EP0643876B1 - Antenne - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP0643876B1
EP0643876B1 EP93924766A EP93924766A EP0643876B1 EP 0643876 B1 EP0643876 B1 EP 0643876B1 EP 93924766 A EP93924766 A EP 93924766A EP 93924766 A EP93924766 A EP 93924766A EP 0643876 B1 EP0643876 B1 EP 0643876B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
horn
antenna
satellite antenna
elongate member
elongate
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93924766A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0643876A1 (fr
Inventor
Martin Allan Mclaren
David Blyth Mcgregor
James Thomas Michael Armstrong
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.)
STIK (INTERNATIONAL) Ltd
Original Assignee
STIK (INTERNATIONAL) Ltd
STIK INTERNATIONAL Ltd
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
Application filed by STIK (INTERNATIONAL) Ltd, STIK INTERNATIONAL Ltd filed Critical STIK (INTERNATIONAL) Ltd
Publication of EP0643876A1 publication Critical patent/EP0643876A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0643876B1 publication Critical patent/EP0643876B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/06—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
    • H01Q19/08—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens for modifying the radiation pattern of a radiating horn in which it is located
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/02—Waveguide horns
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/20—Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/24—Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave constituted by a dielectric or ferromagnetic rod or pipe

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electromagnetic wave antennae, and in particular to an antenna for receiving electromagnetic signals from a satellite orbiting the earth.
  • DBS Direct Broadcast Satellites
  • These DBS are a breed of high-powered satellites which are specifically designed to beam television signals direct to domestic and/or business customers equipped with relatively small satellite antennae - otherwise known as satellite dishes.
  • These DBS are positioned within the Clarke belt in a geostationary orbit, i.e. they are positioned approximately 36000km above the equator and travel in the same direction as the earth's rotation in designated positions around the equator. The result of this is that the satellite effectively remains above the same point on the earth's surface.
  • satellite dish antennae A number of types of satellite dish antennae presently exist, e.g. the prime-focus type, the offset type and the flat plate type.
  • the dishes are also awkward to install and expensive to manufacture and consequently to purchase, and have in some cases become a danger due to high wind-loading.
  • EP-A-0330303 relates to an end fire aerial which comprises a solid block of dielectric foam material which extends outwardly of a horn.
  • the gain allegedly obtained from this type of aerial is in the range of about 26.6B which results from increasing the effective area of the aperture of the horn by mounting the dielectric block in the open end of the horn.
  • WO87/06066 describes a wideband horn antenna which comprises a dielectric rod which is seated in the narrow end of a circular section horn. The free end of the rod terminates adjacent the open end of the horn.
  • the object of this antenna is to produce a fixed beamwidth substantially independent of frequency over a wideband.
  • US-A-2727233 describes a dielectric rod antenna which comprises a horn into which is mounted a hollow elongate member which is formed from four dielectric rods, one mounted at each corner of the horn. Each rod is connected to the two adjacent rods by a sheet of dielectric material. It is an object of this antenna to provide an antenna array of dielectric rods which are excited directly by an electromagnetic horn.
  • a satellite antenna comprising an elongate member and a horn, a first end of the elongate member being rigidly retained at or near a narrow end of the horn, which end of the horn also provides connection means for connecting the antenna to receiving means, a second end of the elongate member extending outwardly of a wide end of the horn, characterised in that the antenna further comprises a plurality of elongate rods surrounding the elongate member, and an elongate sheath capable of being received on the elongate member, the sheath having a plurality of channels at or near an outer surface thereof, each channel receiving one of the plurality of elongate rods, the arrangement being such that in use, the second end of the elongate member is pointed substantially in the direction of the satellite.
  • the antenna may be adapted to operate in the Ku-band, and particularly between 10.7GHz and 11.96GHz or between 12.2GHz and 12.7GHz.
  • the elongate member may be a rod, which may be solid or hollow.
  • the rod may be made from a suitable dielectric material, for example a plastic such as solid polypropylene, PVC, polystyrene or the like.
  • the horn preferably comprises a frusto-conical portion having a first end of a base portion connected to a narrow end of the frusto-conical portion.
  • the base portion may be in the form of a cylindrical portion or alternatively may be in the form of a plurality of integrally connected cylindrical portions, each adjacent cylindrical portion being of reduced diameter with increasing distance from the narrow end of the frusto-conical portion.
  • connection means may comprise a threaded or flanged portion provided at or near a second end of the base portion, the threaded or flanged portion allowing connection of the horn to a low noise block converter (LNB) or the like.
  • LNB low noise block converter
  • the horn may be made from aluminium or from any dicast metal with magnetic reflectability.
  • the sheath may provide a first open end suitably shaped so as to be snugly received within the wide end of the horn.
  • a main elongate portion of the sheath may be of any suitable shape in cross-section, for example circular, square or elliptical.
  • the sheath may have a narrowing second closing end.
  • the sheath may be made from an expanded plastics material.
  • the rods may be made from a plastic such as solid polypropylene, PVC, polystyrene or the like.
  • a weather-proof covering may be provided on at least part of the outer surface of the sheath, for example, a thin film plastic covering or a layer of suitable paint or the like.
  • a method of receiving electromagnetic signals from a satellite comprising employing a satellite antenna, the antenna comprising an elongate member and a horn, a first end of the elongate member being rigidly retained at or near a narrow end of the horn, which end of the horn also provides connection means for connecting the antenna to receiving means, a second end of the elongate member extending outwardly of a wide end of the horn, a plurality of elongate rods surrounding the elongate member, and an elongate sheath capable of being received on the elongate member, the sheath having a plurality of channels at or near an outer surface thereof, each channel receiving one of the plurality of elongate rods, and pointing the second end of the elongate member substantially in the direction of the satellite.
  • the antenna 5 comprises an elongate member in the form of a hollow rod 10, and a horn 15.
  • the horn 15 comprises a frontmost frusto-conical portion 20 and a rearmost portion 25 integrally connected thereto.
  • the rearmost portion 25 comprises first, second and third cylindrical portions 30, 35, 40 of decreasing diameter, the first portion 30 being integrally connected to the frusto-conical portion 20 by a first annular lip 45.
  • the first and second cylindrical portions 30, 35 are likewise integrally connected by a second annular lip portion 50, and the second and third cylindrical portions 35, 40 by a third annular lip portion 55.
  • a first end 60 of the rod 10 is rigidly retained within a narrow end 61 of the horn 15 provided by the third cylindrical portion 40 the internal diameter of which is a close fit with the outer diameter of the rod 10.
  • connection means comprising a threaded portion 65, the threaded portion 65 allowing connection of the antenna 5 to a conventional low noise block converter (LNB) (not shown), as is known in the art.
  • LNB low noise block converter
  • a second end 70 of the rod 10 extends outwardly of a frontmost wide end 75 of the horn 15.
  • the antenna 5 may be suitably mounted on a building by means of brackets or the like, the threaded portion 65 connected to an LNB and the orientation of the antenna 5 adjusted until the second end 70 of the rod 10 points substantially in the direction of the satellite. The precise direction of orientation of the rod 10 may then be finely adjusted until a suitable level of signal is received by the antenna 5 and converted by the LNB.
  • Fig 3 there is illustrated the output from an LNB connected to an antenna 5 receiving signals from the Astra Satellite as viewed on a spectrum analyser.
  • the LNB output range of 1.1GHz to 1.8GHz corresponds approximately to a detection bandwidth of the antenna 5 of 10.7GHz to 11.9GHz,
  • Each peak in Fig 3 corresponds to a separate satellite television channel.
  • the centre detection frequency of the antenna 5, and the bandwidth thereof, may be chosen by suitable design of the rod 10 and horn 15. Therefore, the centre frequency and bandwidth may be influenced by any or all of: the length, outer diameter and inner diameter of the rod 10 and the design of the horn 15.
  • the centre frequency may be chosen by suitable design of the rod 10, and the bandwidth by suitable design of the horn 15.
  • horns 15a, 15b, 15c illustrated comprise a frust-conical portion 20a, 20b, 20c and a substantially cylindrical portion 25a, 25b, 25c.
  • the design of these horns 15a, 15b, 15c are as follows: Horn Diameter of Wide End (mm) length of frustoconical portion (mm) length of cylindrical portion (mm) 15a 100 130 100 15b 100 270 200 15c 100 210 140
  • a focusing element 80 which is intended to be inserted within the first end 60 of the rod 10.
  • the element 80 comprises a cylindrical portion 85 having first and second ends 90, 95.
  • a conical aperture 100 Within the cylindrical portion 85 there is provided a conical aperture 100, the base of which is substantially co-incident with the first end of the cylindrical portion 80.
  • Integrally connected to the second end of the cylindrical portion 85 is the base of a conical portion 105.
  • An apex 110 of the conical portion 105 is intended to be substantially level with the first end 60 of the rod 10, in use.
  • Figs 6 and 7 there is illustrated an embodiment of a satellite antenna according to the present invention, generally designated 5d. Parts of the antenna 5d are identified with the same integers as like parts of the antenna of Fig 1 but postscripted 'd'.
  • the horn 15d of this antenna 5d is substantially the same as that of the antenna 5 excepting that there is no first annular lip portion 45 and further that the second and third annular lip portions 50d, 55d are frusto-conic rather than annular.
  • the antenna 5d further comprises an elongate sheath 115d having an elongate space 120d, such that the sheath 115d is capable of being received on the solid elongate member 10d.
  • the sheath 115d provides a first open end 125d suitably shaped so as to snugly fit within the frusto-conical portion 20d of the horn 15d.
  • a main elongate portion 130d of the sheath 115d is substantially elliptical in cross-section. Further, the sheath 115d has a closed tapering second end 135d.
  • the sheath 115d is provided with two opposing elongate channels 140d at or near an outer surface thereof. Each channel 140d contains an elongate rod 145d. On the outermost surface of the sheath 115d there is provided a waterproof (weatherproof) cover 150d.
  • antenna 5d is mounted on an X-Y-Z mount 155d such that the orientation of the antenna 5d ("stick”) can be adjusted.
  • the shape of the horn 15d determines the overall signal gain. It also defines the signal frequency.
  • the horn 15d can be made from stamped, spun or dicast metal as long as the internal dimensions are accurate and the surface is relatively smooth.
  • the rod 10d is the main collector of the electro magnetic signal and utilises its surface wave properties. Signal strength and frequency is controlled by rod diameter, rod wall thickness, type of plastic rod used and rod length.
  • the elongate rods 145d are used to excite the rod 10d and increase the signal strength in the horn 15d prior to it entering the chosen LNB. Again rod length, the diameter, rod wall thickness, type of plastic rod used and spacing from the rod 10d all have an effect on the signal strength available to the LNB.
  • the sheath 115d is basically there to position the rods 10d, 145d and keep them straight but it is found that the type of material used to make the sheath 115d is critical in over-all signal gain.
  • rods 10d, 145d may be made from a solid plastic
  • the sheath may be made from an expanded (foamed) plastic.
  • the cover 150d has to be a minimum distance from the rod 10d otherwise inclement weather will severely degrade the electromagnetic signal.
  • the type of plastic used is critical.
  • the material is preferably UV resistant and may be silicon coated.
  • FIGs 8(a) to (e) there are illustrated various alternative embodiments of antenna 5e to 5i having a variety of cross-sections of sheath 115e to 115i and a variety of number of elongate rods 145e to 145i.
  • the basic TE11 mode is introduced at the LNB end of the feedhorn 15, 15d and the TE11/TM11 mode is produced at the outer rim.
  • This agitates the propagated waves travelling along the transmission line which in this case is the centre rod 10, 10d and creates a transition between the centre plastic rod 10, 10d and the feedhorn 15, 15d thereby producing gain, radiation pattern and impedance matching.
  • Typical figures are as follows: Gain 29.6 dB Carrier/Noise (C/N) - 12.2 Sidelobe Suppression 14.0 dB Gain 32.0 dB minimum C/N 14.0 Sidelobe Suppression - 24.0 dB
  • horns 5j, 5k suitable for use in an antenna according to the present invention.
  • the LNB is connected to the horn externally thereof, it may be envisaged that the LNB may well be suitably located within the horn.
  • Additional signal can also be achieved by providing a plurality of shorter rods inserted in a specially designed horn for this purpose.
  • the antenna can also be motorised to enable other satellites of suitable power and frequencies to be received.

Landscapes

  • Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)

Claims (18)

  1. Une antenne pour satellites (5) du type comprenant un élément allongé (10) et un réflecteur (15), une première extrémité (60) de l'élément allongé étant maintenue rigidement à l'extrémité étroite du réflecteur ou au voisinage de cette extrémité, laquelle extrémité comporte également des moyens de connexion destinés à relier l'antenne à des moyens de réception, une seconde extrémité (70) de l'élément allongé s'étendant vers l'extérieur de l'extrémité évasée du réflecteur, caractérisée en ce que l'antenne comporte au surplus une pluralité de tiges allongées (145) entourant l'élément allongé et une gaine allongée (115) pouvant être placée sur l'élément allongé, cette gaine comportant une pluralité de canaux (140) sur sa surface ou au voisinage de celle-ci, dans chaque canal étant disposée l'une de la pluralité de tiges allongées, l'agencement étant tel que, en fonctionnement, la seconde extrémité de l'élément allongé est pointée pratiquement dans la direction du satellite.
  2. Une antenne pour satellites selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'antenne est destinée à fonctionner dans la bande Ku, et plus particulièrement entre 10,7 GHz et 11,96 GHz ou entre 12,2 GHz et 12,7 GHz.
  3. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'élément allongé est une tige.
  4. Une antenne pour satellites selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la tige est massive.
  5. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une des revendications 3 et 4, dans laquelle la tige est réalisée en un matériau diélectrique approprié.
  6. Une antenne pour satellites selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle la tige est réalisée en une matière plastique massive telle que du polypropylène, du PVC, du polystyrène ou analogues.
  7. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le réflecteur comporte une portion tronconique (20), une première extrémité d'une portion de base (25) étant réunie à l'extrémité étroite de la portion tronconique.
  8. Une antenne pour satellites selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle la portion de base (25) a la forme d'une ou de plusieurs portion(s) cylindrique(s).
  9. Une antenne pour satellites selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle la portion de base a la forme d'une pluralité de portions cylindriques (30, 35, 40) réunies en une seule pièce, chaque portion cylindrique voisine ayant un diamètre réduit à mesure que s'accroít sa distance de l'extrémité étroite de la portion tronconique.
  10. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les moyens de connexion comprennent une portion filetée ou comportant une bride (45) prévue à une seconde extrémité de la portion de base, ou au voisinage de celle-ci, la portion filetée ou comportant une bride permettant la connexion du réflecteur avec un convertisseur à bas niveau de bruit (LNB) ou analogue.
  11. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le réflecteur est réalisé en aluminium ou en métal matricé à réflectabilité magnétique.
  12. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la gaine présente une première extrémité ouverte (125), dont la forme est appropriée à son adaptation précise à l'intérieur de l'extrémité large du réflecteur.
  13. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la portion allongée principale (130) de la gaine est à section circulaire, carrée ou elliptique.
  14. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une des revendications 12 ou 13, dans laquelle la gaine a une seconde extrémité restreinte (135).
  15. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la gaine est réalisée en matière plastique expansée.
  16. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les tiges allongées sont réalisées en matière plastique massive, telle que du polypropylène, du PVC, du polystyrène ou analogue.
  17. Une antenne pour satellites selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle est prévu un revêtement résistant aux intempéries (150) sur au moins une partie de la surface extérieure de la gaine.
  18. Une méthode de réception de signaux électromagnétiques provenant d'un satellite, consistant à utiliser une antenne pour satellites (5), cette antenne comprenant un élément allongé (10) et un réflecteur (5), une première extrémité (60) de l'élément allongé étant maintenue rigidement à, ou vers l'extrémité étroite du réflecteur, laquelle extrémité du réflecteur comporte également des moyens de connexion pour réunir l'antenne à des moyens de réception, une seconde extrémité (70) de l'élément allongé s'étendant vers l'extérieur de l'extrémité large du réflecteur, une pluralité de tiges allongées (145) entourant l'élément allongé, et une gaine allongée (115) pouvant être placée sur l'élément allongé, la gaine comportant une pluralité de canaux (140) sur, ou vers sa surface, dans chaque canal étant logée l'une de la pluralité de tiges allongées, et à pointer la seconde extrémité de l'élément allongé sensiblement dans la direction du satellite.
EP93924766A 1992-11-13 1993-11-15 Antenne Expired - Lifetime EP0643876B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9223889 1992-11-13
GB9223889A GB2272578A (en) 1992-11-13 1992-11-13 Antenna
PCT/GB1993/002343 WO1994011921A1 (fr) 1992-11-13 1993-11-15 Antenne

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0643876A1 EP0643876A1 (fr) 1995-03-22
EP0643876B1 true EP0643876B1 (fr) 1999-04-14

Family

ID=10725081

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93924766A Expired - Lifetime EP0643876B1 (fr) 1992-11-13 1993-11-15 Antenne

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0643876B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69324488T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0643876T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2133419T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2272578A (fr)
WO (1) WO1994011921A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003209507A1 (en) * 2002-03-14 2003-09-29 David Blyth Mcgregor Surface wave antenna
RU2695946C1 (ru) * 2018-10-01 2019-07-29 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Государственная корпорация по атомной энергии "Росатом" (Госкорпорация "Росатом") Металлический волноводный облучатель с диэлектрической вставкой

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2727233A (en) * 1945-12-11 1955-12-13 Leonard J Eyges Dielectric rod antenna
DE2161893C3 (de) * 1971-12-14 1979-08-16 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Antennensystem, bestehend aus einem flachen Parabolspiegel und einer Ausleuchtantenne
US4468672A (en) * 1981-10-28 1984-08-28 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Wide bandwidth hybrid mode feeds
EP0263158B1 (fr) * 1986-03-25 1990-01-10 The Marconi Company Limited Antenne en cornet a large bande
GB8804242D0 (en) * 1988-02-24 1988-07-13 Emi Plc Thorn Improvements relating to aerials
US5038152A (en) * 1990-05-17 1991-08-06 Hughes Aircraft Company Broad band omnidirectional monocone antenna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2133419T3 (es) 1999-09-16
DE69324488T2 (de) 1999-12-09
DK0643876T3 (da) 1999-11-01
EP0643876A1 (fr) 1995-03-22
GB9223889D0 (en) 1993-01-06
GB2272578A (en) 1994-05-18
WO1994011921A1 (fr) 1994-05-26
DE69324488D1 (de) 1999-05-20

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