WO1993009577A1 - Terrestrial antennas for satellite communication system - Google Patents

Terrestrial antennas for satellite communication system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1993009577A1
WO1993009577A1 PCT/US1992/009286 US9209286W WO9309577A1 WO 1993009577 A1 WO1993009577 A1 WO 1993009577A1 US 9209286 W US9209286 W US 9209286W WO 9309577 A1 WO9309577 A1 WO 9309577A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conductive
phased
antenna elements
layer
antenna
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1992/009286
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Asu Ram Jha
Original Assignee
Calling Communications Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Calling Communications Corporation filed Critical Calling Communications Corporation
Priority to DE69227254T priority Critical patent/DE69227254T2/en
Priority to EP92925034A priority patent/EP0611490B1/en
Publication of WO1993009577A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993009577A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H01Q21/065—Patch antenna array
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • H01Q1/243—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use with built-in antennas
    • H01Q1/244—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use with built-in antennas extendable from a housing along a given path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/20—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path
    • H01Q21/205—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along or adjacent to a curvilinear path providing an omnidirectional coverage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/14—Relay systems
    • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
    • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
    • H04B7/1853—Satellite systems for providing telephony service to a mobile station, i.e. mobile satellite service
    • H04B7/18569—Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction operations control, administration, maintenance
    • H04B7/18571—Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction operations control, administration, maintenance for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations

Definitions

  • Satellite Communication System by Edward Fenton Tuck et al., assigned United States Serial Number 07/783,754;
  • the present invention relates to the field of satellite communications. More particularly, this invention provides a compact, electronically steerable, phased-array antenna for use with a portable, hand-held telephone.
  • Conventional cellular systems utilize a network of land-based antenna towers called "cell sites,” which send and receive microwave signals that link customers using mobile phones in their vehicles or hand-held portable units. Since cell sites are only found in densely populated areas, cellular service is severer limited. Communication links in this network are frequently impaired when a customer travels from one geographical cell to another, or when hills or buildings occlude the Iine-of-sight pathway of the microwave radiation which carries the signals.
  • No single public communications network is presently capable of offering continuous world-wide service to a customer using a mobile or portable phone without the use of costly and large antenna systems.
  • the overwhelming majority of commercial spacecraft and transponders which are currently operating do not generally possess the power capacity to communicate directly with a hand-held telephone unless it is attached to an antenna dish that measures from one to several feet in diameter.
  • the problem of providing an economically viable world-wide network for voice, data, and video which can be used by mobile and portable phones with antennas that are matched in practical proportion to the size of the phone has presented a major challenge to the communications business.
  • the Terrestrial Antennas disclosed and claimed in this patent application solve the problems encountered in previous attempts to construct reliable and effective hand-held telephones using built-in, practical antennas that can communicate directly with spacecraft in orbit.
  • the present invention comprises a novel, compact, multi-element, electronically steerable phased array antenna.
  • the various embodiments of the invention utilize active phased array designs which use printed circuit antenna and MMIC technology. These designs employ circularly polarized, dual-frequency printed circuit antenna elements measuring only a fraction of an inch in diameter.
  • One of the embodiments of the invention includes an elevation array and an azimuth array which both reside on a trapezoidal, semi-conical housing that resembles a flattened pyramid.
  • Both the top and the curved exterior of the pyramid support circular, slotted, printed circuit patches on their surfaces which bound individual radiating antenna elements. Since the entire antenna is only a few inches in diameter and less than two inches high (less than 5 cm), it can be incorporated as an integral element of the phone or can be mounted at the end of a retractable mast. Other embodiments of the invention employ hemispherical or cylindrical configurations. These unique antennas permit direct communication with satellites in low Earth orbit using the 20 and 30 GHz frequency bands. The antenna and its associated circuitry are sufficiently powerful to provide dependable service virtually anywhere on land, sea or in the air. The present invention also includes novel printed circuit low-loss delay lines that are employed to provide required phase shifts to steer the beams radiated by the hand-held antenna.
  • the present invention is a vital element of a novel Satellite Communication System, which is referred to above.
  • the Terrestrial Antennas will enable hand-held telephone designers to overcome the difficulties which plague conventional cellular phones.
  • the present invention will offer an entirely new class of mobile and portable communication that will revolutionize the telephone industry.
  • Figure 1 is perspective view of a hand-held portable phone that includes the present invention.
  • a hemispherical microwave antenna extends from the body of the phone on a collapsible mast.
  • Figures 2 and 3 supply top and side views of a generally trapezoidal, semi-conical embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 4 and 5 present top and side views of a hemispherical embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention which takes the shape of a right circular cylinder.
  • Figures 7 and 8 provide enlarged illustrations of one of the circular antenna elements.
  • Figure 7 is a top view and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view.
  • Figure 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are schematic representations of a series of a five bit, time delay phase shifter.
  • FIGS 14 and 15 are side and top views of an alternate embodiment of the invention which incorporates dual frequency antenna elements.
  • Figures 16 and 17 are top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antenna elements.
  • Figures 18 and 19 show enlarged side and top views of one of the alternative embodiments of the dual frequency antennas.
  • FIGS 22 and 23 reveal schematic diagrams of the receive and transmit circuits utilized in one of the several embodiments of the invention.
  • Figures 24 and 25 depict elevational and plan views of one of the embodiments of the invention which incorporates a hexagonal lattice of radiating elements.
  • Figures 26 and 27 show plan and sectional views of dual-frequency, stacked element, microstrip printed circuit antennas.
  • Figures 28 and 29 show plan and sectional views of dual-frequency, co-located, interleaved, microstrip printed circuit antennas.
  • Figures 30 and 31 show cross-sectional and plan views of 20/30 GHz, 61-element, electronically steerable, phased array antennas incorporating a hexagonal lattice.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a hand-held portable phone that includes a Terrestrial Antenna for a Satellite Communication System.
  • a hemispherical millimeter wave antenna 10 is used in conjunction with a portable telephone T that includes an LCD display screen L, a keypad K, and a battery pack BP.
  • the antenna 10 is mounted on a collapsible mast CM, which is shown in. both the extended and stowed positions, EX and ST.
  • Figures 2 and 3 exhibit top and side views of the invention 10A, which incorporates a generally trapezoidal housing.
  • An inclined exterior surface 12 includes an upper and a lower portion 12A and 12B. This slanted ring 12 is attached to both a top circular surface
  • Both the side and top surfaces 12 and 14 provide support for a number of generally circular antenna elements 18.
  • the patches 18 on the side 12 of the antenna 10A form an azimuth array, while those situated on the top 14 belong to an elevation array.
  • These elements 18 utilize a conductive patch 20 bearing a cross-slot 22 that is formed from two individual perpendicular slots 22A and 22B.
  • the diameter of the top surface 14 is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
  • the side surface 12 is 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) high, and the bottom surface 16 is 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) wide.
  • the nominal gain of this embodiment is approximately 20 dB.
  • the diameter of the radiating patches shrink to about seventy percent of the larger 20 GHz antenna patch.
  • beams emanated by this embodiment are capable of being steered electronically over 360 degrees in the azimuth plane and plus or minus 60 degrees in the elevation plane.
  • Active and passive microwave components are located within the housing attached to a ground plane.
  • the terms "azimuth” and “elevation” refer to the two dimensions in which beams are steered.
  • the elevation dimension defines an angle EA measured from the local horizon from zero to ninety degrees.
  • the azimuth dimension delineates the angle AA in the plane which is tangent to the surface of the Earth at the location of the antenna.
  • the range of the azimuth angle is zero to three hundred and sixty degrees.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 depict another embodiment of the invention 10B, which makes use of dual-frequency radiating elements located on a hemispherical or dome-shaped surface.
  • the preferred embodiment of this configuration 10B utilizes a dome having a diameter of about 2.5 inches (1 cm).
  • the nominal gain of the hemispherical antenna is about 20 dB over the desired range of scan angles.
  • the radiating elements, along with their integrated phase shifter, provide beam steering over 360 degrees in the azimuth plane and plus or minus 60 degrees in the elevation plane.
  • a variation of the dome embodiment 10B is characterized by a flattened or truncated surface at the top of the dome.
  • Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention 10C that takes the shape of a right circular cylinder having a curved cylindrical surface 28, a top circular surface 30, and a bottom circular surface 32.
  • the cylindrical antenna 10C has a nominal gain of 20 dB, and offers beam steering over 360 degrees in the azimuth plane and plus or minus 70 degrees in the elevation plane.
  • this antenna is designed to measure three inches (7.6 cm) across and one inch (2.5 cm) high. A reduction of thirty to forty per cent can be achieved if the 30 GHz frequency is utilized.
  • Figures 7 and 8 supply detailed renditions of one of the circular antenna elements 18.
  • Figure 7 is a top view which includes a conductive patch layer 20 that has been milled, molded, or etched so that it bears two intersecting slots 22A and 22B.
  • the resulting cross-slot 22 comprises two perpendicular slots which do not have equal lengths. The dissimilar lengths insure that the radiation emitted from the antenna 10 will be circularly polarized.
  • Figure 8 portrays a cross-section of element 18.
  • a copper patch 20 that includes cross-slot 22 sits atop a nonconductive substrate layer 34, which resides above a ground plane layer 36.
  • Each conductive patch 20 is 233 mils in diameter and from 0.25 to 1.00 mil thick.
  • Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 supply schematic diagrams of a five bit, time delay phase shifter 38.
  • Each printed circuit delay line 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 provides the necessary phase shift depending on the line length. In one embodiment of the invention, these lines 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 provide phase shifts of 11.25, 22.50, 45.00, 90.00, and 180.00 degrees, respectively.
  • the present invention utilizes these conductive pathways to select the appropriate delay for steering the antenna beams.
  • Each antenna element 18 is coupled to its own phase shifter 38.
  • the series-resonant printed circuit patch arrays are formed by connecting rows of patches through high impedance microstrip lines. The radiating patch elements are excited by low-loss microstrip lines arranged perpendicular to the resonant arrays. Each feed line will excite all the resonant arrays, forming a pencil beam in the broadside direction.
  • the direction of the beam is steered by the low-loss, phase shifting elements with solid state switches located in the feed line.
  • the present invention combines the phased array section and using a common aperture beamfo ⁇ ner into a compact, low-loss, low-profile antenna structure.
  • Figures 14 and 15 reveal side and top views of an alternate embodiment of the invention 50 which incorporates a hemispherical structure 52 covered by dual frequency antenna elements 54.
  • Figures 16 and 17 show top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antennas 54.
  • Figures 18 and 19 show enlarged side and top views of one of the alternative embodiments of the dual frequency antennas. The edge of lower circular surface
  • Figures 20 and 21 show enlarged top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antenna elements 54 which includes an upper conductive layer 56, a tower conductive layer 58, and two conductive vias 59 and 60.
  • Figure 21 also depicts a foam layer 62, a dielectric layer 64, and a ground plane layer 66.
  • the radiating elements are printed on a high performance substrate.
  • the feed networks and distribution circuits are printed on the lower side of the substrate.
  • the active microwave components are located below the dielectric substrate.
  • the entire antenna structure is secured to the ground plate 66.
  • FIGS 22 and 23 reveal schematic block diagrams of the receive and transmit circuits 68 and 97 utilized in one of the several embodiments of the invention.
  • the receive circuit 68 comprises a 20 GHz printed circuit four element subarray 70 which includes feeds 72.
  • the feeds 72 convey signals to a first radio frequency (RF) amplifier 74, a first band pass filter
  • RF radio frequency
  • the mixer 80 combines the output of the second RF amplifier 78 and a source 82, which, in turn, receives the output of a synthesizer 84.
  • the output of the mixer 80 is fed to a third RF amplifier 86 and to an intermediate frequency (IF) band pass filter (BPF) 90, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 92, a digital band pass filter (DBP) 94, and a threshold detector 96.
  • a decoder 88 is connected to the output lead of RF amplifier 86.
  • the transmit circuit 97 shown in Figure 23 contains a 30 GHz printed circuit four element subarray 98 which has feeds 100 coupled to an amplifier 102, an encoder 104, an RF source 106 and a synthesizer 108.
  • Figures 24 and 25 depict side and top views of another embodiment 110 of the miniaturized antenna that is characterized by a top element 112, radiating elements 114, a soft substrate 115, a ground plane 116 and a dummy element 117.
  • the radiating elements 114 are arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern and are separated by approximately 0.075 inches (0.19 cm).
  • Figures 26, 27, 28 and 29 are plan and sectional views of dual frequency antennas.
  • Figure 26 exhibits a top view 118 of a 30 GHz printed circuit patch element 120 above a 20 GHz patch element 122.
  • Figure 27 shows the same hardware in a cross-sectional side view 126 that reveals the substrate layer 124 that separates the 20 GHz and 30 GHz elements 120 and 122, as well as a layer of foam 128 and a ground plane 130.
  • Figure 28 shows a series of
  • Figures 28 and 29 portray an alternative arrangement in which the active patches 120 and 122 are situated on either side of the substrate 124, as opposed to having element 122 embedded within substrate 124 as shown in Figure 27.
  • Figures 30 and 31 show cross-sectional and plan views of an antenna with a hexagonal lattice.
  • Figure 30 comprises a cross-sectional view 132 that includes a radome 134 covering a dummy element 135, dual frequency printed circuit elements 136 and 137, a microwave substrate 138, feed networks and distribution circuits 140, active microwave components 142, and a ground plane and support structure 144.
  • the top view shown in Figure 31 reveals an array of 20 and 30 GHz patches 136 and 137 deployed in a hexagonal lattice with the dummy element 135 at its center.
  • the Terrestrial Antennas disclosed above may be used for voice or data communications.
  • the portable transceiver unit T that incorporates the present invention 10 will provide a direct ground to satellite link (GSL) to a constellation of 840 spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
  • the compact antennas 10 are designed to send and receive signals to satellites that are within a cone having a vertical axis that point toward the zenith which measures 80 degrees across.
  • the angle from the terminal to the satellite, called the "mask angle” is sufficiently wide to insure that there are always at least two satellites in the constellation flying overhead to service portable units, but is also high enough above the horizon to virtually eliminate occultation by terrain, buildings, or trees.
  • the 40 degree mask angle also limits the path length of the signal, protects link margins and thus reduces power requirements.
  • the constellation of spacecraft will be capable of offering continuous coverage between 70 degrees N and 70 degrees S latitude. Every satellite emanates 256 simultaneous beams, which are multiplexed to 4,096 positions. Regions on the ground which are illuminated by the radio beams from the satellite are called the "footprints" or “cells” that have hexagonal outlines and measure approximately 1400km by 1400km. Each individual beam illuminates a ground track of 20km by 20km and carries a pilot tone which identifies the source of each beam that enables the terrestrial transceiver to initiate contact with the orbiting network. Signal processing components residing in the spacecraft are responsible for electronically steering active antenna arrays on board each satellite. Eveiy satellite controls the assignment of channels to terminals requesting services.
  • the satellites monitor the signal qualify and select which one is best suited to handle the call to the terminal. Satellites measure the time delay and Doppler shift for each subscriber signal to determine the location of the ground unit within the beam footprint.
  • the receive beam from the ground terminal lags the transmit beam emitted from the satellite by a fixed interval.
  • the terminal transmits its data to the satellite at a delay specified by the satellite in its preceding scan. This method is used to compensate for delay differences caused by variations in path lengths.
  • the scan pattern among beams is coordinated to insure that all cells being scanned at one instant are separated by sufficient distance to eliminate interference and cross-talk among customers using similar hand-held equipment.
  • the footprints on the ground are relatively small.
  • an innovative k>gical ⁇ physical cell mapping scheme is utilized. For details about this novel technique, please refer to the copending patent application by Patterson and Sturza entitled Beam Compensation Methods for Satellite Communication System, which is cross-noted above.
  • the vertical axis of the antenna 10 should point at the zenith, but the beam steering capabilities of the antenna 10 can overcome the effects of using the transceiver T at different angles, as long as the signal from the portable phone remains pointed somewhere within the mask angle. If the orientation of the antenna 10 presents a problem for the subscriber, the hand-held unit can be connected to an external antenna which is mounted at a fixed angle or which is more sensitive.
  • the low power design of the present invention substantially eliminates any radiation hazards.
  • the number of elements 18 which are deployed on the antennas 10 is directly proportional to the total gain achieved by the array.
  • the number, N, for a hexagonal lattice is given by the expression:
  • the design choices for the selection of materials is largely determined by the performance requirements that are encountered using the 20 GHz the 30 GHz frequency bands.
  • Three commercially available materials would be suitable for the substrates for the present invention. These include Rohacell rigid sfyrofoam material and Roger RT/5870 and RT/5880 materials, which are both glass microfiber-reinforced PTFE composite substrates.
  • Teflon fiberglass is an extremely rigid material, which is a desirable property for the substrate, its cost is nearly twice that of sfyrofoam.
  • the dielectric constant, ejon for each of these substrates ranges from 1.35 to 2.55.
  • sfyrofoam is the least expensive material
  • the housing enclosure can be fabricated from a lightweight aluminum alloy.
  • the Terrestrial Antennas for Satellite Communication System described above will help to overcome the limits that circumscribe the performance and potential of existing telephone systems.
  • the present invention is capable of offering continuous voice, data and video service to customers across the globe on the land, on the sea, or in the air. Instead of merely improving upon or expanding existing land-based systems, the present invention bypasses centralized terrestrial switching hardware by placing all the intelligence of the network in orbit. Unlike conventional hierarchical systems, which are linked together by a complex web of wires, cables, glass fibers, and microwave repeaters that are very expensive to build and maintain, the present invention liberates the true communications potential of existing land- based networks by routing signals through spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The present invention will revolutionize the telecommunications industry, and offer a wide spectrum of services and industrial opportunities around the world.

Abstract

Terrestrial antennas (10A, 10B and 10C) which are capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals directly to and from satellites in low Earth orbit are disclosed. The preferred embodiments of the invention employ printed circuit antenna elements (18) measuring only a fraction of an inch (less than 2 cm) in diameter. One embodiment (10A) includes an elevation array residing on a circular surface (14) and an azimuth array residing on a conical surface (12). This first embodiment (10A) resembles a flattened pyramid. Both the top and the curved exterior of the pyramid support circular, slotted, printed circuit patches (18). Other embodiment of the invention employ hemispherical (10B) or cylindrical (10C) configurations.

Description

Terrestrial Antennas for Satellite Communication System
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENT APPLICAΗONS The present patent application is related to the following commonly-owned and commonly-assigned pending patent applications filed on October 28, 1991, November 8, 1991, June 6, 1992, July 16, 1992 and August 18, 1992:
Satellite Communication System by Edward Fenton Tuck et al., assigned United States Serial Number 07/783,754;
Method of Conducting a Telecommunications Business Implemented on a Computer by Edward Fenton Tuck, assigned United States Serial Number 07/895,295;
Switching Methods for Satellite Communication System by David Palmer Patterson and Moshe Lerner Liron, assigned United States Serial Number 07/790,805;
Beam Compensation Methods for Satellite Communication System by David Palmer
Patterson and Mark Alan Stuiza, assigned United States Serial Number 07/790,318;
Spacecraft Antennas & Beam Steering Methods for Satellite Communication System by Douglas Gene Lockie, assigned United States Serial Number 07/790,271;
Spacecraft Intersatellite Link for Satellite Communication System by Douglas Gene Lockie et al., assigned United States Serial Number 07 915,172; and
Spacecraft Designs for Satellite Communication System by James R. Stuart, assigned United States Serial Number 07/931,625.
The specifications of the patent applications listed above are hereby incorporated by reference. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of satellite communications. More particularly, this invention provides a compact, electronically steerable, phased-array antenna for use with a portable, hand-held telephone.
BACKGROUND ART
While cellular phones now offer convenient service for mobile and portable telephones that was uncommon only a decade ago, currently available cellular service is limited in scope, and is often unreliable and subject to interference and interruption. Conventional cellular systems utilize a network of land-based antenna towers called "cell sites," which send and receive microwave signals that link customers using mobile phones in their vehicles or hand-held portable units. Since cell sites are only found in densely populated areas, cellular service is severer limited. Communication links in this network are frequently impaired when a customer travels from one geographical cell to another, or when hills or buildings occlude the Iine-of-sight pathway of the microwave radiation which carries the signals.
Recent attempts to overcome these shortcomings of widely-available cellular service have met with mixed results. Elaborate and heavy transportable phone systems which include a large satellite dish for communication directly with geosynchronous satellites have recently become commercially available. These systems are bulky, require large power supplies, and are extremely expensive.
No single public communications network is presently capable of offering continuous world-wide service to a customer using a mobile or portable phone without the use of costly and large antenna systems. The overwhelming majority of commercial spacecraft and transponders which are currently operating do not generally possess the power capacity to communicate directly with a hand-held telephone unless it is attached to an antenna dish that measures from one to several feet in diameter. The problem of providing an economically viable world-wide network for voice, data, and video which can be used by mobile and portable phones with antennas that are matched in practical proportion to the size of the phone has presented a major challenge to the communications business. The development of an easy-to-use, hand-held telephone having its own power supply and a practical antenna suitable for direct communication to a satellite network would constitute a major technological advance and would satisfy a long felt need within the electronics and telephone industries. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENΗON
The Terrestrial Antennas disclosed and claimed in this patent application solve the problems encountered in previous attempts to construct reliable and effective hand-held telephones using built-in, practical antennas that can communicate directly with spacecraft in orbit. The present invention comprises a novel, compact, multi-element, electronically steerable phased array antenna. The various embodiments of the invention utilize active phased array designs which use printed circuit antenna and MMIC technology. These designs employ circularly polarized, dual-frequency printed circuit antenna elements measuring only a fraction of an inch in diameter. One of the embodiments of the invention includes an elevation array and an azimuth array which both reside on a trapezoidal, semi-conical housing that resembles a flattened pyramid. Both the top and the curved exterior of the pyramid support circular, slotted, printed circuit patches on their surfaces which bound individual radiating antenna elements. Since the entire antenna is only a few inches in diameter and less than two inches high (less than 5 cm), it can be incorporated as an integral element of the phone or can be mounted at the end of a retractable mast. Other embodiments of the invention employ hemispherical or cylindrical configurations. These unique antennas permit direct communication with satellites in low Earth orbit using the 20 and 30 GHz frequency bands. The antenna and its associated circuitry are sufficiently powerful to provide dependable service virtually anywhere on land, sea or in the air. The present invention also includes novel printed circuit low-loss delay lines that are employed to provide required phase shifts to steer the beams radiated by the hand-held antenna.
The present invention is a vital element of a novel Satellite Communication System, which is referred to above. The Terrestrial Antennas will enable hand-held telephone designers to overcome the difficulties which plague conventional cellular phones. The present invention will offer an entirely new class of mobile and portable communication that will revolutionize the telephone industry.
An appreciation of other aims and objectives of the present invention and a more complete and comprehensive understanding of this invention may be achieved by studying the following description of a preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPΗON OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is perspective view of a hand-held portable phone that includes the present invention. In one of the preferred embodiments, a hemispherical microwave antenna extends from the body of the phone on a collapsible mast. Figures 2 and 3 supply top and side views of a generally trapezoidal, semi-conical embodiment of the invention. Figures 4 and 5 present top and side views of a hemispherical embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention which takes the shape of a right circular cylinder. Figures 7 and 8 provide enlarged illustrations of one of the circular antenna elements.
Figure 7 is a top view and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view.
Figure 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are schematic representations of a series of a five bit, time delay phase shifter.
Figures 14 and 15 are side and top views of an alternate embodiment of the invention which incorporates dual frequency antenna elements.
Figures 16 and 17 are top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antenna elements.
Figures 18 and 19 show enlarged side and top views of one of the alternative embodiments of the dual frequency antennas. Figures 20 and 21 depict enlarged top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antenna elements.
Figures 22 and 23 reveal schematic diagrams of the receive and transmit circuits utilized in one of the several embodiments of the invention.
Figures 24 and 25 depict elevational and plan views of one of the embodiments of the invention which incorporates a hexagonal lattice of radiating elements.
Figures 26 and 27 show plan and sectional views of dual-frequency, stacked element, microstrip printed circuit antennas.
Figures 28 and 29 show plan and sectional views of dual-frequency, co-located, interleaved, microstrip printed circuit antennas. Figures 30 and 31 show cross-sectional and plan views of 20/30 GHz, 61-element, electronically steerable, phased array antennas incorporating a hexagonal lattice.
BΛESTMODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENΗON Figure 1 illustrates a hand-held portable phone that includes a Terrestrial Antenna for a Satellite Communication System. In one of the preferred embodiments, a hemispherical millimeter wave antenna 10 is used in conjunction with a portable telephone T that includes an LCD display screen L, a keypad K, and a battery pack BP. In this version of a compact hand-held transceiver T, the antenna 10 is mounted on a collapsible mast CM, which is shown in. both the extended and stowed positions, EX and ST.
Figures 2 and 3 exhibit top and side views of the invention 10A, which incorporates a generally trapezoidal housing. An inclined exterior surface 12 includes an upper and a lower portion 12A and 12B. This slanted ring 12 is attached to both a top circular surface
14 and a bottom circular surface 16. Both the side and top surfaces 12 and 14 provide support for a number of generally circular antenna elements 18. The patches 18 on the side 12 of the antenna 10A form an azimuth array, while those situated on the top 14 belong to an elevation array. These elements 18 utilize a conductive patch 20 bearing a cross-slot 22 that is formed from two individual perpendicular slots 22A and 22B. In one embodiment that is designed for use with the 20 Ghz band, the diameter of the top surface 14 is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). The side surface 12 is 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) high, and the bottom surface 16 is 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) wide. The nominal gain of this embodiment is approximately 20 dB. For the 30 GHz band, the diameter of the radiating patches shrink to about seventy percent of the larger 20 GHz antenna patch. For a trapezoidal geometry where the ratio of the bottom 16 and top 14 surfaces is 5/3, beams emanated by this embodiment are capable of being steered electronically over 360 degrees in the azimuth plane and plus or minus 60 degrees in the elevation plane. Active and passive microwave components are located within the housing attached to a ground plane. When used in this description and in the claims, the terms "azimuth" and "elevation" refer to the two dimensions in which beams are steered. The elevation dimension defines an angle EA measured from the local horizon from zero to ninety degrees. The azimuth dimension delineates the angle AA in the plane which is tangent to the surface of the Earth at the location of the antenna. The range of the azimuth angle is zero to three hundred and sixty degrees.
Figures 4 and 5 depict another embodiment of the invention 10B, which makes use of dual-frequency radiating elements located on a hemispherical or dome-shaped surface. A hemispherical surface 24, which is mated to a bottom circular surface 26, is covered by antenna elements 18. The preferred embodiment of this configuration 10B utilizes a dome having a diameter of about 2.5 inches (1 cm). The nominal gain of the hemispherical antenna is about 20 dB over the desired range of scan angles. The radiating elements, along with their integrated phase shifter, provide beam steering over 360 degrees in the azimuth plane and plus or minus 60 degrees in the elevation plane. A variation of the dome embodiment 10B is characterized by a flattened or truncated surface at the top of the dome.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention 10C that takes the shape of a right circular cylinder having a curved cylindrical surface 28, a top circular surface 30, and a bottom circular surface 32. Like the hemisphere 10B, the cylindrical antenna 10C has a nominal gain of 20 dB, and offers beam steering over 360 degrees in the azimuth plane and plus or minus 70 degrees in the elevation plane. For 20 GHz operation, this antenna is designed to measure three inches (7.6 cm) across and one inch (2.5 cm) high. A reduction of thirty to forty per cent can be achieved if the 30 GHz frequency is utilized. Figures 7 and 8 supply detailed renditions of one of the circular antenna elements 18.
Figure 7 is a top view which includes a conductive patch layer 20 that has been milled, molded, or etched so that it bears two intersecting slots 22A and 22B. The resulting cross-slot 22 comprises two perpendicular slots which do not have equal lengths. The dissimilar lengths insure that the radiation emitted from the antenna 10 will be circularly polarized. Figure 8 portrays a cross-section of element 18. A copper patch 20 that includes cross-slot 22 sits atop a nonconductive substrate layer 34, which resides above a ground plane layer 36. Each conductive patch 20 is 233 mils in diameter and from 0.25 to 1.00 mil thick. Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 supply schematic diagrams of a five bit, time delay phase shifter 38. Each printed circuit delay line 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 provides the necessary phase shift depending on the line length. In one embodiment of the invention, these lines 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 provide phase shifts of 11.25, 22.50, 45.00, 90.00, and 180.00 degrees, respectively. The present invention utilizes these conductive pathways to select the appropriate delay for steering the antenna beams. Each antenna element 18 is coupled to its own phase shifter 38. The series-resonant printed circuit patch arrays are formed by connecting rows of patches through high impedance microstrip lines. The radiating patch elements are excited by low-loss microstrip lines arranged perpendicular to the resonant arrays. Each feed line will excite all the resonant arrays, forming a pencil beam in the broadside direction. The direction of the beam is steered by the low-loss, phase shifting elements with solid state switches located in the feed line. The present invention combines the phased array section and using a common aperture beamfoπner into a compact, low-loss, low-profile antenna structure.
Figures 14 and 15 reveal side and top views of an alternate embodiment of the invention 50 which incorporates a hemispherical structure 52 covered by dual frequency antenna elements 54. Figures 16 and 17 show top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antennas 54. Figures 18 and 19 show enlarged side and top views of one of the alternative embodiments of the dual frequency antennas. The edge of lower circular surface
53 is visible in Figure 18. Figures 20 and 21 show enlarged top and cross-sectional views of one of the dual frequency antenna elements 54 which includes an upper conductive layer 56, a tower conductive layer 58, and two conductive vias 59 and 60. The cross-sectional view in
Figure 21 also depicts a foam layer 62, a dielectric layer 64, and a ground plane layer 66. The radiating elements are printed on a high performance substrate. The feed networks and distribution circuits are printed on the lower side of the substrate. The active microwave components are located below the dielectric substrate. The entire antenna structure is secured to the ground plate 66.
Figures 22 and 23 reveal schematic block diagrams of the receive and transmit circuits 68 and 97 utilized in one of the several embodiments of the invention. The receive circuit 68 comprises a 20 GHz printed circuit four element subarray 70 which includes feeds 72. The feeds 72 convey signals to a first radio frequency (RF) amplifier 74, a first band pass filter
(BPF) 76, a second RF amplifier 78, and a mixer 80. The mixer 80 combines the output of the second RF amplifier 78 and a source 82, which, in turn, receives the output of a synthesizer 84. The output of the mixer 80 is fed to a third RF amplifier 86 and to an intermediate frequency (IF) band pass filter (BPF) 90, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 92, a digital band pass filter (DBP) 94, and a threshold detector 96. A decoder 88 is connected to the output lead of RF amplifier 86. The transmit circuit 97 shown in Figure 23 contains a 30 GHz printed circuit four element subarray 98 which has feeds 100 coupled to an amplifier 102, an encoder 104, an RF source 106 and a synthesizer 108.
Figures 24 and 25 depict side and top views of another embodiment 110 of the miniaturized antenna that is characterized by a top element 112, radiating elements 114, a soft substrate 115, a ground plane 116 and a dummy element 117. The radiating elements 114 are arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern and are separated by approximately 0.075 inches (0.19 cm).
Figures 26, 27, 28 and 29 are plan and sectional views of dual frequency antennas. Figure 26 exhibits a top view 118 of a 30 GHz printed circuit patch element 120 above a 20 GHz patch element 122. Figure 27 shows the same hardware in a cross-sectional side view 126 that reveals the substrate layer 124 that separates the 20 GHz and 30 GHz elements 120 and 122, as well as a layer of foam 128 and a ground plane 130. Figure 28 shows a series of
20 and 30 GHz patch elements 120 and 122 residing together on a portion of an antenna. Figures 28 and 29 portray an alternative arrangement in which the active patches 120 and 122 are situated on either side of the substrate 124, as opposed to having element 122 embedded within substrate 124 as shown in Figure 27. Figures 30 and 31 show cross-sectional and plan views of an antenna with a hexagonal lattice. Figure 30 comprises a cross-sectional view 132 that includes a radome 134 covering a dummy element 135, dual frequency printed circuit elements 136 and 137, a microwave substrate 138, feed networks and distribution circuits 140, active microwave components 142, and a ground plane and support structure 144. The top view shown in Figure 31 reveals an array of 20 and 30 GHz patches 136 and 137 deployed in a hexagonal lattice with the dummy element 135 at its center.
The Terrestrial Antennas disclosed above may be used for voice or data communications. The portable transceiver unit T that incorporates the present invention 10 will provide a direct ground to satellite link (GSL) to a constellation of 840 spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The compact antennas 10 are designed to send and receive signals to satellites that are within a cone having a vertical axis that point toward the zenith which measures 80 degrees across. The angle from the terminal to the satellite, called the "mask angle," is sufficiently wide to insure that there are always at least two satellites in the constellation flying overhead to service portable units, but is also high enough above the horizon to virtually eliminate occultation by terrain, buildings, or trees. The 40 degree mask angle also limits the path length of the signal, protects link margins and thus reduces power requirements.
The constellation of spacecraft will be capable of offering continuous coverage between 70 degrees N and 70 degrees S latitude. Every satellite emanates 256 simultaneous beams, which are multiplexed to 4,096 positions. Regions on the ground which are illuminated by the radio beams from the satellite are called the "footprints" or "cells" that have hexagonal outlines and measure approximately 1400km by 1400km. Each individual beam illuminates a ground track of 20km by 20km and carries a pilot tone which identifies the source of each beam that enables the terrestrial transceiver to initiate contact with the orbiting network. Signal processing components residing in the spacecraft are responsible for electronically steering active antenna arrays on board each satellite. Eveiy satellite controls the assignment of channels to terminals requesting services. When a terminal has more than one satellite in view, the satellites monitor the signal qualify and select which one is best suited to handle the call to the terminal. Satellites measure the time delay and Doppler shift for each subscriber signal to determine the location of the ground unit within the beam footprint. The receive beam from the ground terminal lags the transmit beam emitted from the satellite by a fixed interval. The terminal transmits its data to the satellite at a delay specified by the satellite in its preceding scan. This method is used to compensate for delay differences caused by variations in path lengths. The scan pattern among beams is coordinated to insure that all cells being scanned at one instant are separated by sufficient distance to eliminate interference and cross-talk among customers using similar hand-held equipment.
Because the satellite antennas operate at a relatively high gain, the footprints on the ground are relatively small. The small cell sizes, combined with the rapid motion of the satellite footprint over the Earth's surface, means that a terminal remains in the same cell for only a few seconds. To avoid the rapid handoff from satellite to satellite every few seconds, an innovative k>gical\physical cell mapping scheme is utilized. For details about this novel technique, please refer to the copending patent application by Patterson and Sturza entitled Beam Compensation Methods for Satellite Communication System, which is cross-noted above.
For optimal performance, the vertical axis of the antenna 10 should point at the zenith, but the beam steering capabilities of the antenna 10 can overcome the effects of using the transceiver T at different angles, as long as the signal from the portable phone remains pointed somewhere within the mask angle. If the orientation of the antenna 10 presents a problem for the subscriber, the hand-held unit can be connected to an external antenna which is mounted at a fixed angle or which is more sensitive. The low power design of the present invention substantially eliminates any radiation hazards.
The number of elements 18 which are deployed on the antennas 10 is directly proportional to the total gain achieved by the array. The number, N, for a hexagonal lattice is given by the expression:
Figure imgf000010_0001
where D is the aperture and λ is the wavelength at the highest frequency. This expression indicates that about 61 elements having two inch (5.1 cm) aperture should be used for a frequency of 30 GHz. The appropriate phase shift, φ, that is electronically selected to steer the beams using the various microstrip phase delay lines is determined by the following equation:
φ^anθ
where θ is the scan angle.
The design choices for the selection of materials is largely determined by the performance requirements that are encountered using the 20 GHz the 30 GHz frequency bands. Three commercially available materials would be suitable for the substrates for the present invention. These include Rohacell rigid sfyrofoam material and Roger RT/5870 and RT/5880 materials, which are both glass microfiber-reinforced PTFE composite substrates.
While Teflon fiberglass is an extremely rigid material, which is a desirable property for the substrate, its cost is nearly twice that of sfyrofoam. The dielectric constant, e„ for each of these substrates ranges from 1.35 to 2.55. Although sfyrofoam is the least expensive material,
• it is far less rigid than either RT/5870 or RT/5880. One quarter ounce (8 grams) copper is used for the printed circuit antenna elements. The housing enclosure can be fabricated from a lightweight aluminum alloy.
CONCLUSION Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to a particular preferred embodiment, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow. The various orbital parameters and satellite population and configuration statistics that have been disclosed above are intended to educate the reader about one preferred embodiment, and are not intended to constrain the limits of the invention or the scope of the claims. The List of Reference Characters which follows is intended to provide the reader with a convenient means of identifying elements of the invention in the specification and drawings. This list is not intended to delineate or narrow the scope of the claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The Terrestrial Antennas for Satellite Communication System described above will help to overcome the limits that circumscribe the performance and potential of existing telephone systems. The present invention is capable of offering continuous voice, data and video service to customers across the globe on the land, on the sea, or in the air. Instead of merely improving upon or expanding existing land-based systems, the present invention bypasses centralized terrestrial switching hardware by placing all the intelligence of the network in orbit. Unlike conventional hierarchical systems, which are linked together by a complex web of wires, cables, glass fibers, and microwave repeaters that are very expensive to build and maintain, the present invention liberates the true communications potential of existing land- based networks by routing signals through spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The present invention will revolutionize the telecommunications industry, and offer a wide spectrum of services and industrial opportunities around the world.
Figure imgf000012_0001
Figure imgf000013_0001
Figure imgf000014_0001

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for use with a portable, hand-held telephone (T) which is capable of communicating directly with a satellite in Earth orbit comprising:
an antenna surface (24) capable of transmitting and receiving radio beams to and from said satellite in Earth orbit;
said antenna surface (24) being capable of steering radio beams in an azimuth dimension;
said antenna surface (24) being capable of steering radio beams in an elevation dimension; and
a pluralify of phased-array antenna elements (18); said pluralify of phased-array antenna elements being located on said antenna surface (24).
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which said antenna surface (24) is generally hemispherical in shape.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which said pluralify of phased-array of antenna elements (18) include
an upper conductive patch layer (20); said upper conductive patch layer (20) having a first slot (22A) and a second slot (22B) cut in said upper conductive patch layer (20); said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) being arranged perpendicular to each other; said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) also being unequal in length;
a conductive ground plane layer (36); and
a nonconductive substrate layer (34); said nonconductive substrate layer (34) being located adjacent to both said upper conductive patch layer (20) and said conductive ground plane layer (36).
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which said antenna surface (24) is used to transmit and to receive radio beams in the twenfy and thirty GHz frequency bands.
5. An apparatus as recited in Claim 3, further comprising:
a pluralify of five bit, time delay phase shifters (38);
each of said plurality of five bit, time delay phase shifters (38) including a first conductive pathway (40), a second conductive pathway (42), a third conductive pathway (44), a fourth conductive pathway (46), and a fifth conductive pathway (48); each of said conductive pathways (40, 42, 44, 46 & 48) being twice as long as its previous neighbor; and
each of said plurality of five bit, time delay phase shifters (38) being coupled to one of said antenna elements of both of said plurality of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) in a one-to-one correspondence configuration.
6. An apparatus for use with a portable, hand-held telephone (T) which is capable of communicating directly with a satellite in Earth orbit comprising:
a generally truncated conical antenna (10A) capable of transmitting and receiving radio beams to and from said satellite in Earth orbit;
said generally truncated conical antenna (10A) including
a first antenna surface (12) being capable of steering radio beams in an azimuth dimension;
a second antenna surface (14) being capable of steering radio beams in an elevation dimension;
a plurality of phased-array antenna elements (18); said pluralify of phased-array antenna elements being located on said first and said second antenna surfaces (12 and 14).
7. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, in which
said first antenna surface (12) is a generally trapezoidal surface (12); said generally trapezoidal surface (12) having an upper portion (12A) and a lower portion (12B); and
said second antenna surface (14) is a generally circular, planar surface (14); said generally circular, planar surface (14) being coupled to said upper portion (12a) of said generally trapezoidal surface (12).
8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, in which
said plurality of phased-array antenna elements (18) being located on said first antenna surface (12) includes a pluralify of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18); said first pluralify of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) forming an azimuth array; said plurality of generally circular, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) including
an upper conductive patch layer (20); said upper conductive patch layer (20) having a first slot (22A) and a second slot (22B) cut in said upper conductive patch layer (20); said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) being arranged perpendicular to each other; said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) also being unequal in length;
a conductive ground plane layer (36); and
a nonconductive substrate layer (34); said nonconductive substrate layer (34) being located adjacent to both said upper conductive patch layer (20) and said conductive ground plane layer (36).
An apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, in which
said pluralify of phased-array antenna elements (18) being located on said second antenna surface (14) includes a plurality of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18); said first plurality of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) forming an elevation array; said pluraUfy of generalfy circular, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) including
an upper conductive patch layer (20); said upper conductive patch layer (20) having a first slot (22A) and a second slot (22B) cut in said upper conductive patch layer (20); said first and said second slots (22 & 22B) being arranged perpendicular to each other; said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) also being unequal in length;
a conductive ground plane layer (36); and
a nonconductive substrate layer (34); said nonconductive substrate layer (34) being located adjacent to both said upper conductive patch layer (20) and said conductive ground plane layer (36).
10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which said first and said second antenna surfaces (12 and 14) are used to transmit and to receive radio beams in the twenfy and thirty GHz frequency bands.
11. An apparatus for use with a portable, hand-held telephone (T) which is capable of communicating directly with a satellite in Earth orbit comprising:
a generalfy cylindrical antenna (10C) capable of transmitting and receiving radio beams to and from said satellite in Earth orbit;
said generally cylindrical antenna (10 including
a first antenna surface (28) being capable of steering radio beams in an azimuth dimension;
a second antenna surface (30) being capable of steering radio beams in an elevation dimension;
a pluralify of phased-array antenna elements (18); said pluraUfy of phased-array antenna elements being located on said first and said second antenna surfaces (28 and 30).
12. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, in which
said first antenna surface (28) is a generally cylindrical surface (12); said generally cylindrical surface (28);
said second antenna surface (30) is a generally circular, planar surface (30); said generally circular, planar surface (30) being coupled to said generally cylindrical surface (28).
13. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, in which
said pluraUfy of phased-array antenna elements (18) being located on said first antenna surface (28) includes a pluraUfy of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18); said first pluraUfy of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) forming an azimuth array; said pluraUfy of generally circular, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) including
an upper conductive patch layer (20); said upper conductive patch layer (20) having a first slot (22A) and a second slot (22B) cut in said upper conductive patch layer (20); said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) being arranged perpendicular to each other; said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) also being unequal in length;
a conductive ground plane layer (36); and
a nonconductive substrate layer (34); said nonconductive substrate layer (34) being located adjacent to both said upper conductive patch layer (20) and said conductive ground plane layer (36).
14. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, in which
said pluraUfy of phased-array antenna elements (18) being located on said second antenna surface (30) includes a plurality of generally circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18); said first pluraUfy of generalfy circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) forming an elevation array; said pluraUfy of generalfy circular, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) including
an upper conductive patch layer (20); said upper conductive patch layer (20) having a first slot (22A) and a second slot (22B) cut in said upper conductive patch layer (20); said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) being arranged perpendicular to each other; said first and said second slots (22A & 22B) also being unequal in length;
a conductive ground plane layer (36); and
a nonconductive substrate layer (34); said nonconductive substrate layer (34) being located adjacent to both said upper conductive patch layer (20) and said conductive ground plane layer (36).
15. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, in which
said first and said second antenna surfaces (28 and 30) are used to transmit and to receive radio beams in the twenfy and thirty GHz frequency bands.
16. An apparatus as recited in Claim 13, further comprising:
a pluraUfy of five bit, time delay phase shifters (38);
each of said pluraUfy of five bit, time delay phase shifters (38) including a first conductive pathway (40), a second conductive pathway (42), a third conductive pathway (44), a fourth conductive pathway (46), and a fifth conductive pathway (46); each of said conductive pathways (40, 42, 44, 46 & 48) being twice as long as its previous neighbor; and
each of said pluraUfy of five bit, time delay phase shifters (38) being coupled to one of said antenna elements of both of said pluraUfy of generalfy circular, conductive, steerable, phased-array antenna elements (18) in a one-to-one correspondence configuration.
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AU3123793A (en) 1993-06-07
ATE172060T1 (en) 1998-10-15
US5650788A (en) 1997-07-22
US5905466A (en) 1999-05-18
DE69227254D1 (en) 1998-11-12
CA2121675A1 (en) 1993-05-13
EP0611490B1 (en) 1998-10-07
DE69227254T2 (en) 1999-03-25
EP0611490A1 (en) 1994-08-24

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