Abstract: Disclosed is a micropatch antenna comprising a radiating element and a ground plane separated by an air gap. Small size, light weight, wide bandwidth, and wide directional pattern are achieved without the introduction of a high-permittivity dielectric substrate. Capacitive elements are configured along the perimeter of at least one of the radiating element and ground plane. Capacitive elements may comprise extended continuous structures or a series of localized structures. The geometry of the radiating element, ground plane, and capacitive elements may be varied to suit specific applications, such as linearly-polarized or circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A patch antenna system with improved multipath resistance includes a top antenna assembly and a bottom antenna assembly. Each antenna assembly includes a radiator patch and a ground plane separated by a dielectric medium. The radiator patch on the top antenna assembly is excited by an exciter and an excitation circuit. The bottom antenna assembly is electromagnetically coupled to the top antenna assembly. The resonant frequency of the bottom antenna assembly is approximately equal to the resonant frequency of the top antenna assembly. Electromagnetic fields induced in the bottom antenna assembly are in opposite phase to the electromagnetic fields excited in the top antenna assembly. Amplitudes of electromagnetic fields induced in the bottom antenna assembly are subtracted from amplitudes of electromagnetic fields excited in the top antenna assembly, and multipath signals are suppressed. Single band and dual band antenna systems suitable for global navigation satellite systems can be implemented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micropatch antenna comprising a radiating element and a ground plane separated by an air gap. Small size, light weight, wide bandwidth, and wide directional pattern are achieved without the introduction of a high-permittivity dielectric substrate. Capacitive elements are configured along the perimeter of at least one of the radiating element and ground plane. Capacitive elements may comprise extended continuous structures or a series of localized structures. The geometry of the radiating element, ground plane, and capacitive elements may be varied to suit specific applications, such as linearly-polarized or circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micropatch antenna comprising a radiating element and a ground plane separated by an air gap. Small size, light weight, wide bandwidth, and wide directional pattern are achieved without the introduction of a high-permittivity dielectric substrate. Capacitive elements are configured along the perimeter of at least one of the radiating element and ground plane. Capacitive elements may comprise extended continuous structures or a series of localized structures. The geometry of the radiating element, ground plane, and capacitive elements may be varied to suit specific applications, such as linearly-polarized or circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A patch antenna system with improved multipath resistance includes a top antenna assembly and a bottom antenna assembly. Each antenna assembly includes a radiator patch and a ground plane separated by a dielectric medium. The radiator patch on the top antenna assembly is excited by an exciter and an excitation circuit. The bottom antenna assembly is electromagnetically coupled to the top antenna assembly. The resonant frequency of the bottom antenna assembly is approximately equal to the resonant frequency of the top antenna assembly. Electromagnetic fields induced in the bottom antenna assembly are in opposite phase to the electromagnetic fields excited in the top antenna assembly. Amplitudes of electromagnetic fields induced in the bottom antenna assembly are subtracted from amplitudes of electromagnetic fields excited in the top antenna assembly, and multipath signals are suppressed. Single band and dual band antenna systems suitable for global navigation satellite systems can be implemented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micropatch antenna comprising a radiating element and a ground plane separated by an air gap. Small size, light weight, wide bandwidth, and wide directional pattern are achieved without the introduction of a high-permittivity dielectric substrate. Capacitive elements are configured along the perimeter of at least one of the radiating element and ground plane. Capacitive elements may comprise extended continuous structures or a series of localized structures. The geometry of the radiating element, ground plane, and capacitive elements may be varied to suit specific applications, such as linearly-polarized or circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A patch antenna having a plurality of structures, referred to herein as comb structures, is disclosed that results in an antenna having a reduced overall patch size and weight as well as a broader the angular response pattern of the antenna. In a first embodiment, comb structures are attached to one of the surface of the patch or the surface of the ground plane. In a second embodiment, the comb structures are attached to both the patch and the ground plane in a manner such that the structures interleave with each other. The structures may be pins or ribs that are electrically connected to the ground plane and/or the patch, or may be any other suitable configuration depending upon the polarization of the signal to be transmitted or received.