1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention generally relates to a patch antenna. Specifically, the subject invention relates to an antenna having multiple patch elements that operates in multiple frequency bands.
2. Description of the Related Art
Patch antennas for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals are well known in the art. Such antennas are often utilized to receive circularly polarized RF signals. Circularly polarized RF signals are typically used in satellite-based radio communication, such as with global positioning system (GPS) and satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) providers.
Circularly polarized RF signals are generally classified as having either right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) or left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) based on the direction of rotation of the electric field vector of the RF signal. For example, GPS signals typically utilize RHCP and SDARS signals typically utilize LHCP. It is desirous to be able to simultaneously transmit and/or receive both RHCP and LHCP signals with a single antenna, especially in vehicle applications. Furthermore, it is desirous to integrate antennas with the glass of a vehicle, as this integration improves the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and helps provide the vehicle with an aesthetically-pleasing, streamlined appearance.
Therefore, there is an opportunity to introduce an antenna that simultaneously radiates RHCP and LHCP RF signals on a plurality of frequency bands. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to introduce such an antenna in or on the glass of a vehicle.
A patch antenna is disclosed. The antenna includes a first patch element having a center and a second patch element having a center and spaced below the first patch element. A connection point is defined on the second patch element for a connection to a transmission line. A first plane is defined through the connection point and the center of the second patch element and generally perpendicular to the second patch element. The first patch element is disposed offset the second patch element such that the center of the first patch element does not intersect with the first plane.
The angular arrangement of the second patch element with respect to the first patch element, i.e., the offset between the patch elements, provides the antenna with both right-hand circular polarization and left-hand circular polarization. As such, the single antenna may transmit and/or receive different circularly and/or linearly polarized signals having orthogonal or cross polarization characteristics. Therefore, the antenna of this invention, having just one connection point, can provide multiple signals to one or more receivers, such as a global positioning system (GPS) signal and a satellite digital audio radio service signal (SDARS).
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a patch antenna for operating in multiple frequency bands is shown at 20.
Referring to
As stated above, the antenna 20 operates in multiple frequency bands. Particularly, the illustrated embodiments of the antenna 20 defined herein effectively radiates in a first frequency band and a second frequency band. More specifically, the antenna 20 of the illustrated embodiments transmits and/or receives a right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) signal in the first frequency band and transmits and/or receives a left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) signal in the second frequency band, or vice-versa. Said another way, the antenna 20 effectively radiates with orthogonal and/or opposite circular polarizations in each of the frequency bands, which is commonly referred to as cross-polarization. However, the antenna 20 may also be utilized to radiate a circularly polarized signal in one frequency band and a linearly polarized signal in another frequency band, as described in greater detail below.
Referring to
The first patch element 28 is disposed on the non-conductive pane 26, as shown in
A connection point 36 is defined on the second patch element 32 for a connection to a transmission line 38. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
Preferably, the transmission line 38 is also electrically connected to one or more transmitters (not shown) and/or receivers (not shown) as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, an amplifier, such as a low-noise amplifier (LNA) (not shown) may be utilized to amplify the signal on the transmission line 38.
As stated above, the transmission line 38 is electrically connected to the second patch element 32 while no such direct connection is made to the first patch element 28. Accordingly, the second patch element 32 may be referred to by those skilled in the art as the “active” or “excited” element while the first patch element 28 may be referred to as the “passive” or “parasitic” element.
The shape of each patch element 28, 32 is preferably symmetrical about an axis (not shown) through the respective center 30, 34 of each patch element 28, 32. In a first and a third embodiment of the invention, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the periphery of the first patch element 28 has a first length and the periphery of the second patch element 32 has a second length different from the first length. Said another way, the patch elements 28, 32 have different sizes. That is, areas defined within the periphery of each patch element 28, 32 are different from one another. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiments, the second length is less than the first length. The lengths, i.e., the sizes of each patch element 28, 32, are associated with the desired frequency bands of the antenna 20.
In the first embodiment, the antenna 10 radiates in the first frequency band around 2.1 GHz and the second frequency band around 2.8 GHz. To operate in these frequency bands, the first patch element 28 has a radius of about 20.5 mm and the second patch element 32 has a radius of about 17.5 mm. Therefore, the first length of the periphery of the first patch element 28 is about 129 mm and the second length of the periphery of the second patch element 32 is about 110 mm.
To particularly describe the geometrical relationship between the patch elements 28, 32, it is useful to define planes 42, 48 that run through the patch elements 28, 32 and define various regions. Specifically, a first plane 42 is defined through the connection point 36 and the center 34 of the second patch element 32 and generally perpendicular to the second patch element 32. The first plane 42 separates a first region 44 from a second region 46. A second plane 48 is defined through the center 30 of the first patch element 28 and the center 34 of the second patch element 32 and is generally perpendicular to both patch elements 28, 30.
The first patch element 28 is disposed angularly offset from the second patch element 32 such that the center 30 of the first patch element 28 does not intersect with the first plane 42. This angular offset allows the antenna to simultaneously achieve both LHCP and RHCP. Particularly, the first and second planes 42, 48 are not co-planar with one another and an angle may be measured between the first and second planes 42, 48. The angle between the first and second planes 42, 48 directly affects the polarization of the antenna 20 at each of the frequency bands. The angle between the first and second planes 42, 48 is preferably between 0 and 90 degrees and more preferably between 15 and 75 degrees. In the illustrated embodiments, where circular polarization is achieved from both patch elements 28, 32, the angle between the first and second planes 42, 48 is about 45 degrees, as is shown in
The particular sense of the circular polarization, i.e., right-hand or left-hand, of each patch element 28, 32 is also dictated by the angular offset relationship between the patch elements 28, 32. In the first embodiment, as shown in
Referring again to
At least one dielectric layer is sandwiched between the first and second patch elements 28, 32. More preferably, as shown in the illustrated embodiments, a first dielectric layer 52 and a second dielectric layer 54 are disposed between the patch elements 28, 32. Specifically, the first dielectric layer 52 is disposed adjacent the first patch element 28 and the second dielectric layer 54 is adjacent the second patch element 32. At least one dielectric layer is also sandwiched between the second patch element 32 and the ground plane 50. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiments, a third dielectric layer 56 is disposed between the second patch element 32 and the ground plane 50. Each dielectric layer 52, 54, 56 is formed of a non-conductive material.
The first dielectric layer 52 has a first permittivity and the second dielectric layer 54 has a second permittivity. To aid in achieving circular polarization of the antenna 20, it is preferred that the second permittivity is less than the first permittivity. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiments, the first permittivity of the first dielectric layer 52 is about 4 and the second permittivity of the second dielectric layer 54 is about 1. Since the second permittivity is about 1, the second dielectric layer 54 is formed of air. As such, spacers 58 are utilized to separate the first dielectric layer 52 from the second patch element 32 and the third dielectric layer 56. Of course, those skilled in the art realize that the second dielectric layer 54 may be implemented with an alternative substance other than air to achieve the preferred permittivity of about 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and third dielectric layers 52, 56 each have a thickness of about 1.6 mm. The second dielectric layer 54, and accordingly, the spacers 58, has a thickness of about 1.0 mm.
The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090289852 A1 | Nov 2009 | US |