Directional single-axis horn-reflector antenna

摘要

A horn-reflector antenna for tracking the location of in-flight aircraft is provided. The antenna includes an upwardly-opening horn having a reflector attached thereto. The horn may have an asymmetric rectangular cross-section and comprise at least one upwardly and outwardly extending side wall. The reflector includes a reflecting surface that may have a generally hyperbolic paraboloid shape or saddle shape. The horn and reflector may be constructed from a polymer material in an injection molding process. The reflecting surface of the reflector and the inner surfaces of the horn may be coated with a reflective or conductive material, for example, a paint comprising sliver-plated copper particles. In use, the horn-reflector antenna may be adapted to rotate around the longitudinal axis of a stationary waveguide feed. As such, the antenna of the present invention can be adapted for operation without the use of a rotary joint or a slip ring.

主权项

1. An antenna for tracking the position of in-flight aircraft, said antenna comprising:
an upwardly-opening horn having a front wall, a rear wall and two opposing side walls, said rear wall extending substantially straight upwardly from a bottom end of the horn, at least one of said front and two opposing side walls having a predetermined angle of outward flare from the bottom end of the horn such that a transverse cross section of said horn increases from the bottom end of the horn to a top end of the horn; and a reflector attached to said horn, said reflector including a reflecting surface having a curved profile, wherein said horn and reflector rotate together around a longitudinal axis of a stationary waveguide feed to thereby create a mechanically-steered fan-beam radiation pattern.