Antenna for a satellite receiver
Each antenna element within the array is oriented substantially coplanar with respect to the other antenna elements. The array overlies a primary dielectric substrate. A ground plane layer is spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a first dielectric spacer. A beam-forming layer is spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a second dielectric spacer. The beam-forming layer has a set of electrically conductive beam-forming antenna elements overlying a secondary dielectric substrate. A combining network is configured for combining the received electromagnetic signal components from the array, wherein the combining network cooperates to yield or receive a radiation pattern that is generally circularly polarized at the target wavelength range.
1 . An antenna system comprising:
an array of metallic antenna elements for radiating or receiving generally circularly polarized electromagnetic signal components within a target wavelength range, each antenna element within the array oriented substantially coplanar with respect to the other antenna elements, the array overlying a primary dielectric substrate;
a ground plane layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a first dielectric spacer;
a beam-forming layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a second dielectric spacer, the beam-forming layer having a set of electrically conductive beam-forming antenna elements overlying a secondary dielectric substrate; and
a combining network for combining the received electromagnetic signal components from the array, wherein the combining network cooperates to yield or receive a radiation pattern that is generally circularly polarized at the target wavelength range,
wherein each one of the metallic antenna elements comprises an outer semi-elliptical region opposite a central tapered region.
2 . The antenna system according to claim 1 wherein the ground plane comprises a metallic layer that extends radially outward with respect to a central vertical axis to substantially the same extent as an outermost perimeter of the array extends radially outward from the central vertical axis.
3 . The antenna system according to claim 1 wherein the beam-forming layer is stacked above the array along a central vertical axis.
4 . The antenna system according to claim 3 wherein a secondary perimeter of the conductive beam-forming antenna elements is aligned with a primary perimeter of the array of metallic antenna elements, where the primary perimeter and the secondary perimeter extend radially outward from a central vertical axis.
5 . The antenna system according to claim 1 wherein the array of antenna elements comprises first metal-plated through holes and wherein the ground plane comprises outer holes, with respect to the central vertical axis, that are aligned with the first metal-plated through-holes; and further comprising:
a plurality of conductive members configured to form a mechanical and electrical connection between primary portions of the array of antenna elements and respective secondary portions or circuitry of ground plane.
6 . The antenna system according to claim 5 wherein the conductive members comprise conductive cylindrical members.
7 . The antenna system according to claim 1 wherein one or more intervening notches are configured to intervene between the outer semi-elliptical region and the central tapered region.
8 . The antenna system according to claim 1 wherein the generally circularly polarized electromagnetic signal comprises a right-hand polarized electromagnetic signal component and a left-hand polarized electromagnetic signal component.
9 . The antenna system according to claim 8 wherein the combining network is configured to isolate or separate the right-hand polarized electromagnetic signal component from the left-hand polarized electromagnetic signal component.
10 . The antenna system according to claim 8 wherein shape of the metallic antenna elements are symmetrical in the X-Y plane about a central vertical axis.
11 . An antenna system comprising:
an array of metallic antenna elements for radiating or receiving generally circularly polarized electromagnetic signal components within a target wavelength range, each antenna element within the array oriented substantially coplanar with respect to the other antenna elements, the array overlying a primary dielectric substrate, wherein the array of antenna elements includes a plurality of first metal-plated through-holes in the primary dielectric substrate;
a ground plane layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a first dielectric spacer;
a beam-forming layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a second dielectric spacer, the beam-forming layer having a set of electrically conductive beam-forming antenna elements overlying a secondary dielectric substrate, wherein the set of electrically conductive beam-forming antenna elements include a plurality of second metal-plated through-holes that are aligned with the first metal-plated through-holes;
a combining network for combining the received electromagnetic signal components from the array, wherein the combining network cooperates to yield or receive a radiation pattern that is generally circularly polarized at the target wavelength range; and
a plurality of electrically conductive members configured to form a mechanical and electrical connection between the first metal-plated through-holes and second metal-plated through-holes, where the first and second metal-plated through-holes comprise inner holes that are located radially proximate to the central vertical axis.
12 . The antenna system according to claim 11 wherein the ground plane comprises a metallic layer that extends radially outward with respect to a central vertical axis to substantially the same extent as an outermost perimeter of the array extends radially outward from the central vertical axis.
13 . The antenna system according to claim 11 wherein the conductive members comprise conductive cylindrical members.
14 . An antenna system comprising:
an array of metallic antenna elements for radiating or receiving generally circularly polarized electromagnetic signal components within a target wavelength range, each antenna element within the array oriented substantially coplanar with respect to the other antenna elements, the array overlying a primary dielectric substrate;
a ground plane layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a first dielectric spacer;
a beam-forming layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a second dielectric spacer, the beam-forming layer having a set of electrically conductive beam-forming antenna elements overlying a secondary dielectric substrate, wherein the electrically conductive beam-forming elements comprise a set of generally elliptical members having an outward facing radial notch, wherein the electrically conductive beam forming members are substantially coplanar; and
a combining network for combining the received electromagnetic signal components from the array, wherein the combining network cooperates to yield or receive a radiation pattern that is generally circularly polarized at the target wavelength range.
15 . The antenna system according to claim 14 wherein the ground plane comprises a metallic layer that extends radially outward with respect to a central vertical axis to substantially the same extent as an outermost perimeter of the array extends radially outward from the central vertical axis.
16 . An antenna system comprising:
an array of metallic antenna elements for radiating or receiving generally circularly polarized electromagnetic signal components within a target wavelength range, each antenna element within the array oriented substantially coplanar with respect to the other antenna elements, the array overlying a primary dielectric substrate;
a ground plane layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a first dielectric spacer;
a beam-forming layer spaced apart from the array of antenna elements by a second dielectric spacer, the beam-forming layer having a set of electrically conductive beam-forming antenna elements overlying a secondary dielectric substrate;
a combining network for combining the received electromagnetic signal components from the array, wherein the combining network cooperates to yield or receive a radiation pattern that is generally circularly polarized at the target wavelength range; and
a lower housing member, the lower housing member having base with a metallic, curved wall, and fins extending radially outward from the wall, wherein the ground plane is connected to a central region of the lower housing member.
17 . The antenna system according to claim 16 wherein the ground plane comprises a metallic layer that extends radially outward with respect to a central vertical axis to substantially the same extent as an outermost perimeter of the array extends radially outward from the central vertical axis.
18 . The antenna system according to claim 16 wherein the metallic antenna elements are surrounded by a finned structure.
19 . The antenna system according to claim 16 further comprising:
an upper housing member connected to the lower housing member via one or more fasteners, wherein the upper housing member comprises a dielectric lid configured to enclose the beam-forming layer, the conductive ground plane, and the array.