EP2987200B1 - Anordnung zur abschirmung einer antenne von funkstörungen - Google Patents

Anordnung zur abschirmung einer antenne von funkstörungen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2987200B1
EP2987200B1 EP13718315.8A EP13718315A EP2987200B1 EP 2987200 B1 EP2987200 B1 EP 2987200B1 EP 13718315 A EP13718315 A EP 13718315A EP 2987200 B1 EP2987200 B1 EP 2987200B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cavity
shielding structure
antenna
base part
angle
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.)
Active
Application number
EP13718315.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2987200A1 (de
Inventor
Francisco Amarillo Fernandez
Jaron SAMSON
Antonio Castro
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.)
Agence Spatiale Europeenne
Original Assignee
Agence Spatiale Europeenne
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 Agence Spatiale Europeenne filed Critical Agence Spatiale Europeenne
Publication of EP2987200A1 publication Critical patent/EP2987200A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2987200B1 publication Critical patent/EP2987200B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/52—Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure
    • H01Q1/526—Electromagnetic shields
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q17/00—Devices for absorbing waves radiated from an antenna; Combinations of such devices with active antenna elements or systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a structure for shielding an antenna from multipath (multiply scattered waves) and/or electromagnetic interference such as radio interference.
  • the invention is particularly though not exclusively applicable to shielding antennas of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) reference stations from multipath and/or interference.
  • GNSS global navigation satellite system
  • Antennas mounted in proximity to other objects not only receive electromagnetic waves such as radio waves that have traveled a straight path from a desired sender to the antenna, but also scattered waves that have been scattered at the objects in the proximity. Signals resulting from scattering are commonly referred to as multipath. Multipath presents a significant background to the desired signal which corresponds to radio waves that are directly incident on the antenna phase center without previous scattering. In the case of an antenna of a GNSS reference station (ground station), such background deteriorates the accuracy with which e.g.
  • satellite clocks, satellite positions, satellite delay code biases, and ionospheric model data from phase and code values of signals received from GNSS satellites can be determined, and thus deteriorates the quality of any GNSS service data that is provided by the GNSS reference station to mobile GNSS receivers. Consequently, in view of positioning accuracy, it is desirable to have as good as possible control of the received multipath.
  • scattering of a radio wave off a given object depends on, among others, an angle of incidence of the radio wave on the object, a shape, material or surface structure of the object, and moreover can be time-dependent. Therefore, parameters of the scattered wave are difficult to predict even if the parameters of the incident wave are known. Moreover, existence of multiple objects in the proximity of an antenna renders a prediction of the parameters of scattered radio waves incident on the antenna phase center virtually impossible. Consequently, satisfactory mitigation of the impact of multipath by signal processing techniques at present is impossible.
  • a further source of background is given by interference from other sources that emit electromagnetic waves at wavelengths comparable to the wavelength of the desired signal. Also interference as source of background is difficult to control by means of signal processing techniques, for similar reasons as discussed above.
  • the radio-frequency environment of multipath and interference is a key GNSS system performance driver, so that effective control of both multipath and interference is to be pursued.
  • a first known strategy to reduce the impact of multipath and interference is to provide a large antenna having selectivity with respect to the elevation angle or direction.
  • the antenna may be adjusted to receive electromagnetic waves arriving at the antenna from a desired elevation angle or direction, so that a sensitivity of the antenna with respect to unwanted signals arriving from other elevation angles or directions is reduced.
  • providing a spatially extended antenna with directional sensitivity has negative impact on the phase center stability of the antenna, that is, the phase stability over angle and frequency.
  • Another known strategy to reduce the impact of multipath is to mount the antenna at a position without any nearby objects, e.g. on a radio mast remote from any trees or buildings.
  • mount the antenna at a position without any nearby objects, e.g. on a radio mast remote from any trees or buildings.
  • this strategy is not capable of reducing the impact of interference.
  • FIG. 8 is a top view on a skin 902 of a fuselage of an aircraft on which an antenna 901 is mounted.
  • the skin 902 of the fuselage surrounding the mounting position of the antenna 901 is covered with a microwave absorbent material 903.
  • microwaves that are incident on the skin 902 of the fuselage surrounding the antenna 901 are attenuated before being scattered onto the antenna phase center.
  • microwaves scattered from more remote portions of the skin 902 of the fuselage are not attenuated before being scattered onto the antenna 901, so that suppression of the background level by this strategy is limited.
  • this strategy is not applicable to reducing a background resulting from interference.
  • DE 24 13 373 A1 discloses a funnel-shaped absorption chamber for aerial testing having a cone-shaped reflector around an exciting aerial.
  • the exciting aerial is located at the narrow end of a reflector which is a part cone.
  • the reflector is fitted into the matching end of a similarly funnel shaped absorption chamber.
  • the diameter of the larger end of the reflector, and the distance between this end and the phase center of the exciting aerial is chosen such that the radiation pattern in the region containing the test aerial gives a homogeneous field.
  • the present invention proposes a shielding structure having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
  • a shielding structure for shielding an antenna from radio interference comprises a shielding element having a base part and an upper part arranged on the base part, a cavity for arranging the antenna therein being defined by an inner wall portion formed inside the upper part and an upper surface of the base part, wherein the inner wall portion and the upper surface of the base part are structured to absorb radio waves incident to the cavity, and means for mounting the antenna, said means being disposed with regard to the cavity such that the antenna is arranged within the cavity in its mounted state.
  • the shielding structure according to the present invention effectively mitigates the effect of both interference and multipath on an antenna mounted on the means for mounting the antenna inside the shielding structure.
  • the angle of arrival (with respect to the local horizon) of unwanted signals such as interference and multipath typically is below a certain elevation. Accordingly, by embedding the antenna in a geometrical structure having components structured to absorb radio waves, a local radio-frequency environment, as observed at the location of the antenna, can be modified.
  • Modification of the local radio-frequency environment is achieved by the shielding structure according to the present invention in two conceptual steps: (1) Isolation of the antenna phase center from the local uncontrolled and external radio frequency environment, for all angles of arrival below a certain elevation, and (2) synthesis of a local controlled and internal radio frequency environment for all angles of arrival below the certain elevation.
  • the external radio frequency environment for all angles of arrival above the certain elevation is not affected by the inventive shielding structure.
  • Isolation is achieved via reflection, diffraction and absorption of the local uncontrolled and external radio frequency environment (i.e. interference and multipath). Synthesis of a local controlled radio frequency environment is achieved by suppressing reflections at the inner surface of the inventive shielding structure. Thus, unwanted signals are prevented from arriving at the antenna phase center, and a known local radio frequency environment at the antenna phase center is provided that is independent of the unwanted signals.
  • the background signal level can be lowered significantly.
  • the antenna being the antenna of a GNSS reference station (GNSS ground station)
  • the system performance of the GNSS reference station corresponding to the quality and accuracy of service data provided to mobile GNSS receivers is drastically increased.
  • the shape of the cavity is rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis perpendicular to the base part
  • the inner wall portion comprises a first inner wall section, a lower end of which being disposed on the base part, and a second inner wall section, an upper end of which defining a circular opening of the cavity, and a first angle formed between the first inner wall section and the base part is larger than a second angle formed between the second inner wall section and an imaginary plane extending in parallel to the base part.
  • an opening is provided that has a smaller diameter than a lower part of the cavity.
  • the second angle may be configured so that for any part of the second inner wall section, a reflected (scattered) component of a radio signal incident from outside of the cavity to the part of the second inner wall section is reflected away from a position of the antenna in its mounted state, towards a part of the inner wall portion or towards the base part. It is preferred that the second angle is in the range from 0 degrees to 30 degrees. It is further preferred that the first angle is in the range from 60 degrees to 90 degrees.
  • signals that are incident to the cavity of the inventive shielding structure that do not directly arrive at the antenna are efficiently attenuated by the absorptive surface structure of the inner walls of the cavity.
  • these signals are reflected at least once at either the inner wall portion or the upper surface of the base part before arrive at the antenna, and therefore are attenuated by scattering at the absorptive surface structure of the inner wall portion and the upper surface of the base part.
  • multipath originating from reflection of signals inside the cavity can be effectively suppressed.
  • the upper part comprises an annular top portion which partly covers the upper part and has a tapering configuration, wherein a top surface of the top portion is inclined towards the center of the shielding element.
  • a threshold angle for the angle of arrival with respect to the local horizon is defined, from below of which radio waves cannot enter the cavity of the shielding structure. Radio waves having a smaller angle of arrival than the threshold angle are either reflected at a part of the outer wall of the shielding structure or at a part of the top surface.
  • the top surface may be subdivided into a plurality of annular sub-surfaces by one or more concentric gaps, the one or more concentric gaps extending in parallel to the second inner wall section.
  • the top portion of the upper part comprises a plurality of annular absorbing elements stacked along their thickness direction, wherein gaps are formed between adjoining absorbing elements, and the top surface is formed at least partially by the radially inward end faces of the absorbing elements.
  • a radio wave having an angle of arrival below the threshold angle that is reflected at the top surface is refracted at the annular inner edges of the radially inward end faces of the absorbing elements, and thereby effectively absorbed.
  • a third angle formed between the top surface and an imaginary plane extending in parallel to the base part is configured such that radio signals incident from an elevation angle with respect to an imaginary plane comprising the base part that is larger than a predetermined first threshold angle can enter the cavity, and such that radio signals incident from an elevation angle that is smaller than the predetermined first threshold angle cannot enter the cavity, at least not without being attenuated.
  • the third angle is in the range from 2 degrees to 10 degrees.
  • GNSS satellites orbiting earth are configured to emit radio signals towards earth so that at each given position on earth's surface GNSS signals arrive at a receiver antenna at an angle of arrival with respect to the local horizon that is above a predetermined threshold.
  • the shielding structure may be adjusted to allow passage of radio signals arriving at the antenna from an angle of arrival above the predetermined threshold, while blocking radio signals arriving at the antenna from an angle of arrival below the predetermined threshold.
  • the desired signals i.e. radio signals emitted from the GNSS satellites are received by the antenna, while unwanted signals such as multipath and interference are blocked.
  • a ratio between an inner diameter of the opening and a maximum inner diameter of the cavity is in the range from 0.35 to 0.7.
  • a ratio between a height of the cavity from the upper surface of the base part to the opening and a maximum inner diameter of the cavity is in the range from 0.22 to 0.45.
  • a ratio between a height of a portion of the cavity defined by the second inner wall section and a height of the cavity from the upper surface of the base part to the opening is in the range from 0.15 to 0.3.
  • the inventive shielding structure has a property that signals incident to the cavity that do not directly arrive at the antenna are attenuated by being scattered at least once at the absorptive surface structure of the bounding surface of the cavity.
  • a further advantage is achieved if a maximum inner diameter of the cavity is in the range from 9 ⁇ to 15 ⁇ , wherein ⁇ is a wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna.
  • the inventive shielding structure is large compared to the wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency of the antenna. Therefore, a back-reaction between the shielding structure and the antenna can be avoided, so that the shielding structure may be used with all kinds of different antenna designs. Thus, no re-design of an antenna to be provided with the inventive shielding structure is required.
  • the geometric structure of the inventive shielding structure has been optimized to achieve all the above advantageous effects at a minimum overall size and therefore, weight.
  • the shielding structure may further comprise a plurality of pyramidal radio-frequency absorbers provided on the base part.
  • Provision of pyramidal absorbers on the base part results in a very efficient absorption of radio waves that are incident on the upper surface of the base part. Thereby, reflection of radio waves at the base part towards the antenna is avoided, and multipath resulting from internal reflection of radio waves inside of the shielding structure is prevented.
  • radio waves and radio antennas In the following, reference will be made exemplarily to radio waves and radio antennas. However, the present invention shall not be limited to the application to radio waves and radio antennas but is also applicable to other kinds of electromagnetic waves and antennas configured for receiving such electromagnetic waves.
  • the term "interference" or "unwanted signals” shall relate to both multipath and interference within the meaning as discussed above. Whenever it is stated that unwanted signals may not reach an antenna or are blocked by the inventive shielding structure, it is understood that these unwanted signals are sufficiently attenuated with respect to the desired signals. It is particularly understood that the average level of suppression is at least-17 dB.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a vertical cut along the central axis of a shielding structure for an antenna according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the shielding structure 1 has a base part 100 and an upper part 200 arranged on or around the base part 100.
  • the upper part 200 is rotationally symmetric with respect to an imaginary axis perpendicular to the base part 100 that intersects the base part 100 at its central position. This axis will be referred to as the central axis of the shielding structure 1 in the following.
  • the base part 100 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis.
  • the further components of the shielding structure 1 are arranged so that the overall shielding structure 1 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis.
  • the upper part 200 has an inner wall portion 210 formed on the inside of the upper part 200 and an outer wall portion 500 formed on the outside of the upper part 200.
  • the outer wall portion 500 has a substantially cylindrical shape and serves as a mechanic support of the upper part 200 and protects the shielding structure 1 from mechanical damage.
  • the outer wall portion 500 has such a thickness and is formed from such a metallic material that it is capable to provide a required mechanical strength, depending on the field of application of the shielding structure (e.g. an atmospheric exposure of the shielding structure).
  • the outer wall portion 500 is configured to sustain a maximum wind load that the shielding structure 1 is expected to be exposed to.
  • the outer wall portion 500 has a thickness of about 3mm and is formed from aluminum.
  • the inner wall portion 210 is made from panels of a material absorbing at radio frequencies (absorbing material), such as Eccosorb ® ANW77 by Emerson & Cuming, a polyurethane foam absorber, that are provided on the inner surface of the outer wall portion 500.
  • absorbing material such as Eccosorb ® ANW77 by Emerson & Cuming
  • polyurethane foam absorber a material absorbing at radio frequencies
  • the base part 100 comprises a metal supporting structure not shown in the figure and a layer of the absorbing material provided on the upper surface of the metal supporting structure.
  • a cavity 50 is formed and bounded by the inner wall portion 210 of the upper part 200 and an upper surface of the base part 100. As follows from the above description, the entire bounding surface (i.e. inner wall) of the cavity 50 is covered by the absorbing material and is rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis of the shielding structure 1.
  • a circular opening 55 is situated at the upper end face of the cavity 50. However, the circular opening 55 may be covered by a non-metallic and non-absorbing material, such as a plastic cover, to protect the cavity from moisture ingress e.g. through rain.
  • an upper or lower end of a cylindrical face corresponds to a circular line bounding the face from above or below, respectively.
  • a radially inner or outer end of an annular surface is understood to correspond to an inner circumference or to an outer circumference of the annular surface, respectively.
  • the inner wall portion 210 is build up from a cylindrical first inner wall section 210A situated towards the lower end of the inner wall portion 210 and, joined to the first inner wall section 210A, a conical second inner wall section 210B towards the upper end of the inner wall portion 210.
  • the upper end of the first inner wall section 210A and the lower end of the second inner wall section 210B join in a circular line lying in an imaginary plane extending in parallel to the base part 100.
  • the lower end of the first inner wall section 210A is disposed on or connected to the base part 100, wherein a first angle ⁇ is formed between the first inner wall section 210A and the base part 100.
  • the upper end of the second inner wall section 210B defines the circumference 55A of the circular opening 55 of the cavity 50.
  • a second angle ⁇ is formed between the second inner wall portion 210B and an imaginary plane extending in parallel to the base part 100, so that an angle (180 ° - ⁇ + ⁇ ) is formed between the first and second inner wall sections 210A, 210B.
  • Both the first and second inner wall sections 210A, 210B are made from the absorbing material.
  • the upper part 200 further comprises an annular top portion 220 which partly covers the upper part 200.
  • the top portion 220 may be formed as an integral part of the upper part 200 or may be detachable from the upper part 200.
  • a radially inner end of an annular top surface 230 of the top portion 220 and the upper end of the second inner wall section 210B join at the circular line 55A defining the opening 55 of the cavity 50.
  • the top portion 220 partly covers the cavity 50.
  • a radial direction on (a part of) the top portion 220 is understood as a direction that is projected on a direction perpendicular to the central axis when viewed from the above, i.e. along the central axis.
  • the top surface 230 of the top portion 220 has a tapering configuration and is inclined towards the center of the shielding element 1.
  • the radially inner end (radially inner circumference) of the top surface 230 is at a lower level of height with respect to the base part 100 than the radially outer end (radially outer circumference) of the top surface 230.
  • the top portion 220 further comprises an annular outer top surface 250 having a tapering configuration and being inclined towards a periphery of the shielding element 1.
  • the radially inner end (radially inner circumference) of the outer top surface 250 is at a higher level of height with respect to the base part 100 than the radially outer end (radially outer circumference) of the outer top surface 250.
  • the radially inner end of the outer top surface 250 and the radially outer end of the top surface 230 join at a circular line defining the highest part of the shielding structure 1 with respect to the base part 100.
  • the top portion 220 is build up from a plurality of annular and concentric (i.e. their upper and lower faces are parallel to each other) absorbing elements 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D that are stacked along their thickness direction.
  • Each of the annular absorbing elements is made from an absorbing material, e.g. Eccosorb ® ANW77 by Emerson & Cuming.
  • the lowermost of the annular absorbing elements is arranged such that the lower face thereof forms the second inner wall section 210B.
  • the upper face of the uppermost of the annular absorbing elements forms the outer top surface 250.
  • the absorbing elements are arranged in pairs respectively on the upper and lower faces of annular metal plates (not shown in the figure) that are made e.g. from aluminum.
  • Each annular metal plate has a smaller inner diameter than the respective absorbing elements arranged on the metal plate, so that a gap 240 is formed between the absorbing elements at the radially inner end faces of the absorbing elements.
  • Neighboring assemblies comprising one metal plate and two absorbing elements each are arranged relative to each other so that a gap 240 is formed between the upper absorbing element of the lower assembly and the lower absorbing element of the upper assembly.
  • this latter gap 240 is larger than the gap 240 formed between absorbing elements arranged on the upper and lower faces of a given metal plate.
  • the gaps 240 extend in parallel to the second inner wall section 210B.
  • the assemblies of absorbing elements and metal plates may be arranged and fixed relative to each other by means of frame structure (not shown in the figure) that can be fixed to the outer wall portion 500.
  • each of the absorbing elements is slanted with respect to the upper and lower faces of the respective absorbing element, so that an acute angle is formed between the lower face and the radially inner end face and an obtuse angle is formed between the upper face and the radially inner end face of the respective absorbing element.
  • the absorbing elements are dimensioned and arranged such that the radially inner end faces of the absorbing elements form the top surface 230 of the top portion 220. Accordingly, the top surface 230 of the top portion 220 is inclined towards the center of the shielding structure 1 and interrupted by the concentric gaps 240 formed between neighboring absorbing elements.
  • the radially inner end faces of the absorbing elements constitute a plurality of sub-surfaces into which the top surface 230 of the top portion 220 is divided by one or more concentric gaps 240.
  • the top surface 230 of the top portion 220 may be covered by a non-metallic and non-absorbing material, such as a plastic cover.
  • the top surface 230 Seen from center of the shielding element 1, the top surface 230 comprises a plurality of sharp edges at which the lower faces and radially inner end faces 230A, 230B, 230C, 230D of the respective absorbing elements meet.
  • a radio wave that is incident on the shielding element 1 from a direction facing the edges will be split at the first (innermost) edge into a bottom portion of the radio wave that is trapped and absorbed inside of the cavity 50 of the shielding structure 1, and an upper portion of the radio wave.
  • the upper portion of the radio wave is successively trapped and diffracted at the further edges. Consequently, the respective radio wave is effectively absorbed or reflected away from the antenna and thus may not contribute to the background affecting reception quality of the desired signal.
  • the mounting means 300 can be a pole that is arranged perpendicular to the base part 100 at the horizontal center of the shielding element 1.
  • the height of the mounting means 300 is dimensioned so that the mounting means 300 provides an antenna mounting position 400 at which the antenna can be mounted at a position that corresponds to the imaginary apex of the conical surface defined by the top surface 230 of the top portion 220.
  • the mounting position 400 is provided at the intersection point of the central axis of the shielding structure 1 and a line that is obtained by extending a radial line on the top surface 230 towards the central axis.
  • radio waves arriving at the mounting position 400 from an angle of arrival with respect to the local horizon (elevation angle) below a threshold angle (first threshold angle) cannot reach the antenna provided at the mounting position 400.
  • This threshold angle depends on the angle between the top surface 230 (i.e. a radial line thereon) and the horizontal plane.
  • a conical shape narrowing towards the upper end of the mounting means 300 a conical shape narrowing towards the base of the mounting means 300, or a hourglass-shape built up from two conical shapes, joined either at their respective narrower ends or respective wider ends can be employed.
  • a coating made from a plastic material may be provided on the outer surface of the shielding structure 1.
  • the plastic material is the same as that used for sealing the polyurethane foam of the ANW77 absorbing material.
  • the coating may cover the top surface 230, the outer wall portion 500, and/or the opening 55 of the cavity 50, depending on the particular environment in which the shielding structure 1 is employed.
  • the antenna mounting position 400 can be covered by a cap made from plastic material in order to protect the antenna from atmospheric exposure and mechanical damage.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a vertical cut along the central axis of a shielding structure for an antenna according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • components of the shielding structure according to the second embodiment are identical to those of the shielding structure according to the first embodiment, and are referred to by identical reference signs.
  • a plurality of absorbing elements 110 having the shape of pyramids or cones is provided on the base part 100 of the shielding structure 1.
  • the base part 100 may additionally be covered by a layer of the absorbing material.
  • the dimensions of the pyramidal absorbers 110 i.e. a diameter of a base thereof and an angle of inclination of a side thereof with respect to the base are chosen such that optimum absorbing properties of radio frequency electromagnetic waves are obtained.
  • the dimensions of the pyramidal absorbers 110 are matched to an operating frequency of the antenna to be mounted at the mounting position provided by the means 300 for mounting the antenna.
  • a height of the pyramidal absorbers 110 is in the range from 1.0 ⁇ to 2.0 ⁇ , wherein ⁇ is a wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna.
  • pyramidal absorbers 110 may be provided on the inner wall portion 210, in addition to the pyramidal absorbers 110 provided on the base part 100.
  • the pyramidal absorbers 110 may be provided on the first inner wall section 210A only, the second inner wall section 210B only, or on both the first and second inner wall sections 210A, 210B.
  • pyramidal absorbers 110 may be provided on the side faces of the mounting means 300 for mounting the antenna, in addition to the pyramidal absorbers 110 provided on the base part 100 and/or the inner wall portion 210.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the angular parameters of the shielding structure according to any of the above embodiments of the present invention.
  • an angle formed between a radially symmetric surface and a plane is understood as the angle of intersection between a radial line lying on the radially symmetric surface (or if applicable, an extension thereof) and the plane.
  • An angle formed between two radially symmetric concentric surfaces is understood as the angle of intersection between two radial lines respectively on the two surfaces at the same azimuth angle (or, if applicable, extensions thereof).
  • a first angle ⁇ is formed between the first inner wall section 210A and the base part 100.
  • the first angle ⁇ is in the range from 60° to 90°.
  • the first angle ⁇ is chosen to be 90° or close to 90°, i.e. in the range from 85° to 90°.
  • a second angle ⁇ is formed between an imaginary plane extending in parallel to the base part 100 and the second inner wall section 210B. Accordingly, an angle (180° - ⁇ + ⁇ ) is formed between the first inner wall section 210A and the second inner wall section 210B.
  • the second angle ⁇ is smaller than the first angle ⁇ .
  • the second angle ⁇ is in the range from 0° to 30°. It has shown to be of particular advantage if the second angle ⁇ is chosen to be in the range from 18° to 22°. As an optimum value for the second angle ⁇ , an angle substantially equal to 20° has been identified by the inventors.
  • a third angle ⁇ ' (90° - ⁇ ) is formed between the top surface 230 and an imaginary plane extending in parallel to the base part 100.
  • the third angle ⁇ ' is in the range from 2° to 10°.
  • the third angle ⁇ ' is in the range from 4° to 6°, wherein an angle substantially equal to 5° has been identified as an optimum value for the third angle ⁇ '.
  • the angle formed between the lower face and the radially inner end face of each of the absorbing elements of the top portion 220 of the upper part 200 is equal to ( ⁇ + ⁇ '). Consequently, the angle formed between the top surface 230 and the second inner wall section 210B is an acute angle and in particular is smaller than or equal to 40°.
  • the angle formed between the upper face and the radially inner end face of each of the absorbing elements is equal to (180° - ⁇ - ⁇ ').
  • the angle formed between the upper face of the uppermost absorbing element and the outer wall portion 500 is equal to ( ⁇ + ⁇ ).
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the dimensional parameters of the shielding structure according to any of the above embodiments of the present invention.
  • the operation frequency of the antenna is understood as the center operating frequency or resonant frequency of the antenna.
  • one operating frequency is approximately 1.4 GHz and the corresponding wavelength ⁇ is approximately 21cm.
  • An overall height of the cavity 50, from the upper surface of the base part 100 to the opening 55 of the cavity 50 is denoted by h.
  • a radius of the circular line 55A defining the opening 55 of the cavity 50 is denoted by dist_c, so that the diameter of the opening 55 is equal to 2 ⁇ dist_c.
  • a height of a projection of the second inner wall section 210B on a vertical plane is denoted by h_up.
  • a thickness of the outer wall portion 500 is denoted by w.
  • the first ratio R1 is in the range from 0.48 to 0.6.
  • a ratio substantially equal to 0.54 has been identified by the inventors.
  • the second ratio R2 is in the range from 0.30 to 0.38.
  • a ratio substantially equal to 0.34 has been identified by the inventors.
  • the third ratio R3 is in the range from 0.19 to 0.24.
  • a ratio substantially equal to 0.22 has been identified by the inventors.
  • a diameter substantially equal to 12.4 ⁇ has been identified by the inventors.
  • the thickness w is chosen to be equal to 3mm.
  • alternative values of the thickness w between 2mm and 5mm can be chosen.
  • the inventive shielding structure described above is large compared to the wavelength ⁇ corresponding to the operating frequency of the antenna. Accordingly, the far-field approximation is applicable, and e.g. a description of the electromagnetic field in terms of radio waves e.g. being reflected at surfaces of the shielding structure is well-defined.
  • an electromagnetic back-reaction between the shielding structure and the antenna does not occur, that is the electromagnetic properties of the antenna are not affected by the presence of the shielding structure, and the electromagnetic properties of the shielding structure are not affected by the presence of an antenna mounted at the mounting position 400 of the shielding structure.
  • the inventive shielding structure can be used to shield all antennas of a given operating frequency from interference and multipath, irrespective of the particular design of the antenna (as long as the antenna could be fit within a sphere with diameter up to 1.25 ⁇ ).
  • the geometric structure of the inventive shielding structure has been optimized to achieve all the above advantageous effects at a minimum overall size and therefore, weight.
  • first threshold angle a threshold angle
  • This threshold angle depends on the angle between the top surface 230 and the horizontal plane, i.e. on the third angle. Specifically, the threshold angle is roughly equal to the third angle ⁇ '.
  • the present invention takes advantage of the fact that unwanted signals typically arrive at the antenna from low elevation angles, whereas the desired signals arrive typically from high elevation angles. This is particularly true in the case of GNSS base stations observing signals emitted by GNSS satellites that are orbiting earth.
  • radio waves enter the cavity 50 that are not directly incident on the antenna it needs to be ensured that these radio waves are not reflected (scattered) towards the antenna by the bounding surface of the cavity 50, at least not before the radio waves have been sufficiently attenuated through absorption at the absorbing material with which the bounding surface of the cavity 50 is covered.
  • the energy density carried by the radio wave is reduced by a given factor a. If the radio wave is reflected at the absorbing material n times before it is eventually incident on the antenna, its energy density is reduced by a factor of an.
  • the inventive shielding stricter is configured and has been optimized so as to suppress incidence of radio waves on the antenna having undergone only a small number of reflections at the absorbing material (small n) to the highest possible degree.
  • the shielding structure as described above has been devised so that incidence of radio waves having undergone only a single reflection at the absorbing material may be prevented. Specifically, with the above choices of parameters and/or ratios, a radio wave that is first incident on the second inner wall section 210B is scattered towards the first inner wall section 210A (at an opposite side of the cavity 50) or the base part 100, but not towards the antenna mounting position 400. Likewise, a radio wave that is first incident on the first inner wall section 210B is scattered towards the base part 100 but not towards the antenna mounting position 400.
  • the second angle ⁇ can be chosen so that the above goal is achieved.
  • dimensional parameters of the shielding structure can be chosen so that this goal is achieved.
  • the inventive shielding structure as described above may be composed of a number of modules, which are manufactured separately and which can be transported to the site of operation of the shielding structure separately. Thereby, transportation of the shielding structure, as well as maintenance of the shielding structure can be facilitated.
  • a shielding structure having such modular composition will now be described with reference to Fig. 5 through Fig. 7 .
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a top view (left panel) and a slant view (right panel) of the shielding structure according to the embodiments of the present invention.
  • the top portion 220 of the upper part 200 is composed of four modules 221, 223, 225, 227 (cf. Fig. 7 ) each representing a sector of 90° of the top portion 220.
  • the remainder of the upper part 200 is composed of four modules each representing a sector of 90° of the remainder of the upper part 200.
  • the outer wall portion 500 is comprised of four arc-shaped elements 510, 520, 530, 540 (cf. Fig.
  • each of the arc-shaped elements 510, 520, 530, 540 is covered by the absorbing material on its face facing towards the central axis of the shielding structure.
  • the base part 100 is shaped as a circular plate and extends in the radial direction beyond the outer wall portion 500.
  • the base part 100 is provided with radial grooves 120A,..., 120D, 130A,..., 130D respectively spaced apart by 45° of azimuth angle. Every other one 130A,..., 130D of the grooves extends up to the outer circumference of the base part 100, whereas the remaining grooves do not extend up to the outer circumference of the base part 100.
  • a cap 410 formed from a plastic material provided to surround the antenna mounting position 400 is shown in the right panel of Fig. 5 .
  • Fig. 6 illustrates a top view (left panel) and a slant view (right panel) of one of the arc-shaped elements 510, 520, 530, 540 of the shielding structure according to the embodiments of the present invention.
  • the arc-shaped element 510 comprises the lower flange 510B and two lateral flanges 510A. Further, the arc-shaped element 510 comprises an upper flange 510C provided at its arc-shaped upper horizontal edge for connecting the respective module 221 of the upper part 220 to the arc-shaped element 510.
  • the face of the arc-shaped element 510 facing toward the central axis of the shielding structure in it assembled state is covered by the absorbing material 515.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a top view (left panel) of one of the modules 221, 223, 225, 227 of the top portion 220 of the upper part 200 of the shielding structure according to the embodiments of the present invention and a slant view (right panel) of the module of the top portion 220 in a state in which it is fixed to a respective one of the arc-shaped elements 510, 520, 530, 540 of the outer wall section 500.
  • the module 221 of the top portion 220 illustrated in the right panel of Fig. 7 comprises two metal plates 221A, 221B that are curved to have the shape of a 90° sector of a surface of a truncated cone.
  • the metal plates 221A, 221B are provided with a homogeneous relative distance, i.e. the metal plates 221A, 221B extend in parallel to each other.
  • the metal plates 221A, 221B are fixed to a metal frame 221C connecting the metal plates 221A, 221B.
  • the metal frame 221C may be mounted on and fixed to the upper flange 510C (not shown in Fig. 7 ) of the arc-shaped element 510.
  • Each of the metal plates 221A, 221B is covered by absorptive panels on both of its faces. Accordingly, the two metal plates 221A, 221B accommodate four absorptive panels 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D.
  • the metal plates 221A, 221B preferably have equal thickness.
  • the absorptive panels 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D each are concentric and have opposing parallel faces (upper and lower faces) having the shape of a 90° sector of a surface of a truncated cone.
  • the absorptive panels 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D have equal thickness and are, by being fixed to the metal plates 221A, 221B stacked along their thickness direction.
  • the radially inner end face of each of the absorptive panels is slanted with respect to the coplanar upper and lower faces.
  • an angle of ( ⁇ + ⁇ ') is formed between the lower surface of each of the absorptive panels and the respective radially inner end face.
  • the dimensions of the absorptive panels along their radial direction are chosen so that the radially inner end faces are aligned with each other and form a tapered surface tapering towards the center of the assembled shielding structure which is interrupted by the gaps 240.
  • the width of the first and third gaps 240, counting from the center of the assembled shielding structure is determined by the thickness of the metal plates 221A, 221B, which are dimensioned to have a radial length shorter than that of the corresponding absorptive panels.
  • the width of the second gap 240 is determined by the distance in which the metal plates 221A, 221B are held from each other by the metal frame 221C.
  • the width of the second gap 240 is chosen wider than the widths of the first and third gaps 240.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Abschirmungsanordnung zum Abschirmen einer Antenne von Funkstörungen, umfassend
    ein Abschirmelement, das einen Unterteil (100) und einem oberen Teil (200) aufweist, der auf dem Unterteil (100) angeordnet ist, einen Hohlraum (50) zum Anordnen der Antenne in demselben, der durch einen Innenwandabschnitt (210), der im Inneren des oberen Teils (200) ausgebildet ist, und einer oberen Fläche des Unterteils (100) umgrenzt ist, wobei der Innenwandabschnitt (210) und die obere Fläche des Unterteils (100) so aufgebaut sind, dass sie in den Hohlraum (50) einfallende Funkwellen absorbieren; und
    Mittel (300) zum Montieren der Antenne, wobei die Mittel (300) bezüglich des Hohlraums (50) so angeordnet sind, dass die Antenne im montierten Zustand im Inneren des Hohlraums (50) angeordnet ist,
    wobei die Form des Hohlraums (50) bezüglich einer zum Unterteil (100) senkrechten Achse rotationssymmetrisch ist;
    der Innenwandabschnitt (210) einen ersten Innenwandteilabschnitt (210A), von dem ein unteres Ende auf dem Unterteil angeordnet (100) ist, und einen zweiten Innenwandteilabschnitt (210B) umfasst, von dem ein oberes Ende eine kreisförmige Öffnung (55) des Hohlraums (50) umgrenzt;
    ein erster Winkel, der zwischen dem ersten Innenwandteilabschnitt (210A) und dem Unterteil (100) ausgebildet ist, größer als ein zweiter Winkel ist, der zwischen dem zweiten Innenwandteilabschnitt (210B) und einer gedachten Ebene ist, die sich parallel zum Unterteil (100) erstreckt; und
    der obere Teil (200) einen ringförmigen oberen Abschnitt (220) umfasst, der den oberen Teil (200) teilweise abdeckt und eine sich verjüngende Konfiguration aufweist, wobei eine obere Fläche (230) des oberen Abschnitts (220) zur Mitte des Abschirmelements geneigt ist.
  2. Abschirmungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der zweite Winkel so konfiguriert ist, dass für einen beliebigen Teil des zweiten Innenwandteilabschnitts (210B) ein reflektierter Bestandteil eines Funksignals, das von außerhalb des Hohlraums (50) auf den Teil des zweiten Innenwandteilabschnitts (210B) einfällt, von einer Position der Antenne im montierten Zustand zu einem Teil des Innenwandabschnitts (210) oder zum Unterteil (100) reflektiert wird.
  3. Abschirmungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
    wobei
    die obere Fläche (230) durch einen oder mehrere konzentrische Spalte (240) in mehrere ringförmige Teilflächen (230A, 230B, 230C, 230D) unterteilt ist, wobei sich der eine oder die mehreren konzentrischen Spalte (240) parallel zum zweiten Innenwandteilabschnitt (210B) erstrecken.
  4. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei
    der obere Abschnitt (220) des oberen Teils (200) mehrere ringförmige absorbierende Elemente (220A, 220B, 220C, 220D) umfasst, die entlang der Richtung ihrer Stärke geschichtet sind,
    wobei Spalte (240) zwischen angrenzenden absorbierenden Elementen (220A, 220B, 220C, 220D) ausgebildet sind; und
    die obere Fläche (230) zumindest teilweise durch die radial nach innen angeordneten Endflächen der absorbierenden Elemente (220A, 220B, 220C, 220D) ausgebildet ist.
  5. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei ein dritter, zwischen der oberen Fläche (230) und einer gedachten Ebene, die sich parallel zum Unterteil (100) erstreckt, ausgebildeter Winkel so konfiguriert ist, dass Funksignale, die von einem Höhenwinkel bezüglich einer gedachten Ebene einfallen, die den Unterteil (100) umfasst, der größer als ein vorgegebener erster Schwellenwinkel ist, in den Hohlraum (50) eintreten können, und so, dass Funksignale, die von einem Höhenwinkel einfallen, der kleiner als der vorgegebene erste Schwellenwinkel ist, nicht in den Hohlraum (50) eintreten können.
  6. Abschirmungsanordnung nach Anspruch 5, wobei der dritte Winkel im Bereich von 2 Grad bis 10 Grad liegt.
  7. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei
    ein Verhältnis zwischen einem Innendurchmesser der Öffnung (55) und einem maximalen Innendurchmesser des Hohlraums (50) im Bereich von 0,35 bis 0,7 liegt.
  8. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei
    ein Verhältnis zwischen einer Höhe (50) des Hohlraums von der oberen Fläche des Unterteils (100) zur Öffnung (55) und einem maximalen Innendurchmesser des Hohlraums (50) im Bereich von 0,22 bis 0,45 liegt.
  9. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei
    ein maximaler Innendurchmesser des Hohlraums (50) im Bereich von 9,5 bis 15 λ liegt, wobei λ eine Wellenlänge ist, die einer Betriebsfrequenz der Antenne entspricht.
  10. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei
    der zweite Winkel im Bereich von 0 Grad bis 30 Grad liegt.
  11. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei
    der erste Winkel im Bereich von 60 Grad bis 90 Grad liegt.
  12. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei
    ein Verhältnis zwischen einer Höhe eines Abschnitts des Hohlraums (50), der von dem zweiten Innenwandteilabschnitt (210B) umgrenzt wird, und einer Höhe des Hohlraums (50) von der oberen Fläche des Unterteils (100) zur Öffnung (55) im Bereich von 0,15 bis 0,3 liegt.
  13. Abschirmungsanordnung nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, die ferner mehrere pyramidenförmige Funkfrequenzabsorber (110) umfasst, die auf dem Unterteil (100) vorgesehen sind.
EP13718315.8A 2013-04-16 2013-04-16 Anordnung zur abschirmung einer antenne von funkstörungen Active EP2987200B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/057887 WO2014169951A1 (en) 2013-04-16 2013-04-16 Structure for shielding an antenna from radio interference

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2987200A1 EP2987200A1 (de) 2016-02-24
EP2987200B1 true EP2987200B1 (de) 2017-08-30

Family

ID=48182894

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13718315.8A Active EP2987200B1 (de) 2013-04-16 2013-04-16 Anordnung zur abschirmung einer antenne von funkstörungen

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2987200B1 (de)
ES (1) ES2640584T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2014169951A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109524796B (zh) * 2018-12-11 2021-06-25 中国电子科技集团公司信息科学研究院 一种宽频带低剖面低散射缝隙阵列天线

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2413373A1 (de) * 1974-03-20 1975-09-25 Deutsche Bundespost Trichterfoermiger absorberraum mit an der trichterspitze angeordneter erregerantenne
DE2733015A1 (de) * 1977-04-01 1978-10-12 Plessey Inc Elektromagnetische versuchsanordnung, insbesondere antennenversuchsfeld
DE102004013358A1 (de) 2004-03-17 2005-10-20 Deutsch Zentr Luft & Raumfahrt Flugzeugantennenanordung zum Empfang von Funksignalen
US8344932B2 (en) * 2010-05-13 2013-01-01 Emtrek Technologies Corporation RF anechoic chamber
US20110304437A1 (en) * 2010-06-09 2011-12-15 Plus Location Systems USA LLC Antenna and Sensor System for Sharply Defined Active Sensing Zones

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2640584T3 (es) 2017-11-03
WO2014169951A1 (en) 2014-10-23
EP2987200A1 (de) 2016-02-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9007254B2 (en) Antenna beam control elements, systems, architectures, and methods for radar, communications, and other applications
US8102324B2 (en) Sub-reflector of a dual-reflector antenna
EP1004151B1 (de) Verbesserte reflektorantenne mit selbsttragendem speiseelement
US4906998A (en) Radio-frequency anechoic chamber
Thornberg et al. LAAS integrated multipath‐limiting antenna
CN105576368B (zh) 天线电磁辐射转向系统
US9236661B2 (en) Radiowave absorber and parabolic antenna
CN110635246B (zh) 基于吸波材料的gnss扼流圈天线
CN110676562B (zh) 一种扼流型gnss卫星天线
US9368865B2 (en) Antenna assembly with shielding structure
US6611238B1 (en) Method and apparatus for reducing earth station interference from non-GSO and terrestrial sources
US20150130678A1 (en) Multi-band gnss fixed reception pattern antenna apparatus
EP2987200B1 (de) Anordnung zur abschirmung einer antenne von funkstörungen
US20090289868A1 (en) Ground plane
WO2018096307A1 (en) A frequency scanned array antenna
US20170125915A1 (en) Antenna with absorbent device
CN212963039U (zh) 一种无人机防御系统
US7982680B1 (en) Antennas providing near-spherical coverage with right-hand circular polarization for differential GPS use
Veruttipong et al. Design considerations for beamwaveguide in the NASA deep space network
US6011521A (en) Broadband omnidirectional microwave parabolic dish-shaped cone antenna
EP2466688A1 (de) Parabolreflektorantenne
US12080945B2 (en) Systems and methods for mitigating interference from satellite gateway antenna
Gafarov et al. A GNSS dipole antenna with a meander-line polarizer for the reduction of multipath interference
US11843184B1 (en) Dual band, singular form factor, transmit and receive GNSS antenna with passively shaped antenna pattern
Aye et al. Coupling Effects in K a-band Reflector Antennas

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20151116

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: AMARILLO FERNANDEZ, FRANCISCO

Inventor name: CASTRO, ANTONIO

Inventor name: SAMSON, JARON

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20170317

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 924456

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170915

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602013025761

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2640584

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20171103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20170830

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 924456

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171130

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171201

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171230

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171130

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 6

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

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602013025761

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20180531

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

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20180416

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20180430

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20180430

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20180430

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20180416

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

Ref country code: MT

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

Effective date: 20180416

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

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20130416

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

Ref country code: MK

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

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170830

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240419

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240418

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240524

Year of fee payment: 12

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240424

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240425

Year of fee payment: 12