Trw Limited

Haigan K Chea

Allan C Goetz

Robert G Riddle

A multifunction antenna feed structure (,) that acts as a feed for a multibandwidth antenna system (,) used in connection with a modern tactical aircraft. The feed structure (,) includes a first feed (,) and a second feed (,) electrically connected to first and second feed points on an antenna element (,) at a location where the first feed (,) is impedance matched to the VHF/FM and UHF frequency bands and the second feed (,) is impedance matched to the VHF/AM frequency band. The first and second feeds (,) are positioned within a flared notch (,) between the antenna element (,) and a conductive aircraft structural component (,). The feeds (,) can take on different geometrical configurations, such as cylindrical feeds, cone feeds or taper feeds. The feeds are (,) electrically isolated from conductive aircraft component (,) and are electrically connected to a matching network (,). The matching network (,) includes a first electrical circuit (,) connected to one of the feeds (,) and a second circuit (,) electrically connected to the other feed (,). The first circuit (,) impedance matches the signal from the antenna element (,) to a transceiver circuit (,) at the VHF/FM and UHF bands, and a second circuit (,) impedance matches the second feed (,) to the transceiver circuit (,) at the VHF/AM band.

Dual-feed system for a multifunction, conformal, loadearing structure excitation antenna

An antenna system structurally integrated into a load-bearing structural member of an aircraft, such as a wing (30), horizontal tail section (36), or vertical tail fin (20) in such a way as to cause practically no added aerodynamic drag and to add minimal weight to the aircraft. The antenna system includes a flared notch (22, 32, 34 or 38) of non-conductive material and an antenna feed (12) that excites conductive portions of the structural member on opposite sides of the notch at a selected feed point (40). The conductive portions of the structural member and other conductive portions of the entire aircraft are excited by signals applied to the antenna feed. As a result, the antenna performance provides high gain omnidirectionally, and supports both vertically and horizontally polarized communication functions over a wide range of VHF and UHF bands.

Conformal load-bearing antenna system that excites aircraft structure

An aircraft antenna system integrated into one or more walls of an equipment pod (12) mounted beneath an aircraft (10). The equipment pod (12) has at least one wall with an antenna notch built into it. The antenna notch is tapered or flared toward a wider opening and is bounded on each side by conductive portions of the same pod wall. Other walls of the pod (12) are made from conductive materials, which are in electrical contact with the aircraft structure. The equipment pod (12) provide multiple antenna structures for use in a variety of aircraft applications. Further, use of multiple pods (12) allows an aircraft to be more easily reconfigured for different missions by removing and replacing the equipment pod.

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Oceanside, CA, United States of America

Haigan K Chea