Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Wave guide type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-04-03
Ho, Tan (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Wave guide type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211838
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to antennas, and more particularly, to an improved high efficiency dual polarized horn antenna.
The closest prior art relating to the present invention known to the inventors is an antenna developed by the assignee of the present invention. This antenna had its aperture divided into four sections. This division of the antenna aperture improved the illumination efficiency from 81 percent to 90 percent compared to antenna without a divided aperture. However, this prior art antenna was limited to a two wavelength aperture.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a high efficiency dual polarized horn antenna whose performance is further improved over the above-described four-segment divided aperture antenna, and also can be applied to large horn apertures
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a high efficiency dual polarized horn antenna. The dual polarized horn antenna comprises a body that is tapered from a first end to a second end such that the first end is smaller in cross section that the second end. A flange is formed around the periphery of the body adjacent the first end, and an opening is formed in the first end of the body. A tuning iris is preferably disposed at the opening that provides for impedance matching. An insert is disposed in the central tapered opening adjacent to the second end of the body that comprises a central cross-shaped tapered member. The central cross-shaped tapered member extends into the central tapered opening and forms a plurality of waveguide passages through the horn antenna that form a corresponding plurality of quadrants. A plurality of cross-shaped members are respectively disposed in the quadrants and extend a short distance into the central tapered opening.
The present horn antenna increases the efficiency of a square or rectangular aperture which may be used in situations where a high efficiency aperture is needed in a constrained space. The antenna may be advantageously used where larger apertures are desired. The antenna has a radiating efficiency on the order of 97 percent compared to the 81 percent radiating efficiency of an undivided aperture antenna, or the 90% efficiency of the prior art four-segment divided aperture antenna. The present invention thus provides for a dual polarized horn antenna that has higher efficiency that prior antennas and is not limited to apertures of less than two wavelenghts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3883877 (1975-05-01), Chabah et al.
patent: 4811028 (1989-03-01), Bryanos
patent: 5754144 (1998-05-01), McEwan
patent: 5883604 (1999-03-01), Nicely
Cherrette Alan
Parrikar Rajan
Smith Terry
Float Kenneth W.
Ho Tan
Space Systems Loral, Inc.
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