Corrugated horn antenna and systems and methods for use thereof

Abstract

A horn antenna for a sector-based communication system is provided. The horn antenna includes a housing. The housing includes four sides around an open area. The housing also includes a corrugation pattern. The horn antenna further includes an intake section and an output section for the receiving and transmitting of wireless radiation, respectively.

Description

CORRUGATED HORN ANTENNA AND SYSTEMSAND METHODS FOR USE THEREOFFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to a corrugated horn antenna, and more specifically, to systems and methods for an innovative design and configuration of a corrugated horn antenna.BACKGROUND

[0002] Corrugated horn antennas play a crucial role in fixed wireless access (FWA) networks. This includes FWA networks with Point-to-Multipoint architecture, where a central base station communicates with multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. Furthermore, corrugated horn antennas provide enhanced performance in terms of beam pattern, bandwidth, and efficiency.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for improved corrugated hom antennas.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a horn antenna for a sector-based communication system is provided. The hom antenna includes a housing. The housing includes four sides around an open area. The housing also includes a corrugation pattern. The hom antenna further includes an intake section and an output section for the receiving and transmitting of wireless radiation, respectively. The communication system may include additional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein.

[0005] Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the present embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments, and their details arecapable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The Figures described below depict various aspects of the systems and methods disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figure depicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed systems and methods, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with a possible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the following description refers to the reference numerals included in the following Figures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designated with consistent reference numerals.

[0007] There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presently discussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and are instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0008] Figures 1A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary corrugated horn.

[0009] Figure IB illustrates a front view of the exemplary corrugated horn as shown in Figure 1A.

[0010] Figure 1C illustrates a side view of the exemplary corrugated as shown in Figure 1A.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary graph of a radiation pattern for the corrugated horn illustrated in Figures 1A-1C.

[0012] The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the systems and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] As used herein, a base station may refer to a relay located at the center of any of the cells in a cellular telephone system. A base station may also refer to a short-range transceiver which connects a cordless phone, computer, or other wireless device, such as customer premises equipment (CPE) devices, to a central hub and allows connection to a network, such as a cellular network. CPE includes telecommunications and information technology equipment kept at the customer's physical location rather than on the service provider's premises. Telephone handsets, cable TV set-top boxes and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) routers are examples of CPEs. In some embodiments, a base station may also be connected to a sector antenna, wherein the sector antenna is a type of directional microwave antenna with a sectorshaped radiation pattern.

[0014] As used herein, a transceiver is a device that can both transmit and receive communications, such as a combined radio transmitter and receiver. It can both transmit and receive radio waves using an antenna, for communication purposes.

[0015] The present embodiments may relate to, inter alia, an innovative design and configuration of a corrugated horn antenna.

[0016] A horn antenna is used to transmit radio waves from a waveguide (a metal pipe used to carry radio waves) out into space or collect radio waves into a waveguide for reception. It typically consists of a short length of rectangular or cylindrical metal tube (the waveguide), closed at one end, flaring into an open-ended conical or pyramidal shaped horn on the other end. The radio waves are usually introduced into the waveguide by a coaxial cable attached to the side, with the central conductor projecting into the waveguide to form a quarter-wave monopole antenna. The waves then radiate out the horn end in a narrow beam. In some equipment the radio waves are conducted between the transmitter or receiver and the antenna by a waveguide; in this case the horn is attached to the end of the waveguide. In outdoorhorns, such as the feed horns of satellite dishes, the open mouth of the horn is often covered by a plastic sheet transparent to radio waves, to exclude moisture.

[0017] A corrugated horn antenna includes a horn with parallel slots or grooves, small compared with a wavelength, covering the inside surface of the horn, that transverse to the axis. Corrugated horns have wider bandwidth and smaller sidelobes and cross-polarization and are widely used as feed horns for satellite dishes and radio telescopes.

[0018] A horn antenna serves the same function for electromagnetic waves that an acoustical horn does for sound waves in a musical instrument such as a trumpet. It provides a gradual transition structure to match the impedance of a tube to the impedance of free space, enabling the waves from the tube to radiate efficiently into space.

[0019] If a simple open-ended waveguide is used as an antenna, without the horn, the sudden end of the conductive walls causes an abrupt impedance change at the aperture, from the wave impedance in the waveguide to the impedance of free space, (about 377 ). When radio waves travelling through the waveguide hit the opening, this impedance-step reflects a significant fraction of the wave energy back down the guide toward the source, so that not all of the power is radiated. This is similar to the reflection at an open-ended transmission line or a boundary between optical mediums with a low and high index of refraction, like at a glass surface. The reflected waves cause standing waves in the waveguide, increasing the standing wave ratio (SWR), wasting energy and possibly overheating the transmitter. In addition, the small aperture of the waveguide (less than one wavelength) causes significant diffraction of the waves issuing from it, resulting in a wide radiation pattern without much directivity.

[0020] To improve these poor characteristics, the ends of the waveguide are flared out to form a horn. The taper of the horn changes the impedance gradually along the horn's length. This acts like an impedance matching transformer, allowing most of the wave energy to radiate out the end of the horn into space, withminimal reflection. The taper functions similarly to a tapered transmission line, or an optical medium with a smoothly varying refractive index. In addition, the wide aperture of the horn projects the waves in a narrow beam.

[0021] The waves travel down a horn as spherical wavefronts, with their origin at the apex of the horn, a point called the phase center. The pattern of electric and magnetic fields at the aperture plane at the mouth of the horn, which determines the radiation pattern, is a scaled-up reproduction of the fields in the waveguide. Because the wavefronts are spherical, the phase increases smoothly from the edges of the aperture plane to the center, because of the difference in length of the center point and the edge points from the apex point. The difference in phase between the center point and the edges is called the phase error. This phase error, which increases with the flare angle, reduces the gain, and increases the beamwidth, giving horns wider beamwidths than similar-sized plane-wave antennas such as parabolic dishes.

[0022] At the flare angle, the radiation of the beam lobe is down about 20 dB from its maximum value. As the size of a horn (expressed in wavelengths) is increased, the phase error increases, giving the horn a wider radiation pattern. Keeping the beamwidth narrow requires a longer horn (smaller flare angle) to keep the phase error constant.

[0023] The corrugated horn antenna disclosed herein is characterized by enhanced directivity in the horizontal radiation pattern that results in superior guidance and orientation capabilities. The antenna gain is more evenly distributed across the horizontal plane, contributing to a more consistent and reliable signal coverage. Simultaneously, the design minimizes side lobes and unwanted back radiation, optimizing the antenna's performance for specific directional requirements. This specialized development is tailored for applications involving multi-sector antennas, where precise control over the radiation pattern is crucial for achieving optimal communication performance in diverse scenarios.

[0024] These features address the attainment of improved desired antenna characteristics. The design elements and functionalities incorporated into the system work cohesively to meet specific performance criteria, ensuring that the antenna operates optimally according to desired specifications and requirements.

[0025] The corrugated horn antenna is constructed with the integration of a multi-stage corrugation on both sides of a standard sector antenna. This design enhancement involves the implementation of corrugations on the antenna structure to improve its performance, particularly in terms of radiation pattern, gain, and directivity. The incorporation of multi-stage corrugations adds sophistication to the antenna system, optimizing its capabilities for specific applications that demand enhanced characteristics and efficiency.

[0026] The corrugations are strategically positioned with precision to optimize and enhance the horizontal radiation pattern of the antenna. By thoughtfully placing these corrugations, the antenna's performance is fine-tuned, resulting in an improved and more efficient distribution of electromagnetic waves in the horizontal plane. This strategic arrangement contributes to a heightened level of control over the antenna's radiation characteristics, ensuring that it aligns with specific requirements for coverage, directionality, and signal distribution.

[0027] The invention is designed to achieve optimal performance by utilizing aluminum, with careful consideration given to factors such as employing silver-plated aluminum. This specific choice of materials, especially the use of silver plating, is implemented to minimize losses within the antenna system. The incorporation of silver-plated aluminum enhances conductivity and mitigates signal losses, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the antenna.

[0028] The corrugated horn antenna incorporates several unique features, including cost-effectiveness in manufacturing, where the width of the corrugation stages is mechanically straightforward to produce.

[0029] This corrugated horn antenna is configured to allow for and facilitate adjustment of the radiation characteristics for the desired number of sectors, especially at the edges of the horizontal radiation pattern. The corrugated horn antenna also provides for the reduction of radiation in adjacent sectors, ensuring better coverage of the terrain within and at the edges of the sectors.

[0030] Figures 1A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary corrugated horn.

[0031] Figure IB illustrates a front view of the exemplary corrugated horn as shown in Figure 1A.

[0032] Figure 1C illustrates a side view of the exemplary corrugated as shown in Figure 1A.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary graph of a radiation pattern for the corrugated horn illustrated in Figures 1A-1C.ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

[0034] Description above gives in detail a corrugated horn antenna according to the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, suffixes “module” and “unit or portion” for components used herein in description are merely provided only for facilitation of preparing this specification, and thus they are not granted a specific meaning or function. Hence, it should be noticed that “module” and “unit or portion” can be used together. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components will be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. The expression in the singular fomr in this specification will cover the expression in the plural form unless otherwise indicated obviously from the context.

[0035] It will be apparent to those skilled in that art that various modifications and variations can be made in the fabrication and configuration of thepresent invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the design of the present invention is scalable.

[0036] As another variation, the antenna system of the present invention may be attached to multiple different types of substrates such as, but not limited to, vehicles, buildings, flag poles, ships, boats, may be deployed on aircraft, or may be handheld. The antenna system of the present invention may be mounted vertically as shown herein, or may be mounted in other orientations, such as horizontally on the side, bottom or top of a structure, or inside a vehicle or other structure comprising non-interfering material.

[0037] In addition, a variety of materials may be used to fabricate the components of the apparatus of the invention.

[0038] As embodied herein, the antenna system of the present invention may be connected to various types of RF transceivers or transponders, such as radios, GPS receivers or radars. Thus, the antenna system of the present invention may be used for a wide variety of applications in RF transmission and reception, navigation and / or communication. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0039] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “example” or “one example” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features. Further, to the extent that terms “includes,” “including,” “has,” “contains,” and variants thereof are used herein, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the tern “comprises” as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0040] Furthermore, as used herein, the term “real-time” refers to at least one of the time of occurrence of the associated events, the time of measurement and collection of predetermined data, the time to process the data, and the time of a system response to the events and the environment. In the examples described herein, these activities and events occur substantially instantaneously.

[0041] The patent claims at the end of this document are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being expressly recited in the claim(s).

[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention 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 with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A horn antenna for a sector-based communication system comprising a housing, wherein said housing comprises four sides around an open area, wherein said housing further comprises a corrugation pattern, and where the hom antenna further comprises an intake section and an output section for the receiving and transmitting of wireless radiation, respectively.

2. The hom antenna in accordance with Claim 1, wherein housing comprises silver-plated aluminum.

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