Single polarization slot antenna array with inter-element capacitive coupling plate and associated methods

1. A slot-mode antenna comprising:

a substrate; and

an array of slot-mode antenna units carried by said substrate, and each slot-mode antenna unit comprising a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about at least one central feed position;

adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units comprising respective spaced apart edge portions defining gaps therebetween; and

a capacitive coupling layer overlapping the respective spaced apart edge portions to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween.

2. The antenna according to claim 1 wherein the capacitive coupling layer comprises continuous capacitive coupling plates along each gap defined by the respective spaced apart edge portions.

3. The antenna according to claim 1 wherein the capacitive coupling layer comprises periodic capacitive coupling plates along each gap defined by the respective spaced apart edge portions.

4. The antenna according to claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises a ground plane and a dielectric layer adjacent thereto; and wherein the patch antenna elements are arranged on said dielectric layer opposite said ground plane and define respective slots therebetween.

5. The antenna according to claim 4 wherein the capacitive coupling plates are arranged within the dielectric layer.

6. The antenna according to claim 4 further comprising a second dielectric layer covering the patch antenna elements; and wherein the capacitive coupling plates are arranged within the second dielectric layer.

7. The antenna according to claim 4 further comprising an antenna feed structure for each antenna unit and comprising a pair of coaxial feed lines, each coaxial feed line comprising an inner conductor and a tubular outer conductor in surrounding relation thereto, said outer conductors being connected to said ground plane, said inner conductors extending outwardly from ends of respective outer conductors, through said dielectric layer and being connected to respective patch antenna elements at the central feed position.

8. The antenna according to claim 1 wherein all of said patch antenna elements have a same shape.

9. The antenna according to claim 8 wherein each patch antenna element has a generally rectangular shape.

10. The antenna according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is flexible.

11. A slot-mode antenna comprising:

a substrate comprising a ground plane and a dielectric layer adjacent thereto; and

an array of slot-mode, antenna units carried by said substrate;

each slot-mode antenna unit comprising a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about a central feed position and on said dielectric layer opposite said ground plane;

adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units having respective spaced apart edge portions defining gaps therebetween; and

capacitive coupling plates adjacent the gaps and overlapping the respective spaced apart edge portions to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween.

12. The antenna according to claim 11 wherein the capacitive coupling plates are arranged within the dielectric layer.

13. The antenna according to claim 11 further comprising a second dielectric layer covering the patch antenna elements; and wherein the capacitive coupling plates are arranged within the second dielectric layer.

14. The antenna according to claim 11 further comprising an antenna feed structure for each antenna unit and comprising a pair of coaxial feed lines, each coaxial feed line comprising an inner conductor and a tubular outer conductor in surrounding relation thereto, said outer conductors being connected to said ground plane, said inner conductors extending outwardly from ends of respective outer conductors, through said dielectric layer and being connected to respective antenna elements at the central feed position.

15. The antenna according to claim 11 wherein said substrate is flexible.

16. A method of making a slot-mode antenna comprising:

forming an array of slot-mode antenna units carried by a substrate, each slot-mode antenna unit comprising a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about a central feed position, adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units having respective spaced apart edge portions defining gaps therebetween; and

providing capacitive coupling plates adjacent the gaps and overlapping the respective spaced apart edge portions to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said substrate comprises a ground plane and a dielectric layer adjacent thereto; and wherein forming comprises arranging the patch antenna elements on said dielectric layer opposite said ground plane to define respective slots therebetween.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein providing comprises arranging the capacitive coupling plates within the dielectric layer.

19. The method according to claim 17 wherein providing comprises:

covering the patch antenna elements with a second dielectric layer; and

arranging the capacitive coupling plates within the second dielectric layer.

20. The method according to claim 16 further comprising providing an antenna feed structure for each antenna unit and comprising a pair of coaxial feed lines, each coaxial feed line comprising an inner conductor and a tubular outer conductor in surrounding relation thereto, said outer conductors being connected to said ground plane, said inner conductors extending outwardly from ends of respective outer conductors, through said dielectric layer and being connected to respective patch antenna elements at the central feed position.