Refracting Means And Radio Wave Energy Filters (e.g., Lenses And Polarizers) Patents (Class 343/909)
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Patent number: 7463213Abstract: An antenna unit consists of an EBG reflector, a single curl antenna supported at a central portion of the EBG reflector, and a periodic structure upper plate disposed apart from a principal surface of the EBG reflector by a predetermined distance. The EBG reflector includes a substrate having the principal surface and (Nx×Ny) square patches which are printed on the principle surface of the substrate and which are arranged in a matrix fashion (lattice structure). The periodic structure upper plate consists of a film and (Nx×Ny) square patch-like conductors printed on the film. The (Nx×Ny) square patch-like conductors are disposed so as to oppose to the (Nx×Ny) square patches, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisamatsu Nakano, Hidekazu Umetsu, Yoichi Asano, Junji Yamauchi, Akira Miyoshi
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Patent number: 7463214Abstract: An RF beam steering device according to present invention embodiments employs a prism assembly to steer an RF beam. The prism assembly includes a plurality of dielectric prisms each with an associated impedance matching layer. The dielectric prisms are rotated relative to each other to steer the RF beam. The prisms include a plurality of individual panels with drilled or slotted openings that are arranged to create a periodic photonic crystal structure within a defined region. This configuration effectively alters the dielectric constant over any one particular region of a panel, thereby altering the level of diffraction possible for a specified panel thickness. The openings within each stacked panel are overlapped to produce the required level of diffraction and refractive index gradient. Motors rotate the prisms relative to each other to the correct orientation for steering the RF beam in a desired manner.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Robert Scott Winsor, Mark David Braunstein
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Patent number: 7460060Abstract: An electric wave transmitting/receiving module includes: a waveguide including a conductive member and an opening facing a transmitting side and/or a receiving side; a dielectric substrate disposed on a side opposite to the opening of the waveguide; and transmitting/receiving means. The transmitting/receiving means includes a core line, a transmitting/receiving element, and a wire. The core line and the transmitting/receiving element are horizontally disposed on the dielectric substrate. The core line transmits the transmitting electric wave and/or receives the receiving electric wave. The transmitting/receiving element outputs a transmitting/receiving signal corresponding to the transmitting electric wave and/or the receiving electric wave. The wire sends the transmitting/receiving signal from the transmitting/receiving element to an external circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Yutaka Aoki
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Patent number: 7460084Abstract: A three-dimensional holographic array of radio-frequency (RF) diffraction gratings, each of which has lengths of conductive and insulating fluid that are selected and adjusted to provide a desired diffraction effect on incident RF radiation. The three-dimensional array functions analogously to an optical hologram, and is programmable to provide desired refraction and focusing effects on multiple RF incident beams, which may be selectively directed to receivers or, if interferers, ignored. Because the gratings employ conductive and insulating fluids, the array can be reprogrammed in near real time to adapt to changes in the incident RF radiation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Eric L. Upton
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Patent number: 7456803Abstract: A rectenna structure comprising a flexible, dielectric sheet of material; a plurality of metallic lenslets disposed on the sheet of material; and a plurality of diodes disposed on the sheet of material, each diode in said plurality of diodes being arranged at a focus of a corresponding one of said plurality of metallic lenslets.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Daniel F. Sievenpiper
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Publication number: 20080284674Abstract: A digitally controlled tunable impedance surface. The tunable impedance surface is of the type having a two dimensional array of conducting plates disposed adjacent a dielectric medium; a ground plane spaced from the two dimensional array of conducting plates, the dielectric medium occurring at least between and separating the two dimensional array of conducting plates and the ground plane; and conductors coupling alternating ones of the conducting plates to the ground plane. A plurality of voltage controlled capacitors are coupled between adjacent plates in the two dimensional array of conducting plates and an array of digital to analog converters are disposed preferably on or near the ground plane. Each digital to analog converter has analog output voltage pads coupled to selected ones of adjacent conducting plates and has at least a digital input for receiving digital words representing at least in part analog voltages to be applied to the selected ones of the adjacent conducting plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Paul R. Herz, Daniel F. Sievenpiper
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Publication number: 20080272982Abstract: A high impedance surface (300) has a printed circuit board (302) with a first surface (314) and a second surface (316), and a continuous electrically conductive plate (319) disposed on the second surface (316) of the printed circuit board (302). A plurality of electrically conductive plates (318) is disposed on the first surface (314) of the printed circuit board (302), while a plurality of elements are also provided. Each element comprises at least one of (1) at least one multi-layer inductor (330, 331) electrically coupled between at least two of the electrically conductive plates (318) and embedded within the printed circuit board (302), and (2) at least one capacitor (320) electrically coupled between at least two of the electrically conductive plates (318).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.Inventors: Gregory J. Dunn, Robert T. Croswell, George H. Kumpf, John A. Svigelj
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Patent number: 7446712Abstract: An apparatus based on composite right-handed or left-handed (CRLH) principles to provide a transmission line or antenna structure having a plurality of cells to which one or more feed ports are attached. The apparatus is based on an equivalent circuit Right-Hand (RH) series induction (LR) and shunt capacitor (CR), and Left-Hand (LH) series capacitor (CL) and induction (LL), in which effective permittivity (e) and permeability (m) of the structure are manipulated by the choice of CR, LR, CL, and LL. One embodiment describes mushroom antenna cells (1D or 2D array) in which vias extend up from a feed network on a ground plane through at least one dielectric region to each of a first plurality of conductive elements (plates or strips). Optionally, a second plurality of conductive elements are disposed between first and second dielectric layers to form metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors to lower resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Tatsuo Itoh, Cheng-Jung Lee, Kevin M. Leong
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Patent number: 7436373Abstract: Various embodiments are described relating to a portable antenna-equipped device for multi-band radar detection. The detection device includes a plurality of antennas on a flexible substrate, a detection-and-control circuit, an indicator and a power source. The antenna may include one or more planar lithographic antennas that may be fabricated on a thin-film substrate. Each antenna may be tuned to a different selection frequency or band. The antennas may include a bolometer for radar detection. Each antenna may include a frequency selective surface for tuning to the selection frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Christopher D. Lopes, Dale K. Kotter
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Publication number: 20080238810Abstract: An RF lens according to the present invention embodiments collimates an RF beam by refracting the beam into a beam profile that is diffraction-limited. The lens is constructed of a lightweight mechanical arrangement of two or more materials, where the materials are arranged to form a photonic crystal structure (e.g., a series of holes defined within a parent material). The lens includes impedance matching layers, while an absorptive or apodizing mask is applied to the lens to create a specific energy profile across the lens. The impedance matching layers and apodizing mask similarly include a photonic crystal structure. The energy profile function across the lens aperture is continuous, while the derivatives of the energy distribution function are similarly continuous. This lens arrangement produces a substantial reduction in the amount of energy that is transmitted in the side-lobes of an RF system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventor: Robert Scott Winsor
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Patent number: 7429962Abstract: A planar multi-layer transreflector for generating collimated coherent energy comprises one or more of insulating layers between two or more metallic layers. The transreflector substantially reflects a cross-polarized component of an incident millimeter-wave signal and substantially transmits the remaining portions of the incident millimeter-wave signal. Each of the metallic layers comprises a plurality of rectangles arranged in a grid pattern radially varying in size within circumferential regions. The reflected cross-polarized component may be substantially orthogonal to the transmitted remaining portions. A substantially collimated and coherent wavefront comprising the remaining portions may be produced in a first direction, and substantially collimated and coherent wavefront comprising the cross-polarized components may be produced in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Jonathan Lynch
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Patent number: 7429961Abstract: The radiation properties and wave guiding properties of frequency selective surfaces are used in conjunction with closely spaced antenna elements to fabricate antenna structures having adjustable radiation characteristics. The direction, magnitude, and polarization of radiation patterns for such antenna structures can be adjusted by varying the texture or patterning of layers of conducting material forming the frequency selective surfaces. The invention enables the fabrication of low profile antenna structures that can easily be conformed or integrated into complex surfaces without sacrificing antenna performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Hui-Pin Hsu
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Publication number: 20080231543Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for equalizing antenna circuit matching variations may include adjusting a frequency response of an antenna via a programmable filter and a gain of the antenna by varying a programmable amplifier. The antenna frequency response and the antenna gain may be adjusted dynamically and/or autonomously. The programmable amplifier and the programmable filter may be adjusted sequentially or simultaneously. The programmable filter may be an LC-type circuit and the programmable amplifier may be a low-noise amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the programmable filter may comprise a programmable capacitance in a matrix arrangement and/or a programmable inductance in a matrix arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
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Patent number: 7423608Abstract: A high impedance surface (300) has a printed circuit board (302) with a first surface (314) and a second surface (316), and a continuous electrically conductive plate (319) disposed on the second surface (316) of the printed circuit board (302). A plurality of electrically conductive plates (318) is disposed on the first surface (314) of the printed circuit board (302), while a plurality of elements are also provided. Each element comprises at least one of (1) at least one multi-layer inductor (330, 331) electrically coupled between at least two of the electrically conductive plates (318) and embedded within the printed circuit board (302), and (2) at least one capacitor (320) electrically coupled between at least two of the electrically conductive plates (318).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Dunn, Robert T. Croswell, George H. Kumpf, John A. Svigelj
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Patent number: 7420524Abstract: A reconfigurable frequency selective surface (FSS) includes a plurality of conducting patches supported on the surface of a dielectric layer, with selectable electrical interconnections between the conducting patches so as to provide a desired characteristic. The reconfigurable FSS can be used in a reconfigurable artificial magnetic conductor (AMC). A reconfigurable AMC includes a dielectric layer, a conducting back-plane on one surface of the dielectric layer, and a reconfigurable FSS on the other surface of the dielectric layer. A reconfigurable AMC can be used as a dynamically reconfigurable ground plane for a low-profile antenna system.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Douglas H. Werner, Thomas N. Jackson, Gareth J. Knowles
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Publication number: 20080204355Abstract: A freestanding frequency selective surface (FSS) is provided which comprises at least one shorted resonance aperture element (12). The shorted resonance aperture element provides a sensitivity to polarisation. The shorted resonance aperture element may comprise at least one short, which may enable the FSS to be freestanding. The invention further provides an FSS device comprising at least one array of the freestanding frequency selective surfaces, and a method of forming the freestanding frequency selective surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2006Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFASTInventors: Robert Cahill, Raymond John Dickie, Vincent Francis Fusco, Harold Samuel Gamble
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Publication number: 20080204164Abstract: For the cost effective implementation of negative-index refraction, an anisotropic hyperbolic planar metamaterial comprising a first set of substantially parallel, unloaded and coplanar transmission lines, said first set being spaced with a periodicity dy a second set of substantially parallel, unloaded and coplanar transmission lines, said second set being spaced with a periodicity dx, further being coplanar and substantially orthogonal with said first set of transmission lines, wherein the periodicities of said first set and second set of transmission lines being governed by the relationship ?x(fr)dx+?y(fr)dy=2?, where: ?x and ?y are the intrinsic propagation constants of electromagnetic waves of frequency fr propagating along the first and second set of transmission lines, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2005Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: ONTARIO CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE INC.Inventor: George V. Eleftheriades
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Patent number: 7414593Abstract: A three-dimensional FSS fabrication system is described. FSS elements are pre-mapped in two-dimensional form and constructed on a flat FSS panel that is then formed into a desired three-dimensional shape. The 2-D flat surface of the designed FSS is mapped into a desired three-dimensional curvature so that when formed from 2-D into the 3-D shape, the FSS elements are moved into a desired position and/or orientation. In one embodiment, the mapping from 2-D to 3-D is performed using the elastic properties of a desired substrate material. In one embodiment, one or more flat FSS panels are constructed on a formable or thermo-formable substrate. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a thermoplastic material with fiber reinforcement. The FSS elements can be created by printing, deposition, photo-etching, etc. The flat FSS layers are thermoformed or chemically formed over a tool having the desired shape.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Victor G. Williams, Andrew B. MacFarland, Ethan C. Saladin, Jay C. Marcum
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Publication number: 20080191962Abstract: The present invention relates to photonic band gap antennas. This antenna comprises according to a plane of directions x, y, a radiating source and a photonic band gap structure constituted by parallel metal rods, the rods repeating themselves nx times in the direction x and ny times in the direction y. The height of the rods seen from the radiating source is increasing. The invention is able to control the radiation pattern of the antenna in the vertical plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2005Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Nicolas Boisbouvier, Ali Louzir, Francoise Le Bolzer, Anne-Claude Tarot, Kouroch Mahdjoubi
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Patent number: 7411565Abstract: A magnetically-loaded artificial magnetic conductor surface provides enhanced bandwidth. The structure includes in one embodiment a thumbtack structure with a spacer layer that is loaded with a barium-cobalt hexaferrite based artificial magnetic material. Specifically, the geometry consists of a ground plane covered with thinly sliced ferrite tiles that are metallized and stacked. Each tile has a metal via running through its center that is electrically connected to the plated metallized surfaces. A foam spacer layer resides above the ferrite tiles. Atop the foam spacer layer rests a capacitive surface, which can be realized as a single layer array of metal patches, a multiple layer array of overlapping patches or other planar capacitive geometry.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Titan Systems Corporation/Aerospace Electronic DivisionInventors: William E. McKinzie, III, Rodolfo E. Diaz, Victor C. Sanchez, Eric Caswell
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Patent number: 7411564Abstract: A frequency multiband antenna includes a photonic bandgap material having at least one band gap, one single periodicity defect of the bandgap material so as to produce several narrow bandwidths within the at least one band gap of the bandgap material, and an excitation device capable of transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves within the narrow bandwidths.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), Centre National d'Etudes SpatilesInventors: Marc Thevenot, Régis Chantalat, Bernard Jecko, Ludovic Leger, Thierry Monediere, Patrick Dumon
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Patent number: 7405698Abstract: Circuit modules and methods of construction thereof that contain composite meta-material dielectric bodies that have high effective values of real permittivity but which minimize reflective losses, through the use of host dielectric (organic or ceramic), materials having relative permittivities substantially less than ceramic dielectric inclusions embedded therein. The composite meta-material bodies permit reductions in physical lengths of electrically conducting elements such as antenna element(s) without adversely impacting radiation efficiency. The meta-material structure may additionally provide frequency band filtering functions that would normally be provided by other components typically found in an RF front-end.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Inventor: L. Pierre de Rochemont
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Publication number: 20080174509Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, incident electromagnetic radiation is received through a subwavelength aperture in a lens, the subwavelength aperture being defined by a substrate encased in a dielectric medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2006Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventor: Brett A. Williams
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Patent number: 7400304Abstract: An antenna is provided comprising a first group of part-spherical dielectric lenses supported on a first portion of a conducting ground place arranged to reflect signals emerging from the lens, each of the lenses having a number of associated switchably selectable antenna feed elements arranged around the periphery of at least one sector of the lens for injecting signals into and/or receiving signals propagated by the lens, wherein each lens and the associated feed elements of the first group has a different orientation and may be operated to provide coverage in respect of a different region. The antenna also comprises a second group of one or more spherical or part-spherical dielectric lenses and associated switchably selectable antenna feed elements, oriented and operable to provide coverage to a region other than that covered by lenses of the first group.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventors: Robert Alan Lewis, Christian Rieckmann, James Christopher Gordon Matthews, Peter Edge
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Patent number: 7388557Abstract: A antenna made from a photonic band-gap (PBG) material, includes: a lateral wall (4) which is made from a PBG material and which completely surrounds a central axis (6), the wall being disposed at a distance from the central axis such as to form a central resonant cavity; and at least one radiating element (34) which is placed inside the cavity. Each radiating element is positioned inside the cavity in order to excite an electromagnetic field parallel to the central axis and the radiating element(s) can excite the modes of the central cavity having a radial resonance more strongly than the other modes of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)Inventors: Bernard Jecko, Laure Freytag, Elisa Pointereau
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Publication number: 20080129645Abstract: A high-frequency Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG) device, and a method for making the device are provided. The device includes a first substrate including multiple conducting vias forming a periodic lattice. The vias of the first substrate extend from the lower surface of the first substrate to the upper surface of the first substrate. The device also includes a second substrate having multiple conducting vias forming a periodic lattice. The vias of the second substrate extend from the lower surface of the second substrate to the upper surface of the second substrate. The second substrate is positioned adjacent to, and overlapping, the first substrate, such that the lower surface of the second substrate is in contact with the upper surface of the first substrate, and such that a plurality of vias of the second substrate are in contact with a corresponding plurality of vias of the first substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Carl W. Berlin, Deepukumar M. Nair
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Publication number: 20080122718Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of reflectarray antennas, that is to say antennas consisting of a primary illumination source and a phase-shifting plate consisting of an array of cells each having a coefficient of reflection the phase of which is electronically controlled. According to the invention, each cell consists of a waveguide element closed at one of its ends by a dielectric substrate wafer carrying an electrical circuit formed by three parallel conducting strips. A variable capacitor, produced either in MEMS technology or by means of a ferroelectric element, is implanted by means of bonding wires on the electrical circuit etched on the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: ThalesInventors: Xavier DELESTRE, Thierry DOUSSET, Claude CHEKROUN
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Patent number: 7375696Abstract: A direction-change element for changing the direction of travel of an incident electromagnetic wave and electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving elements are disposed on a substrate. The direction-change element has a periodic array of materials of different refractive indexes arranged in parallel to the substrate surface. The electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving elements are positioned at opposite ends of the periodic array in the direction of its arrangement. The output ratio between the two electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving elements can be used to detect the incidence angle of the electromagnetic wave with high accuracy. By changing the relative intensity of electromagnetic waves to be sent from the two electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving elements, it is possible to achieve high-accuracy control of the angle of emittance of the electromagnetic wave to be sent from the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry LimitedInventors: Akinobu Sato, Akiko Suzuki, Emmanuel Bourelle
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Patent number: 7365701Abstract: An optimal configuration for at least one antenna and/or at least one frequency selective surface is generated. A configuration of elements is generated by selecting a simple configuration of at least one element and applying a genetic algorithm to the simple configuration to generate a configuration optimized for various characteristics. A stochastic process may be used to randomly select an arrangement of elements as the simple antenna configuration and to select elements that connect the randomly selected elements to produce a stochastic configuration to which the genetic algorithm is then applied. Alternatively, an iterated or semi-iterated process may be applied to the simple antenna configuration to produce a fractal or a semi-fractal configuration, respectively, to which the genetic algorithm is then applied. Also, the elements may be optimized independently.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Sciperio, Inc.Inventors: Douglas H. Werner, Pingjuan L. Werner, Kenneth H. Church, Michael John Wilhelm
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Patent number: 7365684Abstract: An antenna structure used in an electronic device includes a signal transmission line and an antenna unit. The signal transmission line is electrically coupled to the electronic device. The antenna unit includes a signal feed-in point, a filter, and a radiation part. The signal feed-in point is electrically coupled to the electronic device via the signal transmission line. The filter has a first end electrically coupled to the signal feed-in point. The radiation part is electrically coupled to a second end of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Accton Technology CorporationInventors: Jia-Haur Liang, Ting-Yi Tsai
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Publication number: 20080088524Abstract: A composite material comprising a dielectric material and a plurality of non-overlapping local resonant cell groups disposed across the dielectric material is described. Each local resonant cell group comprises a plurality of resonant cells that are small relative to a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is incident upon the composite material. Each local resonant cell group has a spatial extent that is not larger than an order of the first wavelength. For each of the local resonant cell groups, the resonant cells therein are chirped with respect to at least one geometric feature thereof such that a plurality of different subsets of the resonant cells resonate for a respective plurality of wavelengths in a spectral neighborhood of the first wavelength. The composite material exhibits at least one of a negative effective permeability and a negative effective permittivity for each of the plurality of wavelengths in that spectral neighborhood.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Shih-Yuan Wang, Alexandre Bratkovski
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Patent number: 7355554Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a photonic bandgap structure on a slot-type microwave device which is produced on a metallized substrate. According to the invention, periodically-spaced patterns are formed on the surface of the aforementioned substrate opposite the surface comprising the slot. The invention is suitable for slot-type antennas.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Nicolas Boisbouvier, Françoise Le Bolzer, Ali Louzir, Anne-Claude Tarot, Kouroch Mahdjoubi
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Patent number: 7345652Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system including a Luneberg Lens having a spherically shaped outer surface and a spherically shaped focal surface spaced from its outer surface with a plurality of patch antenna elements disposed along the focal surface of the Luneberg Lens; and a power combiner for combining signals received by said plurality of patch antenna elements. The disclosed antenna system may be used a part of a robust GPS system having a plurality of GPS satellites each transmitting a GPS signal; a plurality of airborne GPS platforms, each GPS platform including a GPS transmitter for transmitting its own GPS signal, the GPS signals being transmitted from the plurality of airborne GPS platforms being differentiated from the GPS signals transmitted by visible GPS satellites; and at least one terrestrially located GPS receiver for receiving the GPS signals transmitted by visible ones of the GPS satellites and by visible ones of said airborne GPS platforms.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: James H. Schaffner, Jonathan J. Lynch, Daniel F. Sievenpiper
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Publication number: 20080055188Abstract: When illuminated with a plane wave a variable cross-coupling partial reflector reflects a specific amount of a cross-polarized field and a specific amount of a co-polarized field and transmits the remaining power with low attenuation. This is achieved with a pair of frequency selective surfaces (FSS) that are rotated with respect to the incident plane wave. The FSSs can be fixed with a given alignment for a particular application or a tuning mechanism can be provided to independently rotate the surfaces and adapt the reflected co- and cross-polarized fields to changing requirements. Of particular interest is the ability to provide a specific amount of cross-polarized reflected power while reflecting no co-polarized field over a certain range of wavelengths. This will be useful to increase power efficiency in, for example, wave power sources that utilize quasi-optical power by causing oscillations in reflection amplifier arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventor: Jonathan J. Lynch
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Patent number: 7339539Abstract: A periodic electromagnetic medium is disclosed that includes a surface that provides an interface with an ambient medium and a periodic structure that provides negative refraction within the medium of an incident electromagnetic field incident on the surface. In various embodiments the incident electromagnetic field is within a range of frequencies, the medium may include dielectric or metallic material, and has either a positive or negative effective index.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: John D. Joannopoulos, Chiyan Luo, Steven G. Johnson, Yoel Fink
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Patent number: 7339521Abstract: Novel methods and structures are disclosed herein which employ pseudorandom sequences to spatially arrange multiple sources in a pseudorandom source array. The pseudorandom source array can replace the single source in analytical instruments relying on spatial separation of the sample or the probe particles/waves emitted by the sources. The large number of sources in this pseudorandom source array enhances the signal on a position sensitive detector. A mathematical deconvolution process retrieves a spectrum with improved signal-to-noise ratio from the detector signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Inventors: Adi Scheidemann, Henry Hess
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Patent number: 7330161Abstract: An antenna comprises a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and an LC resonance circuit. The first conductive layer has plural elements and is disposed adjacently to each other. The second conductive layer is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first conductive layer via a dielectric substrate. The LC resonance circuit comprises connection for electrically connecting the elements and the second conductive layer. The LC resonance circuit takes a resonance state in which impedance becomes high in the operating frequency of the antenna. Of the plural elements, a power feeding section is provided in each of any two adjacent elements. Power is fed to the power feeding sections during transmission so that signals of the operating frequency are opposite in phase, and signals of the operating frequency inputted to the antenna are outputted in opposite phase from the power feeding sections during reception.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuoki Matsugatani, Makoto Tanaka, Dowon Kim, Moonil Kim
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Patent number: 7324065Abstract: An antenna radiation collimator structure is provided as including a number of resonator circuit boards oriented to form a block structure. A sheet of dielectric material is disposed between each of the number of resonator circuit boards to maintain a substantially uniform spacing between each of the resonator circuit boards. A plurality of conductive unit resonator cells may be disposed on first planar surfaces of each of the number of resonator circuit boards and a plurality of conductive strip lines may also be disposed on second planar surfaces of each of the number of resonator circuit boards. In this arrangement, radiation applied to a substantially central location of the block structure interacts with the plurality of conductive unit resonator cells and the plurality of conductive strip lines for redirecting the radiation out of front and rear facing surfaces of the block structure as respective first and second substantially collimated beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Beverly Turchinetz, John Derov, Everett Crisman
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Patent number: 7324064Abstract: System and method for improving the interference resistance of an radio frequency (RF) antenna system through passive prescreening of the RF energy incident upon the antenna. The invention physically partitions the RF environment into two or more sectors with respect to the direction of arrival of incident energy. The power level of the RF frequencies of interest incident upon each sector is determined such that whenever the power level exceeds a given threshold, the received signal from energy incident on that sector is modified.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: Cordell Fox, Kevin Wing, Robert A. Murphy, David C. Priester
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Publication number: 20070285318Abstract: A portable communication device comprises a first set of layers providing different circuits, and a second set of layers comprising an antenna layer including all antennas and a grounding layer for all antennas. The grounding layer comprises an AMC material structure facing the antenna layer. The antennas are grouped according to operational frequency range, where each group covers a separate frequency range. The AMC material structure is also divided into sections, where each section faces a group of antennas and has a high surface impedance for the frequency range of this group. There is also a casing surrounding elements of the device including the antenna and grounding layer, where one side of the casing is provided with a strip of AMC material having a high surface impedance for an operational frequency range of at least one antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS ABInventors: Omid Sotoudeh, Soren Karlsson
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Publication number: 20070285336Abstract: In some embodiments, a multiband antenna array using electromagnetic bandgap structures is presented. In this regard, an antenna array is introduced having two or more planar antennas situated substantially on a surface of a substrate, a first set of electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) cells situated substantially between and on plane with the antennas, and a second set of EBG cells situated within the substrate below the antennas. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventor: Telesphor Kamgaing
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Publication number: 20070285314Abstract: Disclosed herein is a front-end device for a phased array system. The front-end device includes an array of horn antennas, a first set of transmission lines coupled to the horn antenna array for a first polarization, a second set of transmission lines coupled to the horn antenna array for a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, and a plurality of L-shaped excitation elements. Each L-shaped excitation element of the plurality of L-shaped excitation elements couples a transmission line from each of the first and second sets of transmission lines to a respective horn antenna of the horn antenna array.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Amir Mortazawi, Lora S. Schulwitz
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Publication number: 20070285316Abstract: An antenna array includes a plurality of antenna unit cells, a ground plane, and at least one artificial magnetic layer AML unit cell. At least one AML unit cell is disposed between at least two adjacent ones of the antenna unit cells. The AML unit cells include a pair of split ring resonators through a ring dielectric layer, and the resonators are capacitively coupled to the a ground plane of the antenna array through a capacitor dielectric layer. The resonators are orthogonal to one another and to the ground plane, and more than one pair may be defined in each AML unit cell. Magnetic energy from the antenna unit cells induces an electric field in the resonators, and the resulting magnetic field is strongly coupled to the AML unit cell to inhibit mutual coupling between radiating elements by suppression of surface wave propagation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Jussi Saily, Mikko Kaunisto, Sergei Tretyakov, Constantin Simovski
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Patent number: 7304617Abstract: A planar multi-layer transreflector for generating collimated coherent energy comprises one or more of insulating layers between two or more metallic layers. The transreflector substantially reflects a cross-polarized component of an incident millimeter-wave signal and substantially transmits the remaining portions of the incident millimeter-wave signal. Each of the metallic layers comprises a plurality of rectangles arranged in a grid pattern radially varying in size within circumferential regions. The reflected cross-polarized component may be substantially orthogonal to the transmitted remaining portions. A substantially collimated and coherent wavefront comprising the remaining portions may be produced in a first direction, and substantially collimated and coherent wavefront comprising the cross-polarized components may be produced in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Jonathan Lynch
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Publication number: 20070273608Abstract: An anisotropic reactive frequency selective surface (FSS) ground plane for controlling the beam pattern of an antenna. More specifically, the ground plane comprises a plurality of FSS unit cells arranged in an elongated shape and operable to control the beam pattern of the antenna in at least two orthogonal directions. The ground plane may be incorporated into a system including a vehicle windshield and the antenna, and is mounted at, or embedded in, a top-center portion of the windshield, substantially centered on the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: James H. Schaffner, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Hui-Pin Hsu
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Patent number: 7301504Abstract: The invention includes a mechanical scanning feed and a spherical lens antenna system. The mechanical feed includes a waveguide, which has a movable wall assembly that contains a guide slot. The moveable wall portion also includes an end wall that is located proximate to the guide slot to prevent leakage of the propagating energy out of the waveguide. The mechanical feed also includes a drive mechanism, which moves the moveable wall assembly along the waveguide in a direction that is parallel to the direction of propagation of the energy. This allows the guide slot to be positioned at any elevation angle to allow a portion of the propagating energy to exit through the guide slot. This in combination with the waveguide being able to be rotated 360 degrees about the spherical lens provides the antenna system with nearly spherical coverage.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: EMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Anna N. Howell, legal representative, James M. Howell, deceased
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Patent number: 7292204Abstract: A dielectric resonator antenna is a dielectric resonator mounted on a feed-in/feed-out component. The dielectric resonator is a rectangular parallelepiped made of a dielectric, and has a caved well passing through from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof. The feed-in/feed-out component includes a dielectric substrate, a ground metal layer and a strip metal layer coated on the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the dielectric substrate. An etched part is provided on the ground metal layer. Wherein, the dielectric resonator with the caved well is mounted on the ground metal layer of the feed-in/feed-out component.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: National Taiwan UniversityInventors: Tze-Hsuan Chang, Jean-Fu Kiang
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Patent number: 7280086Abstract: Multifrequency reflecting antenna (AR), for example for a telecommunication satellite that comprises a reflector (R) with a front face (FA) for reflecting beams of electromagnetic waves belonging to at least two different frequency bands. The front face (FA) of the reflector (R) comprises a structure (ST) defining a three-dimensional pattern with symmetry of revolution, chosen so as to shape the beams such that they have approximately identical radiofrequency characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: ThalesInventors: Thierry Judasz, Jean-François David, Jacques Maurel
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Publication number: 20070229391Abstract: A radar device for a mobile body, such as a vehicle, having a high degree of installation freedom. The radar device comprises a sensor body transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, and path changing means placed in an electromagnetic wave path through which the electromagnetic waves pass and changing the propagation direction of the electromagnetic waves by refraction and/or reflection. Even when the installation site of the sensor body is restricted by requirements on a mobile body on which this radar device is to be mounted, the sensor body can be installed at the restricted site by changing the propagation direction of electromagnetic waves appropriately, while maintaining the functions of the sensor body appropriately.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuya Fujii, Chiharu Totani
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Patent number: 7277065Abstract: Photonic Band Gap (PBG) structures are utilized in microwave components as filters to suppress unwanted signals because they have the ability to produce a bandstop effect at certain frequency range depending on the structural dimensions. The unique property of PBG structures is due to the periodic change of the dielectric permittivity so interferences are created with the traveling electromagnetic waves. Such periodic arrangement could exist either inside of the dielectric substrate or in the ground plane of a microstrip transmission line structure. This invention provides tunable or switchable planar PBG structures, which contains lattice pattern of periodic perforations inside of the ground plane. The tuning or switching of the bandstop characteristics is achieved by depositing a conducting island surrounded by a layer of controllable thin film with variable conductivities.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Inventors: Jay Hsing Wu, Chunong Qiu, Cindy Xing Qiu, Ishiang Shih