EP0447018A1 - Antenne - Google Patents

Antenne Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0447018A1
EP0447018A1 EP91300177A EP91300177A EP0447018A1 EP 0447018 A1 EP0447018 A1 EP 0447018A1 EP 91300177 A EP91300177 A EP 91300177A EP 91300177 A EP91300177 A EP 91300177A EP 0447018 A1 EP0447018 A1 EP 0447018A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
base support
pillars
array
triplate
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP91300177A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0447018B1 (de
Inventor
Alan Twelves
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nortel Networks Ltd
Original Assignee
Northern Telecom Ltd
STC PLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB9005767A external-priority patent/GB2241832B/en
Application filed by Northern Telecom Ltd, STC PLC filed Critical Northern Telecom Ltd
Publication of EP0447018A1 publication Critical patent/EP0447018A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0447018B1 publication Critical patent/EP0447018B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
    • H01Q21/0075—Stripline fed arrays
    • H01Q21/0081—Stripline fed arrays using suspended striplines
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0087—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H01Q21/064—Two dimensional planar arrays using horn or slot aerials

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a low cost flat array antenna particularly, but not exclusively, for receiving T.V. transmissions from a geostationary satellite.
  • U.S. patent 4,486,758 discloses a flat array triplate antenna for coupling circularly polarised radiation to a plurality of feed lines by way of a planar array of such elements each having a pair of orthogonally disposed dipoles, the dipole array being positioned between conductive sheets each having corresponding arrays of apertures.
  • the dipole array and associated transmission strip lines are spaced from the conductive sheets by layers of dielectric material.
  • the dipoles are formed one from each pair on one surface of a dielectric sheet and the other one of the pair on the opposite surface of the sheet.
  • the respective strip line networks are also formed on the respective opposite surfaces of the sheet.
  • a third unapertured conductive sheet is spaced from one of the apertured conductive sheets to act as a reflective surface.
  • the antenna is fabricated in accordance with conventional rigid printed circuit techniques, which will cause fairly high losses to be encountered, and which care not conducive with low cost high volume array production.
  • European patent application No. 0 252 779A proposes the use of metal plates which are shaped by pressing and stamping in order to form radiating slots and to emboss spacing abutments on the plate surfaces facing the dielectric sheet carrying printed conductors and terminations.
  • Application EP 0 252 779A states that the use of embossed spacing abutments obviates the need for expensive solid dielectric material to space the conductive sheets from the dielectric sheet carrying the printed conductors.
  • embossing of metal plates to form accurate spacing abutments is a complex and costly procedure to support the stripline. Such a procedure does not lend itself to low cost array production techniques which require that all manufacturing operations are rapid and simple as possible whilst providing a product of adequate quality.
  • a flat antenna assembly including a plastics base support structure, an antenna array mounted on the base support structure, and a plastics radome cover, wherein the base support structure has a plurality of first support pillars adapted to receive the antenna and to retain the elements of the antenna array in a spatial relationship, wherein the base support structure has a plurality of second pillars engaging corresponding openings in the antenna array structure whereby to maintain alignment of the array, and wherein the radome cover and base support have cooperating peripheral sealing means for retaining the cover on the base support so as to enclose the antenna array.
  • pairs of orthogonal terminations are disposed in an orthogonal array and the orientations of each pair of terminations are at 45 o to the perpendicular axes of the array.
  • the antenna comprises a suspended dielectric film 11 positioned between two metal plates 13, 15 by means of foam dielectric layers 17, 19.
  • the dielectric film 11 has formed thereon, by conventional printed circuit techniques pairs of circuit terminations or "excitation probes" 21, 23 which are orthogonally positioned with respect to one another, and this printed film forms the flat stripline feed structure.
  • the metal plates 13, 15 are each provided with an array of apertures 25, 27 arranged in respective orthogonal arrays.
  • the apertures 25 and 27 are fabricated in the flat metal plate 13, 15 by simple conventional metal stamping out techniques.
  • Applicants have found that it is practical to stamp out an array of holes in flat aluminium sheet of thickness of only o.5mm.
  • Such flat sheets have sufficient rigidity when sandwiched with layers of foam dielectric material, such as expanded polyethylene, to support the suspended stripline formed on a thin polyester film.
  • the film 11 and the plates 13, 15 are arranged so that the apertures 25, the pairs of probes 21, 23 and the apertures 27 are aligned perpendicular to the plane of the dielectric film 11 and together provide an array of antenna elements.
  • the probes of each pair are connected to each other by stripline sections (not shown) and all the stripline sections are connected to a common stripline feed structure (not shown) in accordance with known techniques to effect reception (or transmission) of circularly polarised radio frequency signals.
  • stripline sections not shown
  • all the stripline sections are connected to a common stripline feed structure (not shown) in accordance with known techniques to effect reception (or transmission) of circularly polarised radio frequency signals.
  • Such connection techniques are known from, for example, U.S. patent No. 4,792,810.
  • the antenna may be provided with a third, generally unapertured metal plate 29 spaced from the metal plate 15 to act as a reflector plate.
  • the triplate structure and the reflector plate 37 are secured to a rigid base 30, in this embodiment made of a moulded plastics, by fixings, in this embodiment screws 31, 33 respectively engaging with blind bores in pillars 35, 37 respectively passing through corresponding holes in the file 11 and in the plates 13, 15 and 29.
  • screws 31, 33 respectively engaging with blind bores in pillars 35, 37 respectively passing through corresponding holes in the file 11 and in the plates 13, 15 and 29.
  • shouldered pillars or dowels 39 which pass through close fitting holes in all the layers of the assembled structure to provide accurate lateral alignment of the apertures 25, 27 with the probes 21, 23. Note that the holes in the metal plates through which the pillars 35 pass are clearance holes to prevent distortion of the metal plates when the screws are tightened.
  • the screws 31 have shouldered spacer shank portions 31a of predetermined length so that when properly tightened they exert no undue compression on the triplate structure consisting of metal plates 13, 15, the suspended dielectric film 11 and supporting foam dielectric layers 17, 19, and determine the maximum spacing between the outer surfaces of the plates at each fixing location.
  • the length of the shouldered portion 31a is such that when the plates 13, 15 and foam layers 17, 19 are of maximum thickness allowed by manufacturing tolerance, there is insignificant compression and distortion of the triplate structure.
  • the thicknesses of 13, 15, 17 and 19 are the minimum allowable there will be insignificant slack in the holding of the triplate structure by the screws.
  • the foam dielectric layers 17, 19 are unapertured except for the holes where the locating and securing pillars pass through.
  • the screws 31, shoulder 31a and pillars 35, together with the foamed dielectric layers 17 and 19 accurately control the spacing between the outer surfaces of the ground planes 13 and 15.
  • the foam dielectric is soft and gently embraces the feed structure sufficient to prevent any periodic distortions near the fractional wavelength period mentioned above.
  • Applicants have noted that it is advantageous to have a diversity of orientations for the probe pairs 21, 23.
  • the performance of the antenna array is optimised when the alignments of the individual probes are at 45 o to the axes of the columns and rows of the orthogonal array of antenna elements.
  • the common feed stripline structure referred to above (and not shown in the drawings) has an output termination which couples into a rectangular waveguide 41 the propagation axis of which is perpendicular to the plane of the triplate structure.
  • edges may be formed with lips (not shown) at right angle to the plane of the plates.
  • the reflecting plate 29 may be formed with right angled lips 45.
  • the antenna assembly is protected against the environment by a plastics radome cover 43 secured to the plastics base support 30 via a peripheral seal.
  • Fig. 5 shows the detail of a suitable seal between the radome and the base.
  • the radome cover 43 has a circumferential flange 51 terminating in an inwardly directed lip 52.
  • a further, smaller flange 53 may be mounted on the inner surface of the radome cover 43 adjacent the flange 51 so as to define a circumferential channel 54.
  • the base support 30 has a peripheral flange 55 and a further oppositely directed peripheral flange 56 defining a shoulder 57 therebetween.
  • the radome cover 43 When the structure is assembled, the radome cover 43 is urged against the base support 30 such that the flange 55 of the base support enters the channel 54 and the inwardly directed lip 52 of the radome cover engages the shoulder 57 whereby to retain the cover 43 in abutment with the base support 30 and provide a substantially water-tight seal at the joint therebetween.
  • an adhesive or sealant may be applied to the joint between the cover and base support to ensure the integrity of the seal.
  • the base support 30 has a breathe opening (not shown) whereby to allow drainage of any condensed moisture and to prevent a build up of intense pressure e.g. when the antenna is exposed to the sun.
  • the antenna may be assembled by the following sequence.
  • the back reflector is positioned in the base support 30 and is secured thereto by screws 33 engaging pillars 37.
  • the triplate assembly is placed over the pillars 39 and the shanked screws 31 are inserted into the pillars 35.
  • the triplate structure is covered by the radome 43 by pressing the radome against the base support to engage the seal therebetween.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
EP19910300177 1990-03-14 1991-01-10 Antenne Expired - Lifetime EP0447018B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9005767 1990-03-14
GB9005767A GB2241832B (en) 1990-03-07 1990-03-14 Antenna

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0447018A1 true EP0447018A1 (de) 1991-09-18
EP0447018B1 EP0447018B1 (de) 1994-11-23

Family

ID=10672628

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19910300177 Expired - Lifetime EP0447018B1 (de) 1990-03-14 1991-01-10 Antenne

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0447018B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69105224T2 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0543519A1 (de) * 1991-11-20 1993-05-26 Nortel Networks Corporation Ebene Plattenantenne
WO1997049536A1 (en) * 1996-06-25 1997-12-31 Northern Telecom Limited An antenna dielectric
US6888489B2 (en) * 2003-06-23 2005-05-03 Northrop Grumman Corporation RF shielding elimination for linear array SAR radar systems

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3243823A1 (de) * 1982-11-26 1984-05-30 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Schnappverbindung zwischen koerpern
EP0228743A1 (de) * 1985-12-20 1987-07-15 Philips Composants Ebene Mikrowellenantenne zum gleichzeitigen Empfang von zwei Wellen verschiedener Polarisation
EP0312989A2 (de) * 1987-10-19 1989-04-26 Sony Corporation Mikrowellenantenne
EP0317414A1 (de) * 1987-11-13 1989-05-24 Emmanuel Rammos Flache Antenne mit SSL-Speisenetzwerk, bestehend aus selbsttragenden, mit dicken strahlenden Schlitzen ausgerüsteten Masseflächen ohne Positionierungsstifte
DE3840384A1 (de) * 1987-11-30 1989-06-08 Sony Corp Planare antenne mit herabhaengender speiseleitung

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3243823A1 (de) * 1982-11-26 1984-05-30 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Schnappverbindung zwischen koerpern
EP0228743A1 (de) * 1985-12-20 1987-07-15 Philips Composants Ebene Mikrowellenantenne zum gleichzeitigen Empfang von zwei Wellen verschiedener Polarisation
EP0312989A2 (de) * 1987-10-19 1989-04-26 Sony Corporation Mikrowellenantenne
EP0317414A1 (de) * 1987-11-13 1989-05-24 Emmanuel Rammos Flache Antenne mit SSL-Speisenetzwerk, bestehend aus selbsttragenden, mit dicken strahlenden Schlitzen ausgerüsteten Masseflächen ohne Positionierungsstifte
DE3840384A1 (de) * 1987-11-30 1989-06-08 Sony Corp Planare antenne mit herabhaengender speiseleitung

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0543519A1 (de) * 1991-11-20 1993-05-26 Nortel Networks Corporation Ebene Plattenantenne
WO1997049536A1 (en) * 1996-06-25 1997-12-31 Northern Telecom Limited An antenna dielectric
US6888489B2 (en) * 2003-06-23 2005-05-03 Northrop Grumman Corporation RF shielding elimination for linear array SAR radar systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0447018B1 (de) 1994-11-23
DE69105224T2 (de) 1995-04-06
DE69105224D1 (de) 1995-01-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1311555C (en) Microwave antenna
US4958165A (en) Circular polarization antenna
US4829314A (en) Microwave plane antenna simultaneously receiving two polarizations
US4878060A (en) Microwave plane antenna with suspended substrate system of lines and method for manufacturing a component
EP0253128B1 (de) Mikrowellenantenne
US5872545A (en) Planar microwave receive and/or transmit array antenna and application thereof to reception from geostationary television satellites
US5355143A (en) Enhanced performance aperture-coupled planar antenna array
US5373302A (en) Double-loop frequency selective surfaces for multi frequency division multiplexing in a dual reflector antenna
KR970010835B1 (ko) 레이돔과 리어커버를 가지는 마이크로파 평면안테나
US20050206575A1 (en) Dual polarisation antenna
EP0312989B1 (de) Mikrowellenantenne
US5614915A (en) Layered antenna
GB2241832A (en) Antenna
JPH01297905A (ja) 平面アンテナ
EP0447018B1 (de) Antenne
US5734354A (en) Flat plate antenna
EP0445453A1 (de) Antenne
EP0777294B1 (de) Abschirmungsvorrichtung gegen Strahlung
JP2737939B2 (ja) 平面アレイアンテナ
EP0739051A1 (de) Schichtantenne
CA1321018C (en) Microwave antenna structure
EP0293429A1 (de) Zusammengesetzter antennenreflektor mit polarisiertem nebenreflektor
JPH11186838A (ja) アンテナ装置
JP2551057B2 (ja) 平面アンテナ
RU7771U1 (ru) Высокоэффективная антенная решетка

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920109

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19931203

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: NORTHERN TELECOM LIMITED

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19941123

ET Fr: translation filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69105224

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19950223

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20041210

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20050105

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050131

Year of fee payment: 15

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060110

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060801

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060110

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20060929