Importance

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Abstract

Simplified, high reliability slot array antennas are usable in cellular communication systems. In a flat panel form, an antenna includes a slot array with simplified feed enclosed within a back panel and a front radome structure. Use of a simplified feed, consisting of a vertical aluminum rod dielectrically spaced from an aluminum sheet including a vertical array of horizontally aligned slot openings, is made possible by horizontal slot offsets. With a linear feed rod, signal coupling to each slot in series is determined by the horizontal location of each slot relative to the feed rod. With a capacitive input coupling, there are no electrical contacts or connections in the internal feed path which may cause intermodulation effects. With a grounded aluminum array sheet and case construction, and capacitively-coupled feed, the antenna is resistant to lightning strikes. Antenna models with different beam tilts merely require substitution of an aluminum array sheet with different slot configurations punched therein. Narrower azimuth beamwidths are provided by use of multiple slot arrays and multiple beam antennas are adaptable to use of beam forming networks and active antenna beam steering and nulling techniques.

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First Claim