Eyring Research Institute, Inc.

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

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Stuart Biddulph

A novel underground guided wave antenna system and method. The system comprises at least one substantially linear, electrically insulated radiating element which is buried in the earth so as to lie no more than approximately one skin depth below the earth's surface. The effective electrical length of each radiating element is equal to at least one-third of the wavelength, as measured in the earth, of the electromagnetic signals being propagated; and the effective electrical length of a radiating element may be made greater than its actual physical length, if desired, by providing tree terminations at the ends of such radiating element. The efficiency of the system can be increased, particularly when operating at high frequencies, by surrounding the radiating elements with a low loss dielectric substance, such as, for example, crushed rock. Preferably, such dielectric substance is configured such that at least a portion of each radiating element adjacent at least one end thereof lies substantially adjacent the earth, while the remaining portions of each radiating element lies substantially adjacent the dielectric substance. In addition, the gain of the system can be significantly increased, while maintaining substantially the same radiation pattern, by forming an underground array comprising a plurality of the above-described radiating elements which are positioned substantially parallel to one another. Significantly, the distance between adjacent radiating elements in such an array can be as small as one-half of the skin depth in the earth of the electromagnetic signals being propagated.

Guided wave antenna system and method

A wireless communication system and method for employing underground or low profile surface deployed current drivers for inducing ground currents in the earth which define loop antennas for sending and receiving electromagnetic signals propagated through the atmosphere over a wide bandwidth. The system uses a current driver whose impedance is adjusted so that it matches the impedance of a transmitter/receiver connected thereto. The current driver is capacitively coupled to the surrounding ground so that the current driver and the earth effectively function together as a vertical plane polarized antenna which propagates a vertically polarized electromagnetic signal. The system can be operated using either a single current driver or, where increased signal gain is desired, using an array of current drivers that are spaced in parallel. A undirectional vertically polarized signal may be produced by shortening the length of one current driver conductor with respect to the other arm. Unwanted cancellation currents may be substantially eliminated from the region surrounding the current driver by positioning low conductivity materials so as to extend into the flow paths of the cancellation currents.

Wireless communication system using current formed underground vertical

A transportable wireless communication system and method for employing lightweight, compact, low profile surface deployed current drivers which are capable of rapid deployment and quick retrieval and which are used for inducing ground currents in the earth so as to send and receive electromagnetic signals propagated through the atmosphere over a wide bandwidth. The impedance of the current driver and earth is adjusted to match the impedance of a transmitter/receiver connected thereto. The current driver is capacitively coupled to the earth so that the current driver and the earth effectively function together as a vertical plane polarized antenna which propagates a vertically polarized electromagnetic signal. The system utilizes either a single current driver or, where increased signal gain is desired, an array of current drivers spaced in parallel. A unidirectional vertically polarized signal may be produced by shortening the length of one current driver conducting arm with respect to the other arm. Unwanted cancellation currents may be substantially eliminated from the region surrounding the current driver by elevating portions of the current drivr or by positioning low conductivity materials so as to extend into the flow paths of the cancellation currents.

Low profile wireless communication system and method

An impact-hardened coupling device and method for matching the impedance of two or more separate electrical elements such as found in an antenna assembly, and for securing and maintaining the electrical elements in impact-hardened electrical contact. Electrical conductors are mounted in a terminal in slideably electrical contact. The electrical conductors are configurated so that their effective impedance substantially matches the line-to-line impedance of a transmission line in turn connected to a transceiver or like equipment. An electrical surge arrester is provided to protect the conductors and the interconnected electrical elements from high loading situations occurring in response to exposure to electromagnetic pulse radiation. The terminals are potted with a resinous material to provide impact protection to the components of the device while continuing to maintain electrical contact between the conductors.

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Provo, UT, United States of America

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