INDOOR/OUTDOOR APPLICATIONS

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/720,106, filed October 30, 2012 and entitled "A COMPACT, BROADBAND, OMNI ANTENNA FOR INDOOR/OUTDOOR APPLICATIONS", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimed pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to antennas and more particularly to broadband antennas for wireless communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of broadband antennas are known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a novel compact broadband antenna, particularly suited for single-input single-output (SISO) operation.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an antenna, including a broadband bi-conical radiating element including a first generally conical radiating element and a second generally conical radiating element mounted thereon, the first generally conical radiating element including a conical portion having a base end and a meandered counterpoise portion disposed at the base end of the conical portion, a reflector having a projection in a plane generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of the bi-conical radiating element and a feed arrangement for feeding the bi-conical radiating element.

Preferably, the conical portion of the first generally conical radiating element and the second generally conical radiating element each include a truncated cone having a truncated apex.

Preferably, the antenna also includes at least one supporting stand and spacer element for mounting the second generally conical radiating element on the first generally conical radiating element.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna also includes gamma matching elements extending between the first and second generally conical radiating elements.

Preferably, the gamma matching elements include two gamma matching elements formed by conductive strips.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the gamma matching elements includes a capacitor.

Preferably, the gamma matching elements are symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical axis.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the meandered counterpoise portion is integrally formed with the conical portion of the first generally conical radiating element. Preferably, the bi-conical radiating element radiates an omnidirectional beam.

Preferably, the reflector forms a ground plane of the antenna and the reflector is planar.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the feed arrangement includes a feed port galvanically connected to the first and second generally conical radiating elements.

Preferably, the feed arrangement includes a coaxial connector having an outer conductive sheath, the outer conductive sheath being galvanically connected to the conical portion and providing a ground connection for the conical portion.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second generally conical radiating elements have different heights.

Preferably, the broadband bi-conical radiating element includes an inverted disc-cone antenna, wherein the disc portion of the inverted disc-cone antenna is implemented by the first generally conical radiating element and the cone portion of the inverted disc-cone antenna is implemented by the second generally conical radiating element.

Preferably, the antenna radiates in a first mode of operation at frequencies between 1710 - 6000 MHz, wherein the meandering of the meandered counterpoise portion effectively shortens an electrical length of the first generally conical radiating element.

Preferably, the meandered counterpoise portion directs radiation into a volume defined by the second generally conical radiating element.

Preferably, the antenna radiates in a second mode of operation at frequencies between 690 - 960 MHz, wherein the electrical length of the first generally conical radiating element is effectively increased by the meandered counterpoise portion.

Preferably, the first and second generally conical radiating elements are vertically aligned along the vertical axis.

Preferably, the antenna is housed within a radome. Preferably, a multiplicity of holes is formed in the reflector and in the meandered counterpoise portion and is mutually aligned therebetween, the holes being operable for at least one of attachment of the reflector to a supporting surface and attachment of the radome to the antenna.

There is further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an antenna including a broadband omnidirectional radiating element having a vertical axis, at least two gamma matching elements symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical axis and a feed arrangement for feeding the broadband omnidirectional radiating element.

Preferably, the broadband omnidirectional radiating element includes a broadband bi-conical radiating element including a first generally conical radiating element and a second generally conical radiating element mounted thereon, the first generally conical radiating element including a conical portion having a base end and a meandered counterpoise portion disposed at the base end of the conical portion.

Preferably, the at least two gamma matching elements extend between the first and second generally conical radiating elements.

Preferably, the at least two gamma matching elements include two gamma matching elements formed by conductive strips.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the at least two gamma matching elements includes a capacitor.

Preferably, the antenna includes a conductive ground and the at least two gamma matching elements are galvanically connected to the conductive ground.

Preferably, the conductive ground includes an outer sheath of a coaxial cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an antenna constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2A is a simplified perspective exploded view illustration of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2B is a simplified perspective assembled view illustration of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2C is a simplified top view illustration of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 2D and 2E are simplified cross- sectional view illustrations of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3A and 3B are simplified respective perspective exploded and assembled view illustrations of an antenna constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a schematic illustration of an antenna constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As seen in Fig. 1, there is provided an antenna 100. Antenna 100 is preferably an indoor-type antenna and is particularly preferably adapted for mounting on a ceiling 102. However, it is appreciated that antenna 100 may alternatively be adapted for mounting on a variety of indoor and/or outdoor surfaces, depending on the operating requirements of antenna 100.

As best seen at enlargement 104, antenna 100 includes a broadband bi- conical radiating element comprising a first generally conical radiating element 105 and a second generally conical radiating element 106 mounted thereon. First generally conical radiating element 105 preferably comprises a conical portion 107 and a meandered counterpoise portion 108, which meandered counterpoise portion 108 is preferably disposed at a base end 110 of conical portion 107 and is preferably integrally formed therewith. Conical portion 107 is preferably disposed on an upper surface of a reflector 112, which reflector 112 preferably forms a ground plane of antenna 100 and has a projection in a plane generally perpendicular to a vertical axis 113 of antenna 100. It is appreciated that conical antenna elements 106 and 107 are preferably formed as truncated cones.

It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the antenna of the present invention that first generally conical radiating element 105 and second generally conical radiating element 106 are of different heights, thereby enabling two modes of operation of antenna 100.

Antenna 100 preferably operates as an inverted disc-cone antenna, wherein a disc portion of the antenna is provided by first generally conical radiating element 105 and a cone portion of the antenna is provided by second generally conical radiating element 106. In a first mode of operation at relatively high frequencies such as 1710 - 6000 MHz, the meandering of meandered counterpoise portion 108 provides relatively high impedance, thereby effectively shortening the electrical length of conical portion 107 of first generally conical radiating element 105. Furthermore, it is appreciated that counterpoise element 108 acts as a reflector which is operative to direct radiation into the volume defined by second generally conical radiating element 106.

In a second mode of operation at relatively low frequencies such as 690 -

960 MHz, the electrical length of conical portion 107 of first generally conical radiating element 105 is effectively increased by meandered counterpoise portion 108. The added length allows antenna 100 to function at lower frequencies without significantly increasing the dimensions of the antenna.

A pair of gamma matching elements 114 is preferably provided extending between first and second generally conical radiating elements 105 and 106. Gamma matching elements 114 preferably induce a distributed shunt reactance in both the first and second modes of operation of antenna 100, which distributed shunt reactance increases the radiation resistance and thereby improves the input match while maintaining omnidirectional azimuth coverage.

It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the antenna of the present invention that the use of multiple gamma matching elements 114 serves to prevent perturbation of the radiation pattern of antenna 100, which perturbation is typically formed when implementing a single gamma matching element with axially symmetric radiators such as elements 105 and 106. Gamma matching elements 114 are preferably embodied as a pair of conductive strips, preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to vertical axis 113. It is appreciated, however, that gamma matching elements 114 may alternatively be formed by other conductive structures and may include more than two gamma matching elements, as will be detailed henceforth with reference to Figs. 3 A and 3B.

In operation of antenna 100, antenna 100 preferably receives a radio- frequency input signal by way of a feed arrangement 115, a portion of which feed arrangement 115 is shown in Fig. 1. Further details concerning feed arrangement 115 are provided henceforth with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B.

A plurality of outer supporting stand and spacer elements 116 are preferably provided for mounting second generally conical radiating element 106 atop of conical portion 107 of first generally conical radiating element 105. The apexes of second generally conical radiating element 106 and of conical portion 107 are preferably aligned along axis 113. It is appreciated that meandered counterpoise portion 108 is operative to mix the polarization of the radiated field and to thereby provide for omnidirectional beam patterns of antenna 100. This property is especially beneficially in SISO systems where the orientations and sensitivities of each of the receivers of each polarization are unknown.

Due to the omnidirectional beam patterns of antenna 100, antenna 100 is well suited to serve a multiplicity of users, such as users 118, 120 and 122, with high RF data throughput rates and minimal fading and scattering effects. Furthermore, antenna 100 is extremely compact and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture in comparison to conventional SISO antennas.

Antenna 100 may optionally be housed by a radome 124, which radome 124 preferably has both aesthetic and protective functions. Radome 124 may be formed of any suitable material that does not distort the preferred radiation patterns of antenna 100.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2A, which is a simplified perspective exploded view illustration of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, and to Fig. 2B, which is a simplified perspective assembled view illustration of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1.

As seen in Figs. 2A and 2B, and as described hereinabove with regards to Fig. 1, antenna 100 is a bi-conical antenna including first generally conical radiating element 105 and second generally conical radiating element 106. First generally conical radiating element 105 preferably comprises conical portion 107 and meandered counterpoise portion 108 disposed at base end 110 of conical portion 107 and preferably integrally formed therewith. Conical portion 107 is preferably disposed on an upper surface of reflector 112, which reflector 112 preferably forms a ground plane of antenna 100, and has a projection in a plane generally perpendicular to vertical axis 113 of antenna 100. As clearly seen in Fig. 2A, conical antenna elements 106 and 107 are preferably formed as truncated cones.

Gamma matching elements 114 are preferably provided extending between first and second generally conical radiating elements 105 and 106 and symmetrically arranged with respect to vertical axis 113. Gamma matching elements 114 induce a distributed shunt reactance between first and second generally conical radiating elements 105 and 106, which shunt reactance is operative to increase the radiation resistance and input match while maintaining omnidirectional azimuth coverage.

Outer supporting stand and spacer elements 116 are preferably provided for mounting second generally conical radiating element 106 on conical portion 107 of first generally conical radiating element 105. The apexes of conical antenna element 106 and conical portion 107 are preferably aligned along axis 113.

Antenna 100 is preferably fed by way of feed arrangement 115. In operation of antenna 100, each one of second generally conical radiating element 106 and conical portion 107 preferably receives an RF input signal by way of a feed port 200. Feed port 200 preferably protrudes through a first aperture (not shown) formed in reflector 112 and is preferably galvanically connected to conical portion 107 by means of a second aperture 202 formed in conical portion 107 and to second generally conical radiating element 106 by means of a third aperture 203 formed in second generally conical radiating element 106. Port 200 is preferably located on an underside of reflector 112, opposite to the surface on which elements 105 and 106 are preferably located.

As seen most clearly in Fig. 2A, feed arrangement 115 preferably includes a coaxial cable 204 connected to port 200. Conical portion 107 is preferably galvanically connected to a conductive outer sheath 206 of coaxial cable 204 at second aperture 202, which conductive outer sheath 206 forms a conductive ground for antenna 100. The galvanic connection of conical portion 107 to the conductive outer sheath 206 of the coaxial cable 204 thus provides a ground connection for conical portion 107. Each one of gamma matching elements 114 is preferably galvanically connected to conical portion 107 and thereby to the conductive ground formed by conductive outer sheath 206.

A multiplicity of holes 208 are optionally formed in reflector 112 and in meandered counterpoise portion 108 and are mutually aligned therebetween. Holes 208 preferably facilitate the attachment of reflector 112 to a supporting surface, such as ceiling 102 seen in Fig. 1. Holes 208 may also be used for the optional attachment of a radome to antenna 100, such as radome 124 illustrated in Fig. 1. Reference is now made to Fig. 2C, which is a simplified top view illustration of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1.

As seen in Fig. 2C, and as described hereinabove with regard to Fig. 1, antenna 100 is a bi-conical antenna having first generally conical radiating element 105 and second generally conical radiating element 106. First generally conical radiating element 105 preferably comprises conical portion 107 and meandered counterpoise portion 108 disposed at base end 110 of conical portion 107 and preferably integrally formed therewith. Conical portion 107 is preferably disposed on an upper surface of reflector 112, which reflector 112 preferably forms a ground plane of antenna 100. Second generally conical radiating element 106 is preferably mounted on conical portion 107 of first generally conical radiating element 105. The apexes of conical antenna element 106 and conical portion 107 are preferably aligned along axis 113.

In operation of antenna 100, first and second generally conical radiating elements 105 and 106 preferably receive an RF input signal by way of coaxial cable 204. A multiplicity of mutually aligned holes 208 are optionally formed in reflector 112 and in meandered counterpoise portion 108, in order to facilitate the attachment of reflector 112 to a supporting surface, such as ceiling 102 seen in Fig. 1. Holes 208 may also be used for the optional attachment of a radome to antenna 100, such as radome 124 illustrated in Fig. 1.

Most preferably, the diameter of meandered counterpoise portion 108 is

200 millimeters, as clearly shown in Fig. 2C.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2D and 2E, which are simplified cross- sectional view illustrations of an antenna of the type illustrated in Fig. 1.

As seen in Figs. 2D and 2E, and as described hereinabove with regard to Fig. 1, antenna 100 is a bi-conical antenna including first generally conical radiating element 105 and second generally conical radiating element 106. First generally conical radiating element 105 preferably comprises conical portion 107 and meandered counterpoise portion 108 disposed at base end 110 of conical portion 107 and preferably integrally formed therewith. Conical portion 107 is preferably disposed on an upper surface of reflector 112, which reflector 112 preferably forms a ground plane of antenna 100 and has a projection in a plane generally perpendicular to vertical axis 113 of antenna 100. As clearly seen in Figs. 2D and 2E, conical antenna elements 106 and 107 are formed as truncated cones.

Gamma matching elements 114 are preferably provided extending between first and second generally conical radiating elements 105 and 106, for inducing a distributed shunt reactance which increases the radiation resistance and input match while maintaining omnidirectional azimuth coverage. Gamma matching elements 114 are preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to vertical axis 113.

Outer supporting stand and spacer elements 116 are preferably provided for mounting second generally conical radiating element 106 on conical portion 107 of first generally conical radiating element 105. Second generally conical radiating element 106 is most preferably mounted 4.0 millimeters above conical portion 107. The truncated apexes of conical radiating element 106 and conical portion 107 are preferably aligned along axis 113.

Most preferably, the distance between the base of second generally conical radiating element 106 and its truncated apex is 40.7 millimeters. Most preferably, the distance between the base 110 of conical portion 107 and its truncated apex is 26.5 millimeters.

Most preferably, the diameter of the base of second generally conical radiating element 106 is 80.4 millimeters.

Most preferably, the angle between the sloping surface of second generally conical radiating element 106 and a plane intersecting the truncated apex thereof is 49 degrees. Most preferably, the angle between the sloping surface of conical portion 107 and a plane intersecting the truncated apex thereof is 29 degrees.

In operation of antenna 100, each one of second generally conical radiating element 106 and conical portion 107 preferably receives an RF input signal by way of feed port 200. Feed port 200 preferably protrudes through a first aperture (not shown) formed in reflector 112 and is preferably galvanically connected to conical portion 107 by means of second aperture 202 formed in conical portion 107 and to second generally conical radiating element 106 by means of third aperture 203 formed in second generally conical radiating element 106. Port 200 is preferably located on an underside of reflector 112, opposite to the surface on which elements 105 and 106 are preferably located. Reference is now made to Figs. 3 A and 3B, which are simplified respective perspective exploded and assembled view illustrations of an antenna constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As seen in Figs. 3A and 3B, there is provided an antenna 300. Antenna

300 is preferably an indoor-type antenna and is particularly preferably adapted for mounting on a ceiling. However, it is appreciated that antenna 300 may alternatively be adapted for mounting on a variety of indoor and/or outdoor surfaces, depending on the operating requirements of antenna 300. Antenna 300 may generally resemble antenna 100 in every relevant respect, with the exception of in the gamma matching arrangement and feed arrangement implemented in antenna 300 in comparison with that implemented in antenna 100, as will be detailed henceforth.

Antenna 300 is a broadband bi-conical antenna including a first generally conical radiating element 305 and a second generally conical radiating element 306 mounted thereon. First generally conical radiating element 305 preferably comprises a conical portion 307 and a meandered counterpoise portion 308, which meandered counterpoise portion 308 is preferably disposed at a base end 310 of conical portion 307 and is preferably integrally formed therewith. Conical portion 307 is preferably disposed on an upper surface of a reflector 312, which reflector 312 preferably forms a ground plane of antenna 300 and has a projection in a plane generally perpendicular to a vertical axis 313 of antenna 300. It is appreciated that conical antenna elements 306 and 307 are preferably formed as truncated cones.

It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the antenna of the present invention that first generally conical radiating element 305 and second generally conical radiating element 306 are of different heights, thereby enabling two modes of operation of antenna 300.

Antenna 300 preferably operates as an inverted disc-cone antenna, wherein a disc portion of the antenna is provided by first generally conical radiating element 305 and a cone portion of the antenna is provided by second generally conical radiating element 306. In a first mode of operation at relatively high frequencies such as 1710 - 6000 MHz, the meandering of meandered counterpoise portion 308 provides relatively high impedance, thereby effectively shortening the electrical length of conical portion 307 of first generally conical radiating element 305. Furthermore, it is appreciated that counterpoise element 308 acts as a reflector which is operative to direct radiation into the volume defined by second generally conical radiating element 306.

In a second mode of operation at relatively low frequencies such as 690 - 960 MHz, the electrical length of conical portion 307 of first generally conical radiating element 305 is effectively increased by meandered counterpoise portion 308. The added length allows antenna 300 to function at lower frequencies without significantly increasing the dimensions of the antenna.

A pair of gamma matching elements 314 is preferably provided extending between first and second generally conical radiating elements 305 and 306 and symmetrically arranged with respect to vertical axis 313. Gamma matching elements 314 preferably induce a distributed shunt reactance in both the first and second modes of operation of antenna 300, which distributed shunt reactance increases the radiation resistance and thereby improves the input match while maintaining omnidirectional azimuth coverage. It is a particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the antenna of the present invention that the use of multiple gamma matching elements 314 serves to prevent perturbation of the radiated pattern, which perturbation is typically formed when implementing a single gamma matching element with axially symmetric radiators such as elements 305 and 306.

It is a further particular feature of a preferred embodiment of the antenna of the present invention that one of gamma matching elements 314 is preferably embodied as a capacitor 315. The use of capacitor 315 as a gamma matching element in antenna 300 improves the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of antenna 300. It is appreciated that although in the illustrated embodiment of antenna 300 only a single one of gamma matching elements 314 is implemented as capacitor 315, it is possible to implement both of gamma matching elements 314 as capacitors, depending on the VSWR requirements of antenna 300. It is further appreciated that gamma matching elements 314 may include more than two gamma matching elements.

A plurality of outer supporting stand and spacer elements 316 are preferably provided for mounting second generally conical radiating element 306 on conical portion 307 of first generally conical radiating element 305. The apexes of second generally conical radiating element 306 and of conical portion 307 are preferably aligned along axis 313.

It is appreciated that meandered counterpoise portion 308 is operative to mix the polarization of the radiated field and to thereby provide for omnidirectional beam patterns of antenna 300. This property is especially beneficially in SISO systems where the orientations and sensitivities of each of the receivers of each polarization are unknown.

Due to the omnidirectional beam patterns of antenna 300, antenna 300 is operative to serve a multiplicity of users with high RF data throughput rates and minimal fading and scattering effects. Furthermore, antenna 300 is extremely compact and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture in comparison to conventional SISO antennas.

In operation of antenna 300, each one of second generally conical radiating element 306 and conical portion 307 preferably receives an RF input signal by way of a coaxial feedline 320. Feedline 320 preferably protrudes through a first aperture 322 formed in reflector 312 and is preferably galvanically connected to conical portion 307 by means of a second aperture 324 formed in conical portion 307 and to second generally conical radiating element 306 by means of a third aperture 326 formed in second generally conical radiating element 306. Conical portion 307 is preferably galvanically connected to a conductive outer sheath 327 of coaxial feedline 320, which conductive outer sheath 327 forms a conductive ground for antenna 300. The galvanic connection of conical portion 307 to the conductive outer sheath 327 of the coaxial feedline 320 thus provides a ground connection for conical portion 307. Each one of gamma matching elements 314 is preferably galvanically connected to conical portion 307 and thereby to the conductive ground formed by conductive outer sheath 327. Feedline 320 preferably extends between a first connector 328 and a second connector 330, which first and second connectors 328 and 330 are preferably located on an underside of reflector 112, opposite to the surface on which elements 305 and 306 are preferably located.

A multiplicity of holes 332 are optionally formed in reflector 312 and in meandered counterpoise portion 308 and are mutually aligned therebetween. Holes 332 in conjunction with a nut 334 preferably facilitate the attachment of reflector 312 to a supporting surface, such as ceiling 102 seen in Fig. 1. Holes 332 may also be used for the optional attachment of a radome to antenna 100, such as radome 124 illustrated in Fig. 1.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly claimed hereinbelow. Rather, the scope of the invention includes various combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof as would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the forgoing description with reference to the drawings and which are not in the prior art.