Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Slot type
Patent
1997-06-23
2000-09-05
Philogene, Haissa
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Slot type
343771, 343776, H01Q 1310
Patent
active
061150029
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an array of radiating elements to be used as a module in a phased array radar antenna, the radiating element being shaped like a waveguide enclosed by walls, which waveguide is substantially rectangular in cross-section.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Such an array is known from the European patent application EP-A-0.544.378. This patent application describes an antenna module for an active monopulse phased-array system comprising a housing incorporating four radiating elements shaped like waveguides of rectangular section. By suitably stacking the antenna modules, a substantially continuous antenna surface is obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The array according to the invention has for its object to effect an improvement on said patent application as regards rigidity and distortion. A further object is to provide an array that can be manufactured easier and at relatively lower cost. It is thereto characterised in that the radiating elements are disposed at least substantially in parallel on a common surface and in that this surface constitutes a side wall of each radiating element.
A favourable embodiment of the array is characterised in that the surface constitutes the widest side wall of each radiating element.
If the radiating elements have a non-square section, which generally is the case, these elements can be best mounted on the surface such that the widest wall of these elements faces the surface, as a result of which the surface constitutes the widest wall of each radiating element. Thus, maximum benefit may be derived from the fact that the surface can constitute a side wall of a radiating element, which saves material cost and ensures a rigid construction.
A further favourable embodiment of the array is characterised in that the surface comprises a sheet-shaped element. Such elements are inexpensive and easy to manufacture and moreover offer good attachment possibilities.
A further favourable embodiment of the array is characterised in that at least a part of a radiating element comprises a channel section, which is mounted to the surface by the base parts of both vertical channel section side walls.
This entails a considerable number of advantages. Firstly, channel sections are easy to manufacture and particularly easier than tubular ones. The first type of sections can usually be obtained through a rolling process, whereas the latter are generally obtained on the basis of the far more expensive extrusion process. Channel sections can furthermore be easily secured to a surface by for instance soldering the vertical side walls to it, without causing additional gaps or cavities that could adversely affect the electrical properties of the antenna. Also from a mechanical point of view, the use of channel sections secured to a surface in said manner is to be preferred to the use of tubular sections. By building up the radiating elements from channel sections mounted against the surface, benefit may simultaneously be derived from the fact that the surface can serve as radiating element side wall. The channel section will then have to be mounted to the surface throughout the entire length of the side wall without any air gaps.
It is also possible to provide slots in the surface over the entire length of the channel section to accommodate the vertical side walls of the channel section. This particularly facilitates manufacturing. The channel sections can be fit in the slots and can subsequently be secured by soldering without moving out of position.
A further favourable embodiment of the array is characterised in that, for at least one radiating element, at least in assembled state, a transformer element is provided for feeding, at least substantially reflection-free, radiant energy into said radiating element.
Such a transformer element renders it possible to create, at only extremely low losses, a coupling of radiant energy, generated by an externally-positioned transmitter. In view of the radiating elements being closely spaced, there is
REFERENCES:
patent: 3220007 (1965-11-01), Thourel
patent: 3523297 (1970-08-01), Fee
patent: 3949405 (1976-04-01), Roquencourt
patent: 4255752 (1981-03-01), Noble et al.
patent: 5579020 (1996-11-01), Kinsey
Fischer Henk
Klein Breteler Antonius B. M.
Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V.
Phan Tho
Philogene Haissa
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