Feed network and method for an offset stacked patch antenna array

摘要

A feed network for, and method of feeding, an array of antenna elements has multiple feed points. Two feed lines extend from the feed points, one having a longer length that the other to provide a phase difference in the two feed lines. The feed lines split into main feed lines, which in turn split into secondary feed lines that connect to the antenna elements. The connections to the elements fed from one of the feed lines are rotated with respect to the connections to the elements fed from the other to provide another phase difference between the elements. The antenna elements may be fed from the longer of the feed lines from one of the feed points and the shorter of the feed lines from an adjacent feed point, with the connections from the feed points providing for right hand and left hand circular polarized elements, respectively.