Integrated waveguide antenna array
An antenna array is provided having a waveguide cavity. The waveguide cavity has a plurality of holes formed on the top surface thereof. Radiating elements are provided on the top surface, each about one of the holes. A radiation source coupled planar wave radiation through an opening in one of the sides of the waveguide cavity.
1. An antenna comprising:
a parallel plate waveguide cavity having a planar top surface, a planar bottom surface parallel to the top surface, and a sidewall, the top surface having a plurality of holes provided thereupon;
a plurality of radiating elements, each element comprising a tubular conductor extending from the top surface and positioned at a perimeter of one of the plurality of holes; and
a planar wave radiation source coupling planar radiation energy through an opening in the sidewall.
2. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the tubular conductor is has a conical shape.
3. The antenna of claim 2 , wherein the tubular conductor further comprises slots for introducing a phase shift to a planar wave propagating in the tubular conductor.
4. The antenna of claim 2 , wherein the tubular conductor further comprises a retarder for introducing a phase shift to a planar wave propagating in the tubular conductor.
5. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the tubular conductor has a square cross-section.
6. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the tubular conductor has a rectangular cross section.
7. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the tubular conductor has a cross-shaped cross section.
8. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the radiating elements are arranged in n rows and m columns.
9. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is polygonal.
10. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is curved.
11. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the radiation source comprises a sectoral horn.
12. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the radiation source comprises a curved reflector.
13. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the radiation source comprises a slotted waveguide array.
14. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the radiation source comprises a microstrip.
15. A two-dimensional antenna array, comprising:
a square waveguide cavity having a square top surface, a square bottom surface, and a sidewall bounding at least two sides of the waveguide, the top surface having a plurality of holes provided thereupon, the holes arranged in equal number of rows and columns;
a plurality of radiating elements, each element comprising a tubular conductor extending from the top surface and positioned about one of the plurality of holes; and
a planar wave radiation source coupling planar radiation energy through one side of the wave guide.
16. The antenna array of claim 15 , further comprising a second planar wave radiation source coupling a planar wave through a second side of the waveguide.
17. The antenna array of claim 16 , wherein the planar wave radiation source couples a horizontally polarized planar wave and the second planar wave radiation source couples a vertically polarized planar wave.
18. The antenna array of claim 15 , wherein each of the radiating elements comprises a circularly polarizing element.
19. The antenna array of claim 15 , wherein the radiating elements are equally spaced apart.
20. The antenna array of claim 15 , wherein the radiation source comprises one of:
a microstrip, a slotted waveguide, a sectoral horn, and a curved reflector.