Patent · US Expired

Antenna system for satellite digital audio radio service (DARS) system

US6002359A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
4References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 13, 1997
Grant dateDec 14, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 13, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01Q15/244
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A digital audio radio service (DARS) antenna system is provided. The DARS antenna system includes a broadcast antenna mounted on a spacecraft. The broadcast antenna includes a slotted waveguide direct radiating array (SWDRA). The DARS antenna system also includes a mobile user receive antenna having a quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA). The DARS antenna system further includes a parallel plate polarizer arranged on the broadcast antenna for generating circular polarization. In an embodiment, the polarizer has a plurality of thin plates arranged perpendicular to the SWDRA surface. Broadcast antenna is optimized for overall system performance and is capable of high RF power and beam shaping. The DARS antenna system is also highly reliable and easily deployed from a spacecraft. An embodiment of the DARS antenna system of the present invention further includes "universal" model and "regional" model mobile antennas to easily accommodate personal travel and commuter needs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.