Patent Grant
11108149
The present disclosure relates generally to microwave communications and, more particularly, to antenna structures used in microwave communications systems.
Microwave transmission is the transmission of information or energy by electromagnetic waves whose wavelengths are measured in units of centimeters. These electromagnetic waves are called microwaves. This part of the radio spectrum ranges across a frequency band of approximately 1.0 GHz to approximately 300 GHz. These frequencies correspond to wavelengths in a range of approximately 30 centimeters to 0.1 centimeters.
Microwave communication systems may be used for point-to-point communication because the small wavelength of the electromagnetic waves may allow relatively small sized antennas to direct the electromagnetic waves into narrow beams, which may be pointed directly at a receiving antenna. This may allow nearby microwave communication equipment to use the same frequencies without interfering with each other as lower frequency electromagnetic wave systems may do. In addition, the high frequency of microwaves may give the microwave band a relatively large capacity for carrying information. The microwave band has a bandwidth approximately 30 times that of the rest of the radio spectrum below it. Microwave communication systems, however, are limited to line of sight propagation as the electromagnetic waves cannot pass around hills, mountains, structures, or other obstacles in the way that lower frequency radio waves can.
In some embodiments of the inventive concept, a microwave antenna comprises an antenna housing and a radome fabric attached to the housing, which is configured to pass microwave electromagnetic signals therethrough. The radome fabric has an opening formed therein. A vent component is attached to the radome fabric so as to cover the opening in the radome fabric when the radome fabric is viewed from an elevation view in a direction parallel to an axis extending through and perpendicular to the opening in the radome fabric. The vent component is configured to allow air to pass between the atmosphere and the antenna housing.
In other embodiments, the vent component comprises a plurality of attachment portions and a plurality of vent portions, the plurality of attachment portions and the plurality of vent portions being arranged in alternating fashion, respectively, around a perimeter of the vent component, where each of the plurality of attachment portions is bonded to the radome fabric and where each of the plurality of vent portions overlaps the radome fabric and is not bonded to the radome fabric so as to be configured to allow the air to pass between the atmosphere and the antenna housing.
In still other embodiments, the plurality of vent portions and the plurality of attachment portions are arranged around an entirety of the perimeter of the vent component.
In still other embodiments, the plurality of vent portions and the plurality of attachment portions are arranged around a first portion of the perimeter of the vent component and a second portion of the perimeter of the vent component is bonded to the radome fabric.
In still other embodiments, the plurality of attachment portions of the vent component are bonded to the radome fabric using one of radio frequency welding, gluing, and stitching.
In still other embodiments, the radome fabric and the vent component comprises a same material.
In still other embodiments, the radome fabric comprises a first material and the vent component comprises a second material different from the first material.
In still other embodiments, the second material is configured to provide greater attenuation to the microwave electromagnetic signals than the first material.
In still other embodiments, a position of the opening in the radome fabric is based on a microwave electromagnetic signal transmission pattern.
In still other embodiments, the vent component comprises a base portion that is attached to the radome fabric, the base portion having an opening therein, and a cover portion that is attached to the base portion and overlaps the opening in the base portion so as to be configured to allow the air to pass between the atmosphere and the antenna housing.
In still other embodiments, the opening in the radome fabric is one of a plurality of openings in the radome fabric and the vent component is one of a plurality of vent components attached to the radome fabric so as to cover the plurality of openings in the radome fabric, respectively, when the radome fabric is viewed from an elevation view in a direction parallel to the axes extending through and perpendicular to the plurality of openings in the radome fabric, the plurality of vent components being configured to allow air to pass between the atmosphere and the antenna housing.
In further embodiments of the inventive concept, an apparatus comprises a first portion of a microwave antenna reflector having a first open end and a second open end, a second portion of a microwave antenna reflector having a first open end and a second open end, a backing ring that is configured to couple the first open end of the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector to the second open end of the first portion of the microwave antenna reflector, where the second open end of the second portion is configured to receive a microwave antenna feed therethrough.
In further embodiments, a thickness of the first portion of the microwave antenna reflector as measured from the first open end to the second open end of the first portion along an axis perpendicular to respective planes defined by the first open end and second open end of the first portion is greater than a thickness of the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector as measured from the first open end to the second open end of the second portion along an axis perpendicular to respective planes defined by the first open end and the second open end of the second portion.
In still further embodiments, the backing ring comprises a plurality of ring segments that are configured to be coupled together.
In still further embodiments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to be coupled together using a plurality of joggle joints.
In still further embodiments, the plurality of ring segments comprises one of pressed steel and pressed aluminum.
In still further embodiments, the plurality of ring segments comprises one of rolled steel and rolled aluminum.
In still further embodiments the backing ring is further configured to couple the first and second portions of the microwave antenna reflector to a microwave antenna support structure.
In other embodiments of the inventive concept, an apparatus comprises a first portion of a microwave antenna reflector having a first open end and a second open end and a second portion of a microwave antenna reflector having a first open end and a second open end, the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector having a backing ring at the first open end of the second portion such that the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector comprises a monolithic structure, where the backing ring of the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector is configured to couple the first open end of the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector to the second open end of the first portion of the microwave antenna reflector and where the second open end of the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector is configured to receive a microwave antenna feed therethrough.
In still other embodiments, the backing ring of the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector is further configured to couple the second portion of the microwave antenna reflector to a microwave antenna support structure.
In further embodiments of the inventive concept, a microwave antenna feed assembly comprises a feed cone comprising a dielectric body and a cap that is connected to the dielectric body, where the dielectric body comprises a polystyrene material and where the cap comprises a cross-linked polystyrene and divinylbenzene material.
In still further embodiments, the microwave antenna feed assembly further comprises a metallic layer on the cap.
In still further embodiments, the cap is connected to the dielectric body by a threaded joint connection.
In still other embodiments of the inventive concept, a microwave antenna feed assembly comprises a feed cone comprising a dielectric body and a metallic splashplate that is connected to the dielectric body, where the splashplate extends beyond an outer perimeter of the dielectric body.
In still other embodiments, the splash plate comprises a monolithic metal structure.
In still other embodiments, the dielectric body comprises injected molded polystyrene.
In still other embodiments, the splashplate comprises one of a stamped metal structure and a machined metal structure.
In still other embodiments, the splashplate is connected to the dielectric body by a threaded joint connection and the splashplate and the dielectric body are connected so as to have a gap formed therebetween.
In further embodiments of the inventive concept, a microwave antenna assembly comprises a feed cone and a boom configured to carry microwave electromagnetic signals therethrough, the feed cone being connected to the boom via a threaded joint connection.
It is noted that aspects described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in different embodiments although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination. Moreover, other apparatus, methods, systems, and/or articles of manufacture according to embodiments of the inventive subject matter will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional apparatus, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture be included within this description, be within the scope of the present inventive subject matter, and be protected by the accompanying claims. It is further intended that all embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented separately or combined in any way and/or combination.
Other features of embodiments will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure. It is intended that all embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented separately or combined in any way and/or combination. Aspects described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in different embodiments although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination.
Large diameter antennas often feature a fabric radome design manufactured from one material type. This may have the advantage of producing a broadband antenna, but a potential disadvantage is the radome material can suffer from deflections when subjected to wind loading. This may result in restrictions in the antenna design, such as a reduced length feed, additional feed protection, and/or extended shields to prevent or reduce the likelihood of damage occurring if the radome deflects inwardly to make contact with the feed under extreme weather conditions.
Some embodiments of the inventive concept may provide a microwave antenna having a vented radome that may reduce radome deflection by equalizing air pressure at either side of the radome when subjected to high wind speeds. According to some embodiments, an area of radome fabric may be removed and a vent component may be attached, for example, to the inner surface of the radome fabric with discontinuous attachment tabs to allow air to pass from one side of the radome fabric to the other. The vent component may be bonded to the radome material in such a way as to eliminate or reduce moisture ingress to the main antenna shell or housing, for example, by sealing off the lower half of the vent component to the radome fabric. In some embodiments, the vent component and the radome fabric may be joined using RF welding, gluing, stitching or other similar bonding techniques. The vent component may comprise the same material as the radome fabric or, in other embodiments, the vent component and the radome fabric may comprise different materials for enhanced mechanical or electrical properties. When different materials are used, the vent component can be strategically positioned in such a way as to enhance the electrical function of the antenna, such as, for example, positioned so as to attenuate an undesirable transmission side lobe. Additional vents may also be placed on the radome fabric in order to enhance mechanical or electrical function.
While the vent component 120 may reduce the amount of deflection of the radome fabric 110 due to the vent portions 127, these vent portions 127 may also allow moisture from rain, snow, condensation, and the like to leak into the microwave antenna housing 105. In some embodiments, the tabs 125 along the bottom portion of the vent component 120 (i.e., the portion closest to the ground when the microwave antenna is mounted on a support structure for operation) may be eliminated and this lower portion may be bonded to the radome fabric 110 in like fashion as the tabs 125. Such embodiments may reduce the ingress of moisture into the microwave antenna housing 105 as the effect of gravity may cause rain, snow, condensation, and other moisture to collect towards the bottom portion of the opening 115 in the radome fabric 110 and the bottom portion of the vent component 120.
As described above, the vent component may comprise the same material as the radome fabric or, in other embodiments, the vent component and the radome fabric may comprise different materials for enhanced mechanical or electrical properties. Thus, in the embodiments of
When different materials are used to implement the vent component and the radome fabric, the vent component can be strategically positioned in such a way as to enhance the electrical function of the antenna, such as, for example, positioned so as to attenuate an undesirable transmission side lobe. For example, the radome fabric 110/210 may comprise a material that facilitates the passage of microwave electromagnetic signals therethrough while the vent component 120/220 may comprise one or more materials that may provide improved mechanical functionality (e.g., is more effective at preventing ingress of moisture), but provides greater attenuation of microwave electromagnetic signals than the radome fabric 110/210. When strategically placed, however, the attenuation provided by the vent component 120/220 may be advantageous when used to attenuate undesired sidelobe(s) of an electromagnetic signal transmission pattern.
Antennas featuring a one piece reflector 420 may suffer from high transportation costs and/or restrictions in their design, which may impact electrical performance or other parameters, such as the desire to have a relatively shallow dish. This can impact the design and resulting cost of other components including the feed and electromagnetic shields.
The two portions of the reflector 430 and 435 may be assembled to create a completed reflector 425.
In other embodiments of the inventive concept, a backing ring may be formed into one of the two portions of a segmented reflector to create a monolithic structure comprising both a portion of the segmented reflector and a backing ring.
As shown in
As described above with respect to
Typically a feed cone of a microwave antenna feed assembly is connected to a waveguide or boom using glue, which can result in the feed cone being misaligned with the waveguide or boom during, for example, assembly of the microwave antenna.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.
Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and perspective views that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Therefore, regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to limit the inventive concept.
The thicknesses of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Further, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, the element may be formed directly on the other element, or there may be an intervening layer therebetween.
Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are used herein to describe the relative positions of elements or features. For example, when an upper part of a drawing is referred to as a “top” and a lower part of a drawing is referred to as a “bottom” for the sake of convenience, in practice, the “top” may also be called a “bottom” and the “bottom” may also be a “top” without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept.
Furthermore, throughout this disclosure, directional terms such as “upper,” “intermediate,” “lower,” and the like may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature with another, and the inventive concept should not be limited by these terms. Accordingly, these terms such as “upper,” “intermediate,” “lower,” and the like may be replaced by other terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like to describe the elements and features.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept.
The terminology used herein to describe embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concept.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure herein were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The present application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national phase application of and claims priority to PCT Application PCT/US2017/039635 filed Jun. 28, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/358,298, filed Jul. 5, 2016, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The above-referenced PCT Application was published in the English language as international Publication No. WO 2018/009383 A9 on Jan. 11, 2018.
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| WO2018/009383 | 1/11/2018 | WO | A |
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