Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Wave guide type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-01
2002-07-09
Phan, Tho G. (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Wave guide type
C343S7810CA, C343S786000, C333S02100R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06417815
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an antenna, and more particularly to an antenna for transmitting or receiving signals to or from one or more satellites.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For many years, satellite communication systems were typically used only in industrial and military applications, with little use in the general private sector. However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the amount and types of information that is transmitted via satellite communication for individual consumer use. For instance, satellites now transmit telephone signals, television signals, and Internet data, etc. Due to the increased amount of information and services offered via satellite communication for individual consumer use, there has been an associated need for antennas designed with the individual user in mind.
Specifically, many of the antennas used for commercial and military-based applications are typical large structures having large aperture reflectors and rather large, high power transmitters. As private sector antennas are used mainly in residential setting, the size and associated cost of these large aperture antennas generally make them impractical for individual consumer applications. As such, as satellite communication continually moves to the private sector, there exists an increased need to provide antennas that are both compact and aesthetically pleasing for residential installation.
For this reason, small aperture antennas have been developed that use smaller reflector configurations and smaller transmitters. These small aperture antennas are generally small enough to be used in residential settings. They are also typically cost effective. However, many current small aperture antenna designs, have some drawbacks that may not only unnecessarily increase their size but may also increase stress in the antenna structure.
For example,
FIG. 1
illustrates a typical antenna system
10
used to establish communication with a satellite. The antenna system includes a reflector
12
for directing at a satellite, not shown, to receive signals from the satellite and provide these signals in a focused manner to a feed
14
positioned in front of the reflector. Further, the reflector may also direct signals from the feed to the satellite. The reflector is connected to the ground or other type of stationary structure by a mounting post
16
, and the feed
14
is connected to the reflector via a boom arm
18
. Importantly, the antenna also includes electronics
20
such as a low noise block and/or transmitter connected to the feed. The low noise block is used to filter and amplify signals received by the feed from the satellite prior to application to a receiver unit. Further, the transmitter provides signals to the feed for transmission to the satellite.
As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, a drawback with many antenna designs is that the transmitter and/or receiver components
20
are typically placed in an in-line configuration behind the feed
14
. This in-line configuration may result in an enlarged component packaging for the antenna. In other words, the distance D between the reflector
12
and the distal portion of the antenna opposite the reflector is increased by the placement of the transmitter and/or receiver electronics in an in-line configuration behind the feed. This, in turn, may not only increase the size of the antenna but may also decrease the aesthetic value of the antenna.
An additional problem with the conventional antenna design illustrated
FIG. 1
is that the in-line configuration of the transmitter and/or receiver may also increase the load on the boom arm and mounting post of the antenna. Specifically, the further the distance D the transmit and receive electronics are from the reflector, the greater the moment force M on the boom arm
18
and mounting post
16
. These moment forces may cause stress in the boom arm and mounting post structures and under some conditions, such as high winds or heavy snow, may cause failure. In light of this, an antenna having a more compact configuration may be desired, not only for private sector use, but also for industrial and military applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As set forth below, the present invention provides various antennas, support apparatus, and wave-guides that overcome many of the identified deficiencies and several additional deficiencies associated with providing an antenna having a compact configuration and decreased moment stress on the antenna structure. According to the present invention, an antenna is provided having a compact feed structure such that either one or both the receiver and transmitter electronics associated with the antenna are more closely spaced with respect to the reflector of the antenna. This compact structure may decrease the overall size of the antenna and also reduce moment forces on the boom arm and mounting post of the antenna.
Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a novel wave-guide design used for connecting the feed of an antenna to various electronics, such as a transmitter or receiver. The wave-guide of this embodiment includes a first end for connecting to the feed and a second end for connection to either a transmitter, receiver, or other electronic components. Importantly, the body of the wave-guide extends in a direction towards the reflector of the antenna so that the second end of the wave-guide is positioned closer to the reflector than the first end of the wave-guide. As such, the transmitter or receiver that is connected to the second end of the wave-guide is located in closer relationship with the reflector, thereby creating a compact, aesthetically pleasing antenna structure. Further, because the transmitter or receiver is located proximal to the reflector, the moment forces on the mounting post and boom arm of the antenna are reduced over prior art antenna designs.
For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the feed of the antenna has a proximal end directed at the reflector of the antenna and a distal end directed away from the reflector of the antenna. In this embodiment, the first end of the wave-guide of the present invention has an end surface oriented toward the reflector for connecting to the distal end of the feed. The end surface of the wave-guide defines a plane which is spaced forwardly of the reflector. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the body of the wave-guide extends towards the reflector and is projected beyond the plane. More specifically, in one embodiment, the second end of the wave-guide projects beyond the plane.
In one embodiment, to make the antenna more compact, the body of the wave-guide of the present invention extends along an axis of extension at an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees with respect to an axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the feed. This angle of offset directs the second end of the wave-guide back toward the reflector, such that the transmitter or receiver connected to the second end of the wave-guide is proximal to the reflector.
In another embodiment, the wave-guide of the present invention has a body with two sections. Specifically, the first body portion of the wave-guide is connected to the feed by the first end of the wave-guide. The first body portion has an axis of extension such that the first body portion extends from the first end of the wave-guide at a first offset angle with respect to an axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the feed. At the end of the first body portion of the wave-guide is a bend portion. Connected to the bend portion is a second body portion that has a second axis of extension. This second axis of extension extends at a second offset angle from the first axis of extension of the first body portion towards the reflector of the antenna.
As an example, in one embodiment, the first body portion of the wave-guide of the present invention extends from feed at a first offset angle of 90 degrees. Further, in this embodiment of the wave-guide of the prese
Alston & Bird LLP
Phan Tho G.
Prodelin Corporation
LandOfFree
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