WO2007123767A1

WO2007123767A1 - Methods and apparatus for reducing radio frequency interference for collocated antennas

Info

Publication number: WO2007123767A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/008023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lewis Peterson
Original assignee: Raytheon Company
Priority date: 2006-03-31
Filing date: 2007-03-30
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: US20070257856A1; US7612731B2

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a plate to prevent energy from a first antenna from interfering with a collocated second antenna. In one embodiment, the plate includes first and second conductive layers to shadow the second antenna and thereby block energy from reaching the second antenna. A resonant quarter wavelength spacing of the plates forces energy broadside minimizing the spillover the edge caused by diffraction. Multiple conductive layers having increasing radii can block diffracted energy from spilling over and around the plate. The multiple plates of increasing radii affect a waterfall-like spill wherein energy is lost in each level.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE FOR COLLOCATED ANTENNAS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is known in the art, frequency bands within the radio frequency spectrum can be used for multiple purposes, such as radio communications and radar. In some cases, it may be desirable to collocate the antennas of multiple systems that are operating within the same frequency band. Typically, each of these antennas will be designed to transmit and/or receive radio frequency electromagnetic energy with high gain over a limited angular range, or main lobe. However, such antennas also transmit and receive electromagnetic energy, at lower gain, at other angles outside of the main lobe. Thus, radio frequency interference can occur between multiple systems even if each antenna is positioned outside of the main lobes of the other collocated antenna.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art antenna installation 100 having a first antenna 1 10 and a second antenna 120 collocated within radome 140. In the illustrated installation, the first antenna 1 10 is a so-called LINK-16 communications antenna operating in the L-baπd at frequencies from 960 MHz to 1215 MHz. As is well known in the art, Link- 16 provides a U.S. government-backed system for transmitting broadband data across a variety of air, sea and ground-based platforms. The second antenna 120 is a combination of an L-band radar and an IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) antenna operating at frequencies of 1030 M[Hz and 1090 MHz. The IFF antenna is located at the upper portion of the antenna combination 120.

In the illustrative installation, the first antenna 1 10 has a torroidal main lobe that covers 360 degrees in azimuth and roughly 20 degrees in elevation centered on horizontal. The second antenna 120 has a narrow fan beam that is scanned by means of a mount 130 that rotates antenna 120 about the vertical axis.

While each of the first and second antennas 1 10, 120 are positioned outside of the main lobe of the other antenna, radio frequency interference can still occur due to stray or side lobe radiation between the antennas, as shown schematically by dashed lines 150. Of particular concern in this example is radiation from the communications antenna degrading the performance of the radar/lFF system, which has high sensitivity in on receive radar returns from distant objects.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for a plate to reduce interference by a first antenna with a collocated second antenna operating in the san frequency band. The plate includes first and second conductive layers to shadow th second antenna and thereby block, energy from reaching the second antenna. A resc quarter wavelength spacing of the plate layers forces energy broadside to minimize spillover caused by diffraction. Multiple conductive layers having increasing radii < block diffracted energy from spilling over and around the plate.

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises an apparatus includin first conductive layer, a dielectric layer proximate the first conductive layer, and a s conductive layer substantially parallel to the first conductive layer and proximate th dielectric layer so that the first and second conductive layers sandwich the dielectric to create a resonant cavity for reducing radio frequency interference between a colic first antenna and a second antenna operating in a first frequency band.

The apparatus can further include one or more of the following features: the and second layers are parallel to within a tenth of a wavelength within the frequency band, the first conductive layer has a surface area that is sufficient to shadow the fir antenna from the second antenna, the first and second conductive layers are dispose parallel with a distance between the first and second conductive layers being one-qι of a wavelength of an operating frequency of the first antenna within the first frequc- band, a thickness of the dielectric layer is selected to take into account attenuation o velocity of wave propagation to achieve the one-quarter wavelength, the dielectric 1 includes a foam material, air, or any suitable material for mechanical rigidity, a thir< conductive layer generally parallel to the second conductive layer, a distance betwei adjacent ones of the first, second, and third conductive layers is one-quarter wavelei of the operating frequency within the first frequency band, the first and second conductive layers are concentric circular disks, and the first plate optically shadows second antenna.

In another aspect of the invention, an antenna installation system includes a 5 antenna, a second antenna collocated with the first antenna, and a plate optically shadowing the second antenna from the first antenna, wherein the plate comprises a conductive layer, a dielectric layer proximate the first conductive layer, and a secon conductive layer substantially parallel to the first conductive layer and proximate thi dielectric layer so that the first and second conductive layers sandwich the dielectric ) 0 to create a resonant cavity for reducing radio frequency interference between a colic first antenna and a second antenna operating in a first frequency band.

The antenna installation system can further include one or more of: the first i second conductive layers are disposed in parallel with a distance between the first ai 15 second conductive layers being one-quarter of a wavelength of an operating frequen the first antenna within the first frequency band, a third conductive layer generally parallel to the second conductive layer, the first and second conductive layers are concentric circular disks.

0 In a further aspect of the invention, a method comprises providing a first conductive layer, providing a dielectric layer proximate the first conductive layer, providing a second conductive layer substantially parallel to the first conductive laye proximate the dielectric layer so that the first and second conductive layers sandwicl dielectric layer to create a resonant cavity for reducing radio frequency interference 5 between a collocated first antenna and a second antenna operating in a first frequenc band.

The method can further include one or more of the first and second conducts layers are disposed in parallel with a distance between the first and second conductiv 0 layers being one-quarter of a wavelength of an operating frequency of the first antem within the first frequency band, the dielectric layer includes a foam material, the firsi second conductive layers are concentric circular disks, the plate optically shadows t! second antenna.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, may more fully understood from the following description of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art antenna installation i multiple radio frequency antennas;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of an antenna installation having a first anten with an apparatus to prevent interference with a second antenna in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparauts in accordance wit! exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an appa in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of an apparatus to provide bidirectional antenna isolation in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a tabular representation showing physical dimensions of an exemplε embodiment of an apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary sequence of steps to prevent ; first antenna from interfering from a second antenna in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIOM

In general, the present invention provides method and apparatus to reduce/pi energy from a first antenna from interfering with a second collocated antenna. Crea resonant chambers forces radiation perpendicular to an axis of driven elements whil minimizing subtraction from the main beam. In one embodiment, concentric disks i sized to an even number of wavelengths in radius for frequencies of interest. The st disks diminish diffraction components from disk edges. This arrangement maintain broadside radiation while reducing diffraction components and eliminating direct illumination of the collocated antenna.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary antenna installation 200 having a first antenna 21 and a second antenna combination 204 collocated within a radome 206. The first ar 202 is a so-called LINK- 16 communications antenna operating in the L-band at frequencies from 960 MHz to 1215 MHz. The second antenna 204 is an L-band rad and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) antenna operating at frequencies of 1030 MH 1090 MHz.

The first antenna 202 has a torroidal main lobe that covers 360 degrees in azi and roughly 20 degrees in elevation centered on horizontal. The second antenna 20 a narrow fan beam that is scanned by means of a mount 208 that rotates second antei

204 about the vertical axis 210. As shown in FIG. 2A for example, the Link- 16 ante

202 may radiate energy 240 at an angle approaching 90 degrees from the horizon, i.t

180 degrees from the apex, that can interfere with the second antenna 204 and associ I FF system operation.

The installation 200 includes a plate 250 located between the first and seconc antennas 202, 204 so as to prevent energy from the first antenna 202 from interfering with signals received by the second antenna 204. In general, the plate 250 blocks sig energy from the first antenna 202 that would fall on the second antenna 204. In the illustrative embodiment, first and second lines 260a,b define a space over which ene from the first antenna 202 is blocked. Where the first and second antennas rotate an< a round second antenna 202, the space would correspond to a truncated or sliced coi defined by a perimeter of the second antenna 204 extending to a point or small area associated with the first antenna 202. In the illustrative embodiment, the upper rotal IFF antenna is the most sensitive to the radiation of antenna 202 and thereby the reg receiving the most protection.

In an exemplary embodiment, the size and position of the plate 250 is selects such that the plate shadows the second antenna 204 (victim) from the first antenna 2 (interferer). That is, the plate 250 obstructs the line of sight from any portion of the antenna 202 to any portion of antenna 204.

While exemplary embodiments of the present invention are primarily shown described in conjunction with particular antennas for particular radars having certain characteristics, frequencies, and operating parameters, it is understood that the inven is applicable to systems in general in which energy from one system may interfere w second system. In addition, it is understood that the term "plate" should be construe* broadly to cover any series of adjacent shapes, where shape should also be construed broadly. Other embodiments having different shapes for the plate are contemplated meet the needs of a particular application. For example, where one or more antennas not rotate, non-round, non-ovular etc., shapes may be used. For multiple interfering antennas in echelon the plate would be oval, for example. Should the interfering ant< be a horizontal array of vertical radiators, then an oval isolating disk(s) would be use instead of a circular one. In the illustrated embodiment, disks are used because of th< rotation of the second antenna while the first antenna is fixed. The liπe-of-sight shade determines the shape of the plates where no part of the victim antenna is in a direct (optical) line of sight to any currents on the interfering antenna.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of exemplary plate 300 comprising at lea first conductive layer 310 and a second conductive layer 320. The first and second conductive layers 3 10, 320 are disposed in parallel and are separated by a distance d. conductive layers should be essentially orthogonal to the axis 330 of the first antenna one embodiment, distance d is equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of a frequency within the operating frequency band of first antenna 202. Thus, the space between t first and second conductive layers 310, 320 is a resonant cavity that radiates energy radially (in directions close to a plane normal to axis 330). This configuration minii the amount of energy that can reach the second antenna (204 in FIG. 2) and to minit the effect that the conductive layers 3 10, 320 have on the main lobe radiation patten from the first antenna 202.

In the exemplary installation, which is approximately symmetric about the vertical axis 330, the conductive layers 310, 320 will be circular discs. Each of thes discs has a respective radius R₁-, where Rj is the radius of the i'th conductive layer (numbering starting from the conductor closest to the first antenna 202). In an exen embodiment, the radii R, of the first and second conductive layers 310, 320 is not ec The radius of the first conductive layer 310 should be sufficient such that this condi fully shadows the second antenna 204 from the first antenna 202.

A single conductive layer of this size will shield the second antenna 204 froi direct radiation from the first antenna, but some energy from the first antenna 202, without the second layer, may still reach the second antenna 204 due to diffraction i edge of the first conductive layer 3 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the second conductive layer 320 is larger than the first conductive layer 310 to obstruct energy diffracted at the edge of the first conductive layer 310.

In one embodiment, the radii Ri of the conductive layers 3 10, 320 are select* be even multiples of the wavelength of a frequency in the operating frequency band a given sub portion of the operating band of antenna 202, the radius of the top plate is an even multiple of the upper bound frequency of the sub portion and the radius c bottom plate 320 is an even multiple of the lower bound frequency of the sub portio The number of sub portions chosen is to be organized according to the overall band operation of antenna 202. For the Link 16 case, four sub portions were used.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the term "conductor" 1 conductive layers 310, 320 should be construed broadly to cover any material, or combination of materials, that provide adequate conductive properties to achieve the desired effect. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the conducting plate i only be four skin depths or greater where the skin depth corresponds to the conducti of the material used for the plate. For example, aluminum will be thicker than silvei

The material between the conductors is of any suitable dielectric with the requirement that the spacing between the plates be one quarter of a wavelength with dielectric material. In general, a lightweight material is desirable (e.g., closed cell fc for the dielectric subjecL to the mechanical need to fasten/contain the overall structui is understood that the dielectric material can be provided as air.

It is understood that the layers are nominally parallel; however, a random deviation of one tenth of a wavelength, for example, will have negligible impact the effectiveness of the plate. As used herein, parallel layers refer to layers that are sufficiently parallel to achieve the desired effect.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional schematic view of another embodiment of a plate <■ having first, second, third, fourth, and fifth circular conductive layers 410, 420, 430,

450. In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive layers are supported and separate layers of dielectric material 460a-c. FIG. 4A is a top view of the plate 400 of FIG. 4

[t is understood that the dielectric material 460 can be provided from a variet; suitable materials selected based upon weight, cost, dielectric properties, and/or othe factors. In one embodiment, the dielectric material 460 is provided as a foam materi minimize the weight and stabilize the shape of the absorbing/diffracting structure.

In one particular embodiment, each of the five conductive layers has a radius and each of the adjacent conductors are separated by a distance d_\, where d, is the dis between conductor ϊ and conductor i+1. For example, ds is the thickness of the dielei slab supporting the fifth conductor. The distances di, d₂, d₃, and d₄ are selected to be one-quarter wave of a frequency in the operating frequency band of the first antenna In an exemplary embodiment, the distances di to d₄ will be one-quarter wave for foi different frequencies distributed across the operating frequency band of first anteπns

It is understood that at least two conductive layers are necessary to achieve t side 'squirting' resonance. While attempting to isolate an interferer having a narrow bandwidth compared to the center frequency with a single resonant chamber of two conductive layers may achieve adequate blocking, it is understood that additional Ia; to provide further resonant cavities can be added to cover a frequency range. For example, to cover the entire frequency region of a Link. 16 antenna with one chambt would result in a relatively low quality factor, e.g., around four, and provide negligil isolation. However, waterfall spillover of successive diffraction is obtained by increasingly larger plates for enhanced isolation.

EXAMPLE The distance between the top of the Link 16 radiating element to the top of tl victim antenna complex is 99.5 inches. The radius from the symmetry axis of the Lii antenna to the top edge of the victim antenna is 157.5 inches. A plate having a radii 32.8 inches placed at the bottom of the Link 16 antenna just intersects the maximum of sight angle to the victim antenna. The high end of the Link 16 band is 1209 MHz even number of wavelengths of 1209 MHz greater than the line of sight would be an integer four. Thus, four wavelengths give a radius of the top conductive layer or disl< of 39.2 inches.

The Link 16 spectrum is composed of three sub portions: 966-101 1 MHz, 10 1068 MHz, and I 1 10-1209 MHz. The top portion is substantially wider in frequency the lower two portions so it, in turn, is further divided into two portions. The top two disks 410, 420 create a resonant cavity at I 184 MHz as that is the geometric mean o1 edges of the upper sub portion of the Link 16 frequency spectrum. Disk 420 is set to four wavelengths at a middle region of the upper sub portion of the Link 16 band at . MHz at 40.8 inches. The next gap or resonant cavity works at 1 139 MHz correspond to the middle of the region 1069-1 161 MHz. The middle sub portion of the Link 16 band from 1050-1069 MHz is accommodated by disks 430 and 440 along with the corresponding dielectric. The tr disk 430 is four wavelengths in radius at 1069 MHz at 44.3 inches. This cavity resoi at 1058 MHz with a spacing of 2.8 inches.

The lower sub portion of the Link 16 band from 966-1012 MHz is accommo by disks 440, 450 along with the corresponding dielectric gap. Disk 440 is four wavelengths at 1012 MHz or 46.8 inches. The resonant cavity is set at 987 MHz or t inches. Disk 450 is four wavelengths at 966 MHz or 49 inches. The foam below dis is simply to stiffen the foil of the conductor providing mechanical stability of the structure. In the example above, the open cell foam is treated as air as the dielectric i nearly unity.

In this example, the overall frequency extent of the Link 16 band compared t center frequency results in a quality factor of around 4.4. By subdividing the Link I t band into four sub portions with the quality factor of the largest sub portion of about results in a smooth isolation across the full Link 16 frequency band. The quality fact

22+ of the stacked disks gives about 5 dB increase in isolation over a single plate. FL subdividing the band and increasing the number of disks and chambers will improve isolation at the cost of increased weight and complexity.

The structure of the example above is intended to isolate the upper antenna fir lower antenna. As shown in FIG. 4B₅ should isolation be required in both directions, as for a cellular application, then a plate 400' , in addition to the layers 410-450 in ha another stack of disks 410', 420', 430', 440' would be placed below the largest disk ^ι along with respective dielectric layers 460f-h according to the frequency band of the lower radiator. In such applications, the four wavelength or larger radii of the disks (( plates) assure isolation when the horizontal extent of the radiators is small. It is understood that if the frequency regime of the two antennas was identical then the Ia) configurations would be mirrored about the fifth (largest) layer as shown in FIG. 4B. the lower antenna is of different bandwidth and/or if the center frequencies are not thi same for both antennas, then the plate is configured to cover the respective frequenci* operation as described in detail above to effectively isolate the respective antennas, cellular application, for example, the center frequencies of the antennas could be dif (or could be the same) and bandwidths are likely the same.

FIG. 5 is a table listing the dimensions for an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus shown in FlG. 4. It is understood that these dimensions are directed to a particular arrangement of first and second antennas having respective operating frequency ranges. Other embodiments will have other dimensions and number of pi to meet the needs of a particular application.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary sequence of steps to provide R.F blocking plate in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. In s 600, an operating frequency band for a first antenna is determined. In step 602, it is determined, for a collated second antenna, the dimensions for a first conductive laye will shadow the second antenna a given distance from the first antenna. The dimens for a second, larger conductive layer forming first and second concentric disks are determined in step 604. In one embodiment, the second conductive layer is sized to a radius based upon an even number of wavelengths for an operating frequency. In s 606, the distance between the first and second conductive layers is selected. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance is about one quarter of the wavelength of a frequency in an operating frequency band so as to create resonance at that wavelengt The total number of conductive layers desired for the particular antenna installation system is then selected in step 608 using quality factor guidelines as shown in the example above.

I l Having described exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will now beco apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating thei 5 concepts may also be used. The embodiments contained herein should not be limitec disclosed embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope oft] appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorpo herein by reference in their entirety.

I O What is claimed is:

Claims

I . An apparatus, comprising: a first conductive layer; a dielectric layer proximate the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer substantially parallel to the first conductive layer ; proximate the dielectric layer so that the first and second conductive layers sandwic. dielectric layer to create a resonant cavity for reducing radio frequency interference between a collocated first antenna and a second antenna operating in a first Frequenc band.

2. The apparatus according to claim I , wherein the first and second layers are paral within a tenth of a wavelength within the frequency band.

3. The apparatus according to claim I , wherein the first conductive layer has a surfi area that is sufficient to shadow the first antenna from the second antenna.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second conductive laye are disposed in parallel with a distance between the first and second conductive laye being one-quarter of a wavelength of an operating frequency of the first antenna witl the first frequency band.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is selected to take into account attenuation of velocity of wave propagation to achieve t one-quarter wavelength.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the dielectric layer includes a foam material.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a third conductive layer generally parallel to the second conductive layer.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a distance between adjacent one of i first, second, and third conductive layers is one-quarter wavelength of the operating frequency within the first frequency band.

9. The apparatus according to claim I wherein the first and second conductive layer concentric circular disks.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first plate optically shadows tli second antenna.

1 I . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further including a third conductive layer a fourth conductive layer and a further dielectric layer so that the third and fourth conductive layers sandwich the further conductive layer to create a further resonant cavity for reducing radio interference by the second antenna from the first antenna, wherein the first and second conductive layers operate to reduce radio interference b first antenna of the second antenna.

12. An antenna installation system, comprising: a first antenna; a second antenna collocated with the first antenna; and a plate optically shadowing the second antenna from the first antenna, wherei plate comprises: a first conductive layer; a dielectric layer proximate the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer substantially parallel to the first conductive layer and proximate the dielectric layer so that the first and second conductive layers sandwich the dielectric layer to create a resonant cavity for reducing radio frequency interference between a collocated first antenna and a second antenna operating in a fi frequency band.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the first and second conductive layei are disposed in parallel with a distance between the first and second conductive layer being one-quarter of a wavelength of an operating frequency of the first antenna witl the first frequency band.

14. The system according to claim 12, further including a third conductive layer generally parallel to the second conductive layer.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the first and second conductive layei concentric circular disks.

16. A method, comprising: providing a first conductive layer; providing a dielectric layer proximate the first conductive layer; providing a second conductive layer substantially parallel to the first conduct layer and proximate the dielectric layer so that the first and second conductive layers sandwich the dielectric layer to create a resonant cavity for reducing radio frequency interference between a collocated first antenna and a second antenna operating in a fi frequency band.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second conductive laye are disposed in parallel with a distance between the first and second conductive layer being one-quarter of a wavelength of an operating frequency of the first antenna with the first frequency band.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the dielectric layer includes a foam material.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second conductive layer are concentric circular disks.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the plate optically shadows the secoi antenna.