Conformal wide band surface wave radiating element

摘要

Conformal antennas and methods for radiating radio frequency energy using conformal antennas are provided. In particular, one or more tapered feeds can be provided as part of or interconnected to a conductive top plate. The one or more tapered feeds have a depth that decreases from a feed point to a tip. The tip of the one or more tapered feeds is adjacent a cavity formed over a lens region. An aperture over the lens region can be covered or filled by an impedance surface. This impedance surface may comprise a frequency selective surface. Alternatively, a frequency selective surface can be provided over the lens region of an antenna incorporating one or more stripline feeds.

主权项

1. An antenna element, comprising:
a top plate; at least one tapered feed, wherein the tapered feed extends from a surface of the top plate, wherein the tapered feed has a length dimension extending between a feed point and a tip, wherein the tapered feed has a depth dimension that extends in a direction perpendicular to the length dimension of the tapered feed, wherein a depth of the tapered feed decreases from the feed point to the tip such that a distance of an edge of the tapered feed from the surface of the top plate decreases from the feed point to the tip; and a ground plane forming a lens region, wherein the ground plane is interconnected to the top plate, wherein the lens region of the ground plane defines a surface of a cavity, wherein the cavity has a depth dimension that is parallel to the depth dimension of the tapered feed, and wherein the depth of the cavity decreases from a point adjacent the tip of the tapered feed to a point distal from the tip of the tapered feed.