Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/29—Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic
  • H01Q21/293—Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic one unit or more being an array of identical aerial elements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/28—Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
  • H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
  • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
  • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
  • H01Q9/0407—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna
  • H01Q9/0428—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna radiating a circular polarised wave
  • H01Q9/0435—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna radiating a circular polarised wave using two feed points
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
  • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
  • H01Q9/30—Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole
  • H01Q9/42—Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength

Definitions

• Antenna arrangements can be employed in a variety of applications including, for example, Radio-based communication, Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) implementations, and direction finding.
• Systems employing such antenna arrangement may comprise a transmitter antenna configured to transmit EMR, and a receiver antenna configured to receive EMR reflected from a scene.
• Figure 1A is a schematic illustration of an antenna apparatus comprising a dielectric antenna support layer, a ground layer, and a circuit layer, according to some embodiments.
• Figure IB is another schematic illustration of an antenna apparatus with the dielectric antenna support layer removed, according to some embodiments.
• Figure 2 is another schematic illustration of the antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 3 is a further schematic illustration of the antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 4 is a yet other schematic illustration of the antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a power divider of a circuit plane of the antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• Figure 6 is a schematic top view illustration of the power divider, according to some embodiments.
• Figures 7A and 7B are schematic top view antenna illustrations of the antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• FIGS 8A to 8C are schematic side view illustrations of the antenna apparatus during operation and resulting radiation patterns, according to some embodiments.
• Continuous broad contour 50 schematically shows a comparatively increased beamwidth Bl obtainable in the Z-X azimuth plane compared to a second beamwidth B2, illustrated by a narrow contour 60, obtainable by antenna systems known in the art in the same plane.
• the increase in beamwidth may be, for example, at least, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees or 60 degrees.
• Figure 10 showing a simulated intensity radiation pattern, broadened beamwidth, and/or realized gain that may be achieved by an antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments, for example, at least 20 degrees, at least 30 degrees, at least 40 degrees, or at least 50 degrees.
• Figure 11A and 11B are graphs describing the change of realized gain with respect to the frequencies of the third EM radiation.
• Figure 12A and 12B show different views of far field realized gains for various operating parameters, according to some embodiments.
• Figure 13A schematically shows an antenna apparatus according to another embodiment.
• Figure 14 schematically shows an antenna apparatus comprising a plurality of antenna sets arranged along one or more rows, according to some embodiments.
• Figures 15A and 15B show a simulation of the resultant far field realized gain for the arrangement shown in Figure 14, where the frequency is set to be 9.5 GHz, according to some embodiments.
• Figure 16 is a block diagram of an antenna system, according to some embodiments.
• Figure 17A is a flowchart of a method for emitting electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene, according to some embodiments.
• EM electromagnetic
• Figure 17B is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• Embodiments relate to antenna arrangements, and to antenna systems and apparatuses comprising the antenna arrangements. Embodiments may also pertain to methods relating to the transmission of electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene, which may be a free space or a closed space, and/or the reception of EM radiation from a scene, optionally in conjunction with the systems, apparatuses and antenna arrangements discussed herein. Embodiments of the systems, apparatuses and methods may be configured such that a field-of-view (FOV) (also: beamwidth) of a main lobe towards a scene is comparatively wider than what is known in the art.
• An antenna arrangement may herein also be referred to as "antenna set”.
• An antenna arrangement may include a plurality of antenna members or antenna devices. The expression “antenna arrangement” may pertain only to the relative positions and shapes of the antennas, without taking into consideration the various components and/or layers and/or planes for rendering the antennas operable.
• embodiments, examples, scenarios, etc., disclosed herein with respect to the transmission of EM radiation into a scene may be analogously applicable with respect to EM radiation P11186-PCT
• embodiments, examples, etc., disclosed herein with respect to the reception of EM radiation from a scene may be analogously applicable to the transmission of EM radiation into a scene.
• the systems, apparatuses, arrangements, and methods discussed may, for example, be employed in applications such as RADAR, jamming (e.g., communication jamming, navigation signal jamming), direction finding, communication, etc.
• electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by the system may be directed towards a scene.
• the term "scene" may refer to a particular subdivision of (e.g., free) space, where an area of interest may reside.
• a scene may comprise at least one object occupying the subdivision of an (e.g., free) space.
• At least one object occupying the scene may deflect the EM radiation directionality and/or alter EM radiation intensity.
• the object may reflect back EM radiation back to the antenna arrangement.
• the antenna arrangement may include at least two inverted L-shaped antenna members, which may be electrically coupled by electrical connection to a mutual ground plane.
• such antenna arrangement may herein also be referred to as a "set of paired antennas".
• the antenna members may be electrically excited by a feed point that is common to at least two antenna members. Additionally, the antenna members may be further connected to an electrical circuit to facilitate the electrical excitation by the feed point, which in turn is too connected to the mutual ground plane.
• connection may referto a form in which the components of the apparatus and system may be in a physical direct or indirect contact, which may be manifested in an electrically conductive manner, e.g., via a physical line that can transmit an electrical signal, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) copper foil, a conducting wire, and/or the like.
• PCB printed circuit board
• a local cartesian coordinate system LCS is presented for illustrative purposes only, where the circuit plane may be planar and spans in the X-Y directions of the LCS.
• a normal vector N of the circuit plane may point in the Z LCS-direction.
• the circuit plane may herein be referred to as a reference plane for various dimensions illustrative of the apparatus and system.
• the mutual ground plane may serve as common electrical grounding for both the antennas and the electrical circuit.
• the ground plane may be P11186-PCT
• the ground plane may be situated below, between, and/or above the electrical components, which are to be grounded.
• a base of two or more antenna members may for example, have a curved shape, include surface segments which are angled relative to each other, and/or the like.
• the antenna system may comprise (i) a first inverted L, e.g., "IL", shape antenna located at a first site, (ii) a second IL shape antenna located at a second site that is different from the first site, (iii) and a base, configured as or comprising, for example, a circuit plane.
• the circuit plane may comprise or have embedded therein a (iv) feed point and (v) at least one passive electrical component, which serves in conjunction, as a power divider.
• the feed point may function both as an energy input terminal and a power distribution outlet.
• the base may further comprise (vi) a ground plane and(vii) a support plane of at least one dielectric substate layers, which may incorporate for example plated-through-holes (PTH) to ensure structural stability and functionality of the antenna members (also: antennas), relative to each other and with respect to the base.
• PTH plated-through-holes
• an IL antenna or IL antenna member may have a vertical segment, e.g., "leg", and a horizontal segment, e.g. "roof".
• the roof segment may maintain a specific length relationship with respect to leg segment.
• the length relationship may vary between different antenna systems.
• the roof segment may be shorter than a quarterwavelength of the operating power signal frequency.
• the apparatus and system may comprise, for example, an inverted F-antenna.
• the antenna's leg segments may be extended in the Z LCS-direction (about) orthogonally to, e.g., a reference plane such as, for example, the circuit plane.
• the reference plane may span in the X LCS -direction and the Y LCS -direction.
• the antennae leg segments may be extended with a specific angle of tilt relationship relative to the reference plane.
• the roof segments may be aligned with respect to each other, such that, for example, a first longitudinal roof axis of a first IL antenna member and a second longitudinal roof axis of a second IL antenna member coincide.
• the roof segments may be in misalignment (e.g., parallel offset at some distance relative to each other).
• SRA034WO beamwidth may be broader than what could be achieved if the antenna were exactly aligned (i.e., without offset).
• the parallel distance may be adapted to obtain correspondingly different beamwidths.
• the roof segments may be angled (e.g., non-parallel) relative to each other.
• the angles between roof segments of a set of paired antenna members may be adjusted to obtain correspondingly different beamwidths.
• first and second roof axes may not coincide and be parallel relative to each other. In another example, the first and second roof axes may be angled relative to each other.
• the height relative to the reference plane (e.g., circuit plane) of the first antenna roof segment may differ from the height of the second antenna roof segment.
• the antennas roof segments may be coplanar. Consequently, the roof segments may be at the same height relative to the reference plane, e.g., spaced apart at the same distance D from a circuit plane.
• the roof segment of the antenna element may comprise a microstrip antenna, e.g., strip antenna and/or patch antenna.
• a microstrip antenna e.g., strip antenna and/or patch antenna.
• the first antenna and/or the second antenna of set of paired antennas may be configured as slot antennas.
• two slots may be arranged relative to each other such that during EM emission, first EM radiation emitted by the first slot antenna, and second EM radiation emitted by the second EM radiation propagate towards each other, which results in a radiation pattern having a third main beam direction that is about orthogonal to the first and the second beam directions.
• the slots may be quarter wavelength slots, i.e., extend longitudinally along a quarter wavelength.
• any antenna structure that is based on quarter-wavelength radiating element may be used for employment in a set of paired antenna structures, arranged relative to each other to achieve the effects outlined herein.
• the first and second strip antennas incorporated into/or constituting of the roof segments may define a first and a second longitudinal P11186-PCT
• the roof segments may, in combined operation, effect a desired electromagnetic (EM) radiation directionality and pattern.
• the longitudinal axis of the first and second antenna overlap and are aligned, for example, with the Y LCS axis.
• the X-Z LCS plane may be referenced as the azimuth plane and the Y-Z LCS plane may be referenced as the elevation plane.
• the antenna's leg segment may comprise an excitation port at the free end of the leg segment, which may render the antenna member suitable for connection to a conductive base, e.g., circuit plane.
• the antennas may be mutually electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) functioning as the circuit plane, where both first and second antennas excitation ports are electrically connected to the circuit printed onto the board.
• PCB printed circuit board
• the circuit plane may comprise a common feed point, through which a power signal can be concurrently transmitted to and/or received from the at least two antennas.
• the feed point may be disposed on the first antenna by an electrical connection to the first antenna's excitation port.
• the feed point may be disposed on the second antenna by an electrical connection to the second antenna's excitation port.
• the feed point connects with an excitation port, which is located on the free end of the antenna's leg segment, to a transmission line or feedline, through which electromagnetic energy is supplied to or received from the antenna.
• a power divider may be employed capable of splitting input power to the antenna and/or combining output power received from the antennas.
• a power divider may be a passive or active element.
• the power divider may be a Wilkinson power divider, a hybrid power divider, a hybrid ring power divider, a resistive power divider, and/or the like.
• the power divider may be configured to divide an input power signal into at least two output signals fed to the antenna's excitation ports with a specific phase relationship between the at least two output signals.
• the power divider may be configured to allow the adaptive steering of the antenna's main lobe and/or nulls in a desired direction, for maintaining desired transmission and reception conditions. The steering may be based on the tracking of the characteristics related to emitted and/or received EM radiation.
• the power divider may comprise at least two output transmissions lines having an unequal and/or asymmetric path length, which feeds the antenna's excitation ports. Additionally, the unequal and/or asymmetric path length may result in a reduction or prevention of P11186-PCT
• a (e.g., Wilkinson) power divider may also be configured for achieving division of desired power requirement for each excitation ports of the antennas.
• the power divider may additionally comprise one or more passive elements (e.g., resistor), for obtaining the desired power distribution or splitting requirements between the at least two antenna members.
• EM radiation emitted from the roof segment of the first and second antennas may be considered to propagate along a main beam direction of a main lobe, which comprises the highest concentration of radiated power relative to side and back lobe regions of each radiation lobe.
• the main beam of the first antenna may differ from the main beam of the second antenna in directionality, power intensity and pattern formation of the EM radiation.
• main beam main lobe
• primary antenna lobe primary antenna lobe
• primary lobe primary lobe
• principal EM radiation may herein be used interchangeably.
• the first antenna and second antenna may be embedded within a support structure.
• the antennas may be upheld by the support structure, which may comprise at least one dielectric substate layer. Additionally, the antennas may be guided through a plated-through-hole (PTH) incorporated into the at least one dielectric substate layer, which further allows the electrical connection of the antennas to the circuit plane and to the ground plane, all while securing in place both the leg and roof segments of each antenna element.
• PTH plated-through-hole
• the support structure may have a planar or non-planar configuration.
• the support structure layers may comprise an integrated multi-layer PCB.
• the antennas may be embedded directly within the substrate material comprising the support structure.
• the first and second main beams may concurrently propagate towards each other to effect a desired interaction between the first and second EM emissions to result in a desired "combined" EM radiation pattern.
• Such combined EM radiation pattern may herein be referred to as a third EM radiation pattern.
• the third EM radiation pattern may emerge, due to the first and second main beams interaction.
• the third beam may propagate in a third main beam direction, which is about orthogonal to the first and second beam directions, and optionally normal to the planar extensions of the base.
• an angular extension of the resulting third beam may span in a plane orthogonal to the antenna's roof segments, for example, in an instance where the roof segment P11186-PCT
• the third beam may comprise for example: at least ⁇ 130deg, which corresponds to a range for example of at least +/-65deg when reflection behavior is implicitly addressed regarding the broadening of the third beam beamwidth.
• the antenna elevation plane may be the Y-Z LCS plane.
• the beamwidth may be, for example, up to ⁇ 80 deg, or +/-40 deg, e.g., when reflection behavior is implicitly addressed.
• the realized gain may change with respect to changing frequencies. For example, in relation to the resulting third beam the realized gain may continuously decrease with the increase of frequency value in the elevation plane. Contrary, the realized gain will exhibit a decreasing trend which reaches a halt in the azimuth plane.
• the first and second antenna strips may be coplanar, which span parallel to the circuit plane in the X-Y LCS direction and extending in the Z LCS -direction by the length D from the circuit plane. Additionally, the first and second longitudinal axis of the antenna strips may be aligned. Thus, the first and second beam interaction may cause a third beam pattern propagating in the Z LCS -direction orthogonal to the initial first and second longitudinal axis.
• the first and second main beam directions may coincide.
• the first and second longitudinal axis of the antenna strips may be misaligned (e.g., parallel offset relative to each other).
• the entirety of the electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by the antenna arrangement system may comprise the first and the second beam, and, optionally, any derived beam, which may emerge form first and second beam interaction. Additionally, the entirety or the majority of the third EM radiation may propagate towards a scene.
• the antenna system may also include a controller, and a power supply or module configured to power various components of an antenna apparatus.
• the resultant third EM radiation may comprise a broadened beamwidth and/or a greater realized gain in the azimuth plane, e.g., compared to the beamwidth and/or gain obtainable by known antenna systems.
• the incorporation of conductor wall(s) between a first and second antenna of a set of paired antennas may promote the fine-tuning of the antenna arrangement design P11186-PCT
• an inverted L-shaped coupled antenna arrangement of an apparatus 1000 is shown, in association with a virtual local coordinate system LCS, exemplified as a cartesian coordinate system 500.
• LCS virtual local coordinate system
• embodiments are herein disclosed in conjunction with a cartesian coordinate system, this should by no means be construed in a limiting manner.
• the same principles, methods, processes, configurations, etc. described herein with respect to the disclosed cartesian LCS are applicable in conjunction with non-cartesian coordinate systems.
• the arrangement may comprise a first inverted L-shaped antenna 1100; and a second inverted L-shaped antenna 1200, positioned relative to a first L-shaped antenna 1100, e.g., as shown.
• Apparatus 1000 comprising the antenna arrangement may further include a conductive base layer, e.g., a circuit plane 2100, and a ground plane 2200.
• Ground plane 2200 may serve as electrical ground for both the excitation ports of the antennas and the incorporated electrical circuit, which may be embedded in circuit plane 2100.
• Apparatus 1000 may further comprise a feed point 3000 and at least one electrical component 4000 (e.g., passive, and/or active), cooperatively configured as a power divider.
• a support structure may be employed, e.g., in the form of at least one dielectric substate layer 2300, to ensure the antennas' stability and functionality, e.g., support plane 2300.
• First L-shaped inverted antenna 1100 and second L-shaped inverted antenna 1200 may comprise an (e.g., vertical) leg segment and an (e.g., horizontal) roof segment.
• leg segments may herein be referred to as “vertical leg segments”
• roof segments may herein be referred to as “horizontal roof segments”.
• leg segments do not necessarily have to be “vertical”
• roof segments do not necessarily have to be “vertical” with respect to a reference plane.
• the horizontal segment may each maintain a specific length D along the Z LCS axis and relative to circuit plane 2100.
• a first horizontal roof segment 1120 may extend from a first vertical leg segment 1110 and terminate at a first horizontal roof end.
• a second horizontal roof segment 1220 may extend from a second vertical leg segment 1210 and terminate at a second horizontal roof end.
• the first roof segment may be about perpendicular to the first leg segment, and the second roof segment may be about perpendicular to the second leg segment.
• a horizontal segment may be cantilevered with respect to a leg segment.
• Apparatus 1000 may comprise conductive paths 5000, which may be provided onto and/or embedded in circuit plane 2100.
• Circuit plane 2100 may extend in a straight plane along X-Y of the LCS P11186-PCT
• ground plane 2200 may be stacked upon circuit plane 2100 to electrically ground the electrical circuit of conductive path 5000 and antenna's excitation ports. Alternatively, the grounding of the electrical circuit and/or components may be achieved from a different position and/or formation.
• conductive paths 5000 may herein, interchangeably, refer to as electrical circuit; power divider; feed point and electrical component configuration; transmission lines.
• apparatus 1000 in conjunction with a power supply unit (not shown), and a control circuitry (not shown) may be considered to constitute an antenna system.
• Power divider paths 5000 may comprise a first conductive path 5100 and a second conductive path 5200 (also: (power) transmission lines).
• the power transmission lines may be configured to be with an unequal and/or asymmetric path length to prevent or reduce the probability of destructive interference between radiation beams emitted towards each other by the first and second antennas.
• a path length may be defined as the distance of each antenna's point of contact with circuit plane 2100 to feed point 3000.
• power divider 5000 may be configured to obtain a desired division of power supply between first antenna 1100 and second antenna 1200.
• all electrically conductive elements are grounded through the connection to the ground plane 2200.
• a first antenna's roof segment 1120 may maintain a specific length relationship with respect to first leg segment 1110.
• a second antenna's roof segment 1220 may maintain a specific length relationship with respect to a second antenna's leg segment 1210.
• the length relationships of the roof and leg segments may vary between the system's antennas.
• first roof segments 1120 and/or second roof segments 1220 may be shorter than a quarter-wavelength of the operating power signal frequency. Additionally, first roof segments 1120 and/or second roof segments 1220 may each comprise a microstrip antenna, e.g., strip antenna and/or patch antenna. In some examples, a roof segment may be implemented as a part of a slot antenna.
• first antenna 1100 and second antenna 1200 may be connected to a support structure.
• the antennas may be upheld by the support structure, which may comprise at least one 2300 dielectric substate layer, e.g., support plane.
• a first PTH 1130 and a second PTH 1230 may be incorporated in the dielectric substrate layer(s).
• First antenna leg segment 1110 may be received or embedded in a first plated-through-hole (PTH) 1130, and second antenna leg segment 1210 may be received or embedded in through second P11186-PCT
• First roof segment 1120 and second roof segment 1220 may overlay or be embedded in the dielectric surface.
• first PTH 1130 and second PTH 1230 may facilitate the connection of the first antenna 1100 and second antenna 1200 antennas to the conductive base layer, e.g. circuit plane 2100.
• first antennas leg segment 1110 and second antenna leg segment 1210 may be extended in the Z LCS -direction orthogonally to the circuit plane 2100, which spans in the X LCS -direction and the Y LCS -direction.
• first and second antennas leg segments, 1110 and 1210 may be positioned to extend with a specific angle of tilt relationship relative to the ground plane (not shown).
• first leg segment 1110 and second leg segment 1210 may be (about) parallel relative to each other along Z LCS direction.
• first leg segment 1110 and second leg segment 1210 may be purposefully in misalignment relative to each other to form an angle therebetween.
• the circuit plane 2100, the ground plane 2200 and support plane 2300 of a dielectric substate layer may be stacked upon each other.
• the ground plane 2200 and the dielectric substate layer e.g., support plane 2300
• the circuit plane 2100, the ground plane 2200 and support plane 2300 of a dielectric substate layer may be stacked upon each other.
• the ground plane 2200 and the dielectric substate layer e.g., support plane 2300
• first antenna leg segment 1110 and second antenna leg segment 1210 may comprise a first excitation port 1111 and a second excitation port 1211 at the free end of first leg segment 1110 and second leg segment 1210, respectively.
• first excitation port 1111 and second excitation port 1211 allow for connecting the antenna to a conductive base layer of, e.g., circuit plane 2100.
• Circuit plane 2100 may comprise power divider 5000.
• first antenna excitation port 1111 and second antenna excitation port 1211 may be mutually electrically with a common electrical circuit 5000.
• Common feed 3000 may supply power to both first transmission line 5100 and second transmission line 5200.
• First transmission line 5100 may be communicably coupled with first antenna excitation port 1111
• second transmission line 5200 may be communicably coupled with second antenna excitation port 1211.
• electrical circuit 5000 is or may comprise a power divider, which may be configured to divide an input power signal.
• the input power signal may be supplied to feed point 3000 into at least two output signals fed to first antenna excitation port 1111 and second antenna excitation port 1211 with a specific phase relationship between the at least two output signals.
• the system may be configured to allow the adaptive steering of a first main lobe 1101 and a second main lobe 1201 in a desired direction.
• the system may be configured to dynamically P11186-PCT
• first roof segment 1120 may be positioned at a first radiation site 1121, and emit a first electromagnetic (EM) radiation pattern along a first main beam direction, represented by first main lobe 1101
• second roof segment 1220 may be positioned at a second radiation site 1221 and emit a second electromagnetic (EM) radiation pattern along a second main beam direction, represented by second main lobe 1201.
• surface current is generated at first roof segment 1120 and second roof segment 1220, causing the emission of the respective EM radiation.
• electrical element 4000 may comprise a resistor, which may have a defined impedance characteristic.
• the resistor may be configured to achieve a certain level of isolation between first excitation port 1111 and second excitation port 1211. Additionally, while the resistive load presented by resistor 4000 matches (also: substantially matches) the characteristic impedance of the transmission lines 5100 and 5200, minimal signal reflections and maximizing power transfer efficiency may be ensured.
• the configuration of the transmission lines, with the mutual feed point 3000, with or without electrical element 4000, may function as a power divider. In some examples, separate feed points may be employed.
• the unequal and/or asymmetric path length of transmission lines 5100 and 5200 may result in a reduction or prevention of destructive interference between first main direction 1101 and second main direction 1201 of the antenna's EM radiation emission.
• the power divider may be implemented, for example, as a Wilkinson power divider, a hybrid power divider, a hybrid ring power divider, a resistive power divider, etc.
• circuit plane 2100 is transparent and, therefore, electrical circuit 5000 appears floating above the ground plane 2200 in a distance G, relative to the circuit plane 2100, where first excitation port 1111 and second excitation port 1211 may extend through first PTH 1130 and second PTH 1230, allowing the connection to the respective conductive paths 5100 and 5200, which resides on the circuit plane 2100.
• the ground plane 2200 may facilitate the electrical grounding of first inverted L-shaped antenna 1100; second inverted L-shaped antenna 1200; and electrical circuit 5000.
• electrical circuit 5000 may be incorporated and/or embedded in the circuit plane 2100 and situated in a distance G from the ground plane 2200.
• the thickness e.g., the extending dimension defined in relation to the Z LCS axis, of the circuit plane 2100; the ground plane 2200; and/or the support plane 2300 may vary.
• the ground plane 2200 thickness may have been exaggerated in Figure 4 relative to Figure 5 and should not be construed in a limiting and/or inconsistent matter.
• FIG. 6 A top view of X-Y LCS plane is shown, where the defined power divider 5000, e.g., the electrical circuit, resides within the boundary of the circuit plane 2100.
• Power divider 5000 may be configured such that first transmission line 5100 and second transmission line 5200 may be electrically isolated from each other, e.g., by resistor 4000. Alternatively, the first and second transmission lines may be disassociated from each other with only one mutual point of contact at feed point 3000.
• First roof segment 1120 having a first radiation site 1121 may have a first longitudinal axis 1140 and second roof segment 1220 having a second radiation site 1221 may have a second longitudinal axis 1240.
• first antenna radiation site 1121 and second antenna radiation site 1221 may be coplanar, for example both may reside on the X-Y LCS plane. Alternatively, the radiation sites may reside on different planes.
• first longitudinal axis 1140 and second longitudinal axis 1240 may be aligned, as illustrated in Figure 7A.
• first longitudinal axis 1140 and second longitudinal axis 1240 may be misaligned relative to each other, (e.g., parallel and offset relative to each other) as illustrated in Figure 7B, exhibiting a distance L between first longitudinal axis 1140 and second longitudinal axis 1240.
• a first main lobe 1101 and second main lobe 1201 propagate along first longitudinal axis 1140 and second longitudinal axis 1240 from a first radiation site 1121 and a second radiation site 1221, respectively.
• First main lobe 1101 and second main lobe 1201 may propagate towards each other.
• first main lobe 1101 may be propagating along first longitudinal axis 1140 in the positive Y LCS direction
• second main lobe 1201 may be propagating along second longitudinal axis 1240 in the negative Y LCS direction.
• the directionality of the EM radiation emitted by first antenna 1100 and second antenna 1200 may be along a main beam direction.
• the emitted EM radiation from first antenna 1100 and second antenna 1200 may individually have a distinguishable primary radiation pattern, which comprise the highest concentration of radiated power relative to side and P11186-PCT
• the main beam of first antenna 1100 may differ from the main beam of second antenna 1200 in directionality, power intensity and pattern formation of the EM radiation.
• first antenna main beam 1101 and second antenna main beam 1201 may propagate towards each other.
• first main beam 1101 and second main beam 1201 may result in a third radiation pattern having a third main lobe 8310.
• Third main lobe 8310 of third radiation pattern may propagate in a third beam direction away from a plane spanned by X-Y axes.
• Third main lobe 8310 may have a propagation direction in the Z LCS -direction, and may have an angular opening or beamwidth of, for example, at least 120 degrees.
• the angular opening in X-Z plane may extend to 135 degrees, or further.
• a beamwidth of about up to 78 degrees or up to 90 degrees may be achieved with known arrangements.
• the entirety of the electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted (not shown) by the antenna arrangement apparatus and system may comprise a third main lobe 8310, resulting from the interaction between first main beam 1101 and second main beam 1201.
• third EM radiation 8310 may propagate towards a scene, where at least one object occupying the scene may deflect the EM radiation directionality and/or alter EM radiation intensity.
• the at least one object may reflect the EM radiation in the opposite direction to the initial dictation of the EM radiation, for example consider the entirety of the electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted has an apparent principal direction, for illustrative purpose along the positive Y LCS direction, then the deflected EM radiation may propagate back, e.g. reflect, along the negative Y LCS direction.
• antenna apparatus 1000 may be configured to receive third EM radiation having a radiation pattern comprising an incoming third main lobe having a shape corresponding to third main lobe 8310 that may be emitted by the same apparatus.
• Figure 10 showing a simulated intensity radiation pattern, broadened beamwidth, and/or realized gain that may be achieved by an antenna apparatus, according to some embodiments.
• the simulated parameter values are example values only and should not be construed in a limiting manner.
• Figure 11A and 11B are graphs describing the change of realized gain with respect to the frequencies of the third EM radiation.
• Figure 11A is descriptive of the change of realized gain with respect to frequencies in the azimuth plane, where the realized gain may be converged to about a P11186-PCT
• Figure 11B is descriptive of the change of realized gain with respect to the frequencies in elevation plane, where the realized gain trend may be of diminishing values for grater frequencies.
• the third EM radiation beamwidth may be broadened in the azimuth plane. Contrary, the beamwidth in the elevation plane may not exhibit such broadening behaviour of the third EM radiation beamwidth.
• Figure 12A and 12B show different views of far field realized gains for various operating parameters, according to some embodiments. Each color pertains to a different simulated operating frequency.
• Figure 12A may show the far field realized gain in the azimuth plane, which is orthogonal to the roof segment, namely the X-Z LCS plane.
• Figure 12B may show the far field realized gain in the elevation plane, namely the Y-Z LCS plane.
• Figure 13A schematically shows an antenna apparatus 12000 according to another embodiment, where exemplary, non-limiting, configuration of the circuit, ground 2200 and support 2300 planes, when are not represented as transparent in figures, are depicted as opaque planes stacked upon each other
• Figure 13B shows an equivalent circuit diagram of the apparatus shown in Figure 13A, according to some embodiments.
• apparatus 12000 may contain one or more conductor walls disposed between first antenna 1100 and second antenna 1200. These conductor wall(s) may be employed as impedance control 12500.
• the incorporation of conductor wall(s) may promote the fine-tuning of the antenna arrangement design parameters, which adheres to perturbation theory. Namely, proper impedance matching, minimizing reflections, and optimizing performance of the apparatus and system of the inverted "L" shaped coupled antennas arrangement may be expected.
• ideal impedance configuration may be achieved by variations of physical dimensions and/or material properties of the conductor wall(s). Additionally, the orientation of the conductor wall(s) with reference to the circuit plane may also be manipulated to further achieve a desired impedance characteristic.
• FIG. 14 schematically shows an antenna apparatus 13000 comprising a plurality of antenna sets (also: a plurality of sets of paired antennas) arranged in one or more rows, e.g., for implementing a phased-array.
• a first set of at least two antenna sets is arranged in a first row
• a second set of at least two antenna sets is arranged in a second row.
• antenna apparatus 13000 comprising a plurality of antenna sets may be configured in a staggered arrangement.
• antenna apparatus 13000 comprising a plurality of antenna sets may be configured in a staggered arrangement.
• Staggered arrangement may allow adding more elements compared to conventional arrangements, particularly when there are mechanical constraints to integrated elements within the aperture of the antenna array.
• the plurality of the antenna sets may be configured in an inline, diagonal, stacked, grid, circular or random arrangement.
• the configuration of the antenna sets arrangements should not be construed in a limiting manner.
• the antenna sets of a first row may be staggered relative to the antenna sets of a second row such that, for example, two first neighboring antenna sets of a first row partially overlap, with respect to the Y LCS-direction, with a corresponding first antenna set of the second row.
• the staggered arrangement shown may allow increased or maximize the number of sets of paired antennas within a given area of a same PCB, compared to the number of paired antennas that may be arranged with respect to as same PCB area if the plurality of sets of paired antennas were arranged in a non-staggered rectangular line-row matrix configuration.
• the antenna apparatus may be configured as a phased-array.
• a distance DI between two sets of paired antennas may be two- wavelengths
• a distance D2 between two sets of paired antennas may be of one wavelength
• distance DI and distance D2 may exhibit different dimensions, which may be articulated by the value of a desired wavelength, beamwidth and/or may be derived from the configuration of the sets of paired antennas.
• an antenna array 13000 may include one or more dummy or passive elements which are optionally arranged along the edges of the array, for example, for the purpose of reducing or preventing surface current near and/or along those edges, and to prevent or reduce unwanted EM effects, such as unwanted beam-shaping and/or creation of back lobes.
• the other elements in the array are in active mode (receiving/transmitting).
• the following sets of paired antennas may be in passive mode: 13011, 13012, 13013, 13031, 13051, 13071, 13091, 13201, 13301, 13303, 13303, 13023, 13043, 13063, 13083, 13103.
• the remainder sets of paired antennas may be active (transmitting/receiving).
• Figure 15A illustrates the far field realized gain performance in the in P11186-PCT
• Figure 15B may show the far field realized gain in the elevation plane, namely the Y-Z LCS plane.
• an antenna system 16000 may comprise an antenna apparatus 16100, a processor 16200, and a memory 16300.
• Memory 16300 may be configured to store data 16310 and algorithm code 16320.
• Processor 16200 may be configured to execute algorithm code 16320 for the processing of data 16310 resulting in the implementation of an antenna control engine 16400.
• Antenna system 16000 may further include an input/output device 16500 which may be configured to provide or receive any type of data or information.
• Input/output device 16500 may include, for example, visual presentation devices or systems such as, for example, computer screen(s), device interfaces (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus interface), antenna signal feed inputs and/or outputs, and/or audio output device(s) such as, for example, speaker(s) and/or earphones.
• Input/output device 16500 may be employed to access information generated by the system and/or to provide inputs including, for instance, control commands, operating parameters, queries, and/or the like.
• input/output device 16500 may allow a user of antenna system 16000 to perform one or more of the following: antenna signal control, antenna signal phase control, and/or antenna signal power control.
• Antenna system 16000 may further comprise at least one communication module 16600 configured to enable wired and/or wireless communication between the various components and/or modules of the system and which may communicate with each other over one or more communication buses (not shown), signal lines (not shown) and/or a network infrastructure.
• Antenna system 16000 may further include a power module 16700 for powering the various components and/or modules and/or subsystems of the system.
• Power module 16700 may comprise an internal power supply (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and/ or an interface for allowing connection to an external power supply.
• processors and/or memories may be allocated to each component and/or module of antenna system 16000.
• description and claims may refer to a single module and/or component.
• processor 16200 may be implemented by several processors, the following description will refer to processor 16200 as the component that conducts all the necessary processing functions of antenna system 16000.
• Processor 16200 may be implemented by various types of processor devices and/or processor architectures including, for example, embedded processors, communication processors, graphics P11186-PCT
• embedded processors communication processors
• soft-core processors and/or general-purpose processors.
• Memory 16300 may be implemented by various types of memories, including transactional memory and/or long-term storage memory facilities and may function as file storage, document storage, program storage, or as a working memory. The latter may for example be in the form of a static random-access memory (SRAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM), cache and/or flash memory.
• SRAM static random-access memory
• DRAM dynamic random-access memory
• ROM read-only memory
• cache and/or flash memory As working memory, memory 16300 may, for example, include, e.g., temporally-based and/or non-temporally based instructions.
• long-term memory memory 16300 may for example include a volatile or non-volatile computer storage medium, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, a magnetic storage medium, a flash memory and/or other storage facility.
• a hardware memory facility may for example store a fixed information set (e.g., software code) including, but not limited to, a file, program, application
• a method for emitting electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene may include, according to some embodiments, causing the emission of first EM radiation in a first main beam direction and second EM radiation in a second main beam direction, wherein the first main beam direction is opposite to the second main beam direction so that the first and the second EM radiation propagation towards each other to result in a radiation pattern having a third main beam direction that extends orthogonal to the first main beam direction and the second beam direction (block 17100).
• EM electromagnetic
• a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an antenna apparatus may comprise, according to some embodiments, providing a first antenna arranged at a first location and configured to emit first EM radiation in a first main beam direction (Block 17200).
• the method may further include providing a second antenna arranged at a second location spatially separated from the first location and configured to emit second EM radiation in a second main beam direction (block 17202).
• Embodiments pertain to an antenna arrangement configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene and/or for receiving EM radiation from the scene, the antenna arrangement comprising: P11186-PCT
• a first antenna arranged at a first location and configured to emit first EM radiation in a first main beam direction;
• a second antenna arranged at a second location spatially separated from the first location and configured to emit second EM radiation in a second main beam direction;
• first antenna and the second antenna are configured such that, during EM emission, the first EM radiation and the second EM radiation propagate towards each to result in a radiation pattern having a third main beam direction in the azimuth plane that is about orthogonal to the first and the second beam directions.
• the beamwidth is at least 120 degrees.
• the first and the second main beam directions are coplanar.
• the first antenna comprises a first L-shaped conductive element having a first leg segment and a first roof segment extending from the first leg element, the first roof element delineating the first beam axis;
• the second antenna comprising a second L-shaped conductive element having a second leg segment and a second roof segment extending from the second leg element, the second roof element delineating the second beam axis;
• first and second leg segment are antenna feedlines
• first and second roof segments are strip antennas having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively;
• first and second roof segments are about coplanar with respect to a reference.
• an antenna apparatus an apparatus, and, optionally, comprises a circuit plane for feeding the first and the second antenna;
• a ground plane providing ground to both the circuit plane and the first and the second antenna
• a dielectric plane for supporting the first and the second antenna.
• the ground plane is sandwiched between the circuit plane and the dielectric plane.
• the circuit plane is planar and extends in X-Y directions; P11186-PCT
• first and second leg segments extend in Z-direction which is orthogonal to the X- direction and the Y-direction;
• first and second roof segments extend in the X-Y direction, spaced apart at a distance D from the circuit plane.
• the at least one dielectric substate layer comprises plated-through-holes (PTH) for supporting the antennas.
• PTH plated-through-holes
• the antenna apparatus comprises a power divider comprising two output transmissions lines having unequal path length to feed the antennas such to reduce or prevent destructive interference between the first and the second beam direction.
• the circuit plane comprises the power divider, electrically coupled with the ground plane.
• an antenna system is configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene, the antenna system comprising:
• an antenna apparatus comprising:
• a first antenna arranged at a first location and configured to emit first EM radiation in a first main beam direction
• a second antenna arranged at a second location spatially separated from the first location and configured to emit second EM radiation in a second main beam direction;
• first antenna and the second antenna are configured such that, during EM emission, the first EM radiation and the second EM radiation propagate towards each to result in a radiation pattern having a third main beam direction in the azimuth plane that is about orthogonal to the first and the second beam directions;
• one or more memories storing software code portions executable by the one or more processors for controlling the power supply for causing the emission of EM radiation by the first EM radiation and the second EM radiation towards each other.
• the azimuth plane of the antenna apparatus is at least 120 degrees.
• the first and the second main beam directions are coplanar. P11186-PCT
• the first antenna comprises a first L-shaped conductive element having a first leg segment and a first roof segment extending from the first leg element, the first roof element delineating the first beam axis;
• the second antenna comprises a second L-shaped conductive element having a second leg segment and a second roof segment extending from the second leg element, the second roof element delineating the second beam axis;
• first and second leg segment are antenna feedlines
• first and second roof segment are strip antennas having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively;
• first and second roof segments are about coplanar with respect to a reference.
• the system comprises a circuit plane for feeding the first and the second antenna
• a ground plane providing ground to both the circuit plane and the first and the second antenna
• a dielectric plane for supporting the first and the second antenna.
• the ground plane is sandwiched between the circuit plane and the dielectric plane.
• the circuit plane is planar and extends in X-Y direction
• first and second leg segments extend in Z-direction which is orthogonal to the X- direction and the Y-direction;
• first and second roof segments extend in the X-Y direction, spaced apart at a distance D from the circuit plane.
• the at least one dielectric substate layers comprise plated- through-holes (PTH) for supporting the antennas.
• PTH plated- through-holes
• the system comprises a power divider comprising two output transmissions lines having unequal path length to feed the antennas such to reduce or prevent destructive interference between the first and the second beam direction.
• the circuit plane comprises the power divider, electrically coupled with the ground plane.
• Examples pertain to a method for emitting electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene, the method comprising:
• first main beam direction is opposite to the second main beam direction so that the first and the second EM radiation propagation towards each other to result in a radiation pattern having a third main beam direction that extends orthogonal to the first main beam direction and the second beam direction.
• the beamwidth of the third radiation is at least 120 degrees.
• the first and the second main beam directions are coplanar.
• the first antenna comprising a first L-shaped conductive element having a first leg segment and a first roof segment extending from the first leg element, the first roof element delineating the first beam axis;
• the second antenna comprise a second L-shaped conductive element having a second leg segment and a second roof segment extending from the second leg element, the second roof element delineating the second beam axis;
• the first and second leg segment are antenna feedlines
• the first and second roof segment are strip antennas having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively;
• the first and second roof segments are about coplanar with respect to a reference.
• a circuit plane is employed for feeding the first and the second antenna
• a ground plane provides ground to both the circuit plane and the first and the second antenna
• a dielectric plane is employed for supporting the first and the second antenna.
• the ground plane is sandwiched between the circuit plane and the dielectric plane.
• the circuit plane is planar and extends in X-Y directions
• the first and second leg segments extend in Z-direction which is orthogonal to the X-direction and the Y-direction; and P11186-PCT
• the first and second roof segments extend in the X-Y direction, spaced apart at a distance D from the circuit plane.
• the at least one dielectric substate layers comprise plated- through-holes (PTH) for supporting the antennas.
• PTH plated- through-holes
• a power divider comprising two output transmissions lines having unequal path length to feed the antennas such to reduce or prevent destructive interference between the first and the second beam direction.
• the circuit plane comprises the power divider, electrically coupled with the ground plane.
• a method for manufacturing an antenna apparatus configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) radiation towards a scene and/or configured receive EM radiation from a scene, comprises:
• first antenna and the second antenna are configured such that, during EM emission, the first EM radiation and the second EM radiation propagate towards each to result in a radiation pattern having a third main beam direction in the azimuth plane that is about orthogonal to the first and the second beam directions.
• the method of manufacturing results in that, when operating, in the azimuth plane of the antenna apparatus, the beamwidth is at least 120 degrees.
• the method of manufacturing results in that, when operating, the first and the second main beam directions are coplanar.
• the method of manufacturing results in that the first antenna comprises a first L-shaped conductive element having a first leg segment and a first roof segment extending from the first leg element, the first roof element delineating the first beam axis,
• the second antenna comprises a second L-shaped conductive element having a second leg segment and a second roof segment extending from the second leg element, the second roof element delineating the second beam axis; wherein the first and second leg segment are antenna feedlines; and P11186-PCT
• first and second roof segment are strip antennas having a first and a second longitudinal axis, respectively;
• first and second roof segments are about coplanar with respect to a reference plane.
• the method of manufacturing includes providing a circuit plane for feeding the first and the second antenna;
• the ground plane is sandwiched between the circuit plane and the dielectric plane.
• the circuit plane is planar and extends in X-Y directions
• first and second leg segments extend in Z-direction which is orthogonal to the X- direction and the Y-direction;
• first and second roof segments extend in the X-Y direction, spaced apart at a distance D from the circuit plane.
• the method of manufacturing comprises providing plated-through-holes (PTH) in the at least one dielectric substate layers for supporting the antennas.
• PTH plated-through-holes
• the method of manufacturing includes providing a power divider comprising two output transmissions lines having unequal path length to feed the antennas such to reduce or prevent destructive interference between the first and the second beam direction.
• the method of manufacturing includes providing a circuit plane comprising a power divider, electrically coupled with the ground plane.
• Coupled with can mean indirectly or directly “coupled with”.

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• 2024
  • 2024-08-08 IL IL314881A patent/IL314881B1/en unknown
• 2025
  • 2025-07-29 WO PCT/IB2025/057697 patent/WO2026033321A1/en active Pending

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