Single feed multi-frequency multi-polarization antenna
View Patent ↗An antenna capable of receiving both left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) signals and right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) signals, and outputting both signals on a single feed. The antenna includes two coplanar concentric patches. The inner patch is substantially square. The outer patch surrounds the inner patch to define a gap therebetween. A resonant parallel inductive/LC circuit interconnects the two patches. The circuit includes a plurality of printed traces within the gap and interconnecting the concentric patches. The gap and each trace function as an LC circuit.
1. A patch antenna comprising:
a first substantially planar, generally square antenna element including a periphery defining first and second notches in opposite sides of the generally square first antenna element;
a second substantially planar, generally square antenna element surrounding the first antenna element and defining a gap therebetween, the first and second antenna elements being substantially coplanar;
four conductors each conductively interconnecting one side of the first antenna element and one side of the second planar antenna element; and
a feed conductively connected to the first antenna element, whereby the first antenna element resonates at a first frequency with a first circular polarization sense, and further whereby the first and second antenna elements together resonate at a second frequency with a second circular polarization sense.
2. The patch antenna of claim 1 wherein each conductor is within the gap between the first and second antenna elements.
3. The patch antenna of claim 1 further including a conductive ground plane spaced apart from the first and second antenna elements.
4. A patch antenna comprising:
a first substantially planar, generally square antenna element;
a second substantially planar, generally square antenna element surrounding the first antenna element and defining a gap therebetween, the first and second antenna elements being substantially coplanar;
four first conductors each conductively interconnecting one side of the first antenna element with one side of the second antenna element;
a generally square electrically conductive cover element over and spaced apart from the first antenna element; and
four second conductors each conductively interconnecting one side of the second antenna element and one side of the cover element.
5. The patch antenna of claim 4 further including a dielectric element interposed between the second antenna element and the cover element.
6. The patch antenna of claim 4 wherein the cover element is in overlapping alignment with the plate element.
7. The patch antenna of claim 4 further including a conductive ground plane spaced apart from the second antenna element opposite the cover element.
8. The patch element of claim 4 further including a feed element connected to only one of the second antenna element and the cover element.
9. The patch element of claim 4 wherein the cover element is coextensive with the second antenna element.
10. The patch antenna of claim 4 wherein the first antenna element includes a periphery defining first and second notches in opposite sides of the generally square first antenna element.
11. The patch antenna of claim 4 wherein the first antenna element includes first and second diagonally opposed truncated corners.
12. The patch antenna of claim 4 wherein:
each first conductor defines a substantially uniform first width; and
each second conductor defines a substantially uniform second width.