EP0677212A1 - Helical antenna system - Google Patents

Helical antenna system

Info

Publication number
EP0677212A1
EP0677212A1 EP94904615A EP94904615A EP0677212A1 EP 0677212 A1 EP0677212 A1 EP 0677212A1 EP 94904615 A EP94904615 A EP 94904615A EP 94904615 A EP94904615 A EP 94904615A EP 0677212 A1 EP0677212 A1 EP 0677212A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
helical
feeders
antenna system
polarization
antenna
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
EP94904615A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0677212B1 (en
Inventor
Ali Louzir
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.)
Vantiva SA
Original Assignee
Thomson Multimedia SA
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 Thomson Multimedia SA filed Critical Thomson Multimedia SA
Priority to EP94904615A priority Critical patent/EP0677212B1/en
Publication of EP0677212A1 publication Critical patent/EP0677212A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0677212B1 publication Critical patent/EP0677212B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q11/00—Electrically-long antennas having dimensions more than twice the shortest operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q11/02—Non-resonant antennas, e.g. travelling-wave antenna
    • H01Q11/08—Helical antennas
    • 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
    • H01Q19/10—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 reflecting surfaces
    • H01Q19/12—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 reflecting surfaces wherein the surfaces are concave
    • H01Q19/17—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 reflecting surfaces wherein the surfaces are concave the primary radiating source comprising two or more radiating elements
    • 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
    • H01Q21/067—Two dimensional planar arrays using endfire radiating aerial units transverse to the plane of the array
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/24—Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an antenna system having helical feeders.
  • a helical feeder antenna consists of a single conductor or multiple conductors wound into a helical shape. Beside some other possible modes a helical antenna is normally used in a so-called axial mode or in a normal mode.
  • the axial mode pro ⁇ vides maximum radiation along the helix axis, which occurs when the helix ci rcum erence is of the order of one wave ⁇ length.
  • the normal mode which yields radiation broadside to the helix axis, occurs when the helix diameter is small with respect to a wavelength.
  • the axial mode is of special interest.
  • US-patent 3 184 747 presents a coaxial feed helical antenna which has a di rector disk between feed and helix producing endfi re radiation towards the disk.
  • US-patent the dimensions of the helix for such an anten ⁇ na system are given.
  • US 4 742 359 presents an antenna system using a helical anten ⁇ na with two ends where the first end is linked to a feeder line.
  • a helical antenna may be bui lt as a so-called endfire helical antenna, where under maximum received power conditions the direction of the signal power flow at the said fi rst end is in the same direction as the received radiation.
  • a helical antenna can also be bui lt as a so-called backfire helical antenna, where under maximum received power conditions the direction of the signal power flow at the said fi rst end is in the opposite di rection to the received radiation.
  • an antenna system which com ⁇ prises a reflector, a primary helical antenna having a co l with a pai r of ends, said coi l located at the focal point of said reflector so that the axis of the helical antenna co ⁇ incides essentially with the axis of said reflector.
  • a feeder line couples the antenna system with an external circuit, so that said primary helical antenna represents a backfire helical antenna coupled with said feeder line at the nearer end from said reflector and the other end of the helical antenna is free standing, and said feeder line is a coaxial cable.
  • both polarization di rections are to be received simultane ⁇ ously there must be provided at least two helices. If these helices are part of an antenna system using focussing means, it is impossible to have at the same time the two feeders in the focal point of the focussing means. Thereby inacceptable gain degradation is involved for at least one of the polarization di rections. Additionally it is possible that cross-talk occurs due to inevitable defocussing and/or strong coupling between the helices if placed too close to each other.
  • Means for focussing e.g. a parabolic reflector, a dielectric lens, like a Luneburg-type Lens, or thelike, have a focal point in which they focus an incoming radiation. If radia ⁇ tions with two opposite polarizations are to be received two helical feeders are to be provided near the focal point. That means that not the two helices can be located together at the focal point. To compensate the according gain degradation there are two or more helices for each polarization di rection provided according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment
  • Fig. 2 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment
  • Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a power combin e r .
  • a parabolic reflector 10 acts as focus means and has a reflector axis 10a and a focal point 11.
  • a parabolic feeder 10 acts as focus means and has a reflector axis 10a and a focal point 11.
  • Each of the helical feeders 12 has a di rector disk 13a, 13b respectively.
  • Signals received by the feeders 1 are led via feeder lines 14a, 14b respectively, which may be e.g. coaxial cables, semi-rigid cables or theli ke, to ci rcuit boards which are included in a housing 15 and which cannot be seen in Fig. 1.
  • each of the feeders 22 has a director disk 23a, 23b respectively.
  • the diameter d1 of the director disks 13, 23 is about
  • La is the wavelength of the radiation to be received.
  • the diameter d2 of the helices 12, 22 is about
  • the housing 15 is shaped like a tube ith a round basic form having a diameter d4 of about
  • the helices 12 or 22 respectively are placed symmetrically on either side of the focal point 11 in such way that the center of the segment F-F 1 or f-f respectively is coincident with the focal point 11 of the concentration means 10.
  • the input powers of each sens of polarization are added in ⁇ side the housing 15 using an according power combiner.
  • a preferred embodiment of such a power combiner is shown just for one polarization sense in fig. 3.
  • There the inner conduc ⁇ tors of the feeder lines 14 are led to microstrip lines 16a, 16b respectively which have a common junction point 17.
  • a resulting outline 18 is led to further stages (not shown) of a low noise converter (LNC). If the signal to be received is a television-broadcast signal, the information of the signals can be presented by an according TV-set.
  • LNC low noise converter
  • two LNC ci rcuit boards can be provided which could be orthogonal to each other, e.g. such that they bui ld a cross, a "T" or thelike, and they are enclosed in the housing 15 which may be shaped like a tube, with a round, a triangular, a quadrangular basic form or thelike.
  • Versions of the presented embodiments may include at least one of the following variations: it is possible to provide more than two helical feeders for the reception of each polarization di rection. In such a case the phase centers F, f bui ld a triangle, a quadrangle or thelike. It is preferred to place the helical feeders such that the center of the triangle, the quadrangle or the like is coincident with the focal poi nt 11 ; instead * of the reflector 10 any other focal means can be used which work by reflection, refraction and/or diffraction.
  • Another preferred focal means is a Luneburg-type lens, which can be spherical, hemi-spheri- cal, quater-spheri ca I or thelike; by connecting helical feeders of the fi rst pair (12) with those of the second pair (22) linear polarized signals can be received.
  • the linear polarization direc ⁇ tion can be selected by according phase shifter means; the antenna system can be used for the reception of broadcast signals, like television signals, audio-broad ⁇ cast signals or thelike, which can be transmitted di rect ⁇ ly or not di rectly from a satellite.
  • the antenna system can also be used for the reception of any other radiofrequency signals with different polarizations.

Landscapes

  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to receive simultaneously signals with different polarizations with the aid of helical feeders without gain degradation compared to known systems. According to the invention two or more helical feeders are provided for each polarization direction. The invention can be used e.g. for a DBS system.

Description

M§ii£al_Antenna_S stem
The present invention relates to an antenna system having helical feeders.
A helical feeder antenna consists of a single conductor or multiple conductors wound into a helical shape. Beside some other possible modes a helical antenna is normally used in a so-called axial mode or in a normal mode. The axial mode pro¬ vides maximum radiation along the helix axis, which occurs when the helix ci rcum erence is of the order of one wave¬ length. The normal mode which yields radiation broadside to the helix axis, occurs when the helix diameter is small with respect to a wavelength. For the application according to the present invention the axial mode is of special interest.
The use of helical antennas for antenna systems are widely known. For example US-patent 3 184 747 presents a coaxial feed helical antenna which has a di rector disk between feed and helix producing endfi re radiation towards the disk. In this US-patent the dimensions of the helix for such an anten¬ na system are given.
US 4 742 359 presents an antenna system using a helical anten¬ na with two ends where the first end is linked to a feeder line. For the purpose of the following explanation it is understood that the said feeder line is aligned with the axis of the said helical antenna. Such a helical antenna may be bui lt as a so-called endfire helical antenna, where under maximum received power conditions the direction of the signal power flow at the said fi rst end is in the same direction as the received radiation. Such a helical antenna can also be bui lt as a so-called backfire helical antenna, where under maximum received power conditions the direction of the signal power flow at the said fi rst end is in the opposite di rection to the received radiation. In said US patent an antenna system is presented, which com¬ prises a reflector, a primary helical antenna having a co l with a pai r of ends, said coi l located at the focal point of said reflector so that the axis of the helical antenna co¬ incides essentially with the axis of said reflector. A feeder line couples the antenna system with an external circuit, so that said primary helical antenna represents a backfire helical antenna coupled with said feeder line at the nearer end from said reflector and the other end of the helical antenna is free standing, and said feeder line is a coaxial cable.
It is further known from the international publication WO 92/13373 to use one or more helical feeders together with a dielectric lens. Thereby signals from several di rections can be received simultaneously.
In the axial mode a helix ound like a right-hand screw re¬ ceives right-hand ci rcular polarization, whi le a helix wound like a left-hand screw receives left-hand polarization.
If both polarization di rections are to be received simultane¬ ously there must be provided at least two helices. If these helices are part of an antenna system using focussing means, it is impossible to have at the same time the two feeders in the focal point of the focussing means. Thereby inacceptable gain degradation is involved for at least one of the polarization di rections. Additionally it is possible that cross-talk occurs due to inevitable defocussing and/or strong coupling between the helices if placed too close to each other.
It is an ob ect of the present invention to present an anten¬ na system with focussing means and helical feeders where at least two different circular poarized radiations can be re¬ ceived si ultaneously with no gain degradation compared to kno n systems. According to the invention there is not just one helical feeder pro ided for each polarization direction, but two or more. These helical feeders work preferably in the axial backfi re mode.
The following ideas have led to the principle of the present invention.
Means for focussing, e.g. a parabolic reflector, a dielectric lens, like a Luneburg-type Lens, or thelike, have a focal point in which they focus an incoming radiation. If radia¬ tions with two opposite polarizations are to be received two helical feeders are to be provided near the focal point. That means that not the two helices can be located together at the focal point. To compensate the according gain degradation there are two or more helices for each polarization di rection provided according to the present invention.
Further characteristics, advantages and detai ls of the inven¬ tion are explained in the following embodiments with the aid of the drawings. Therein
Fig. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a power combin e r .
In Fig. 1 a parabolic reflector 10 acts as focus means and has a reflector axis 10a and a focal point 11. Around this focal point 11 there are two helical feeders 12a, 12b provid¬ ed which have the same winding sense and receive mainly radia¬ tion with the same circular polarization. Each of the helical feeders 12 has a di rector disk 13a, 13b respectively. Signals received by the feeders 1 are led via feeder lines 14a, 14b respectively, which may be e.g. coaxial cables, semi-rigid cables or theli ke, to ci rcuit boards which are included in a housing 15 and which cannot be seen in Fig. 1. Additionally there is a second pair of helical feeders 22a, 22b provided with an oppositional winding sense compared to the feeders 12. These feeders 22 cannot be seen in Fig. 1 but can be seen in Fig. 2, which gives a front view of this embod¬ iment. Each of the feeders 22 has a director disk 23a, 23b respectively.
The diameter d1 of the director disks 13, 23 is about
0, 25 * La, wherein La is the wavelength of the radiation to be received.
For the preferred embodiment the diameter d2 of the helices 12, 22 is about
0,3 * La, the distance d3 between the centers of two helices 12a, 12b or 22a, 22b respectively of the same pair is about
0,7 * La.
In this embodiment the housing 15 is shaped like a tube ith a round basic form having a diameter d4 of about
0,8 * La.
For each pairs the helices 12 or 22 respectively are placed symmetrically on either side of the focal point 11 in such way that the center of the segment F-F1 or f-f respectively is coincident with the focal point 11 of the concentration means 10.
The input powers of each sens of polarization are added in¬ side the housing 15 using an according power combiner. A preferred embodiment of such a power combiner is shown just for one polarization sense in fig. 3. There the inner conduc¬ tors of the feeder lines 14 are led to microstrip lines 16a, 16b respectively which have a common junction point 17. A resulting outline 18 is led to further stages (not shown) of a low noise converter (LNC). If the signal to be received is a television-broadcast signal, the information of the signals can be presented by an according TV-set.
For the other polarization sense another power combiner is provided which may be of the same type as shown in fig. 3.
For processing the signals received by the feeders 12, 22 two LNC ci rcuit boards can be provided which could be orthogonal to each other, e.g. such that they bui ld a cross, a "T" or thelike, and they are enclosed in the housing 15 which may be shaped like a tube, with a round, a triangular, a quadrangular basic form or thelike.
Versions of the presented embodiments may include at least one of the following variations: it is possible to provide more than two helical feeders for the reception of each polarization di rection. In such a case the phase centers F, f bui ld a triangle, a quadrangle or thelike. It is preferred to place the helical feeders such that the center of the triangle, the quadrangle or the like is coincident with the focal poi nt 11 ; instead* of the reflector 10 any other focal means can be used which work by reflection, refraction and/or diffraction. Another preferred focal means is a Luneburg-type lens, which can be spherical, hemi-spheri- cal, quater-spheri ca I or thelike; by connecting helical feeders of the fi rst pair (12) with those of the second pair (22) linear polarized signals can be received. The linear polarization direc¬ tion can be selected by according phase shifter means; the antenna system can be used for the reception of broadcast signals, like television signals, audio-broad¬ cast signals or thelike, which can be transmitted di rect¬ ly or not di rectly from a satellite. The antenna system can also be used for the reception of any other radiofrequency signals with different polarizations.

Claims

C_ L_ A_ I _M_ S
1. Antenna system having focal means (10) and a helical feeder (11) working in the axial backfire mode characterized in that a first group of two or more helical feeders (12) is provided for the reception of a first polarization di rection and a second group of two or more helical feeders (22) is provided for the recep¬ tion of a second polarization direction.
2. Antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that the center point of the phase centers (F; f) of each group of helical feeders (12, 22) is coincident with the focal point (11) of the focal means (10) .
Antenna system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for processing of signals of each polarization to be received a circuit board is provided and that these circuit boards are orthogonal to each other.
EP94904615A 1992-12-30 1993-12-30 Helical antenna system Expired - Lifetime EP0677212B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94904615A EP0677212B1 (en) 1992-12-30 1993-12-30 Helical antenna system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP92403593 1992-12-30
EP92403593 1992-12-30
PCT/EP1993/003726 WO1994016472A1 (en) 1992-12-30 1993-12-30 Helical antenna system
EP94904615A EP0677212B1 (en) 1992-12-30 1993-12-30 Helical antenna system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0677212A1 true EP0677212A1 (en) 1995-10-18
EP0677212B1 EP0677212B1 (en) 1997-12-10

Family

ID=8211740

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94904615A Expired - Lifetime EP0677212B1 (en) 1992-12-30 1993-12-30 Helical antenna system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0677212B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3334134B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100300937B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69315707T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2111903T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1994016472A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2157139A1 (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-03-02 Thomas C. Weakley Multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving multiple satellite signals
US6121939A (en) * 1996-11-15 2000-09-19 Yagi Antenna Co., Ltd. Multibeam antenna
US6107897A (en) * 1998-01-08 2000-08-22 E*Star, Inc. Orthogonal mode junction (OMJ) for use in antenna system
US6160520A (en) * 1998-01-08 2000-12-12 E★Star, Inc. Distributed bifocal abbe-sine for wide-angle multi-beam and scanning antenna system
KR20110006953A (en) * 2009-07-15 2011-01-21 위월드 주식회사 Helix feed broadband anttena having reverse center feeder

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1570700A (en) * 1968-04-24 1969-06-13
JPS5945283B2 (en) * 1977-09-01 1984-11-05 三菱電機株式会社 parabolic antenna
JPS6437107A (en) * 1987-07-31 1989-02-07 Sharp Kk Antenna system
FR2653941B1 (en) * 1989-10-31 1992-02-28 Thomson Lgt MULTIFOCAL RECEPTION ANTENNA WITH SINGLE POINT DIRECTION FOR MULTIPLE SATELLITES.
JPH1037107A (en) * 1996-07-22 1998-02-10 Kensetsu Kiso Eng Co Ltd Hung road

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9416472A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR960700537A (en) 1996-01-20
DE69315707D1 (en) 1998-01-22
JP3334134B2 (en) 2002-10-15
JPH08506701A (en) 1996-07-16
EP0677212B1 (en) 1997-12-10
ES2111903T3 (en) 1998-03-16
WO1994016472A1 (en) 1994-07-21
KR100300937B1 (en) 2001-10-22
DE69315707T2 (en) 1998-04-02

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