Ball Brothers Research Corporation

Ball Corporation

Lawrence R Murphy

Gary G Sanford

Robert E Munson

Mark H Alspaugh

A method and system for beam steering of a spatially fixed microwave antenna array. The phase of radiating elements and hence the beam position is established by the relative positions of a microwave disc or scan network having concentric microstrip paths thereon and a mechanically driven rotating directional coupler. The directional coupler is the single point feed for the antenna array.

Feed network scanning antenna employing rotating directional coupler

A resonant circularly or elliptically polarized microstrip radiator wherein the size of the radiator is reduced in the resonant or non-resonant dimensions, or both, without reducing the effective resonant dimension or substantially lowering the efficiency of the radiator. Reduction of the resonant dimension is provided by folding the resonant cavity, while reduction of the non-resonant dimension is facilitated by utilization of a low density, low loss dielectric, such that the loss resistance of the element is appreciable with respect to the radiation resistance of the element. The preferred embodiment comprises interdigitated antenna structures.

Stacked antenna structure for radiation of orthogonally polarized signals

A radio frequency antenna structure is disclosed wherein a raised pedestal portion of the ground plane surface is provided and above which pedestal portion a microstrip radiator is disposed. The microstrip radiator is thus disposed on a pedestal at a predetermined distance above the base ground plane to produce mirror image or apparent radiating aperture(s) therebelow. The combined radiation pattern from the real radiating aperture(s) and the mirrored image(s) thereof produces an increase in radiation power at low pointing angles located near the ground plane, thus producing a wider radiation beam without sacrificing radiation efficiency. This form of raised pedestal microstrip radiator is especially useful in phased arrays where it is desired to steer the beam of the array to angles near the ground plane itself.

Growing community of inventors

Longmont, CO, United States of America

Lawrence R Murphy