ARRAY ANTENNA INCLUDING A MONOLITHIC ANTENNA FEED ASSEMBLY AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

An antenna (10) includes antenna elements (16-22) , an antenna feed assembly (36) and at least one integrated circuit (80) adjacent the antenna feed assembly (36) on a side thereof opposite the antenna elements (16-22) . The at least one integrated circuit (80) is connected to the antenna elements (16-22) via the antenna feed assembly (36) . The antenna feed assembly (36) includes a conductive base plate (38) spaced from the antenna elements (16-22) , and has feed openings (40) therein. Spaced apart conductive posts (42) are integrally formed with the conductive base plate (38) as a monolithic unit, and extend outwardly therefrom toward the antenna elements (16-22) . Each conductive post (42) has at least one passageway therethrough (46) aligned with at least one respective feed opening (40) to define at least one antenna feed passageway. A respective elongated feed conductor (50) extends through each antenna feed passageway.