Ridge waveguide slot array for broadband application

1. A ridged waveguide slot array, comprising:

a waveguide slot body having one or more walls that define a longitudinal axis of the waveguide slot body, the waveguide slot body comprising a plurality of slots disposed on the one or more walls and extending along the longitudinal axis, the waveguide slot body defining a waveguide aperture having a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the major dimension of the waveguide aperture is less than one-half wavelength of a signal intended for propagation therein; and

first and second ridged waveguide sections attached to the waveguide slot body, each of the ridged waveguide sections comprising two spaced-apart opposing ridges disposed on the one or more walls of the waveguide slot body and extending along the longitudinal axis of the waveguide slot body, the first and second ridged waveguide sections extending longitudinally along opposing lateral sides of the waveguide slot antenna body,

wherein the waveguide slot body is characterized by a longitudinal center line, wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is characterized by a slot area, a slot offset distance extending from center of the slot to the longitudinal center line, and a slot-to-slot separation distance extending from center of the slot to center of an adjacent slot; and

wherein each of the slot area, the slot offset distance and the slot-to-slot separation distance is decreased successively for a succession of the plurality of slots.

2. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 1 ,

wherein the slot area includes a slot width and a slot length, and

wherein each of the slot length, the slot width, the slot offset and the slot-to-slot separation distance is decreased successively for a succession of the plurality of slots.

3. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 1 ,

wherein the waveguide slot body comprises two tapered waveguide sections laterally opposed along an axis of the major dimension of the waveguide aperture and a narrowed waveguide section disposed between the two tapered waveguide sections,

wherein the major dimension of the waveguide aperture comprises a major dimension of the narrowed waveguide section, said major dimension of the narrowed waveguide section being smaller than one half wavelength of a signal intended for propagation therein.

4. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 1 , wherein adjacent slots are offset in opposing directions from the longitudinal center line.

5. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 1 , wherein the ridged waveguide slot array includes a first end of the ridged waveguide slot array, and a second end coupled to receive a transmission signal, wherein a slot having each of the smallest slot area, the slot offset and the slot-to-slot separation distance is located proximate to the second end, and a slot having the largest slot area, the slot offset and the slot-to-slot separation distance is located proximate to the first end.

6. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 1 , wherein the ridged waveguide slot array is included within a television transmitting station.

7. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 6 , wherein the ridged waveguide slot array is operable between 470 MHz-820 MHz.

8. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 7 , wherein a first ridged waveguide slot array is operable between 470 MHz-620 MHz, and a second ridged waveguide slot array is operable between 620 MHz-870 MHz.

9. A ridged waveguide slot array, comprising:

a waveguide slot body having one or more walls that define a longitudinal axis of the waveguide slot body, the waveguide slot body comprising a narrowed waveguide section having a plurality of slots disposed thereon and extending along the longitudinal axis, the waveguide slot body characterized by a longitudinal center line and defining a waveguide aperture having a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the major dimension of the waveguide aperture is less than one-half wavelength of a signal intended for propagation therein,

wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is characterized by a slot area, a slot offset distance extending from center of the slot to the longitudinal center line, and a slot-to-slot separation distance extending from center of the slot to center of an adjacent slot; and

wherein each of the slot area, the slot offset distance and the slot-to-slot separation distance is decreased successively for a succession of the plurality of slots.

10. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 9 ,

wherein the slot area includes a slot width and a slot length, and

wherein each of the slot length, the slot width, the slot offset and the slot-to-slot separation distance is decreased successively for a succession of the plurality of slots.

11. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 9 , wherein adjacent slots are offset in opposing directions from the longitudinal center line.

12. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 9 , wherein the ridged waveguide slot array includes a first end of the ridged waveguide slot array, and a second end coupled to receive a transmission signal, wherein a slot having each of the smallest slot area, the slot offset and the slot-to-slot separation distance is located proximate to the second end, and a slot having the largest slot area, the slot offset and the slot-to-slot separation distance is located proximate to the first end.

13. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 9 , wherein the ridged waveguide slot array is included within a television transmitting station.

14. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 13 , wherein the ridged waveguide slot array is operable between 470 MHz-820 MHz.

15. The ridged waveguide slot array of claim 14 , wherein a first ridged waveguide slot array is operable between 470 MHz-620 MHz, and a second ridged waveguide slot array is operable between 620 MHz-870 MHz.