Dielectrically loaded waveguide hemispherical antenna
A hemispherical antenna includes a ground plane having a circular waveguide. A dielectric lens is coupled to the ground plane. The dielectric lens has a tapered end opposite to an end coupled to the ground plane. The dielectric lens does not include a parasitic crossed-dipole element. The hemispherical antenna is scalable in size for operation at higher operating frequencies.
1. A hemispherical antenna comprising:
a ground plane having a circular waveguide; and
a dielectric lens coupled to the ground plane, the dielectric lens having a tapered end opposite to an end coupled to the ground plane,
wherein the ground plane is configured to deliver a non-hemispherical radiation wave front to the dielectric lens, and
wherein the dielectric lens is configured to generate a hemispherical radiation pattern from the non-hemispherical radiation wave front.
2. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein an aperture of the dielectric lens comprises a tapered wall with a first diameter at the tapered end and a second diameter at the end coupled to the ground plane, wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter.
3. The hemispherical antenna of claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the circular waveguide is greater than the second diameter of the dielectric lens.
4. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein the ground plane comprises a gap between a top portion and a base portion.
5. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein:
the ground plane comprises at least one horizontal protrusion configured to redirect energy outwards or receive energy along an x-y plane parallel to the ground plane; and
whereby a hemispherical coverage of a radiation pattern of the dielectric lens is enhanced by the energy redirected outward or received along the x-y plane by the at least one horizontal protrusion.
6. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein the ground plane comprises a groove and the dielectric lens comprises a retaining ridge having a rim, the groove configured to receive the rim of the retaining ridge therein to hold the dielectric lens in abutting engagement with the ground plane.
7. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein the ground plane comprises a multi-hole circular waveguide interface.
8. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein the ground plane is constructed of a precipitation-hardened alloy, wherein the dielectric lens further comprises a three-dimensional electromagnetic device that has a refractive index other than unity, which is configured as an electromagnetic lens.
9. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric lens is constructed from a combination of materials with electromagnetic characteristics for generating a hemispherical radiation pattern having a frequency in at least a Ka-band, and the hemispherical antenna has only one waveguide.
10. The hemispherical antenna of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric lens is constructed at least partially from thermoplastic.
11. The hemispherical antenna of claim 10 , wherein the dielectric lens is constructed from an amorphous, thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) resin.
12. A hemispherical antenna comprising:
a ground plane having a circular waveguide; and
a single dielectric lens coupled to the ground plane and not having a parasitic crossed-dipole element,
wherein the ground plane is configured to deliver a non-hemispherical radiation wave front to the dielectric lens, and
wherein the dielectric lens is configured to generate a hemispherical radiation pattern from the non-hemispherical radiation wave front.
13. The hemispherical antenna of claim 12 , wherein the single dielectric lens is bonded to the ground plane.
14. The hemispherical antenna of claim 12 , wherein the ground plane and the single dielectric lens each have one tapered end.
15. The hemispherical antenna of claim 12 , wherein the ground plane comprises a multi-tier configuration defining a top hat-shaped profile.
16. The hemispherical antenna of claim 12 , wherein the ground plane and the single dielectric lens are configured to generate a hemispherical radiation pattern, the hemispherical radiation pattern having a frequency in at least Ka-band frequencies.
17. The hemispherical antenna of claim 12 , wherein the ground plane and the single dielectric lens are configured to generate a hemispherical radiation pattern, the hemispherical radiation pattern having a frequency lower than Ka-band frequencies.
18. A method for manufacturing a hemispherical antenna, the method comprising:
providing a ground plane having a circular waveguide;
providing a dielectric lens; and
coupling the dielectric lens to the ground plane, the dielectric lens having a tapered end opposite to an end coupled to the ground plane and the ground plane configured to deliver a non-hemispherical radiation wave front to the dielectric lens, wherein the dielectric lens is configured to generate a hemispherical radiation pattern from the non-hemispherical radiation wave front.
19. The method for manufacturing a hemispherical antenna of claim 18 , further comprising bonding the dielectric lens to the ground plane.
20. The method for manufacturing a hemispherical antenna of claim 18 , further comprising providing the dielectric lens to replace a dielectric support and a parasitic crossed-dipole element.