Ultra-wideband shell pinski antenna assembly
The dual-polarized Sierpinski antenna assembly with capacitive coupling and dielectric standoff devices enhances impedance bandwidth, addressing the limitations of existing Sierpinski antennas for improved communication and radar performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing Sierpinski antennas often have insufficient impedance bandwidth for applications in communication and radar systems, limiting their effectiveness in various frequency bands.
The antenna assembly incorporates a dual-polarized design with dielectric substrate-based radiators, capacitive coupling devices, and dielectric standoff devices to widen the impedance bandwidth from 2:1 to 5:1, utilizing a rectangular lattice of unit cells with fractal dipole arms and capacitive coupling between adjacent pairs.
The solution achieves an ultra-wideband electronically scanned phased array antenna with improved impedance bandwidth, enabling efficient wireless communication and radar operations without mechanical parts, suitable for vehicles and military systems.
Smart Images
Figure 2026035537000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to antenna assemblies for phased arrays, and in particular to ultra-wideband Sierpinski unit cell antenna assemblies. [Background technology]
[0002]
[0002] Sierpinski antennas are compact designs with a fractal pattern of the antenna that provides greater electrical length within a reduced area and can operate over many frequency bands. These antennas can be formed from several unit cells coupled to each other. Although some known Sierpinski antennas can operate over several frequency bands, the impedance bandwidth for these antennas may be insufficient for some applications, such as some communication systems (e.g., mobile communication systems), radar systems, etc. There may be a need for a Sierpinski antenna with a wider impedance bandwidth. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In one example, an antenna assembly may include unit cells having dipole arms for communicating radio frequency (RF) signals. The unit cells include a first dielectric substrate with a metal layer on the first dielectric substrate forming the dipole arms. The antenna assembly may also include coupling devices connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells. The coupling devices may have a second dielectric substrate with conductive segments spaced apart from each other. Each of the coupling devices is connected between and extends between unit cells in each adjacent pair of unit cells, with each conductive segment of each of the coupling devices contacting the first dielectric substrate in the unit cell in each adjacent pair.
[0004] In another example, an antenna assembly may include unit cells having fractal dipole arms for communicating RF signals. The antenna assembly may also include a coupling device connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells. The coupling device may have a dielectric substrate with conductive segments spaced apart from one another. The coupling device may connect the unit cells in adjacent pairs with the conductive segments contacting the unit cells to capacitively couple the unit cells to one another and maintain a specified separation gap between the unit cells.
[0005] In one embodiment, a method may include obtaining unit cells having dipole arms for communicating RF signals. The unit cells may include a first dielectric substrate, with a metal layer on the first dielectric substrate forming the dipole arms. The method may also include connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells with a coupling device having a second dielectric substrate, the conductive segments of which are spaced apart from one another. The adjacent pairs of unit cells may be connected to one another by the coupling device, with each conductive segment of each of the coupling devices contacting the first dielectric substrate within the unit cell in each of the adjacent pairs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0006] [Figure 1]
[0006] An embodiment of an antenna assembly is shown. [Figure 2]
[0007] 2 illustrates a perspective view of the coupling side of the capacitive coupling device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3]
[0008] 3 shows an opposite perspective view of the capacitive coupling device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4]
[0009] 4 shows another perspective view of the opposite side of the capacitive coupling device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Figure 5]
[0010] 2 illustrates a portion of the antenna assembly shown in FIG. 1 with a unit cell removed according to one embodiment. [Figure 6]
[0011] 5 illustrates adjacent unit cells in the antenna assembly connected by the capacitive coupling device shown in FIGS. 2-4. [Figure 7]
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a first expanded view of adjacent unit cells and capacitive coupling devices shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8]
[0013] FIG. 8 shows a second expanded view of the adjacent unit cells and capacitive coupling devices shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. [Figure 9]
[0014] 9 shows a cross-sectional view of adjacent unit cells and capacitive coupling devices along line 9-9 of FIG. 6. [Figure 10]
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a dielectric standoff device connected to an antenna assembly. [Figure 11]
[0016] 11 shows a perspective view of one of the dielectric standoff devices shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12]
[0017] 12 illustrates another perspective view of the dielectric standoff device shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13]
[0018] FIG. 13 shows a top view of the dielectric standoff device shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. [Figure 14]
[0019] FIG. 14 shows an elevational view of the dielectric standoff device shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. [Figure 15]
[0020] 2 illustrates one embodiment of the underside of one of the unit cells in the antenna assembly shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 16]
[0021] 16 shows the underside of the unit cell shown in FIG. 15 with a common connector connected to the unit cell. [Figure 17]
[0022] 1 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for forming an antenna assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007]
[0023] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that, as used herein, elements or steps described in the singular and preceded by the terms "a" or "an" do not necessarily exclude a plurality of elements or steps. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" one or more elements having particular conditions may include additional elements that do not have those conditions.
[0008]
[0024] One or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein provide an ultra-wideband electronically scanned phased array Sierpinski antenna assembly. The antenna assembly may be formed from a rectangular lattice of unit cells. The antenna assembly may be a dual-polarized antenna. The dual-polarized antenna includes a dielectric substrate-based radiator with a surface-mounted balun connected to a coaxial feed, a dielectric substrate-based capacitive coupling element connected to the unit cells of the antenna assembly, and a dielectric standoff device that couples the antenna assembly to and spaces the antenna assembly from the ground plane. The unit cells may be connected to each other by dielectric substrate-based capacitive coupling devices, which may include a dielectric substrate or a substrate with printed metal segments. These coupling devices can capacitively couple the unit cells of the Sierpinski dipole antenna either above or below the unit cells. These capacitive coupling devices can widen the impedance bandwidth of the unit cells of the Sierpinski dipole antenna (e.g., from a 2:1 bandwidth to a 5:1 bandwidth).
[0009]
[0025] The antenna assembly may be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) wireless signals with a vehicle or other device, including an aircraft or other mobile vehicle. The antenna assembly may communicate an ultra-wideband electronically scanned antenna array beam without any mechanically moving parts of the antenna assembly. The antenna assembly may be used in communications systems, radar systems, military systems, etc.
[0010]
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an antenna assembly 100. The antenna assembly 100 may be a Sierpinski antenna formed from a plurality of antenna unit cells 102 arranged in an array. In the illustrated embodiment of the antenna assembly 100, there are 16 unit cells 102, although optionally, fewer or more unit cells 102 may be present in the antenna assembly 100. The unit cells 102 may be formed from a dielectric substrate or substrate 104 having conductive segments 106, 108, which are the metallic dipole arms of the unit cells 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive segments 106, 108 of the unit cells 102 are formed as a triangular fractal (or another shape). The dipole arms 106, 108 may be formed from a metal layer on the dielectric substrate 104 of the unit cells 102. The dipole arms 106, 108 may be radiating elements of the antenna assembly 100. The dielectric substrate or substrate 104 may be formed from a dielectric material such as printed circuit board material (e.g., flame retardant 4, or FR-4), composite epoxy material, polyimide, high frequency laminate (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene), etc. In one embodiment, each of the unit cells 102 may be the same shape and size (e.g., within manufacturing tolerances) as every other unit cell 102 in the antenna assembly 100.
[0011]
[0027] Each unit cell 102 may include two sets of dipole arms 106, 108 oriented orthogonally to each other within the unit cell 102. These sets of dipole arms 106, 108 can form linearly or circularly polarized waves at the antenna aperture of the antenna assembly 100 by adjusting the amplitude and phase (or time delay) of a radio frequency (RF) signal into (or out of) each dipole arm 106, 108. To reduce the number of connectors required across the antenna assembly 100, the two signals may share a common connector (described below).
[0012]
[0028] The unit cells 102 are connected to each other by capacitive coupling devices 110. As described below, these capacitive coupling devices 110 form capacitive coupling between the unit cells 102 and maintain the spacing between the unit cells 102 within tight tolerances. This significantly widens the impedance bandwidth of the antenna assembly 100. The antenna assembly 100 may be attached to a ground plane using several dielectric standoff devices 112, also described below. While the ground plane is not shown in FIG. 1 , the ground plane may be parallel to the unit cells 102 and may be located at or along the ground plane end of the standoff devices 112 opposite the antenna end of the standoff devices 112 that is coupled to the underside of the unit cells 102.
[0013]
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the coupling side 200 of the capacitive coupling device 110 shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the opposite side 300 of the capacitive coupling device 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of the opposite side 300 of the capacitive coupling device 110 shown in FIGS. 1-3 . The capacitive coupling device 110 includes a dielectric substrate or substrate 202. The dielectric substrate or substrate 202 may be formed from the same or a different dielectric material as the dielectric substrate or substrate 104 (shown in FIG. 1 ) of the unit cell 102. The capacitive coupling device 110 is elongated (e.g., longer) in a first direction from one end 204 to the other end 206. The capacitive coupling device 110 also extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction from one lateral end 208 to the other lateral end 210.
[0014]
[0030] Although capacitive coupling device 110 is illustrated as having a rectangular shape, capacitive coupling device 110 may alternatively have another polygonal shape, a non-polygonal shape (e.g., a curved shape with no straight sides), or a combination of straight and non-straight sides. Capacitive coupling device 110 is longer in a first direction than in a second direction, but may optionally be longer in the second direction than the first direction, or may have the same length in both the first and second directions.
[0015]
[0031] Bonding side 200 includes conductive segments 212 formed from one or more conductive materials (e.g., metals or metal alloys). Conductive segments 212 may be formed on bonding side 200 by depositing conductive material(s) on bonding side 200 and then etching the conductive material(s) to leave conductive segments 212. As a result, conductive segments 212 may be disposed on bonding side 200 rather than extending into or through bonding side 200. Optionally, conductive segments 212 may extend into bonding side 200. For example, portions of substrate 202 may be etched or otherwise removed in the locations where conductive segments 212 are to be formed. Thereby, conductive segments 212 have the same outer edge as bonding side 200 and do not extend above or beyond bonding side 200.
[0016]
[0032] Each of the conductive segments 212 may extend from one lateral end 208 or 210 to the other lateral end 208 or 210. In this case, there is no gap or space between the edge of the conductive segment 212 and the lateral end 208, 210. Furthermore, each of the conductive segments 212 may also extend from one end 204 or 206 toward the other end 206 or 204, but not all the way to the other end 204, 206. For example, the conductive segments 212 may be spaced apart from one another by segments of the dielectric substrate 202. Thereby, the conductive segments 212 are not conductively coupled to one another within the coupling device 110. Optionally, the conductive segments 212 may not extend all the way to the lateral ends 208 and / or 210. As another option, one or more of the conductive segments 212 may be spaced apart from one end 204, 206 (closer to the conductive segment 212). A portion of the dielectric substrate 202 is thereby exposed between the conductive segment 212 and the ends 204 , 206 closest to the conductive segment 212 .
[0017]
[0033] The dielectric substrate 202 of the coupling device 110 may include through-holes 214 for fasteners to secure the coupling device 110 to the unit cell 102 (as described below). The conductive segments 212 may include holes or gaps 216 around the substrate through-holes 214. The substrate through-holes 214 may extend completely through the thickness of the dielectric substrate 202, from the bonding side 200 to the backside 300 of the substrate 202. The conductive segment holes 216 may extend completely through the thickness of the conductive segments 212. The holes 214, 216 may be coaxial with one another, or one of the holes 214, 216 may be shifted so that it is not coaxial with the other. The conductive segment holes 216 may be larger (e.g., have a larger diameter) than the substrate holes 214. This may prevent the conductive segments 212 from contacting and being conductively coupled to the fasteners that secure the coupling device 110 to the unit cell 102, as described below. Although four substrate holes 214 and four conductive segment holes 216 are shown, coupling device 110 may optionally have a different number of holes 214, 216. Additionally, although each conductive segment 212 includes two holes 216, one or both of the conductive segments 212 may have additional holes 216.
[0018]
[0034] Figure 5 illustrates a portion of the antenna assembly 100 shown in Figure 1 with one of the unit cells 102 removed according to one embodiment. Figure 6 illustrates adjacent unit cells 102 in the antenna assembly 100 shown in Figure 1 connected by the capacitive coupling device 110 shown in Figures 2-4. Figure 7 illustrates a first close-up view of the adjacent unit cells 102 and capacitive coupling device 110 shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 illustrates a second close-up view of the adjacent unit cells 102 and capacitive coupling device 110 shown in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the adjacent unit cells 102 and capacitive coupling device 110 along line 9-9 in Figure 6.
[0019]
[0035] Each unit cell 102 may have four outer edges 500A-D. In this case, pairs of outer edges 500 are opposite each other. For example, outer edges 500A and 500B are opposite each other across the unit cell 102, and outer edges 500C and 500D are opposite each other across the unit cell 102. Each capacitive coupling device 110 is connected to two adjacent unit cells 102 to mechanically couple the unit cells 102 to each other. For example, the capacitive coupling devices 110 may be disposed across a gap 502 between the outer edges 500A-D of adjacent unit cells 102 that face each other. This gap 502 may be a dielectric gap (e.g., an air gap) in that the outer edges 500A-D of adjacent unit cells 102 do not contact or abut each other.
[0020]
[0036] Each of the coupling devices 110 may be connected to each of the adjacent unit cells 102. In that case, the coupling device 110 directly contacts or abuts the top side 504 (labeled first in FIG. 5 ) or bottom side 900 (labeled first in FIG. 9 ) of the unit cell 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the coupling device 110 may directly contact the top side 504 or bottom side 900 of an adjacent unit cell 102 without any intervening material, layer, or the like between the coupling device 110 and the top side 504 or bottom side 900 of the unit cell 102. Each conductive segment 212 of the capacitive coupling device 110 may directly contact or abut the top side 504 of the unit cell 102 that is coupled to it by that coupling device 110 connected to the top side 504 of the unit cell 102 (as shown in FIG. 5 ). Each conductive segment 212 of a capacitive coupling device 110 may directly contact or abut the underside 900 of the unit cells 102 that are coupled together by that coupling device 110 connected to the underside 900 of the unit cell 102 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 ).
[0021]
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, different pairs of coupling devices 110 connected to the same unit cell 102 may be coupled to different sides 504, 900 of the unit cell 102. The coupling devices 110 in one pair may be coupled to the top side 504 of the unit cell 102. The coupling devices 110 in the other pair may be coupled to the bottom side 900 of the same unit cell 102. Optionally, all coupling devices 110 connected to the same unit cell 102 may be connected to either the top side 504 or the bottom side 900. As another option, three of the coupling devices 110 connected to the same unit cell 102 may be connected to either the top side 504 or the bottom side 900, while the remaining coupling devices 110 connected to that unit cell 102 may be connected to the other of the bottom side 900 or the top side 504.
[0022]
[0038] The coupling devices 110 along the topside 504 of the unit cells 102 in the array of the antenna assembly 100 may be arranged in or along linear paths that are parallel to each other and parallel to one direction 114 (shown in FIG. 1 ). The coupling devices 110 along the bottomside 900 of the unit cells 102 in the antenna assembly 100 may be arranged in or along linear paths that are parallel to each other and parallel to the other direction 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ). The directions 114, 116 may be perpendicular to each other. Optionally, the coupling devices 110 may be in other arrangements. For example, the coupling devices 110 may all be below the unit cells 102, the coupling devices 110 may all be above the unit cells 102, or the coupling devices 110 may be in other arrangements with some coupling devices 110 above the unit cells 102 and some other coupling devices 110 below the unit cells 102.
[0023]
[0039] As described above, each of the coupling devices 110 may be connected to a unit cell 102, such that each of the conductive segments 212 contacts both unit cells 102 connected to the coupling device 110. For example, the coupling device 110 may be positioned relative to the unit cell 102 with the conductive segments 212 facing and contacting the unit cell 102. The conductive segments 212 may contact the dielectric substrate 104 of the unit cell 102 but may not contact the conductive segments 106, 108 (e.g., dipole arms) of the unit cell 102. For example, for coupling devices 110 connected to the upper side 504 of the unit cell 102, each conductive segment 212 of those coupling devices 110 may be positioned between the dipole arms 106, 108 but not contact the dipole arms 106, 108. Each of the conductive segments 212 of the coupling devices 110 on the lower side 900 of the unit cell 102 is positioned below the dipole arms 106, 108. As a result, the conductive segment 212 is spaced from the dipole arms 106, 108 by the dielectric substrate 104 of the unit cell 102 and does not contact the dipole arms 106, 108.
[0024]
[0040] Fasteners 506 can be used to couple the coupling device 110 to the unit cells 102, and the coupling device 110 can be used to couple the unit cells 102 to one another. The fasteners 506 can be pairs of threaded bolts and nuts that are connected to each other on opposite sides of the coupling device 110 and the unit cells 102. The fasteners 506 are disposed through the through-holes 214 in the coupling device 110 and through-holes 700 (shown in FIG. 7 ) that extend through the dielectric substrate 104 of the unit cells 102. Similar to the conductive gaps or holes 216 in the conductive segments 212 of the coupling device 110, the unit cells 102 can include conductive gaps or holes 702. These conductive gaps 702 can extend around the through-holes 700 in the dielectric substrate 104.
[0025]
[0041] The through-hole 700 may extend completely through the thickness of the dielectric substrate 104. The conductive segment hole 702 may extend completely through the thickness of the conductive layer forming the dipole arms 106, 108. The holes 700, 702 may be coaxial with one another, or one of the holes 700, 702 may be shifted so that they are not coaxial with one another. The conductive segment hole 702 may be larger (e.g., have a larger diameter) than the substrate hole 700. This may prevent the conductive dipole arms 106, 108 from contacting and conductively coupling with the fastener 506.
[0026]
[0042] The larger conductive holes 216, 702 are large enough to prevent contact between the dipole arms 106, 108 of the unit cells 102 and the fasteners 506, and between the conductive segments 212 of the coupling devices 110 and the fasteners 506. This allows the conductive segments 212 of the coupling devices 110 to capacitively couple to adjacent unit cells 102 without the fasteners 506 forming a conductive path or bridge between the dipole arms 106, 108 and the conductive segments 212.
[0027]
[0043] Pairs of through holes 214 extending through each conductive segment 212 in coupling device 110 may be spaced apart by a specified separation distance 218. This separation distance 218 may be measured as the shortest distance from the center or central axis of one through hole 214 to the center or central axis of the other through hole 214 through the same conductive segment 212. Coupling device 110 may be fabricated such that separation distance 218 maintains outer edges 500A-D of adjacent unit cells 102 spaced apart by a separation gap 502. While edges 500A, 500B are shown in FIG. 9, optionally, the edges shown in FIG. 9 may be edges 500C, 500D.
[0028]
[0044] The width of the separation gap 502 may be designed or selected based on the desired impedance of the capacitive coupling between the unit cells 102 provided by the coupling device 110. For example, a first impedance may be provided by the capacitive coupling between the unit cells 102 joined by the coupling device 110 at a first separation distance 218, a different second impedance may be provided by a different second separation distance 218, etc. The fabrication or manufacturing of the coupling device 110 may be performed to have a separation distance 218 that provides the desired impedance provided by the capacitive coupling between the unit cells 102. Furthermore, the thickness of the metal or metal alloy forming the dielectric substrate 202 and / or the conductive segments 212 may be selected to control this impedance. For example, the thickness of the dielectric substrate 202, the thickness of the conductive segments 212, and the separation distance 218 at which the coupling device 110 is connected to the unit cells 102 may be selected to control the impedance of the capacitive coupling between the unit cells 102. This allows the impedance bandwidth of the unit cells 102 to be controlled by the dimensions of the coupling device 110. This is because the antenna assemblies 100 have different impedance bandwidths due to the different impedances of the capacitive couplings provided by the coupling devices 110 .
[0029]
[0045] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a dielectric standoff device 112 connected to the antenna assembly 100. Figure 11 shows one perspective view of the dielectric standoff device 112 shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 shows another perspective view of the dielectric standoff device 112 shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 shows a top view of the dielectric standoff device 112 shown in Figures 11 and 12. Figure 14 shows an elevation view of the dielectric standoff device 112 shown in Figures 11-13.
[0030]
[0046] The standoff device 112 may be formed from one or more dielectric materials, such as a polymer. The standoff device 112 may be connected to the underside 900 of a unit cell 102 in the antenna assembly 100 (e.g., using fasteners 506 or other types of fasteners). The standoff device 112 may include a planar central body 1100 and a boundary body 1102 that extends around, surrounds, or borders the central body 1100. The boundary body 1102 may be formed from several segments 1104A-D, where each segment 1104A-D is coupled to an outer edge of the central body 1100. Segments 1104A, 1104B may extend along and be joined to opposite lateral edges of the central body 1100. The segments 1104C, 1104D may extend along and be joined to each other at the top and bottom of opposite sides of the central body 1100. The central body 1100 and boundary bodies 1102 may be molded as a single body, or may be formed from two or more separate bodies that are then joined together.
[0031]
[0047] The segment 1104C may extend along the underside 900 of the unit cell 102 to which the standoff device 112 is bonded. The opposite segment 1104D may extend along a ground plane or other surface to which the antenna assembly 100 is attached. For example, the segment 1104D of the standoff device 112 may be connected to a ground plane or other surface extending along or coupled to a vertically oriented wall. As another example, the segment 1104D of the standoff device 112 may be connected to a ground plane extending along or coupled to a horizontally oriented surface. The segments 1104C, 1104D may include through-holes 1110 through which fasteners may extend to couple the standoff device 112 to the unit cell 102 and the ground plane.
[0032]
[0048] The dimensions of the standoff device 112 may be selected to allow some flexure or movement of the standoff device 112 in the flexure direction 1106, but to prevent (or limit) flexure or movement of the standoff device 112 in a rigid direction 1108 that is lateral to or perpendicular to the flexure direction 1106. Both directions 1106, 1108 may be parallel to the unit cell 102. The standoff device 112 may flex, bend, or move, causing the segments 1104C, 1104D to move relative to each other along the flexure direction 1106 more than in the rigid direction 1108. This may allow some flexibility in coupling the unit cells 102 to each other using the coupling device 110 along the flexure direction 1106, while maintaining the unit cells 102 in a stiffer (and less likely to move) position along the rigid direction 1108.
[0033]
[0049] The antenna assembly 100 may be mounted to a vertically oriented ground plane or surface. In that case, the rigid direction 1108 is oriented vertically along or parallel to the vertically oriented ground plane or surface (e.g., the rigid direction 1108 may be vertical). The flexing direction 1106 may be oriented horizontally. This may allow the antenna assembly 100 to flex more horizontally and less vertically to help counteract the force of gravity exerted on the antenna assembly 100. As described above, the coupling device 110 is more rigid than the standoff device 112, ensuring that the unit cells 102 are held at a constant distance from each other.
[0034]
[0050] The standoff device 112 may deflect more in the deflection direction 1106 and less (or not at all) along the rigid direction 1108 due to the orientation of the segments 1104A, 1104B of the boundary body 1102 and the central body 1100. For example, the central body 1100 may be longer along the rigid direction 1108 than along the deflection direction 1106, thereby allowing the central body 1100 to deflect more along the deflection direction 1106 than along the rigid direction 1108. The segments 1104A, 1104B along the lateral ends of the central body 1100 may be longer in the deflection direction 1106 than in the rigid direction 1108, but may be shorter than the central body 1100 along the deflection direction 1106 to allow greater deflection or bending of the standoff device 112 along the deflection direction 1106 than along the rigid direction 1108.
[0035]
[0051] FIG. 15 shows an example of an underside 900 of one of the unit cells 102 in the antenna assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 16 shows the underside 900 of the unit cell 102 shown in FIG. 15 with a common connector 1600 connected to the unit cell 102. The unit cell 102 may include surface-mounted baluns 1500 connected to surface-mounted connectors 1504 via conductive paths 1502. Each balun 1500 may be connected to a different set of dipole arms 106, 108 of the unit cell 102 by the conductive paths 1502. For example, the conductive paths 1502 may be conductive traces within the dielectric substrate 104 of the unit cell 102. In this case, the conductive paths 1502 connected to one side of the balun 1500 are also connected to one set of dipole arms 106, 108 in the unit cell 102, and the conductive paths 1502 connected to the other side of the balun 1500 are also connected to the other set of dipole arms 106, 108 in the unit cell 102.
[0036]
[0052] The common connector 1600 can mate with the connector 1504 to connect two or more conductive pathways 1602 (e.g., cables such as coaxial cables) to different sets of dipole arms 106, 108 within a unit cell 102. For example, one cable 1602 can communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) signals via one set of dipole arms 106, 108 for the unit cell 102 to which the common connector 1600 is connected. Another cable 1602 within the same connector 1600 can communicate signals via the other set of dipole arms 106, 108 for the same unit cell 102. The common connector 1600 can conductively couple to the antenna assembly 100 for one or more computing devices to communicate via the antenna assembly 100.
[0037]
[0053] The balun 1500 can increase the bandwidth of the antenna assembly 100 (e.g., compared to an antenna assembly 100 without the balun 1500) due to the balun 1500 providing an electrical interface between the balanced dipole arms 106, 108 of the antenna assembly 100 and the unbalanced connector 1600. For example, the balun 1500 can suppress unwanted common-mode signals to extend the higher frequency side of the bandwidth of the antenna assembly 100 without compromising (e.g., increasing) the lower frequency side of the bandwidth of the antenna assembly 100. The reactance of the ground and the reactance of the capacitively coupled radiating dipole are tuned to partially cancel each other, thereby leading to a stable active impedance match over the ultra-wideband and high-capacity scanning range of the antenna assembly 100. The balun 1500 can allow an unbalanced common connector 1600 to be used, thereby reducing the number of connections required to operate the antenna assembly 100 (e.g., compared to a connector 1600 with fewer cables 1602 or connections).
[0038]
[0054] 17 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method 1700 for forming an antenna assembly. The method 1700 can be used to form one or more embodiments of the antenna assembly 100 described herein. At 1702, a unit cell of the antenna assembly is obtained. As described above, each unit cell may contain two sets of dipole arms for the antenna assembly. At 1704, adjacent unit cells are connected to each other by a coupling device. The coupling device capacitively couples the unit cells to each other while maintaining a desired separation distance or gap between the unit cells, as described above. The coupling device connects the unit cells together to form the antenna assembly. At 1706, the antenna assembly is connected to a ground plane using the standoff device described above. At 1708, the unit cells may be connected with a common connector. These connectors may individually connect cables to different sets of dipole arms via baluns, as described above.
[0039]
[0055] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses.
[0040]
[0056] Article 1. 1. An antenna assembly comprising: unit cells having dipole arms for communicating radio frequency (RF) signals, the unit cells including a first dielectric substrate, a metal layer on the first dielectric substrate forming the dipole arms; and coupling devices connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells, the coupling devices having second dielectric substrates with conductive segments spaced apart from each other, each of the coupling devices connected between and extending between the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs of unit cells, with each of the conductive segments of each of the coupling devices contacting the first dielectric substrate in the unit cell in each of the adjacent pairs.
[0041]
[0057] Article 2. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling device capacitively couples the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs while maintaining a specified dielectric gap between the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs.
[0042]
[0058] Article 3. An antenna assembly as described in clause 2, wherein the dielectric substrate of the coupling device has opposite first and second lateral ends and opposite ends, each of the ends extending from the first lateral end to the opposite second lateral end, and the conductive segment of the coupling device extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end.
[0043]
[0059] Article 4. An antenna assembly as described in clause 1, wherein the second dielectric substrate and the conductive segment in each of the coupling devices include a first hole through which a fastener extends to couple the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs to each other.
[0044]
[0060] Article 5. 5. The antenna assembly of claim 4, wherein the conductive segment in each of the coupling devices includes a second hole that is larger than the first hole and extends around the first hole.
[0045]
[0061] Article 6. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the dipole arms within the unit cell are formed as a fractal antenna.
[0046]
[0062] Article 7. 2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the dipole arms within the unit cell include two sets of dipole arms, and the antenna assembly further comprises a balun attached to the unit cell, each of the baluns being conductively coupled to one of the sets of dipole arms and configured to be conductively coupled to a common connector for communication of the RF signals via the dipole arms.
[0047]
[0063] Article 8. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dielectric standoff device connected to the unit cell and configured to attach the unit cell to a ground plane, the standoff device being shaped to flex more along a first direction parallel to the unit cell than along a second direction also parallel to the unit cell.
[0048]
[0064] Article 9. 1. An antenna assembly comprising: unit cells having fractal dipole arms for communicating radio frequency (RF) signals; and a coupling device connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells, the coupling device having a dielectric substrate with conductive segments spaced apart from one another, the conductive segments contacting the unit cells to capacitively couple the unit cells to one another and maintain a specified separation gap between the unit cells.
[0049]
[0065] Article 10. An antenna assembly as described in clause 9, wherein the dielectric substrate of the coupling device has opposite first and second lateral ends and opposite ends, each of the ends extending from the first lateral end to the opposite second lateral end, and the conductive segment of the coupling device extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end.
[0050]
[0066] Article 11. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 9, wherein the coupling device includes a through hole through which a fastener extends to couple the unit cells to one another.
[0051]
[0067] Article 12. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 9, wherein the dipole arms within the unit cell include two sets of dipole arms, the antenna assembly further comprising a balun attached to the unit cell, the balun configured to be conductively coupled to the sets of dipole arms and to be conductively coupled to a common connector for communication of the RF signals through the dipole arms.
[0052]
[0068] Article 13. 10. The antenna assembly of clause 9, further comprising a dielectric standoff device connected to the unit cell and configured to attach the unit cell to a ground plane, the standoff device being shaped to deflect more along a first direction parallel to the unit cell than along a second direction also parallel to the unit cell.
[0053]
[0069] Article 14. 1. A method comprising: obtaining unit cells having dipole arms for communicating radio frequencies (RF signals), the unit cells including a first dielectric substrate, a metal layer on the first dielectric substrate forming the dipole arms; and connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells with coupling devices having a second dielectric substrate with conductive segments spaced apart from each other, the adjacent pairs of unit cells being connected to each other by the coupling devices, with each of the conductive segments of each of the coupling devices contacting the first dielectric substrate within the unit cell in each of the adjacent pairs.
[0054]
[0070] Article 15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjacent pairs of unit cells are capacitively coupled to one another by the coupling device while maintaining a specified dielectric gap between the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs.
[0055]
[0071] Article 16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the adjacent pair of unit cells are connected to each other by the coupling device having the dielectric substrate with opposing first and second lateral ends and opposing edges, each of the edges extending from the first lateral end to the opposite second lateral end, and the conductive segment of the coupling device extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end.
[0056]
[0072] Article 17. 15. The method of clause 14, further comprising disposing fasteners through first holes extending through the second dielectric substrate and the conductive segments of the coupling device to couple the adjacent pairs of unit cells to one another.
[0057]
[0073] Article 18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fastener is also positioned through a second hole in the conductive segment of the coupling device, the second hole being larger than the first hole and extending around the first hole.
[0058]
[0074] Article 19. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dipole arms in the unit cell include two sets of dipole arms, the method further including attaching baluns to the unit cell, each of the baluns being mounted so as to be conductively coupled to one of the sets of dipole arms and conductively coupled to a common connector for communication of the RF signals through the dipole arms.
[0059]
[0075] Article 20. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting a dielectric standoff device to the unit cell and to a ground plane, the standoff device shaped to deflect more along a first direction parallel to the unit cell than along a second direction also parallel to the unit cell.
[0060]
[0076] For purposes of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, various spatial and directional terms may be used, such as top, bottom, lower, center, sideways, horizontal, vertical, front, etc., but it should be understood that such terms are used only with reference to the orientations shown in the drawings, which may be flipped, rotated, or otherwise changed, such as top becoming bottom or vice versa, horizontal becoming vertical, etc.
[0061]
[0077] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is "configured to" perform an task or operation is structurally shaped, configured, or adapted specifically to correspond to the task or operation. For clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can merely be modified to perform a task or operation is not "configured / set up to" perform a task or operation as used herein.
[0062]
[0078] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. For example, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the dimensions and types of materials set forth herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, these embodiments are by no means limiting, but rather exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the accompanying claims and this Detailed Description, the words "including" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalents of the words "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the following claim limitations are not written in means-plus-function form, and are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for," followed by a statement of function lacking further structure.
[0063]
[0079] The description set forth herein uses examples to disclose various embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice various embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems, and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that have only minor differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims
1. An antenna assembly (100) comprising: a unit cell (102) having a dipole arm (106) for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, the unit cell (102) including a first dielectric substrate (104) with a metal layer on the first dielectric substrate forming the dipole arm (106); 1. An antenna assembly comprising: a coupling device (110) connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells (102), the coupling device (110) having a second dielectric substrate (104) with conductive segments spaced apart from one another, each of the coupling devices (110) connected between and extending between the unit cells (102) in each of the adjacent pairs of the unit cells (102), with each of the conductive segments of each of the coupling devices (110) contacting the first dielectric substrate (104) in the unit cell (102) in each of the adjacent pairs.
2. 2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling device capacitively couples the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs while maintaining a specified dielectric gap between the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs.
3. 3. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 2, wherein the dielectric substrate (104) of the coupling device (110) has opposite first and second lateral ends and opposite ends, each of the ends extending from the first lateral end to the opposite second lateral end, and the conductive segment of the coupling device (110) extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end.
4. 2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the second dielectric substrate and the conductive segment in each of the coupling devices include first holes through which fasteners extend to couple the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs to one another.
5. 5. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 4, wherein the conductive segment in each of the coupling devices (110) includes a second hole that is larger than the first hole and extends around the first hole.
6. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the dipole arms (106) within the unit cell (102) are formed as a fractal antenna.
7. The dipole arms (106) in the unit cell (102) include two sets of the dipole arms (106), and the antenna assembly (100) further comprises:
2. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 1, comprising baluns attached to the unit cells (102), each of the baluns being conductively coupled to one of the set of dipole arms (106) and configured to be conductively coupled with a common connector (1600) for communication of the RF signals via the dipole arms (106).
8. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dielectric standoff device connected to the unit cell and configured to attach the unit cell to a ground plane, the standoff device being shaped to flex more along a first direction parallel to the unit cell than along a second direction also parallel to the unit cell.
9. An antenna assembly (100) comprising: a unit cell (102) having a fractal dipole arm (106) for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal; 1. An antenna assembly comprising: a coupling device (110) connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells (102), the coupling device (110) having a dielectric substrate (104) with conductive segments spaced apart from one another, the coupling device (110) connecting the unit cells (102) in the adjacent pairs with the conductive segments contacting the unit cells (102) to capacitively couple the unit cells to one another and maintain a specified separation gap between the unit cells (102).
10. 10. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 9, wherein the dielectric substrate (104) of the coupling device (110) has opposite first and second lateral ends and opposite ends, each of the ends extending from the first lateral end to the opposite second lateral end, and the conductive segment of the coupling device (110) extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end.
11. 10. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 9, wherein the coupling device (110) includes through holes through which fasteners extend to couple the unit cells (102) together.
12. The dipole arms (106) in the unit cell (102) include two sets of the dipole arms (106), and the antenna assembly (100) further comprises:
10. The antenna assembly (100) of claim 9, comprising a balun attached to the unit cell (102), the balun being conductively coupled to the set of dipole arms (106) and configured to be conductively coupled with a common connector (1600) for communication of the RF signals via the dipole arms (106).
13. 10. The antenna assembly of claim 9, further comprising a dielectric standoff device connected to the unit cell and configured to attach the unit cell to a ground plane, the standoff device being shaped to flex more along a first direction parallel to the unit cell than along a second direction also parallel to the unit cell.
14. Obtaining a unit cell (102) having a dipole arm (106) for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, the unit cell (102) including a first dielectric substrate (104) with a metal layer on the first dielectric substrate forming the dipole arm (106); and 1. A method comprising connecting adjacent pairs of the unit cells with a coupling device having a second dielectric substrate with conductive segments spaced apart from each other, the adjacent pairs of unit cells being connected to each other by the coupling device with each of the conductive segments of each of the coupling devices contacting the first dielectric substrate within the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs.
15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjacent pairs of the unit cells are capacitively coupled to one another by the coupling device while maintaining a specified dielectric gap between the unit cells in each of the adjacent pairs.
16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the adjacent pair of unit cells are connected to each other by the coupling device having the dielectric substrate with opposed first and second lateral ends and opposed edges, each of the edges extending from the first lateral end to the opposite second lateral end, and the conductive segments of the coupling device extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end.
17. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising disposing fasteners through first holes extending through the second dielectric substrate and the conductive segments of the coupling device to couple the adjacent pairs of unit cells to one another.
18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fastener is also disposed through a second hole in the conductive segment of the coupling device, the second hole being larger than the first hole and extending around the first hole.
19. The dipole arms (106) in the unit cell (102) include two sets of the dipole arms (106), and the method further comprises:
15. The method of claim 14, comprising attaching baluns to the unit cell (102), each of the baluns being conductively coupled to one of the set of dipole arms (106) and mounted to be conductively coupled with a common connector (1600) for communication of the RF signals via the dipole arms (106).
20. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting a dielectric standoff device to the unit cell and to a ground plane, the standoff device being shaped to flex more along a first direction parallel to the unit cell than along a second direction also parallel to the unit cell.