The Marconi Company Limited

Christopher G Wildey

David J Iredale

A planar microwave antenna having a resonant back structure (22) constituting a common back plane cavity for an array (20, 27) of resonant slots (21). The back structure (22) comprises a sheet of metal having an arrangement of mechanically pressed projections forming lands (23). The projections extend towards the regions between the slots (21) of the array (20) and are so shaped and positioned that the lands (23) do not intrude into areas of the back plane exposed by the slots (21). The lands (23) provide a rigid support for the slot array (20) and reduce the dimensional tolerance problems encountered in antennas having a single flat back plate. Further, the projections reduce the number of possible degenerate waveguide modes to give an improved antenna performance. The provision of a common back cavity also enables a closer slot spacing than can be achieved when using individual cavities for each pair of slots. The back structure can be manufactured at low cost without recourse to specialist pressing techniques or the use of expensive alloys. A slot antenna incorporating the back structure is suitable for use in DBS (Direct Broadcast by Satellite) TV reception.

Growing community of inventors

Harpenden, United Kingdom

Christopher G Wildey