antenna 1000 of fig. 1. Here, the relationship of the Axial Ratio (AR) of the antenna 1000 to the frequency is graphically shown.

Reference is now made to fig. 8-10, wherein like elements are similarly labeled, and wherein: fig. 8 depicts a plan view of an example design 2 antenna 2000; fig. 9 depicts a rotated isometric view of the example design 2 antenna 2000 of fig. 8; and fig. 10 depicts a plan view of the example design 2 antenna 2000 of fig. 8 with example fabrication details shown.

Design 2 antenna 2000 differs from design 1 antenna 1000 in that an etched loop 1610 is introduced on ground plane 1600' which serves to electromagnetically retract ground plane 1600 of antenna 1000 and enhance the performance of antenna 2000 by directing more EM energy into substrate 1400. In an embodiment, the ground plane 1600 'of the antenna 2000 is entirely absent of the material of the ground plane 1600' in the area of the etched ring 1610.

The example design specification for antenna 2000 is the same as the example design specification for antenna 1000 and, although not specifically indicated throughout the associated drawings, is implicitly disclosed by at least using like reference numerals, including the following: MD substrate 1400 having epsilon=6.3, μ=1.8, tan δ=0.004, tan μ=0.03; antenna 2000 with miniaturization factor = 11.34; patch 1200 having a total diameter d1=1.7 inches; a substrate 1400 having a thickness t1=7.52 mm (into the plane of fig. 8), an x-dimension sx1=49.96 mm, and a y-dimension sy1=49.96 mm; a ground plane 1600' having an x dimension gx1=101.6 mm and a y dimension Gy 1=101.6 mm; and a signaling probe 1550 having a diameter pd1=1.27 mm. Other design specifications of the antenna 2000 are also the same as those of the antenna 1000, for example: hl=15 mm, hw=2.5 mm, ht=5 mm, hb=5 mm, nw=10 mm, nl=5 mm, px=8 mm, py=8 mm, and α=40 degrees. In addition, the position and orientation of the H-shaped cutout 1240 of the antenna 2000 relative to the central z-axis 1201 of the patch 1200 is the same as the position and orientation of the H-shaped cutout 1240 of the antenna 1000 relative to the central z-axis 1201 of the patch 1200. For example, four edge cuts 1220 are evenly distributed at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of patch 1200, positioned such that the x-axis splits two opposing ones of cuts 1220 and the y-axis splits the other two opposing ones of the cuts. In an embodiment, an inner edge of one of the cutouts 1220 is located along the X-axis at a distance from the central z-axis 1201X 1. In an embodiment, the H-shaped cutout 1240 has an outer contour of an "H" shape defining corner points P1, P2, P3 and P4, wherein each of the corner points P1 to P4 is located at defined x, y coordinates that establish a specific orientation of the H-shaped cutout 1240 with respect to the z-axis in the xy-plane of the xyz-orthogonal coordinate system. In an embodiment, the distance x1=19.1 mm, P1 has an X, y coordinate (-8.6 mm, -3.2 mm), P2 has an X, y coordinate (2.9 mm, -12.8 mm), P3 has an X, y coordinate (9.2 mm, -5.2 mm), and P4 has an X, y coordinate (-2.2 mm,4.4 mm).

Referring now in particular to fig. 10, an antenna 2000 is depicted, the antenna 2000 having the same patch 1200 and substrate 1400 as the patch 1200 and substrate 1400 of the antenna 1000, and having a ground plane 1600', the ground plane 1600' being substantially identical to the ground plane of the antenna 1000 but having an etched loop 1610 on the ground plane 1600 '. Here, a specific size of the etched ring 1610 is presented relative to the patch 1400, wherein in an embodiment, a rectangular etched ring 1610 has an inner incision size Wi (where wi=36 mm, for example) and an outer incision size Wo (where wo=38 mm, for example), or alternatively has a ring incision size wa=1 mm. While specific dimensions are presented with respect to antenna 2000, it should be understood that these dimensions are for illustration purposes only and may be modified according to desired antenna performance characteristics for a particular application.

Fig. 11 and 12 depict performance parameters and characteristics of an example design 2 antenna 2000, where these parameters are similar to those of an example design 1 antenna 1000 as depicted in fig. 6 and 7. When comparing the performance characteristics of fig. 11 and 12 with those of fig. 6 and 7, it can be seen that enhanced performance can be achieved at the upper end of the L2 band with the inclusion of etched loops 1610 in the ground plane 1600'.

Referring now to fig. 13, a side view of the extension and final assembly 3000 of at least two stacked antennas 1000.1, 1000.2 (also generally referred to by reference numeral 1000) on a ground plane 1600 is depicted. Here, each stacked antenna 1000 includes a patch 1200 disposed on a magneto-dielectric substrate 1400 as disclosed herein, in combination disposed on a ground plane 1600. Although only two stacked antennas are depicted, it should be understood that more than two antennas may be combined. It is contemplated that such an arrangement may facilitate different operating frequency bands. Although fig. 13 depicts the antenna 1000 on the ground plane 1600, it should be understood that a similar arrangement may be constructed using the antenna 2000 on the ground plane 1600'.

Referring now to fig. 14 and 15, wherein fig. 14 depicts a bottom-up plan view, and fig. 15 depicts an end view of an example alternative feed network 1500 'connected to an antenna 1000 as disclosed herein, wherein the position of the feed network 1500' may vary depending on the particular application. Thus, the location of the feed network 1500' depicted in fig. 14 and 15 is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein in any way. In an embodiment, feed network 1500' includes power divider circuitry 1570 connected between signal port connector 1560 and two signal probes 1550.

Referring collectively to fig. 1-15, it will be appreciated that various aspects of embodiments are disclosed herein in accordance with, but not limited to, at least the following aspects and/or combinations of aspects.

Aspect 1: a dual band antenna 1000, 2000 comprising: a substrate 1400 comprising a magneto-dielectric material; a conductive patch 1200 disposed on the substrate; wherein the patch comprises at least one in-plane incision 1240, as seen in a plan view of the patch, the at least one in-plane incision having an H-shape or an I-shape.

Aspect 2: the dual-band antenna of aspect 1, wherein the at least one notch 1240 is disposed at an oblique angle relative to a center xyz orthogonal reference frame of the patch.

Aspect 3: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 1-2, wherein the substrate is a single layer of the magneto-dielectric material.

Aspect 4: the dual-band antenna of any of claims 1-3, wherein a combination of the magneto-dielectric substrate and the patch provides a first layer 1000.1 of the dual-band antenna, and further wherein a second layer 1000.2 of the combination is disposed on the first layer to form a multi-layer dual-band antenna 3000.

Aspect 5: the dual-band antenna of any of aspects 1-4, wherein the at least one cutout is disposed inside an outer perimeter of the patch.

Aspect 6: the dual-band antenna of any of aspects 1-5, wherein the H-shape or I-shape of the at least one notch has mirror symmetry in two planes orthogonal to a planar view plane of the patch.

Aspect 7: the dual-band antenna of any one of aspects 1-6, wherein an outer periphery of the patch is smaller than and disposed within an outer periphery of the substrate. Alternatively, the outer perimeter of the patch is the same size as the outer perimeter of the magneto-dielectric substrate. The size of the patch relative to the magneto-dielectric substrate is based on a desired operating frequency.

Aspect 8: the dual-band antenna of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein an outer periphery of the substrate has a plan view profile that is rectangular or circular.

Aspect 9: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 1-8, wherein an outer perimeter of the patch has an at least partially circular plan view profile.

Aspect 10: the dual band antenna of any of claims 1-9, wherein the at least one notch is radially offset from a central z-axis of the patch, the central z-axis extending perpendicular to a plan view of the patch.

Aspect 11: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 1-10, wherein the at least one cutout has two elongated legs and a bridge leg joining the two elongated legs, the two elongated legs oriented at non-zero and non-ninety degrees relative to both a centrally disposed x-axis and a centrally disposed y-axis of the patch as viewed in a plan view of the patch. By orienting the elongate legs (slots) of the incision at an oblique angle, two orthogonal EM modes can be generated.

Aspect 12: the dual band antenna of aspect 11, wherein the two elongated legs are each oriented at forty-five degrees with respect to both an x-axis and a y-axis of the patch.

Aspect 13: the dual band antenna of any of claims 11-12, wherein the bridge leg is oriented orthogonal to each of the two elongate legs.

Aspect 14: the dual band antenna of any of claims 11-13, wherein the bridge leg is disposed equidistant from each end of each of the two elongated legs.

Aspect 15: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 1-14, wherein the perimeter of the patch comprises one or more notches.

Aspect 16: the dual-band antenna of aspect 15, wherein the one or more notches (e.g., four notches) are symmetrically disposed on an outer circumference of the patch.

Aspect 17: the dual-band antenna of aspect 15, wherein the one or more notches (e.g., only two nearest neighbor notches of the four notches shown) are asymmetrically disposed on an outer perimeter of the patch.

Aspect 18: the dual-band antenna of aspect 15, wherein the one or more notches comprise at least a pair of notches that are diametrically opposed to each other.

Aspect 19: the dual band antenna of aspect 15, wherein the one or more notches comprise at least two pairs of notches each respectively diametrically opposed to each other.

Aspect 20: the dual band antenna of claim 19, wherein a first pair of the at least two pairs of notches is disposed on an x-axis of the patch and a second pair of the at least two pairs of notches is disposed on a y-axis of the patch as viewed in a plan view of the patch relative to a central z-axis of the patch.

Aspect 21: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 15-20, wherein the one or more notches are equally spaced around the perimeter of the patch.

Aspect 22: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 15-21, wherein the one or more notches have the same profile.

Aspect 23: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 15-22, wherein the one or more notches each have a partially rectangular profile.

Aspect 24: the dual-band antenna of any one of aspects 1-23, further comprising: two signal probes 1550.

Aspect 25: the dual-band antenna of aspect 24, wherein each of the two signaling probes is oriented parallel to a central z-axis of the patch.

Aspect 26: the dual band antenna of any of claims 24-25, wherein a first signal probe 1551 of the two signal probes 1550 is disposed on an x-axis of the patch instead of the y-axis and a second signal probe 1552 of the two signal probes 1550 is disposed on the y-axis of the patch instead of the x-axis as seen in a plan view of the patch with respect to a central z-axis of the patch.

Aspect 27: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 24-26, further comprising: an electrical ground reference 1600, wherein the substrate is disposed on the electrical ground reference.

Aspect 28: the dual band antenna of aspect 27, further comprising: a signal feed network 1500, the signal feed network 1500 being arranged in signal communication with the patch.

Aspect 29: the dual band antenna of aspect 28, wherein the signal feed network is disposed below the substrate.

Aspect 30: the dual band antenna of any of claims 28-29, wherein the signal feed network is disposed above the electrical ground reference.

Aspect 31: the dual band antenna of any of claims 28-29, wherein the signal feed network is disposed below the electrical ground reference.

Aspect 32: the dual band antenna of any of claims 28 to 31, wherein the signal feed network comprises power divider circuitry 1570, the power divider circuitry 1570 being electrically connected with a signal port connector 1560 and the two signal probes 1550 and between the signal port connector 1560 and the two signal probes 1550.

Aspect 33: the dual band antenna of any of claims 27-32, wherein an outer perimeter of the substrate is smaller than and disposed within an outer perimeter of the electrical ground reference.

Aspect 34: the dual band antenna of any of claims 27-33, wherein the electrical ground reference comprises a void 1610 of ground material proximate to and inside of the outer perimeter of the substrate. By disposing square etched voids 1610 in the ground material below the substrate, improvements in impedance bandwidth, gain, and efficiency may be achieved.

Aspect 35: the dual band antenna of aspect 34, wherein the void of ground material is located at least partially inside the perimeter of the patch as viewed in plan view of the patch.

Aspect 36: the dual band antenna of any of claims 34-35, wherein the void of ground material is located at least partially outside of the perimeter of the patch as viewed in plan view of the patch.

Aspect 37: the dual band antenna of any of claims 34-36, wherein the void of ground material is located at least partially outside of the perimeter of the patch and at least partially inside of the perimeter of the patch as viewed in plan view of the patch.

Aspect 38: the dual band antenna of any of aspects 34-37, wherein the void of ground material is in the form of a rectangle.

Aspect 39: the dual band antenna of any of claims 1-38, wherein the dual band antenna operates on at least two frequency bands.

Aspect 40: the dual-band antenna of aspect 39, wherein the dual-band antenna operates to distinguish frequencies between individual ones of the at least two frequency bands.

Aspect 41: the dual-band antenna of any of claims 39-40, wherein a first of the at least two frequency bands is an L5 frequency band.

Aspect 42: the dual-band antenna of aspect 41, wherein a second of the at least two frequency bands is an L2 frequency band.

Aspect 43: the dual-band antenna of aspect 39, wherein the at least two frequencies operate in a nominal frequency range of 1.17GHz to 1.23 GHz.

Aspect 44: the dual-band antenna of any of aspects 1-43, wherein the dual-band antenna operates at a gain of equal to or greater than 3dBi at each respective operating band.

Aspect 45: the dual-band antenna of any of claims 1-44, wherein the dual-band antenna operates at an axial ratio equal to or less than 3dB at +/-30 degrees from each radiation boresight (boresight) of the dual-band antenna.

Aspect 46: the dual band antenna of any of claims 1-45, wherein the dual band antenna operates in right-hand circular polarization or left-hand circular polarization by alternating phases in each signal probe.

Aspect 47: the dual-band antenna of any of claims 1-46, wherein the dual-band antenna operates at an efficiency of equal to or greater than 51%

Aspect 48: the dual-band antenna of aspect 47, wherein the dual-band antenna operates at a wide-axis ratio bandwidth at 3dBi equal to or greater than 10MHz, alternatively equal to or greater than 50MHz, and still alternatively equal to or greater than 100 MHz.

As used herein, the phrase "equal to about" is intended to describe manufacturing tolerances and/or insubstantial deviations from nominal values that do not depart from the objectives disclosed herein and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Although certain combinations of individual features have been described and illustrated herein, it is understood that such certain combinations of features are for illustration purposes only and that any combination of any such individual features, whether or not such combination is explicitly described, may be employed depending on the implementation, and are consistent with the disclosure herein. Any and all such combinations of features disclosed herein are contemplated herein, are considered to be within the purview of those skilled in the art when considering the application as a whole, and are considered to be within the scope of the application disclosed herein, provided they fall within the scope of the application as defined by the appended claims in a manner that would be understood by those skilled in the art.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the claims. Many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment or embodiments disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed example embodiments and, although specific terms and/or dimensions may be employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic, descriptive and/or descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the claims therefore not being so limited. When an element (e.g., a layer, film, region, substrate, or other described feature) is referred to as being "on" or "engaged with" another element, it can be directly on or engaged with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly engaged with" another element, there are no intervening elements present. The use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. The use of the terms "a," "an," etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The use of the terms "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," etc., or any reference to an orientation, does not denote a limitation of structure, as the structure may be viewed from more than one orientation, but rather denote a relative structural relationship between one or more of the associated features as disclosed herein. The term "comprising" as used herein does not exclude the possibility of including one or more further features. Also, any background information provided herein is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the invention disclosed herein. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should any such background information constitute prior art with respect to the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims (48)

1. A dual band antenna comprising:

A substrate comprising a magneto-dielectric material;

a conductive patch disposed on the substrate;

Wherein the patch comprises at least one in-plane cutout having an H-shape or an I-shape when viewed in plan view of the patch.

2. The dual band antenna of claim 1, wherein:

The at least one notch is disposed at an oblique angle relative to a central xyz orthogonal reference frame of the patch.

3. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-2, wherein:

The substrate is a single layer of the magneto-dielectric material.

4. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-3, wherein the combination of the substrate and the patch provides a first layer of the dual band antenna, and further wherein:

The combined second layer is disposed on the first layer to form a multi-layer dual band antenna.

5. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-4, wherein:

the at least one cutout is disposed inside the outer periphery of the patch.

6. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-5, wherein:

the H-shape or I-shape of the at least one cutout has mirror symmetry in two planes orthogonal to a planar view plane of the patch.

7. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-6, wherein:

the periphery of the patch is smaller than the periphery of the substrate and is arranged in the periphery of the substrate. Based on the design frequency, the patch dimensions can be the same dimensions of the magneto-dielectric substrate.

8. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-7, wherein:

the periphery of the substrate has a planar view profile that is rectangular or circular.

9. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-8, wherein:

The outer perimeter of the patch has an at least partially circular plan view profile.

10. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-9, wherein:

The at least one cutout is radially offset from a central z-axis of the patch, the central z-axis extending perpendicular to a plan view of the patch.

11. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-10, wherein:

The at least one cutout has two elongated legs and a bridge leg joining the two elongated legs, the two elongated legs oriented at non-zero and non-ninety degrees relative to both a centrally disposed x-axis and a centrally disposed y-axis of the patch when viewed in plan view of the patch.

12. The dual band antenna of claim 11, wherein:

The two elongate legs are each oriented at forty-five degrees relative to both the x-axis and the y-axis of the patch.

13. The dual band antenna of any of claims 11-12, wherein:

the bridge leg is oriented orthogonal to each of the two elongated legs.

14. The dual band antenna of any of claims 11-13, wherein:

the bridge leg is disposed equidistant from each end of each of the two elongated legs.

15. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-14, wherein:

the periphery of the patch includes one or more notches.

16. The dual band antenna of claim 15, wherein:

the one or more notches are symmetrically disposed on the outer perimeter of the patch.

17. The dual band antenna of claim 15, wherein:

The one or more notches are asymmetrically disposed on the periphery of the patch.

18. The dual band antenna of claim 15, wherein:

The one or more notches include at least one pair of notches that are diametrically opposed to one another.

19. The dual band antenna of claim 15, wherein:

The one or more notches include at least two pairs of notches each diametrically opposed to one another.

20. The dual band antenna of claim 19, wherein:

A first pair of the at least two pairs of notches is disposed on an x-axis of the patch and a second pair of the at least two pairs of notches is disposed on a y-axis of the patch when viewed in a plan view of the patch relative to a central z-axis of the patch.

21. The dual band antenna of any of claims 15-20, wherein:

the one or more notches are equally spaced around the periphery of the patch.

22. The dual band antenna of any of claims 15-21, wherein:

the one or more notches have the same profile.

23. The dual band antenna of any of claims 15-22, wherein:

the one or more notches each have a partially rectangular profile.

24. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-23, further comprising:

Two signaling probes.

25. The dual band antenna of claim 24, wherein:

Each of the two signaling probes is oriented parallel to a central z-axis of the patch.

26. The dual band antenna of any of claims 24-25, wherein:

When viewed in a plan view of the patch relative to a central z-axis of the patch, a first of the two signaling probes is disposed on an x-axis of the patch instead of the y-axis, and a second of the two signaling probes is disposed on the y-axis of the patch instead of the x-axis.

27. The dual band antenna of any of claims 24-26, further comprising:

An electrical ground reference, wherein the substrate is disposed on the electrical ground reference.

28. The dual band antenna of claim 27, further comprising:

a signal feed network is disposed in signal communication with the patch.

29. The dual band antenna of claim 28, wherein:

the signal feed network is disposed below the substrate.

30. The dual band antenna of any of claims 28-29, wherein:

the signal feed network is disposed above the electrical ground reference.

31. The dual band antenna of any of claims 28-29, wherein:

The signal feed network is disposed below the electrical ground reference.

32. The dual band antenna of any of claims 28-31, wherein:

The signal feed network includes power divider circuitry electrically connected with and between the signal port connector and the two signal probes.

33. The dual band antenna of any of claims 27-32, wherein:

The outer periphery of the substrate is smaller than the outer periphery of the electrical ground reference and is disposed within the outer periphery of the electrical ground reference.

34. The dual band antenna of any of claims 27-33, wherein:

the electrical ground reference includes a void of ground material proximate to and inboard of an outer perimeter of the substrate.

35. The dual band antenna of claim 34, wherein:

the void of ground material is located at least partially inside the outer perimeter of the patch when viewed in plan view of the patch.

36. The dual band antenna of any of claims 34-35, wherein:

the void of ground material is located at least partially outside the perimeter of the patch when viewed in plan view of the patch.

37. The dual band antenna of any of claims 34-36, wherein:

the void of ground material is located at least partially outside the periphery of the patch and at least partially inside the periphery of the patch when viewed in plan view of the patch.

38. The dual band antenna of any of claims 34-37, wherein:

the void of the ground material is in the form of a rectangle.

39. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-38, wherein:

The dual band antenna operates on at least two frequency bands.

40. The dual band antenna of claim 39, wherein:

the dual band antenna operates to distinguish frequencies between individual ones of the at least two frequency bands.

41. The dual band antenna of any of claims 39-40, wherein:

The first of the at least two frequency bands is the L5 frequency band.

42. The dual band antenna of claim 41, wherein:

The second of the at least two frequency bands is an L2 frequency band.

43. The dual band antenna of claim 39, wherein:

The at least two frequencies operate in a nominal frequency range of 1.17GHz to 1.23 GHz.

44. The dual band antenna of any one of claims 1-43, wherein:

the dual band antenna operates at a gain equal to or greater than 3dBi at each respective operating band.

45. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-44, wherein:

the dual band antenna operates at an axial ratio equal to or less than 3dB at +/-30 degrees from each radiating boresight of the dual band antenna.

46. The dual band antenna of any of claims 1-45, wherein:

The dual band antenna operates with right-hand circular polarization or left-hand circular polarization.

47. The dual band antenna of any one of claims 1-46, wherein:

The dual band antenna operates at an efficiency equal to or greater than 51%.

48. The dual band antenna of claim 47, wherein:

the dual band antenna operates with a wide axial ratio bandwidth at 3dB equal to or greater than 10MHz, alternatively equal to or greater than 50MHz, and still alternatively equal to or greater than 100 MHz.