Magnetoelectric antenna structures
Provided herein are various magnetoelectric dipole antenna arrays and multi-array arrangements for handling radio frequency signals. In one example, an antenna array includes a baseplate conductively coupled to sets of plate elements by support members that position the plate elements at selected distances offset from a surface of the baseplate. Antenna probes are arranged in orthogonal pairs positioned within gaps between a corresponding set of plate elements, with each antenna probe comprising a conductive strip having a feed section coupled to a radio frequency connection through the baseplate, a transverse section generally parallel with the baseplate, and a terminal section directed back toward the baseplate. Dielectric structures for each pair of antenna probes comprise a dielectric material having channels that recess the conductive strips therein and a dielectric spacer positioned between overlapping transverse sections of the antenna probes.
1 . An antenna assembly, comprising:
plate elements coupled to support members that establish selected offset distances from a baseplate for the plate elements;
a pair of probes arranged orthogonally and positioned within gaps between corresponding plate elements; and
dielectric structures for the probes comprising a dielectric material having channels that recess conductive material forming the probes therein and a dielectric spacer positioned between overlapping portions of the probes.
2 . The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein each probe comprises a conductive strip having a feed section coupled to a corresponding radio frequency connection, a transverse section generally parallel with the baseplate, and a terminal section directed back toward the baseplate; and
wherein the overlapping portions of the probes comprise at least a portion of the transverse sections.
3 . The antenna assembly of claim 2 , wherein the dielectric material comprises a foam material having the channels formed therein that recess the conductive strips of the probes flush with a surface of the foam material, and having bores configured to route feed lines between the radio frequency connections and corresponding feed sections of the conductive strips.
4 . The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric spacer comprises a high-K dielectric material selected to reduce multipaction between the probes.
5 . The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support members individually establish the selected offset distances to achieve performance targets for at least one among axial ratio, bandwidth, group delay, and transmission losses.
6 . The antenna assembly of claim 1 , comprising: riser structures on a back surface of the baseplate that provide individual pathlengths among corresponding radio frequency connections through the baseplate and establish selected phase relationships among the probes.
7 . An antenna arrangement, comprising:
a central antenna array surrounded by peripheral antenna arrays;
wherein each among the central antenna array and the peripheral antenna arrays include a corresponding set of antenna structure instances, each antenna structure instance comprising:
plate elements coupled to support members that establish selected offset distances from a baseplate for the plate elements;
probes arranged in orthogonal pairs positioned within gaps between a corresponding set of plate elements; and
dielectric structures for the probes comprising a dielectric material having channels that recess conductive material forming the probes therein and a dielectric spacer positioned between overlapping portions of the probes.
8 . The antenna arrangement of claim 7 , wherein each probe comprises a conductive strip having a feed section coupled to a corresponding radio frequency connection, a transverse section generally parallel with the baseplate, and a terminal section directed back toward the baseplate; and
wherein the overlapping portions of the probes comprise at least portions of the transverse sections.
9 . The antenna arrangement of claim 8 , wherein, for each antenna structure instance, the dielectric material comprises a foam material having the channels formed therein that recess the conductive strips of the probes flush with a surface of the foam material, and having bores configured to route feed lines between the radio frequency connections and corresponding feed sections of the conductive strips.
10 . The antenna arrangement of claim 7 , wherein, for each antenna structure instance, the dielectric spacer comprises a high-K dielectric material selected to reduce multipaction between the probes.
11 . The antenna arrangement of claim 7 , wherein each among the central antenna array and the peripheral antenna arrays comprise separate hexagonal shaped baseplates abutted at corresponding edges to form the antenna arrangement.
12 . The antenna arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the central antenna array is configured to handle higher power transmissions than the peripheral antenna arrays, and comprises an antenna array for a radionavigation system; and
wherein the peripheral antenna arrays each comprise extended coverage electronically steerable arrays (ESAs).
13 . The antenna arrangement of claim 7 , wherein, for each antenna structure instance, the support members individually establish the selected offset distances to achieve performance targets for at least one among axial ratio, bandwidth, group delay, and transmission losses.
14 . The antenna arrangement of claim 7 , comprising: riser structures on a back surface of the baseplates for each antenna structure instance that provide individual pathlengths among corresponding radio frequency connections through the baseplate and establish selected phase relationships among the probes.
15 . An antenna, comprising:
plate elements coupled to a baseplate by support members that establish selected offset distances for the plate elements from the baseplate;
probes comprising conductive members arranged in an orthogonal pair positioned within gaps between the plate elements; and
a dielectric structure having channels that recess at least a portion of the conductive members of the probes therein and a dielectric spacer positioned between overlapping portions of the probes.
16 . The antenna of claim 15 , wherein each conductive member comprises a feed section coupled to a radio frequency connection through the baseplate, a transverse section generally planar with the plate elements, and a terminal section directed back toward the baseplate.
17 . The antenna of claim 15 , wherein the support members individually establish the selected offset distances to achieve performance targets for at least one among axial ratio, bandwidth, group delay, and transmission losses.
18 . The antenna of claim 15 , wherein the dielectric material comprises a foam material having the channels formed therein that recess the conductive members of the probes flush with a surface of the foam material.
19 . The antenna of claim 15 , wherein the probes and of plate elements are sized to support radio frequency transmission bands of at least one among L-band, ultrahigh frequency (UHF) band, and microwave frequency band.
20 . The antenna of claim 15 , comprising:
riser structures on a back surface of the baseplate that provide individual pathlengths among radio frequency connections through the baseplate and establish selected phase relationships among the probes.