US 12,224,491 B2
Aerial vehicle having antenna assemblies, antenna assemblies, and related methods and components
Mark Russell Goldberg, Simi Valley, CA (US); Harold Kregg Hunsberger, Simi Valley, CA (US); and Helen J. Mills, Northridge, CA (US)
Assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on Aug. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/457,223.
Application 17/700,989 is a division of application No. 16/894,057, filed on Jun. 5, 2020, granted, now 11,283,178, issued on Mar. 22, 2022.
Application 18/457,223 is a continuation of application No. 17/700,989, filed on Mar. 22, 2022, granted, now 11,742,582.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/001,151, filed on Mar. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0411861 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. H01Q 13/08 (2006.01); H01Q 1/28 (2006.01); H01Q 21/06 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 13/085 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/281 (2013.01); H01Q 21/064 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerial vehicle comprising:
a housing comprising:
a first portion including a first end and a second end axially distal to the first end; and
a second portion extending radially outward from the second end of the first portion;
an antenna assembly mounted to the housing, the antenna assembly comprising:
a fairing component comprising a hollow body;
a conductive coating on at least an inner surface of the fairing component;
a plurality of antenna elements in the conductive coating, each antenna element comprising:
a first slot line defining a first transmission line; and
a second slot line defining a second transmission line;
a plurality of cable assemblies, each of the plurality of cable assemblies operably coupled to a respective antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, each of the plurality of cable assemblies comprising:
a first connector operably coupled to the respective antenna element adjacent to the first end of the first portion,
a second connector extending through the second portion of the housing; and
a connection cable operably coupled to the first connector and the second connector, the connection cable extending along the housing.