PLASMA AVIATION ANTENNA

摘要

An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.

主权项

1. A aircraft window comprising:
an enclosure configured to be provided in a window opening of an aircraft; a receiving space defined in the enclosure; a plasma antenna element provided within the receiving space, the plasma antenna element being operably coupled to a controller to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element over a selectable range or frequencies, the plasma antenna element including one or more RF-conductive plasma discharge tubes that are selectively ionizable to a plasma state under control of the controller; and a metal antenna element operably coupled to the controller, wherein the plasma antenna element is controlled by the controller to collimate, reflect or block portions of a radiation pattern of the metal antenna element to facilitate beam steering.