Antennas

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9627776-B2
Application number	US-201314651892-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 11, 2013
Priority date	Dec 14, 2012
Publication date	Apr 18, 2017
Grant date	Apr 18, 2017

Abstract

An antenna sub-array for use in an antenna array having a plurality of such sub-arrays includes a stripline for signal distribution, the stripline defining a plurality of signal pathways from a common feed point to a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the stripline is housed in a first support structure located a distance away from a first surface of a ground plane structure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An antenna sub-array for use in an antenna array comprising a plurality of such sub-arrays, the antenna sub-array comprising:
a first ground plane;
a stripline for signal distribution, the stripline defining a plurality of signal pathways from a common feed point to a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the stripline is housed in a first support structure on a first surface of the first ground plane, said first support structure including a dielectric foam material, said dielectric foam material including a plurality of channels arranged to receive a cooling fluid for cooling the stripline and the radiating elements.

2. An antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna sub-arrays, each according to claim 1 .

3. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dielectric foam material has a dielectric constant substantially equal to that of air.

4. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stripline is at least partially located within the channels and held in position above the first surface of the first ground plane by a button formed from a same material as the first support structure, the button located on the first support structure.

5. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a second support structure is affixed to a second surface of the first ground plane.

6. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first and second support structures are different materials.

7. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the second support structure includes a plurality of channels arranged to receive the cooling fluid for cooling the stripline and the radiating elements.

8. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cooling fluid is a liquid for cooling the stripline and the radiating elements.

9. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stripline and the radiating elements are integrally formed.

10. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a second ground plane separated from a second surface of the first ground plane by a second support structure, said second support structure including a structural foam.

11. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the second support structure is affixed to the second surface of the first ground plane.

12. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising a first button formed from the first support structure, and a second button formed from the second support structure, wherein the stripline is at least partially located within the channels and held in position above the first ground plane by the first button and further held in position below the second ground plane by the second button such that the stripline is sandwiched between the first ground plane and the second ground plane by the first button and the second button.

13. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the second support structure includes a plurality of channels arranged to receive the cooling fluid for cooling the stripline and the radiating elements.

14. The antenna sub-array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stripline is located within the channels and held in position above the first surface of the first ground plane by a button formed from the dielectric foam material.

15. The antenna sub-array of claim 1 , further comprising a first aperture proximal to a Radio Frequency connector of the antenna sub-array for receiving the cooling fluid.

16. The antenna sub-array of claim 15 , further comprising a second aperture proximal to one or more of the plurality of radiating elements for exhausting the cooling fluid.

17. A method of manufacturing an antenna array, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of antenna sub-arrays;
assembling the plurality of antenna sub-arrays in a layered arrangement and securing each antenna sub-array to a neighbouring antenna sub-array with an adhesive substance; and
curing said adhesive to form a unitary antenna array,
wherein each of the antenna sub-arrays includes a first ground plane and
a stripline for signal distribution, the stripline defining a plurality of signal pathways from a common feed point to a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the stripline is housed in a first support structure on a first surface of the first ground plane, said first support structure including a dielectric foam material, said dielectric foam material including a plurality of channels arranged to receive a cooling fluid for cooling the stripline and the radiating elements.

18. A method of cooling an antenna sub-array, the antenna sub-array including a first ground plane and a stripline for signal distribution, the stripline defining a plurality of signal pathways from a common feed point to a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the stripline is housed in a first support structure on a first surface of the first ground plane, said first support structure including a dielectric foam material, said dielectric foam material including a plurality of channels arranged to receive a cooling fluid for cooling the stripline and the radiating elements, the method comprising:
forcing a cooling fluid into the channels via a first aperture, such that the cooling fluid passes through the channels and is exhausted at a second aperture.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first aperture is proximal to a Radio Frequency connector of the antenna sub-array.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the second aperture is proximal to one or more of the plurality of radiating elements.

Assignees

• Bae Systems Plc
• BAE SYSTEMS pllc

Inventors

• Laight Alan James Keith
• Stafford Jonathan James
• Crouch Gavin Roy
• Scott Michael Andrew
• Gilliam Paul David

Classifications

• H01Q21/0087

  Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays (manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00) · CPC title

• H01Q21/0075 Primary

  Stripline fed arrays (H01Q21/065 takes precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T29/49018

  with other electrical component · CPC title

• H01Q1/02

  Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out {; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion} · CPC title