Integrated antenna and antenna component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9705185-B2
Application number	US-201313861151-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 11, 2013
Priority date	Apr 11, 2013
Publication date	Jul 11, 2017
Grant date	Jul 11, 2017

Abstract

An antenna is disclosed. The antenna can include an aerodynamic surface and an antenna component comprising a structure configured to extend from the aerodynamic surface. The structure and at least a portion of the aerodynamic surface can form an antenna, such as a half double-ridge horn antenna or a half Vivaldi antenna. In one aspect, the structure can be configured to support a pod, thus integrating the antenna with a mechanical mounting structure for the pod.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An antenna component, comprising:
an antenna structure forming part of an antenna, the antenna structure being configured to extend from a surface of an aerodynamic structure into a region of airflow about the surface, wherein the antenna structure and at least a conductive portion of the surface operate together to form the antenna having a feed point at the surface; and
a support portion having a storage pod coupling interface to couple with and provide structural support for a storage pod.

2. The antenna component of claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure and the surface are configured to form a half double-ridge horn antenna or a half Vivaldi antenna.

3. The antenna component of claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure and the support portion are integrated with one another.

4. The antenna component of claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure is configured to be cantilevered from a support member for the surface.

5. The antenna component of claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a portion of a wing of an aircraft and the support portion comprises an aircraft coupling interface for mounting the antenna component to the wing.

6. An antenna, comprising:
a portion of a surface of an aerodynamic structure, the portion of the surface forming part of an antenna;
an antenna structure forming part of the antenna, the antenna structure extending from the portion of the surface into a region of airflow about the surface, wherein the antenna structure and a conductive portion of the surface operate together to form the antenna having a feed point at the surface.

7. The antenna of claim 6 , wherein the antenna structure and the surface are configured to form a half double-ridge horn antenna or a half Vivaldi antenna.

8. The antenna of claim 6 , wherein the surface forms part of an aircraft.

9. The antenna of claim 6 , wherein the aerodynamic structure comprises an air foil.

10. The antenna of claim 9 , wherein the air foil comprises a wing.

11. The antenna of claim 6 , wherein the antenna structure and the support portion are integrated with one another.

12. The antenna of claim 6 , wherein the antenna structure is cantilevered from a support member for the surface.

13. The antenna of claim 6 , wherein the aerodynamic structure comprises a portion of a wing of an aircraft and the support portion comprises an aircraft coupling interface for mounting the antenna component to the wing.

14. The antenna of claim 6 , further comprising a conductive cladding configured to cover a portion of the surface to enhance RF performance of the aerodynamic surface.

15. The antenna of claim 14 , wherein the conductive cladding comprises copper tape.

16. The antenna of claim 14 , wherein the conductive cladding covers a discontinuity in the aerodynamic surface.

17. A method for facilitating construction of an antenna, comprising:
providing an antenna structure defining part of an antenna, the antenna structure being configured to extend from a surface of an aerodynamic structure into a region of airflow about the surface, a conductive portion of the surface and the antenna structure operating together to form the antenna having a feed point at the surface;
providing a support portion having a storage pod coupling interface to couple with and provide structural support for a storage pod; and
facilitating use of the antenna structure and at least a portion of the surface as an antenna.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the antenna structure and the surface are configured to form a half-double ridge horn antenna or a half Vivaldi antenna.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the surface comprises a portion of a wing of an aircraft and the support portion comprises an aircraft coupling interface for mounting the antenna component to the wing.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the antenna structure and the support portion are integrated with one another.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Hall Charles A
• Drury Iii Lawrence Paul
• Sloffer Keith E

Classifications

• H01Q13/0275

  Ridged horns (slot-line radiating ends H01Q13/085) · CPC title

• H01Q1/28 Primary

  Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons · CPC title

• H01Q13/085

  Slot-line radiating ends · CPC title