Abstract: An ultra wideband loop antenna having a planar antenna element defining an at least semi-elliptical perimeter having a major axis, a minor axis and a center. There is also an elongated, contiguous discontinuity in the antenna element that is symmetric about the antenna element minor axis, entirely located within the antenna element, and defining a discontinuity feed end located on the minor axis and spaced from one side of the antenna element perimeter by an element feed width, and further defining an opposed discontinuity ground end located on the minor axis and spaced from the opposing side of the antenna element perimeter by an element ground width, to define an antenna element ground portion, wherein the feed width is greater than the ground width. The antenna also has a feed region connecting the feed end of the discontinuity to the perimeter, to define antenna element feed ends that are adjacent to the feed region.

Abstract: An ultra wideband loop antenna having a planar antenna element defining an at least semi-elliptical perimeter having a major axis, a minor axis and a center. There is also an elongated, contiguous discontinuity in the antenna element that is symmetric about the antenna element minor axis, entirely located within the antenna element, and defining a discontinuity feed end located on the minor axis and spaced from one side of the antenna element perimeter by an element feed width, and further defining an opposed discontinuity ground end located on the minor axis and spaced from the opposing side of the antenna element perimeter by an element ground width, to define an antenna element ground portion, wherein the feed width is greater than the ground width. The antenna also has a feed region connecting the feed end of the discontinuity to the perimeter, to define antenna element feed ends that are adjacent to the feed region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contoured dipole antenna. The antenna is suitable for ultra wide band (UWB) radio communications, and in particular UWB applications requiring antennas of small size. Elements of the dipole antenna have a curvature designed to make the antenna UWB over a desired range. Embodiments of the antenna may take the form of balanced dipole arrangements, unbalanced half-dipole arrangements, geometric arrays, and arrays distributed over a contour. In addition, embodiments of the invention may be used with or without ground planes.