Cloaked low band elements for multiband radiating arrays
A multiband antenna, having a reflector, and a first array of first radiating elements having a first operational frequency band, the first radiating elements being a plurality of dipole arms, each dipole arm including a plurality of conductive segments coupled in series by a plurality of inductive elements; and a second array of second radiating elements having a second operational frequency band, wherein the plurality of conductive segments each have a length less than one-half wavelength at the second operational frequency band.
1. A parasitic element for a base station antenna, comprising:
a plurality of spaced-apart conductive segments; and
a plurality of metallization tracks that are narrower than the conductive segments, each metallization track electrically connecting a respective pair of the conductive segments.
2. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein the parasitic element is a passive element that is mounted adjacent a driven radiating element.
3. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein a number of metallization tracks included in the parasitic element is one less than a number of conductive segments included in the parasitic element.
4. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein the conductive segments are arranged in a line.
5. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein the conductive segments are electrically connected to each other in series by the metallization tracks.
6. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein each metallization track comprises a respective inductor.
7. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein the parasitic element includes at least four conductive segments.
8. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein the parasitic element includes six conductive segments.
9. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the metallization tracks are U-shaped metallization tracks.
10. The parasitic element of claim 1 , wherein the conductive segments and the metallization tracks comprise metallization on a non-conductive substrate.
11. An antenna, comprising:
a reflector that extends in a longitudinal direction; and
a parasitic element mounted to extend forwardly from the reflector,
wherein the parasitic element comprises a plurality of spaced-apart conductive segments that are electrically connected in series.
12. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the parasitic element is aligned to be approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the reflector.
13. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the parasitic element is aligned to be approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reflector.
14. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the parasitic element further comprises a plurality of metallization tracks that are narrower than the conductive segments, each metallization track electrically connecting a respective pair of the conductive segments.
15. The antenna of claim 14 , wherein a number of metallization tracks included in the parasitic element is one less than a number of conductive segments included in the parasitic element.
16. The antenna of claim 14 , wherein at least some of the metallization tracks are U-shaped metallization tracks.
17. The antenna of claim 14 , wherein the conductive segments and the metallization tracks comprise metallization on a non-conductive substrate.
18. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the conductive segments are arranged in a line.
19. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the parasitic element includes at least four conductive segments.
20. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the parasitic element includes six conductive segments.