Broadband multiple layer dielectric resonator antenna and method of making the same

1. A dielectric resonator antenna, DRA, comprising:

an electrically conductive ground structure;

a plurality of volumes of dielectric materials disposed on the ground structure comprising N volumes, N being an integer equal to or greater than 3, disposed to form successive and sequential layered volumes v i , i being an integer from 1 to N, wherein volume V 1 forms an innermost first volume, wherein a successive volume V i+1 forms a layered shell disposed over and at least partially embedding volume V i , wherein volume V N at least partially embeds all volumes V 1 to V N−1 ;

wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials have different dielectric constants with respect to each other;

a signal feed electromagnetically coupled to one or more of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials;

wherein at least one volume V 1<i<N provides a continuous uninterrupted internal geometric path from a side of the signal feed to an opposing side over a top of volume V 1 that is configured to at least partially support a TE radiating mode;

wherein the at least one volume V 1<i<N has an overall width that is smaller than its overall length, as observed in a plan view of the DRA; and

the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials defining therein a first geometrical path having a first direction, as observed in a plan view of the DRA, that extends from the signal feed to an opposing side of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials, and defining therein a second geometrical path having a second direction, as observed in the plan view of the DRA, that is orthogonal to the first direction of the first geometrical path, the second geometrical path having an effective dielectric constant that is less than an effective dielectric constant of the first geometrical path, the first geometrical path, relative to the second geometrical path, being a favored path for E-field lines associated with the DRA.

2. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein volume V N completely 100% embeds all volumes V 1 to V N−1 collectively.

3. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein volume V N embeds only a portion of volumes V 1 to V N−1 , leaving a portion of each volume V 1 to V N−1 not embedded by volume V N .

4. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein the signal feed is disposed within an opening of the ground structure in non-electrical contact with the ground structure, and is disposed within the one of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials that the signal feed is electromagnetically coupled to.

5. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein volume V 1 has a first surface disposed in direct intimate contact with volume V 2 , and a second surface disposed in direct intimate contact with volume V 3 .

6. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein volume V 1<i<N that is not volume V 1 and is not volume V N has a first surface disposed in direct intimate contact with volume V i−1 , and a second surface disposed in direct intimate contact with volume V N .

7. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein the signal feed is disposed in or in signal communication with volume V 1<i<N that is not volume V 1 and is not volume V N .

8. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein volume V 1 is air.

9. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein the signal feed is disposed in or is electromagnetically coupled to volume V 2 .

10. The DRA according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrically conductive fence disposed around the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials and in electrical contact with and forming part of the ground structure.

11. The DRA according to claim 10 wherein the electrically conductive fence has a height that does not exceed the height of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials.

12. The DRA according to claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive fence has a height that is equal to or greater than 0.2 times the overall height of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials and equal to or less than 0.8 times the overall height of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials.

13. The DRA according to claim 10 wherein the electrically conductive fence has a height that is equal to or greater than 0.2 times the overall height of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials and equal to or less than 3 times the overall height of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials.

14. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein directly adjacent volumes of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials have different dielectric constant values that range from a first relative minimum value at volume V 1 to a relative maximum value at one of volumes V 2 to V N−1 , back to a second relative minimum value at volume V N .

15. The DRA according to claim 14 , wherein the first relative minimum value is equal to the second relative minimum value.

16. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein directly adjacent volumes of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials have different dielectric constant values that range from a first relative minimum value at volume V 1 to a relative maximum value at V [N+1]/2 , where N is an odd integer, back to a second relative minimum value at V N .

17. The DRA according claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive ground structure comprises one or more openings.

18. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein volume V 1 , V 2 , or both volumes V 1 and V 2 , of the plurality of volumes of dielectric materials has a cross section shape, as observed in a plan view of the DRA, of an ellipsoid, or a truncated circle.

19. The DRA according to claim 1 , wherein N is greater than 3.