Single piece element for a dual polarized antenna

[0002] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/848,650, filed May 3, 2001.

[0003] This invention relates generally to antenna systems and, more particularly, relates to broadband antennas.

[0004] Broadband antennas used in wireless telecommunication systems are designed to receive or transmit linear polarized electromagnetic signals. The sense or direction of linear polarization is measured from a fixed axis and can range from horizontal polarization (90 degrees) to vertical polarization (0 degrees). Many broadband antennas are designed to employ dipole elements to receive or transmit the signals. These elements are mounted above an artificial ground plane, which is typically an electrically conducting plate, and the elements are connected together via feed lines. These feed lines are often in the form of coaxial cable.

[0005] One subset of broadband antennas consists of two dipoles and two feed lines that form a polarized antenna. The polarized antenna can be a dual polarized antenna, consisting of a horizontally polarized portion and a vertically polarized portion. It can also be a ±45 degrees polarized antenna with the proper orientation.

[0006] The dipole elements are typically made from multiple pieces and soldered or welded together. As the number of dipole elements is increased, the manufacture of the antenna increases in complexity, time-consumption, and expense. For high frequency operation, the expense increases further due to the tolerances required for operation in the desired frequency range. What is needed is a way to economically produce the elements and the antenna assembly.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, a multiple dipole element is manufactured from a single sheet of a low loss conducting material. The multiple dipole element may be stamped, punched, cut, or etched and then bent into the proper shape or alternatively die-cast. The multiple dipole element is attached to a reflector plate via a base and feed lines are located along the top and bottom surfaces of the element. The combination of the multiple dipole element and feed lines forms a multiple dipole set of radiation elements.

[0008] Several dipoles can be added to the multiple dipole element to achieve different radiation patterns. The dipole elements can also be formed into different shapes to achieve different lobe shapes.

[0009] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0011] FIG. 1ais a perspective view of an antenna system in accordance with the instant invention;

[0012] FIG. 1bis a top view of the antenna system of FIG. 1a;

[0013] FIG. 1cis a perspective view of a further embodiment of an antenna system in accordance with the instant invention;

[0014] FIG. 1dis a top view of the antenna system of FIG. 1c;

[0015] FIG. 2ais a plan view of a multiple dipole element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2bis a plan view of a portion of a top feed line according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2cis a plan view of a portion of a bottom feed line according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 2dis a plan view of a portion of a feed line according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2eis a plan view of a portion of a feed line of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 3ais a plan view of a multiple dipole element according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 3bis a plan view of a multiple dipole element according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the multiple dipole element and feeder portions of FIGS. 2a-2c;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a bottom-right perspective view of the multiple dipole element and feeder portions of FIGS. 2a-2c;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a right perspective view of the multiple dipole element and feeder portions of FIGS. 2a-2c;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the multiple dipole element and feeder portions of FIG. 2aand FIG. 2d;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom-right perspective view of the multiple dipole element and feeder portions of FIG. 2aand FIG. 2d;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a right perspective view of the multiple dipole element and feeder portions of FIG. 2aand FIG. 2d;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a section of the multiple dipole support element and feed line portions of FIGS. 2ato 2cinstalled in the antenna system of FIGS. 1aand 1b

[0029] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a multiple dipole element according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portion of a feed line according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the multiple dipole element of FIG. 11 and feeder portion of FIG. 12;

[0032] FIG. 14 is a top view of the multiple dipole element of FIG. 11 and feeder potion of FIG. 12; and

[0033] FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternate antenna system using the multiple dipole element of FIG. 11 and feeder potion of FIG. 12.

[0034] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0035] Turning to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, the antenna system 20 in FIGS. 1aand 1bhas antenna elements 22 attached to a reflector plate 24, which is typically made from aluminum extrusions or other conducting metal. The antenna elements 22 are connected to connectors 26 via low loss transmission feed lines 28, 30. The transmission feed lines 28, 30 may be brass, aluminum, or any other conducting material and air is used as insulation. The number of antenna elements 22 is selected to achieve different radiation patterns. A cover (not shown) can be removably attached to the reflector plate 24. Each antenna element 22 has a multiple dipole element connected to the reflector plate via mounting bases and at least one feed line portion mounted to the multiple dipole element. FIGS. 1cand 1dshow a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention with different multiple dipole elements and feed line portions.

[0036] The antenna element 22 and a portion of the feed lines 28, 30 are made from a flat sheet of material as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2a-2eand FIGS. 3aand 3b.The multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portion 42 are punched, cut, or etched from low loss conducting material. In one embodiment, the multiple dipole element 40 is made from aluminum and the feed line portion 42 is made from brass. The lengths L, L₂and L₃are chosen to provide adequate bandwidth for the desired frequency band of operation as is known in the art. The multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portion 42 can be formed into any shape to achieve different lobe shapes. The power flow can be adjusted by changing the feed line portion 42 and overall feed line length. For example, the multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portion 42 can be made longer and have a shorter width to operate within a different frequency range.

[0037] For purposes of explanation, the multiple dipole element forms a dual polarized antenna with a common support structure. It should be understood that any number of dipole elements may be used. The mounting locations 50 are for mounting a mounting base 112 (see FIGS. 4 to 7). The slot 58 is formed between the dipole elements of the multiple dipole element 40, and in one embodiment is sized to be approximately ¼ wavelength long. The slot 58 increases the isolation between the multiple dipoles. Mounting locations 62 are provided on the multiple dipole element 40. Notches 64 are located along arms 52 and are used to increase the isolation between the dipoles of the antenna system 20. The notches 64 are symmetrical about the center of the multiple dipole element 40. They may be on alternate arms 52 of the multiple dipole element 40 as illustrated or on each of the arms 52. A groove 70 is placed between adjacent edges of the legs 54 and allows the frequency range of operation of the antenna to be expanded to lower frequencies without having to increase the size of the multiple dipole element 40.

[0038] The top feed line portion 42 (see FIG. 2b) has arm portion 90, leg portions 92 and mounting locations 94. Tabs 91, 93, 95 are located along the arm portion 90. The tabs 91, 93, 95 are used to match the impedances of the feed lines and to make the amplitude and phase of a signal on the top feed-line to match the amplitude and phase of a signal on the bottom feed-line shown in FIG. 2c.The bottom feed line portion 42′ (see FIG. 2c) also has arm portion 90′, leg portions 92′, mounting locations 94′ and tabs 93′.

[0039] An alternate embodiment of the feed line portion is shown in FIG. 2d.The feed line portion 42 has arm portion 90, leg portions 92, and mounting locations 94. The feed line portion 42 has a tab portion 93 with a length L₄along the arm portion 90 and a length L₅along the leg portion 92. The purpose of the tab portion 93 is to match the impedances of the feed-lines and to make the amplitude and phase of a signal on one feed-line to match the amplitude and phase of a signal on the other feed-line. Mounting locations 94 are set at a position on the feed line portion 42 such it is aligned with the mounting locations 62 of the multiple dipole element 40.

[0040] A further alternate embodiment of a feed line portion 42 is illustrated in FIG. 2e.The feed line portion 42 of FIG. 2ehas arm portion 90, leg portions 92, and mounting location 94 on the arm portion 90. The secondary leg portion 96 has a length L₆and its purpose is to match the impedances of the dipoles. Mounting locations 94 are set at a position on the feed line portion 42 such they are aligned with the mounting locations 62 of the multiple dipole element 40. When mounted on the multiple dipole element 40, the secondary leg portion 96 is attached to the opposite side of the multiple dipole element 40 that the leg portion 92 is mounted. While FIG. 2eshows the feed line portion 42 as a single piece, it is recognized that the feed line portion 42 can be made from multiple pieces. For example, the feed line portion 42 can be made of three pieces by making a piece comprising arm portion 90 and leg portions 92 and two pieces of secondary leg portion 96 and then connecting the pieces together at bending locations 98.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2e,the feed line portions 42 are bent along bending locations 98. After the bending operation, the multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portions 42 are then assembled into an antenna element and installed onto a reflector plate. Alternatively, the multiple dipole element 40 may be installed onto a reflector plate prior to the feed line portion 42 being connected to the multiple dipole element 40.

[0042] An alternate embodiment of the multiple dipole element 40 is shown in FIG. 3a.The multiple dipole element 40 has a tab 56 located on one of the legs 54 between an arm 52 and near the edge of an ellipse portion 60 of a slot 58. The tab 56 is bent at approximately a ninety degree angle from the plane of the multiple dipole piece 40. The tab 56 is formed by cutting a section of a leg 54 along lines 66 and bending the tab 56 to the desired angle along line 68. Alternatively, the tab 56 may be formed by adding additional material along one of the legs 54 as illustrated in FIG. 3bby cutting along line 66 and bending along line 68. During operation of the antenna system 20, the current flowing around the slot 58 creates a magnetic field that results in the generation of an electromagnetic signal that may interfere with the operation of the antenna system 20. The length of the tab 56 is dependent on the width of the slot and the width W₁and is selected so that the tab interferes with the electromagnetic signal generated at the slot 58, in effect acting like a filter. Additionally, the tab 56 also aids in balancing the impedances of the dipoles of the antenna system 20. In one embodiment, the length is set to approximately one eighth of a wavelength. While the tab is illustrated as being bent at an approximately ninety-degree angle, it should be noted that the tab could be set at any angle.

[0043] An exemplary embodiment of a multiple dipole unit 100 in accordance with the instant invention is shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 prior to installation onto a reflector plate. FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the multiple dipole unit 100, FIG. 5 is a bottom-right perspective view of the multiple dipole unit 100, and FIG. 6 is a rear-left perspective view of the multiple dipole unit 100. In the description that follows, a feed line portion 42 is located above the top surface 102 of the multiple dipole element 40 and a feed line portion 42 is located below the bottom surface 104 of the multiple dipole element 40. For ease of understanding, the feed line portion 42 located on the top surface and the feed line portion's associated parts shall have a subscript 1 designation (i.e., 42₁, 90₁, 92₁, 94₁, etc.). Likewise, the feed line portion 42 located on the bottom surface and the feed line portion's associated parts shall have a subscript 2 designation (i.e., 42₂, 90₂, 92₂, 94₂, etc.).

[0044] As can be seen, the arm portion 90₁of the feed line portion 42₁is located in parallel to the multiple dipole element 40 above the top surface 102 of the multiple dipole element 40. The feed line portion 42₁is attached to the multiple dipole element 40 on the top surface 102 at mounting location 62. The arm portion 90₂of the feed line portion 42₂is located in parallel to the multiple dipole element 40 underneath the bottom surface 104 of the multiple dipole element 40. The feed line portion 42₂is attached to the multiple dipole element 40 on the bottom surface 102 at mounting locations 62.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the arm portions 90₁, 90₂are connected to the multiple dipole element 40 by screws 106 and are offset by spacers 108. In this embodiment, the multiple dipole element 40 is drilled and tapped at mounting locations 62 and a locator hole is drilled, etched, or punched at mounting locations 94₁, 94₂. In other embodiments, the mounting locations 94₁, 94₂can be tapped and a locator hole provided at mounting locations 62. Alternative methods can also be used. For example, a threaded connection of the appropriate length could be provided at either mounting location 62 or mounting location 94₁, 94₂and a locator hole provided at the other mounting location such that the feed line portion 42₁, 42₂may be bolted to the dipole element 40. Additionally, an internally threaded spacer could be provided at one of the mounting locations and a locator hole provided at the other mounting location such that the multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portion 42₁, 42₂are held together by screws.

[0046] Each feed line portion 42 has a vertical feed line portion 110 that connects the feed line portion 42 to one of the transmission feed lines 28, 30. For vertical portions 110 that are of insufficient thickness to be held into place, a spacer may be installed between the vertical feed line portion 110 and the mounting base 112 so that the vertical feed line portion 110 is offset from the mounting base 112 at the proper spacing.

[0047] The mounting base 112 is connected to the multiple dipole element 40 at mounting locations 50. In the embodiment shown, a locator hole is drilled, etched, or punched at mounting location 50. The mounting base 112 has threaded sections 114 that are attached to the multiple dipole element 40 via screw 116. It is recognized that the mounting support can be attached to the multiple dipole element 40 using other methods such as bonding, brazing, soldering, etc. The mounting base 112 has a vertical separator 118. The mounting base 112 is attached to the multiple dipole element 40 such that the vertical feed line portions 110₁, 110₂are separated by the vertical separator 118. The vertical separator 118 prevents cross-talk occurring between the vertical feed line portions 110₁, 110₂and helps balance the impedances of the vertical feed line portions 110₁, 110₂.

[0048] An alternate embodiment of the multiple dipole unit 100 in accordance with the instant invention is shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 prior to installation onto a reflector plate. These figures illustrate a multiple dipole unit incorporating the tab 56 of FIG. 3aand the feed line element 42 of FIG. 2d.Other embodiments (not shown) can be made using the multiple dipole element of FIG. 3band the feed line portion 42 of FIG. 2e.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 10, the antenna elements 22 are shown installed on the reflector plate 24. The mounting base 112 of the multiple dipole element 40 is connected to the reflector plate 24 by any suitable means. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the mounting base 112 has threaded portion 114 and is connected to the reflector plate 24 via screws (not shown). In other embodiments, it could be welded, bonded, glued, riveted, etc. The vertical feed line portion 110₁is connected to the transmission feed line 28 by soldering, welding, or other suitable means. Likewise, the vertical feed line portion 110₂is connected to the transmission feed line 30 by soldering, welding, or other suitable means. An isolation element 32 (see FIG. 1b) is placed between the mounting bases of the antenna element 22 to further isolate the feed lines 28, 30. Additionally, the element 33 also isolates the feed lines 28, 30 and increase the isolation between pairs of antenna elements 22. The strips 34 are attached to the reflector plate 24 at a location that provide a right angle to the arms 52 and form a symmetrical axis around the center of antenna elements 22. The strips 34 are located in a the same elevation or in a different elevation from the multiple dipole element and are mounted via screws, bonding, soldering, brazing, etc. The strips 34 increases the isolation between transmission feed lines 28,30.

[0050] As previously mentioned, the multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portion 42 may be made of any shape or form to achieve different radiation patterns. The feed line portion 42 can also be configured to change the power flow to the multiple dipole element 40. For example, the arm portion 90 may be shaped so that power flow is unequal between the arms 52. The number of arms 52 and tabs and the corresponding feed line portion 42 can also be increased both vertically and horizontally to increase the gain or change the lobe, lobe rate, or radiation pattern of the antenna. For example, FIG. 1 shows the multiple dipole element and feed line portion of FIG. 4 in a four unit antenna configuration. The feed line portion 42 is routed to account for the phase lag that results from the length of the multiple dipole element and feed line portion.

[0051] When installed, the antenna can be configured in several configurations. For example, if the antenna element 22 shown in the exemplary embodiment is placed at a position such that one of the feed line portions 42 is at a zero degree (i.e., in the elevation plane at φ=0) and the other feed line portion is at a 90 degree orientation, the antenna system forms a dual linear ±90 degree horizontally or vertically polarized antenna. In another embodiment, the antenna element 22 is rotated forty five degrees. As a result the antenna system forms a dual linear ±45 degree horizontally or vertically polarized antenna. Additionally, a circularly polarized antenna can also be formed by combining the signals on the transmission feed lines of the ±90 degree horizontally or vertically polarized antenna through a 90 degree combiner hybrid as known by those skilled in the art.

[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a further alternate embodiment is shown of the multiple dipole element and feed line element of the instant invention. The multiple dipole element 140 and feed line element 142 are punched, cut, or etched from low loss conducting material. The mounting locations 150 on base 152 are for mounting the mounting base 112. Sections 154, 156 are connected to the base 152. Slots 158, 160 are formed between the sections 154, 156 of the multiple dipole element 140, and in one embodiment each are sized to be approximately ¼ wavelength long. Slot 158 and 160 form a slotted half wave dipole fed by feed element 142. Mounting locations 162 are provided on the multiple dipole element 140. Notches 164 are located in the section 156 along slot 160 near the base 152. At the opposite end of the slot 160, the section 156 forms a notch 166. The notches 164, 166 are used to increase the isolation between the dipoles of the antenna system. Clearance holes 168 on base 152 provide clearance to mount feeder line portion 142 to the feed line 30. While FIG. 11 shows sections 154, 156 as triangular shaped, those skilled in the art will recognize that sections 154, 156 may be circular shaped or any other shape. The feed line portion 142 (see FIG. 12) is used for the top and bottom feed-lines and it has arm portion 190, leg portions 192 and mounting locations 194, 196. The radiation pattern can be squinted by adding more material on the arm portion 190 between one of the leg portions and mounting location 196. Alternatively, one of the spacers 108 (see FIG. 13) used to mount the feed line portion 142 can be made taller relative to the other spacer so that the feed line portion 142 along the section of the arm portion 190 having a taller spacer is curved upward.

[0053] Turning now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the feeder line portions 142, 142′ are shown mounted to the multiple dipole element 140. Feeder line portion 142 is mounted on the top surface 170 of the multiple dipole element 140 by screws 106 and offset from the multiple dipole element 140 by spacers 108. Feeder line portion 142′ is mounted on the bottom surface 172 of the multiple dipole element 140 by screws 106 and is offset from the multiple dipole element 140 by spacers 108. Feeder line portion 142 is oriented such that mounting location 194 on arm portion 190 is located over one of the clearance holes 168. Feeder line portion 142′ is oriented normal to feeder line portion 142 and is oriented such that mounting location 194′ is located over a clearance hole 168.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 15, the antenna elements 22 comprising the multiple dipole element 140 and feed line portions 142 are shown installed on the reflector plate 24. The mounting base 112 of the multiple dipole element 140 is connected to the reflector plate 24 by any suitable means. As previously indicated, the mounting base 112 has threaded portion 114 and is connected to the reflector plate 24 via screws (not shown). The vertical feed line portion 110₁is connected to the transmission feed line 28 by soldering, welding, or other suitable means. Likewise, the vertical feed line portion 110₂is connected to the transmission feed line 30 by soldering, welding, or other suitable means. An isolation element 33 (see FIG. 15) is placed between the mounting bases of the antenna element 22 to further isolate the feed lines 28, 30. Additionally, the element 33 also isolates the feed lines 28, 30 and increase the isolation between pairs of antenna elements 22. The element 33 may be located at any position and be in any shape.

[0055] The foregoing description of various preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the multiple dipole element 40 and feed line portion 42 may be die-cast. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.