Claims
- 1. A planar feed network comprising:
a first branch line coupler having a first output port, a second output port and a first trunk line; a second branch line coupler having a second trunk line, a third output port and a fourth output port, where the first and second trunk lines are connected to each other by a first cross line and a second cross line; and a first input port is connected to said first cross line and a second input port is connected to said second input line.
- 2. The planar feed network of claim 1 wherein a signal coupled to said first input port results in an output signal at said first output port that is in-phase with said input signal, an output signal at said second output port that is 90 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said third output port that is 180 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said fourth output port that is 270 degrees out of phase with said input signal.
- 3. The planar feed network of claim 1 wherein a signal coupled to said second input port results in an output signal at said first output port that is in-phase with said input signal, an output signal at said second output port that is −90 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said third output port that is −180 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said fourth output port that is −270 degrees out of phase with said input signal.
- 4. The planar feed network of claim 1 wherein a first signal coupled to said first input port results in an output signal at said first output port that is in-phase with said input signal, an output signal at said second output port that is 90 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said third output port that is 180 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said fourth output port that is 270 degrees out of phase with said input signal, and wherein, simultaneously with said first signal, a second signal coupled to said second input port results in an output signal at said first output port that is in-phase with said input signal, an output signal at said second output port that is −90 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said third output port that is −180 degrees out of phase with said input signal, an output signal at said fourth output port that is −270 degrees out of phase with said input signal.
- 5. The planar feed network of claim 1 wherein said trunk lines are coupled to said output ports via two branch lines and a distribution line.
- 6. The planar feed network of claim 5 wherein said trunk lines, branch lines, cross lines and distribution lines are fabricated of microstrip.
- 7. An antenna system comprising:
a first dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface; a planar feed network. Located on the first surface of the first dielectric, having a first and second input ports and a first output port, a second output port, a third output port, and a fourth output port, where applying a first signal to said first input port produces output signals at each output port that are advanced ninety degrees for each output port, and simultaneously applying a second input signal to the second input port produces output signals at each output port that are retarded ninety degrees for each output port; a conductive layer, located on the second surface of the first dielectric, defining a plurality of slots, where each slot is vertically aligned with an output port of said planar feed network; a second dielectric layer, located atop the conductive layer, having a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface of the second dielectric contacts the conductive layer; a plurality of patch antenna elements, located on the second surface of the second dielectric, where each of the patch elements is vertically aligned with a slot.
- 8. The antenna system of claim 7 further comprising a third dielectric layer located atop the plurality of patch antenna elements.
- 9. The antenna system of claim 8 wherein the third dielectric layer forms a radome0.
- 10. The antenna system of claim 7 wherein the second dielectric is air.
- 11. The antenna system of claim 7 wherein the slots are crossed slots, where each arm of a crossed slot is vertically aligned with an output port of the planar feed network.
- 12. The antenna system of claim 7 wherein the patch antenna elements are square.
- 13. The antenna system of claim 8 further comprising a second plurality of patch antenna elements located atop the third dielectric layer, where each of said patch antenna elements in said second plurality of patch antenna elements is aligned with a patch antenna element located atop said second dielectric layer.
- 14. The antenna system of claim 13 wherein said patch antenna elements atop said second dielectric define an aperture.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of United States provisional patent application serial number 60/200,069, filed Apr. 27, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60200069 |
Apr 2000 |
US |