Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Microstrip
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-28
2003-02-11
Wimer, Michael C. (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Microstrip
Reexamination Certificate
active
06518923
ABSTRACT:
REFERENCE TO A RELATED PATENT
The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,557 entitled “PHOTONICS SENSOR ARRAY FOR WIDEBAND RECEPTION AND PROCESSING OF ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS,” the pertinent portion of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to antennae in general, and in particular to electro-optical antennae. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an active sampler antenna for transmitting signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Antenna arrays for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals are well-known in the art. Generally speaking, traditional antenna arrays have a relatively narrow operational bandwidth. Further, the size of traditional antennae tend to be relatively large because antenna elements within traditional antenna arrays require some form of transmission lines, such as coaxial cables, microstrips, or striplines, to connect to each other. In addition, as the desired operational frequency increases, the backplane complexity of traditional antennae also increases, not to mention substantial signal losses also incur on the transmission lines of the traditional antennae. Antenna radiating elements are limited in bandwidth typically by reactive circuit elements at onset of undesired propagation and radiating modes.
Spiral antenna elements can be used to increase the bandwidth of a traditional antenna. However, the size of spiral antenna elements increases as the desired operational frequency decreases. Also, the spacing within spiral antenna elements tends to be relatively large, and the large spacing has an adverse effect on the operation of the entire antenna array. Although electrically small antennae can be used to overcome the above-mentioned spacing problem, the efficiency of such antennae is typically very poor or many small antennae are required in highly reactive arrays.
An electro-optic antenna is capable of better wideband receptions than traditional antennae. The present disclosure provides an improved method and apparatus for transmitting signals via an electro-optic antenna.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an active sampler antenna includes a first set of conducting surfaces, a second set of conducting surfaces, a power source, and multiple switches. The second set of conducting surfaces is located substantially parallel to the first set of conducting surfaces. The power source has two terminals, namely, a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the power source is connected to the second set of conducting surfaces. Each of the switches is connected between a respective one of the first set of conducting surfaces and the second terminal of the power source. The switches allows a defined amount and timing of charges to be delivered from the power source to the first set of conducting surface for signal transmissions.
All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4379296 (1983-04-01), Farrar et al.
Abernathy Michael Gregory
Anderson William Walter
Barquist William Sven
McGinnis John
Rohrer Thomas John
Bracewell & Patterson L.L.P.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Wimer Michael C.
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