EP0929122A2 - Système d'antenne à lentille diélectriqueavec réflecteur - Google Patents

Système d'antenne à lentille diélectriqueavec réflecteur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0929122A2
EP0929122A2 EP98121988A EP98121988A EP0929122A2 EP 0929122 A2 EP0929122 A2 EP 0929122A2 EP 98121988 A EP98121988 A EP 98121988A EP 98121988 A EP98121988 A EP 98121988A EP 0929122 A2 EP0929122 A2 EP 0929122A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signals
polarity
antenna system
lens
lenses
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98121988A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0929122A3 (fr
Inventor
Nicholas L. Muhlhauser
Kenneth P. Cannizzaro
Brian C. Hewett
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.)
E*Star Inc
Original Assignee
E*Star Inc
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 US09/004,759 external-priority patent/US6087999A/en
Priority claimed from US09/110,687 external-priority patent/US6107897A/en
Priority claimed from US09/110,462 external-priority patent/US6181293B1/en
Application filed by E*Star Inc filed Critical E*Star Inc
Publication of EP0929122A2 publication Critical patent/EP0929122A2/fr
Publication of EP0929122A3 publication Critical patent/EP0929122A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • 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
    • H01Q13/025—Multimode horn antennas; Horns using higher mode of propagation
    • H01Q13/0258—Orthomode horns
    • 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
    • H01Q19/175—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 arrayed along the focal line of a cylindrical focusing surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • H01Q25/007—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device
    • H01Q25/008—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device lens fed multibeam arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/2658—Phased-array fed focussing structure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H01Q3/34—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by electrical means
    • H01Q3/40—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by electrical means with phasing matrix
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q5/00—Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements
    • H01Q5/40—Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
    • H01Q5/45—Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements using two or more feeds in association with a common reflecting, diffracting or refracting device

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a multiple beam antenna system, including at least one bifocal lens. More particularly, this invention relates to a multiple beam antenna system including a reflective member used in combination with a pair of dielectric bifocal lenses.
  • High gain antennas are widely useful for communication purposes such as radar, television receive-only (TVRO) earth station terminals, and other conventional sensing/transmitting uses.
  • high antenna gain is associated with high directivity, which in turn arises from a large radiating aperture.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,845,507 discloses a modular radio frequency array antenna system including an array antenna and a pair of steering electromagnetic lenses.
  • the array antenna system of the '507 patent cannot simultaneously receive both right-hand and left-handed circularly polarized signals (i.e. orthogonal signals), and furthermore cannot simultaneously receive signals from different satellites wherein the signals are right-handed circularly polarized, left-handed circularly polarized, linearly polarized, or any combination thereof.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,061,943 discloses-a planar array antenna assembly for reception of linear signals.
  • the array of the '943 patent while being able to receive signals in the fixed satellite service (FSS) and the broadcast satellite service (BSS) at 10.75 to 11.7 GHz and 12.5 to 12.75 GHz, respectively, cannot receive signals (without significant power loss and loss of polarization isolation) in the direct broadcast (DBS) band, as the DBS band is circular (as opposed to linear) in polarization.
  • FSS fixed satellite service
  • BSS broadcast satellite service
  • DBS direct broadcast
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,680,591 discloses an array antenna including an array of helices adapted to receive signals of a single circular polarization (i.e. either right-handed or left-handed). Unfortunately, because satellites transmit in both right and left-handed circular polarizations to facilitate isolation between channels and provide efficient bandwidth utilization, the array antenna system of the '591 patent is blind to one of the right-handed or left-handed polarizations because all elements of the array are wound in a uniform manner (i.e. the same direction).
  • a multiple beam array antenna system e.g. of the TVRO, DBS or BSS type
  • a multiple beam antenna system having the ability to receive each of circularly polarized including right-handed circularly polarized signals, left-handed circularly polarized signals, and/or linearly polarized signals, horizontally polarized signals, vertically polarized signals, and also optionally any combination of or variation of linearly and/or circularly polarized signals.
  • It is an object of this invention provide an improved lens (e.g. bifocal lens) for use in multibeam antenna systems.
  • an improved lens e.g. bifocal lens
  • this invention fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing a multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving/transmitting orthogonal signals of different polarity, the system comprising:
  • the bifocal lenses each include a step portion defined in at least one edge thereof for matching purposes.
  • array antennas and antennas herein are reciprocal transducers which exhibit similar properties in both transmission and reception modes.
  • the antenna patterns for both transmission and reception are identical and exhibit approximately the same gain.
  • descriptions are often made in terms of either transmission or reception of signals, with the other operation being understood.
  • the antenna systems of the different embodiments of this invention to be described below may pertain to either a transmission or reception mode of operation.
  • the frequencies received/transmitted may be varied up or down in accordance with the intended application of the system.
  • Figures 1 and 28 are side cross sectional views of a multiple beam antenna system according to an embodiment of this invention, the system including a reflector fed dual orthogonal dielectric lens coupled to a multiple beam port low noise block down converter (LNB).
  • LNB low noise block down converter
  • the antenna system can receive linear components of circularly polarized signals from satellites, break them down and process them as different linear signals, and recreate them to enable a viewer to utilize the received circularly polarized signals.
  • the system is adapted to receive signals in about the 10.70-12.75 GHz range in this and certain other embodiments.
  • the multiple beam antenna system of this embodiment takes advantage of a unique dielectric lens design, including a pair of dielectric lenses 3a and 3b to produce a high gain scanning system with few or no phase controls. Electromagnetic lenses 3a and 3b (described below) are provided in combination with a switching network so as to allow the selection of a single beam or group of beams as required for specific applications.
  • the antenna system receives (or transmits) signals from multiple satellites simultaneously, these different satellites coexisting.
  • the multiples signals received from the multiple satellites respectively, split up as a function of orthogonal componentry and follow different waveguides for processing.
  • vertically polarized signals may be divided out and travel down one waveguide while horizontally polarized signals are divided out and travel down another waveguide.
  • a user may tap into different signals from different satellites, e.g. horizontally polarized signals, vertically polarized signals, or circularly polarized signals.
  • a plurality of different satellites may be accessed simultaneously enabling a user to utilize multiple signals at the same time.
  • a unique feature is the combination of at least partially cylindrical parabolic reflective member 1 with, or operatively associated with, dielectric lenses 3a and 3b.
  • the combination or a beam forming network with a phase array illumination of a cylindrical parabolic dish allows the antenna system to simultaneously view many satellites (e.g. up to about seven but not limited to that number) of any polarity along their geostationary orbits.
  • the dual lenses feed the reflective surface 1 of the dish, or vice versa.
  • This design allows lenses 3a, 3b to simultaneously see or access more than one satellite signal (e.g. horizontal and vertical signals), and allows the system to scale system or antenna gain and G/T to performance requirements of the user.
  • the dish or reflector 1 provides efficient or cheap variable gain (i.e. scaling to accommodate various satellite E.R.I.P. and bandwidth requirements), while the lenses provide the beamforming phase capability.
  • the overall system may weight from only about 12-15 pounds.
  • the multiple beam antenna systems of the different embodiments may be used in association with, for example, DBS and TVRO applications.
  • an antenna system of relatively high directivity is provided and designed for a limited field of view.
  • the system when used in at least DBS applications provides sufficient G/T to adequately demodulate digital or analog television downlink signals from high and/or medium powered Ku band DBS and FSS satellites in geostationary orbit. Other frequency bands may also be transmitted/received.
  • the field of view may be about 32 degrees in certain embodiments, but may be greater or less in certain other embodiments.
  • G/T G dBi - 10logT , where G is the gain of the antenna at a specified frequency and T is the receiving system effective noise temperature in degrees Kelvin.
  • the antenna system includes reflector member 1.
  • Reflector 1 has a cylindrical parabolic or any other suitable shape, wherein in certain preferred embodiments the reflector has a parabolic shape in the vertical plane and a flat or planar shape in the z-axis. Thus, reflector 1 is not parabolic in both directions, but only one, in certain embodiments of this invention. Because reflector 1 is parabolic in the vertical plane as shown, the system has a long feed assembly along a focal line due to the non-parabolic design in the z-axis.
  • reflector 1 may be made of structural foam including a reflective metallic coating thereon. According to alternative embodiments of this invention, reflector 1 may be formed as a reflective surface of the waveguide 11.
  • reflector 1 in combination with dielectric lenses 3a and 3b allows the antenna system of certain embodiments of this invention to receive signals from satellites emitting either horizontally polarized signals or vertically polarized signals as will be discussed below.
  • Horizontally and vertically polarized signals are orthogonal to one another as is known in the art.
  • this invention in alternative embodiments may enable the user to receive signals from satellites emitting either left or right handed circularly polarized signals, as left and right handed circularly polarized signals are also orthogonal to one another.
  • the antenna system also includes first and second waveguides 10 and 11 which are collectively numbered 2. These two waveguides are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and each includes two parallel conductive surfaces spaced apart from one another (e.g. by about 3/8"). Waveguides 10 and 11 provide the radial TEM wave guide mode from corresponding lenses 3a and 3b, as they are both TEM mode radial guides. Each waveguide 10 and 11 includes two sections, one section located between OMJ 4 and the corresponding lens 3a, 3b, and another section disposed between the corresponding lens and LNB 5. Each waveguide may be made of any suitable material (e.g. stainless steel) and have, in certain embodiments, a conductive reflective aluminum or copper metal coating (i.e. low loss surface).
  • a conductive reflective aluminum or copper metal coating i.e. low loss surface
  • Waveguides 11 and 10 allow microwaves from lenses 3a and 3b to focus on different output portions of LNB 5 corresponding to selectable different satellite locations. Two waveguides are needed because one is used to carry or convey each of the two orthogonal polarities, i.e. guide 10 carries one polarity and guide 11 the other polarity.
  • Dielectric lenses 3a, 3b are identical to one another in certain embodiments of this invention. Lenses 3a and 3b are fed orthogonally, as one lens 3a facilitates one polarity (e.g. horizontal) while the other lens 3b facilitates an orthogonal polarity (e.g. vertical).
  • each lens 3a, 3b may be made of crystalline polystyrene or alternatively of polyethylene.
  • Mount 6 supports parallel waveguides 10, 11, as well as lenses 3a, 3b, reflector 1, and junction 4.
  • Antenna mount assembly enables elevational adjustment, azimuthal adjustment, and rotational adjustment of the reflector 1 and feed 21 about the Clark belt.
  • Unique orthogonal mode junction 4 having feed area 21, receives linear signals from reflector 1, and separates the horizontally polarized signals from the vertically polarized signals, and places or directs them in corresponding separate parallel plate TEM waveguides 10 and 11 in order to illuminate dielectric lenses 3a and 3b.
  • satellite signals from a plurality of different satellites, are received by reflector 1 and are reflected into feed 21 of orthogonal mode junction (OMJ) 4 in the form of microwave signals.
  • OMJ orthogonal mode junction
  • Junction 4 divides out vertically polarized microwave signals from horizontally polarized microwave signals, and forwards one polarity signal into waveguide 10 and the other polarity signal into waveguide 11.
  • one lens 3a is illuminated by the vertical polarization sense (or e.g.
  • OMJ 4 optical multi-dimensional optical multi-dimensional optical system
  • the feedhorn has the ability to accommodate the focal line of cylindrical parabolic reflector 1 and is also able to feed first and second parallel plate TEM-mode waveguides 10, 11, and first and second dielectric lenses 3a and 3b.
  • the parallel plate orthogonal mode junction in combination with lenses 3a, 3b and the parabolic reflector provide the advantages discussed herein.
  • LNB 5 includes printed circuit boards (PCBs) [shown in Figs. 16-18] positioned within a housing. LNB 5 is responsible from selecting the specific satellite(s) of interest to the user and configuring the polarities of linear (horizontal and vertical) and circular (right and left hand of choice).
  • PCBs printed circuit boards
  • OMJ 4 may be made of extruded aluminum, or any other suitable material. Also, impedance matching steps 27 are provided withing the interior of OMJ 4 for impedance matching purposes (i.e. waveguide transformers).
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the Figure 1 antenna system. As shown in Figure 2, feed 21 of OMJ 4 is elongated in design so as to correspond to a focal line of the reflector which is substantially parallel thereto.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Figure 1-2 system. Also illustrated in Figure 3 are endcaps 23 located along the elongated and curved edges of the waveguides.
  • FIG 4 is an enlarged side cross sectional view of the orthogonal mode junction (OMJ) member 4 of the Figure 1-3 embodiment.
  • Elongated rods 8, provided in the OMJ may be from about 0.040 to 0.060 inches in diameter (preferably in this embodiment about 0.050 inches in diameter).
  • Isolating rods 8 are configured within the housing of OMJ 4 so as to isolate the horizontally polarized component of the received (or transmitted) signal that comes into feed 21 from waveguide 10 to waveguide 11.
  • isolating board 12 in OMJ 4 isolates the vertical component of the received (or transmitted) signal from waveguide 11 to waveguide 10.
  • Isolator 12 in certain embodiments may be fabricated of 0.0050 (5 mil) inch thick beryllium copper (or plane copper) in order to perform its isolation function.
  • Figure 7 is a top view of isolator 12, illustrating the grid assembly responsible for sorting out the orthogonal signals with rods 8.
  • Transducer board 9 shown in Figure 9 as part of OMJ 4, may be a printed circuit board (PCB) fabricated on 0.020 inch thick Teflon fiberglass in certain embodiments.
  • PCB 9 printed circuit board
  • Metal transducers on PCB 9 transduce the horizontal component of the received (or transmitted) signal into a TEM mode electromagnetic illumination of parallel plate waveguide 11.
  • Figure 8 is a bottom view of transducer board 9 while Figure 9 is a top view of board 9, with the metallic transducers being shown in cross section.
  • OMJ 4 further includes radome 7 which has traditional radome characteristics such as protection, in order to accommodate the feed assembly.
  • Figures 5 and 6 further illustrate OMJ 4, with Figure 6 being a sectional view along section line AA.
  • each of components 8, 9, and 12 are substantially parallel to one another, and are substantially elongated in design.
  • Each of elements 8, 9, and 12 is substantially as long as feed 21 of the OMJ.
  • Figures 10-13 illustrate one of dielectric lenses 3a or 3b according to an embodiment of this invention.
  • both optical lenses are identical, but may be different in other alternative embodiments.
  • One lens is provided for each orthogonal mode, e.g. one for vertical signals and one for horizontal signals.
  • the lenses according to this invention can receive/transmit linear or circularly polarized signals simultaneously.
  • FIGs 14-15 illustrate sectorial feedhorns 13 within one of waveguides 10, 11. It is noted that while Figure 14 illustrates the waveguide as being "flat” for purposes of simplicity, it really is not flat in practice [note the curved banana-shaped configuration of each waveguide 10, 11 in Figure 1].
  • Feedhorns 13 are positioned within the waveguides so as to accommodate the orbital locations of the satellites of interest within the geostationary Clark belt. These focused horns 13 receive the focused signals from the corresponding dielectric lens 3a, 3b of the polarity of the corresponding lens.
  • the configurations, quantity or number, and position of feedhorns 13 correspond to the number of satellites to be accessed or used.
  • the outputs 31 of the feedhorns are coupled to the LNB circuit boards shown in Figures 16-18, through rectangular waveguides 33 of the WR-75 type.
  • Lines 39 illustrate the scanning angle, provided by each feedhorn, of the different satellites (3 in this embodiment) to be accessed or used.
  • the positions of the feedhorns dictate which satellites are to be used, it is noted that there is a 15 degree difference in the location of the satellite corresponding to the uppermost feedhorn 33 and the middle feedhorn 33, while there is only a 7.5 degree difference in the position of the satellite corresponding to the middle feedhorn and the lowermost feedhorn 33.
  • sectorial feedhorns 33 accommodate the satellites of interest.
  • feedhorns 13 as shown in Figures 14-15 are sandwiched between a pair of upper and lower plates that of the corresponding waveguide, which are not shown.
  • the LNB 5 housing contains the two circuit boards shown in Figures 16-18. These boards perform the following functions: low noise RF amplification, down converts from RF to IF, selects IF frequency and number of IFs, selects satellites of interest as dictated by the user, selects polarity (linear (hor. or vert.) or circular [right-hand CP or left-hand CP]) of interest, switch matrix for multiple outputs or multiple IFs, IF amplification, converts WR-75 to circuit board strip-line waveguide, compensates for polarity skew in various geographic locations, and may be an antenna to set-top-box interface.
  • low noise RF amplification down converts from RF to IF
  • selects IF frequency and number of IFs selects satellites of interest as dictated by the user
  • switch matrix for multiple outputs or multiple IF
  • Figures 19-22 illustrate how lenses 3a, 3b may be utilized to access different types of signals according to certain embodiments of this invention.
  • FIG. 19-22 illustrate how lenses 3a, 3b may be utilized to access different types of signals according to certain embodiments of this invention.
  • each lense deals with a linearly polarized signal (either hor. or vert.)
  • circularly polarized signals may also be accessed and utilized.
  • the lenses in combination of the multiple beam antenna systems of this invention allow the systems to select a single beam or a group of beams for reception (i.e. home satellite television viewing). Due to the design of the antenna array and matrix block (including the array of antenna elements of the inventions herein), right-handed circularly polarized satellite signals, left-handed circularly polarized satellite signals, and linearly polarized satellite signals within the scanned field of view may be accessed either individually or in groups. Thus, either a single or a plurality of such satellite signals may be simultaneously received and accessed (e.g. for viewing, etc.).
  • Figure 19 illustrates the case where the user manipulates satellite selection matrix to simply pick up the signal from a particular satellite which is transmitting a horizontal signal.
  • the path length in lens 3a is adjusted so as to tap into the signal of the desired satellite.
  • Figure 20 illustrates the case where a plurality of received outputs from lens 3b are summed or combined in amplitude and phase.
  • the signals from two adjacent outputs 65 are combined at summer 71 so as to split the beams from the adjacent output ports 65.
  • output block 69 takes the output from the adjacent ports 65 and sums them at summer 71 thereby "splitting" the beam and receiving the desired satellite signal. It is noted that a small loss of power may occur when signals from adjacent ports 65 are summed in this manner.
  • Figure 21 illustrates the case where outputs 65 from both lenses are tapped (in a circular embodiment as described in the '258 patent) so as to result in the receiving of a signal from a satellite having circular (or linear) polarization.
  • Figure 22 illustrates the case where it is desired to access a satellite disposed between the beams of adjacent ports 65 wherein the satellite emits a signal having circular (or linear) polarization.
  • Adjacent ports 65 are accessed in each of lenses and are summed accordingly at summers 75.
  • phase shifter 73 adjusts the phase of the signal from one lens and the signals from the lenses are combined at summer 71 thereafter outputting a signal from output block 69 indicative of the received circular polarized signal.
  • the above-discussed multiple beam antenna system can receive singularly or simultaneously any polarity (circular or linear) from a single or multiple number of satellites, from a single or multiple number of beams, knowing that co-located satellites utilize frequency and/or polarization diversity.
  • microwave dielectric lenses 3a and 3b for multibeam or scanning applications may have a bifocal design used in combination with Abbe Sine design methodology. This increases the scanning angle of the lens.
  • Figures 23, 24, 25(a) and 26 illustrate lenses 3a and 3b having a bifocal design with a "step" offset 91 on the edges of the lenses closest to OMJ 4 and another step offset 92 on the opposite edge of the lenses farthest from the OMJ.
  • a collimating lens was designed to be coma free for a limited scan by imposing the known Abbe Sine condition.
  • a plano-convex lens with a dielectric constant from about 2.4 to 2.7 (preferably about 2.55), a coma free beam over an angular coverage of plus/minus eight beam widths, with side lobe performance lower than about -18 dB, was achieved.
  • FIGs 25(a)-(c) illustrate bifocal lenses 3a, 3b according to different embodiments of this invention, located within a parallel plane of the surrounding TEM waveguide.
  • Each lens includes a first major surface located proximate or adjacent one of the conductive waveguide surfaces which defines the waveguide within which the lens is located, and a second major surface located proximate the opposing waveguide conductive surface.
  • the lens 3a (or 3b) includes steps 91 and 92 on opposite edges thereof.
  • Each step 91, 92 includes a first vertical portion 93 which is oriented approximately perpendicular to the adjacent waveguide surface, a second horizontal surface 94 which is approximately parallel to each of the opposing waveguide surfaces, and a third vertical portion 95 which is approximately perpendicular to portion 94 and to the adjacent waveguide surface.
  • the planar portion of the lens whose outer periphery is defined by portions 93 has a larger volume and larger surface area adjacent the immediately adjacent waveguide surface than the planar portion of the lens whose periphery is defined by portions 95.
  • the Fig. 25(a) lens includes two planar portions which are either integrally formed with one another, or which may be laminated to one another in some embodiments.
  • the Fig. 25(b) lens 3a, 3b may be used in other embodiments of this invention.
  • This lens includes a slot 96 defined in the opposing edges of the lens for matching purposes.
  • slots of other shapes may instead be used, such as rectangular, oval, and the like.
  • the Figure 25(c) lens 3a, 3b may be used in other embodiments of this invention, and includes a plurality of approximately parallel slots defined in the opposing edges of the lens for matching purposes.
  • three slots 97 are shown in each of the opposing edges in Fig. 25(c), although from two through twenty slots may be provided in each edge in different embodiments of this invention.
  • the Fig. 25(a) lens has been found to be easier to manufacture, have lower tolerances, and a higher level of ruggedness and is thus preferred in certain embodiments of this invention for use in volume production.
  • OMJ 4 of Figures 23, 24, and 26 the OMJ of this embodiment is used in conjunction with the illustrated parallel plate TEM radial waveguides.
  • the OMJ design enables the use of a single feedhorn which performs as a linear array, with element spacing infinitesimally small, that may be aligned to a focal line of the cylindrical parabola reflector 1.
  • the long or elongated feed assembly of the reflector along the focal line allows OMJ 4 to have an elongated, approximately horizontally aligned, feed 21 as shown in Figs. 2 and 27.
  • OMJ 4 in turn delivers signals to the two parallel plate dielectric lenses 3a, 3b in a way that both are electrically orthogonal to one another.
  • junctions for waveguides are single circular or rectangular (square) wave guides with a multiplicity of them used to feed a parallel plate guide.
  • the instant OMJ is an improvement over traditional techniques which are more complicated and expensive to manufacture.
  • conventional junctions would have to be configured as a multiplicity of elements and their spacing would cause grating lobes and the individual feed patterns would dictate scanning loss for off axis performance.
  • the multiple different signals received from the multiple satellites by the illustrated antenna system respectively split up as a function of their different orthogonal components (e.g. horizontal and vertical), with the different orthogonal components following different waveguides 10, 11 for processing.
  • vertically polarized signals may be divided out and caused to travel down one waveguide while horizontally polarized signals are divided out and caused to travel down the other waveguide.
  • a user may tap into different signals from different satellites, e.g. horizontally polarized signals, vertically polarized signals, or circularly polarized signals.
  • a plurality of different satellites may be accessed simultaneously enabling a user to utilize multiple signals at the same time. Additionally, this invention may enable the user to receive signals from satellites emitting either left or right handed circularly polarized signals, as these signals are also orthogonal to one another.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
EP98121988A 1998-01-08 1998-11-19 Système d'antenne à lentille diélectriqueavec réflecteur Withdrawn EP0929122A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US110462 1980-01-08
US4759 1993-01-14
US09/004,759 US6087999A (en) 1994-09-01 1998-01-08 Reflector based dielectric lens antenna system
US09/110,687 US6107897A (en) 1998-01-08 1998-07-07 Orthogonal mode junction (OMJ) for use in antenna system
US110687 1998-07-07
US09/110,462 US6181293B1 (en) 1998-01-08 1998-07-07 Reflector based dielectric lens antenna system including bifocal lens

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0929122A2 true EP0929122A2 (fr) 1999-07-14
EP0929122A3 EP0929122A3 (fr) 2000-08-09

Family

ID=27357702

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98121988A Withdrawn EP0929122A3 (fr) 1998-01-08 1998-11-19 Système d'antenne à lentille diélectriqueavec réflecteur

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0929122A3 (fr)
AU (1) AU2450999A (fr)
CA (1) CA2254139A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999035710A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1307948A1 (fr) * 2000-04-07 2003-05-07 Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. Antenne a reflecteur multisource

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4087822A (en) * 1976-08-26 1978-05-02 Raytheon Company Radio frequency antenna having microstrip feed network and flared radiating aperture
JPS5497349A (en) * 1978-01-19 1979-08-01 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Bifocal lens antenna
US4187507A (en) * 1978-10-13 1980-02-05 Sperry Rand Corporation Multiple beam antenna array
JPS5547704A (en) * 1978-10-03 1980-04-04 Toshiba Corp Multi-beam antenna
JPS58200605A (ja) * 1982-05-18 1983-11-22 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> 反射鏡アンテナ
US4489331A (en) * 1981-01-23 1984-12-18 Thomson-Csf Two-band microwave antenna with nested horns for feeding a sub and main reflector
US5495258A (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-02-27 Nicholas L. Muhlhauser Multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving multiple satellite signals
US5686923A (en) * 1994-05-10 1997-11-11 Dasault Electronique Multi-beam antenna for receiving microwaves emanating from several satellites

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3170158A (en) * 1963-05-08 1965-02-16 Rotman Walter Multiple beam radar antenna system
US4467329A (en) * 1981-05-27 1984-08-21 General Electric Company Loaded waveguide lenses
US4511868A (en) * 1982-09-13 1985-04-16 Ball Corporation Apparatus and method for transfer of r.f. energy through a mechanically rotatable joint
US4660050A (en) * 1983-04-06 1987-04-21 Trw Inc. Doppler radar velocity measurement horn
US5528717A (en) * 1994-06-10 1996-06-18 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Hybrid dielectric slab beam waveguide

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4087822A (en) * 1976-08-26 1978-05-02 Raytheon Company Radio frequency antenna having microstrip feed network and flared radiating aperture
JPS5497349A (en) * 1978-01-19 1979-08-01 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Bifocal lens antenna
JPS5547704A (en) * 1978-10-03 1980-04-04 Toshiba Corp Multi-beam antenna
US4187507A (en) * 1978-10-13 1980-02-05 Sperry Rand Corporation Multiple beam antenna array
US4489331A (en) * 1981-01-23 1984-12-18 Thomson-Csf Two-band microwave antenna with nested horns for feeding a sub and main reflector
JPS58200605A (ja) * 1982-05-18 1983-11-22 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> 反射鏡アンテナ
US5686923A (en) * 1994-05-10 1997-11-11 Dasault Electronique Multi-beam antenna for receiving microwaves emanating from several satellites
US5495258A (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-02-27 Nicholas L. Muhlhauser Multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving multiple satellite signals

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 003, no. 119 (E-142), 6 October 1979 (1979-10-06) & JP 54 097349 A (MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP), 1 August 1979 (1979-08-01) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 004, no. 079 (E-014), 7 June 1980 (1980-06-07) & JP 55 047704 A (TOSHIBA CORP), 4 April 1980 (1980-04-04) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 008, no. 044 (E-229), 25 February 1984 (1984-02-25) & JP 58 200605 A (NIPPON DENSHIN DENWA KOSHA;OTHERS: 01), 22 November 1983 (1983-11-22) *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1307948A1 (fr) * 2000-04-07 2003-05-07 Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. Antenne a reflecteur multisource
EP1307948A4 (fr) * 2000-04-07 2003-07-16 Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd Antenne a reflecteur multisource

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999035710A1 (fr) 1999-07-15
CA2254139A1 (fr) 1999-07-08
EP0929122A3 (fr) 2000-08-09
WO1999035710A9 (fr) 2001-11-01
AU2450999A (en) 1999-07-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6107897A (en) Orthogonal mode junction (OMJ) for use in antenna system
US6087999A (en) Reflector based dielectric lens antenna system
US6160520A (en) Distributed bifocal abbe-sine for wide-angle multi-beam and scanning antenna system
US20190229427A1 (en) Integrated waveguide cavity antenna and reflector dish
US5495258A (en) Multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving multiple satellite signals
US6650291B1 (en) Multiband phased array antenna utilizing a unit cell
US7656358B2 (en) Antenna operable at two frequency bands simultaneously
US7847749B2 (en) Integrated waveguide cavity antenna and reflector RF feed
US6181293B1 (en) Reflector based dielectric lens antenna system including bifocal lens
US6362788B1 (en) Electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver
US7656359B2 (en) Apparatus and method for antenna RF feed
US6937203B2 (en) Multi-band antenna system supporting multiple communication services
US5309167A (en) Multifocal receiving antenna with a single aiming direction for several satellites
US20100060521A1 (en) Displaced feed parallel plate antenna
JP3029231B2 (ja) 二重円形偏波ｔｅｍモードのスロットアレーアンテナ
US7081858B2 (en) Radial constrained lens
Mei et al. A low-profile and beam-steerable transmitarray antenna: Design, fabrication, and measurement [antenna applications corner]
US20020005806A1 (en) Dual band antenna
US20210320415A1 (en) Microwave antenna system with three-way power dividers/combiners
EP4020700A1 (fr) Antenne et système d&#39;antenne pour communications par satellite
EP0929122A2 (fr) Système d&#39;antenne à lentille diélectriqueavec réflecteur
Gans et al. Narrow multibeam satellite ground station antenna employing a linear array with a geosynchronous arc coverage of 60, part II: Antenna design
Del Mastro et al. Review on Wideband and Compact CTS Arrays at Millimeter Waves
EP0628217A1 (fr) Recepteur de signaux en double bande
WO2022136382A1 (fr) Antenne et système d&#39;antenne pour communications par satellite

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: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7H 01Q 19/06 A, 7H 01Q 25/00 B, 7H 01Q 5/00 B, 7H 01Q 13/02 B, 7H 01Q 19/17 B

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010208

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20020311

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20020907