WO2003044895A1 - Antenne helicoidale quadrifilaire et reseau d'alimentation - Google Patents

Antenne helicoidale quadrifilaire et reseau d'alimentation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003044895A1
WO2003044895A1 PCT/NZ2002/000258 NZ0200258W WO03044895A1 WO 2003044895 A1 WO2003044895 A1 WO 2003044895A1 NZ 0200258 W NZ0200258 W NZ 0200258W WO 03044895 A1 WO03044895 A1 WO 03044895A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
antenna
conductive path
helical antenna
quadrifilar helical
feed network
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2002/000258
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gregor Wolfgang Storz
David Alexander Swarbrick
Original Assignee
Navman Nz Limited
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 Navman Nz Limited filed Critical Navman Nz Limited
Priority to AU2002353676A priority Critical patent/AU2002353676A1/en
Publication of WO2003044895A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003044895A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q11/00—Electrically-long antennas having dimensions more than twice the shortest operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q11/02—Non-resonant antennas, e.g. travelling-wave antenna
    • H01Q11/08—Helical antennas

Definitions

  • This invention relates to antennas and feed networks therefor.
  • antennas that require a feed network that is capable of providing multiple signals of different phases.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • These devices rely on earth orbiting satellites to provide navigation signals, which are typically circularly polarised. Therefore, antennas that radiate and receive using circular polarisation are required.
  • Such antennas are helical antennas, and the particular variant which is the most suitable is a "quadrifilar helical antenna" (QHA).
  • the QHA is a resonant antenna, similar to a dipole, and as such operates with element lengths in multiples of one-quarter wavelength.
  • the QHA has four radiating elements, and requires feed currents in 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree phases, one feed current being provided to each radiating element.
  • antennas in these devices are usually implemented using microstrip technology.
  • One of the difficulties in supplying the antenna radiators using this technology is to provide an easy implemented (and therefore cost effective) feed network to supply signals in the required phase relationship and having the required impedance to provide balanced signals during transmission and reception.
  • the present invention seeks to alleviate the problem specified and whilst it is embodied in several different aspects, it will be apparent from a reading of this specification that each of these aspects are so linked as to form part of the same inventive concept.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist in a quadrifilar helical antenna, including
  • a feed network to provide 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree signals to the radiators, the feed network including
  • each balun providing a signal to two opposite radiators with substantially the same amplitude but differing 180 degrees in phase.
  • each balun can provide for or combine two RF signals 180° phase shifted relative to each other, wherein each balun includes:
  • a third conductive path electrically connected to the first conductive path and electrically connected to the ground plane
  • a fourth conductive path substantially parallel to the third conductive path and connected to the ground plane
  • the second and third conductive paths being electrically connected to each other, and the arrangement of the construction being such that a signal input to the second conductive path results in a substantially similar signal being provided at the first and fourth conductive paths, but being 180° shifted in phase.
  • the second and third conductive paths are arranged to provide inductance and/or capacitance.
  • the balun is resonant at or about the fundamental frequency of the transmitted/received signal.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist in a quadrifilar helical antenna, including
  • the radiators being provided on a substrate and the radiators having a feed end for connection to a feed network
  • the feed network being provided on a substrate provided in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the antenna.
  • At least one balun providing a 180 degrees phase shift is provided on the perpendicular plane.
  • a 90-degree phase shift circuit is provided on a substrate on a further plane, and the further plane is either substantially perpendicular to or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the antenna.
  • the radiator substrate is provided in a substantial cylinder.
  • the radiator substrate is provided on four planar walls. More preferably the invention provides a quadrifilar helical antenna suitable for a hand held GPS receiver, said antenna having a longitudinal axis with four substantially helical radiators arranged about the longitudinal axis, the radiators being provided on a substrate and the radiators having a feed end connected to a feed network, characterised in that the antenna has at least a part of the feed network on a base substrate situated in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the antenna, and said at least part of the feed network on the base substrate includes a pair of balun circuits with each balun circuit providing a signal to two opposite radiators with substantially the same amplitude but differing 180 degrees in phase.
  • the symmetry of the circuits on the base substrate allows the balun circuit conductors to be of substantially equal length and connect directly to the helical antenna. This allows the antenna to be both compact and uni-directional.
  • each balun circuit can include: a ground plane, a first conductive path electrically connected to the ground plane, a second conductive path substantially parallel to the first conductive path, a third conductive path electrically connected to the first conductive path and electrically connected to the ground plane, a fourth conductive path substantially parallel to the third conductive path and connected to the ground plane, wherein the second and third conductive paths are electrically connected to each other, and the arrangement of the construction being such that a signal input to the second conductive path results in a substantially similar signal being provided at the first and fourth conductive paths, but being 180° shifted in phase.
  • the second and third conductive paths are arranged to provide inductance and/or capacitance.
  • the second and third conductive paths are arranged to provide inductance and/or capacitance in the form of a surface mount component.
  • each balun circuit is resonant at or about the fundamental frequency of the transmitted/received signal.
  • the feed network preferably includes a 90-degree phase shift circuit connected to the pair of baluns.
  • part of the feed network including the 90-degree phase shift circuit is mounted on an additional substrate.
  • the additional substrate is connected to and is substantially perpendicular to the base substrate.
  • the additional substrate is provided with a base mounting member, so configured as to allow the antenna to be correctly connected and securely mechanically connected to the circuitry of a device such as a GPS receiver or other communications devices.
  • the invention also includes a device incorporating a quadrifilar helical antenna as described above.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of a quadrifilar helical antenna provided on a thin substrate
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the general arrangement of the feed network according to the present invention
  • Figure 3 is a circuit schematic for a balun to provide a 180 degree phase shift according to the invention
  • Figure 4 is an isometric exploded view of a first example of a QFA according to the present invention
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation of the antenna of Figure 4 in the assembled state
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of a circuit layout for a base planar member for the antenna of
  • Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second example of a QHA according to the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a side elevation of the assembled antenna of Figure 7.
  • quadrifilar antennas which are etched onto a substrate, for example a microstrip substrate, are generally known in the art.
  • An example of a QHA on a flexible dielectric substrate such as Mylar or Kapton is shown in Figure 1, generally referenced 1 (or in Figure 4 a s reference 41).
  • each of the elements 3 is a quarter wavelength, however it will be appreciated that other multiples of this length may be used.
  • the base 4 of each element 3 is connected to a feed network, which either feeds or receives the appropriate signal to/from the element.
  • Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement in which 4 helical radiators are spaced around 4 planar substrates making up a substantially rectangular prism.
  • Other shapes are possible including hexagonal or octagonal prisms, or injection moulded or etched helices (where the areas between the helical radiators can be open space so that the radiators approximate helical wires).
  • the appropriate elements are provided with phase shifted signals at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
  • FIG 2 a feed network according to the invention is shown for achieving the required phase shift between the four elements.
  • the feed network of the present invention may be combined with other known arrangements to still provide an effective antenna.
  • the block diagram showing the preferred feed network arrangement is only one example.
  • the QHA of the present invention is capable of receiving and transmitting. However, for purposes of clarity and easy explanation, the following description of the QFA will refer to transmission only.
  • Elements 21 and 23 are connected to a first 180-degree phase shifter 25.
  • Elements 22 and 24 are connected to a second 180-degree phase shift circuit 26.
  • the inputs to phase shifting circuits 25 and 26 are provided by a 90-degree phase shifting circuit 27.
  • an input signal to be transmitted by the QHA is provided into the 90-degree phase shift circuit 27.
  • the zero degree phase shift output of that circuit is provided to the 180 degree phase shift circuit 25 which provides element 21 with a zero degree phase shifted signal and element 23 with the 180 degree phase shifted signal.
  • the 90 degree phase shift output from circuit 27 is provided to the 180 degree phase shift circuit 26 which provides element 22 with a ninety degree phase shifted signal and element 24 with a 270 degree phase shifted signal.
  • FIG. 3 a simplified circuit diagram for illustrating operation of the phase shift circuits 25 and 26 is shown.
  • These circuits act as baluns. That is to say, the geometry (and surface mount component(s)) of the circuit can be designed so as to provide a desired input impedance for the transmission signal provided to the balun so that the signal is balanced, and such that the source impedance of the balun matches the input impedance of the radiating elements of the antenna so that a balanced transmission signal is provided to the antenna.
  • the preferred balun circuit for circuit elements 25 and 26 of Figure 2 has an input 31, which in practice receives a 50 ohm input signal for example.
  • the signal input at a second track 31 leaves the area of ground plane 32 and as this occurs a certain portion of the signal on track 31 is coupled into the first parallel track 33.
  • the remaining signal travels via a combination of a track in free space and a conductive path (in the preferred embodiment a microstrip) into the third and fourth parallel tracks 34 and 35.
  • the signal Upon encountering the short to ground at the end of track 34, the signal is reflected from the short to ground and a certain portion of the reflected signal is coupled into the parallel track 35.
  • This balun circuit is designed to be resonant so that over a couple of wave cycles, the signal will be coupled into tracks 33 and 35 such that the outputs 36 and 37 of these tracks will each have a signal representative of the signal input at 31, but being 180 degrees phase shifted relative to each other.
  • the second and the third track preferably present an inductance, represented diagrammatically as element 38.
  • Element preferably comprises a surface mount component, but could be merely the track management.
  • the track may have capacitive properties.
  • the arrangement includes a base member 42, which is connected to the base of the antenna 41, and a base mounting component 43.
  • the mounting component 43 carries appropriate conductors and components to provide the 90 degree phase shift circuit (27 in Figure 2)
  • base 42 carries the two baluns (circuits 25 and 26 of Figure 2).
  • the outputs of the baluns are provided adjacent to the edges of the base 42 (as will be shown further below) and are electrically connected (for example by being soldered) to the base terminations of the radiating elements of the antenna 41.
  • FIG 5 the arrangement of Figure 4 is shown in an assembled orientation in side elevation for greater clarity.
  • the base mounting member 43 is configured to allow the antenna to be correctly electrically connected and securely mechanically connected, to the remaining circuitry of a communications device, for example a hand held GPS receiver.
  • FIG 6 a plan view of a circuitry of Figure 4 and 5 is shown.
  • the black outline 61 represents the edge of the substrate.
  • the dark shaded regions represent conductive paths on an upper surface of the board (i.e. the surface nearest the antenna), and the lighter shaded surfaces represent conductive paths on the base of the board (i.e. the side of the substrate which is furthest from the antenna.
  • the light shaded circular area 62 generally represents the ground plane 22 of Figure 2.
  • Tabs 63 represent areas to which incoming signals which are 90 degrees phase shifted relative to each other are provided. The incoming signals passed from tab 63 up to the other surface of the substrate and onto tracks 64 (which represent the second track of Figure 2). As explained with reference to Figure 2, the signal on track 64 is coupled to tracks 65 (which represent the first track in Figure 2) for provision to tabs 66 which in use are electrically connected to elements 21 and 23 of Figure 2.
  • tabs 67 At the other end of tracks 64 are tabs 67 to which a surface mount component for example, is electrically connected and is also electrically connected to further tab 68.
  • Tabs 68 lead onto the further parallel conductors 69 which represent track 3 in Figure 2 and these are provided alongside tracks 70 which represent tracks 4 in Figure 2.
  • Tabs 71 are connected to tracks 70 and these provide electrical connections to elements 22 and 24 of Figure 2.
  • the support 43 makes a mechanical connection to the slots 72 ( Figures 4 and 6) in the base and conductive paths on member 43 are provided arranged so that a simple soldered connection can be made with tabs 63, and a ground plane connection can be made with the remaining region 62.
  • each of the planar members 75 is made of an appropriate substrate such as fibreglass board and electrical connections between adjacent boards are made by soldering for example.
  • the boards are preferably constructed so as to facilitate a mechanical connection for additional structural integrity.
  • each board is configured so as to have the conductor provided on the inner surface of the board for approximately half-length of the board, whereupon the conductor is connected to a second conductor on an adjacent board.
  • the second conductors are provided further from the base and are preferably provided on an external surface of each board.
  • base 77 The layout of base 77 is similar to that described with reference to the Figure 6.
  • the antenna can be used for various devices including:
  • the QHA and feeder networks of Figures 4 and 7 are intended to provide a uni-directional antenna where the antenna would protrude from the top of a hand held GPS receiver.
  • the 90 degree phase shift circuit is provided on a multi-layer printed circuit board extending away from the antenna and substantially parallel to the longitidinal axis of the antenna.
  • the phase shift circuit could be an extension of the base substrate (i.e. at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the antenna or could be non-planar).
  • the symmetry of the balun circuits on the base substrate allows the balun circuit conductors to be of substantially equal length and connect directly to the helical antenna. This allows the antenna to be both compact and uni-directional.
  • the examples provide a novel QHA with a pair of baluns for impedance matching and phase shifting in antenna circuits, particularly circuits of the type intended using microstrip technology.
  • the invention also provides a novel arrangement of balun circuits in order to provide a feed network to a quadrifilar helical antenna.
  • the invention provides a novel physical layout which is robust and easy to manufacture for physically mounting a quadrifilar helical antenna and provides an antenna arrangement which does not necessitate the antenna being physically provided in a form of a cylinder.

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  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)

Abstract

Antenne quadrifilaire hélicoïdale QHA et réseau d'alimentation pour récepteur GPS possédant une antenne hélicoïdale pourvue d'une paire de symétriseurs montés sur une carte de circuit imprimé à angle droit par rapport à l'axe médian de l'antenne. Chaque symétriseur peut produire ou combiner deux signaux radiofréquence déphasés de 180° l'un par rapport à l'autre. Chaque symétriseur comporte un plan de masse (32), un premier trajet conducteur (33) couplé au plan de masse, un deuxième trajet conducteur (31) sensiblement parallèle au premier trajet conducteur, un troisième trajet conducteur (34) couplé au premier trajet conducteur, ainsi qu'au plan de masse, un quatrième trajet conducteur (35) parallèle au troisième trajet conducteur et couplé au plan de masse. Le deuxième (31) et le troisième (34) trajet conducteur sont couplés l'un à l'autre, de sorte qu'une entrée de signal sur le deuxième trajet conducteur permet d'obtenir un signal pratiquement analogue sur le premier (33) et le quatrième (35) trajet conducteur, ce signal étant, par contre, déphasé de 180°.
PCT/NZ2002/000258 2001-11-23 2002-11-22 Antenne helicoidale quadrifilaire et reseau d'alimentation WO2003044895A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002353676A AU2002353676A1 (en) 2001-11-23 2002-11-22 Quadrifilar helical antenna and feed network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ51563501 2001-11-23
NZ515635 2001-11-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003044895A1 true WO2003044895A1 (fr) 2003-05-30

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WO (1) WO2003044895A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1643594A2 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-05 Etop Technology Co., Ltd. antenne
GB2437998A (en) * 2006-05-12 2007-11-14 Sarantel Ltd Dielectrically loaded antenna with a choke for a balanced feed from a screened amplifier
US7633459B2 (en) 2006-06-21 2009-12-15 Sarantel Limited Antenna and an antenna feed structure
US8022891B2 (en) 2006-12-14 2011-09-20 Sarantel Limited Radio communication system
US8134506B2 (en) 2006-12-14 2012-03-13 Sarantel Limited Antenna arrangement
US9112273B2 (en) 2012-01-13 2015-08-18 Harris Corporation Antenna assembly
US9306273B2 (en) 2012-12-06 2016-04-05 Harris Corporation Multifilar antenna

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992005602A1 (fr) * 1990-09-26 1992-04-02 Garmin International, Inc. Unite de navigation personnelle a positionnement pourvue d'une antenne en helice quadrifilaire imprimee
US5450093A (en) * 1994-04-20 1995-09-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Center-fed multifilar helix antenna
US6133891A (en) * 1998-10-13 2000-10-17 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Quadrifilar helix antenna
US6150994A (en) * 1998-09-25 2000-11-21 Centurion Intl., Inc. Antenna for personal mobile communications or locating equipment
US6212413B1 (en) * 1997-11-27 2001-04-03 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Multi-filar helix antennae for mobile communication devices
US6288686B1 (en) * 2000-06-23 2001-09-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Tapered direct fed quadrifilar helix antenna

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992005602A1 (fr) * 1990-09-26 1992-04-02 Garmin International, Inc. Unite de navigation personnelle a positionnement pourvue d'une antenne en helice quadrifilaire imprimee
US5450093A (en) * 1994-04-20 1995-09-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Center-fed multifilar helix antenna
US6212413B1 (en) * 1997-11-27 2001-04-03 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Multi-filar helix antennae for mobile communication devices
US6150994A (en) * 1998-09-25 2000-11-21 Centurion Intl., Inc. Antenna for personal mobile communications or locating equipment
US6133891A (en) * 1998-10-13 2000-10-17 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Quadrifilar helix antenna
US6288686B1 (en) * 2000-06-23 2001-09-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Tapered direct fed quadrifilar helix antenna

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1643594A2 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-05 Etop Technology Co., Ltd. antenne
EP1643594A3 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2006-06-07 Etop Technology Co., Ltd. antenne
GB2437998A (en) * 2006-05-12 2007-11-14 Sarantel Ltd Dielectrically loaded antenna with a choke for a balanced feed from a screened amplifier
US7528796B2 (en) 2006-05-12 2009-05-05 Sarantel Limited Antenna system
GB2437998B (en) * 2006-05-12 2009-11-11 Sarantel Ltd An antenna system
US7633459B2 (en) 2006-06-21 2009-12-15 Sarantel Limited Antenna and an antenna feed structure
US8022891B2 (en) 2006-12-14 2011-09-20 Sarantel Limited Radio communication system
US8134506B2 (en) 2006-12-14 2012-03-13 Sarantel Limited Antenna arrangement
US9112273B2 (en) 2012-01-13 2015-08-18 Harris Corporation Antenna assembly
US9306273B2 (en) 2012-12-06 2016-04-05 Harris Corporation Multifilar antenna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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