US 11,923,608 B2
Antenna apparatus and deployment method employing collapsible memory metal
David D. Greenidge, Longmont, CO (US); David C. Wittwer, Chandler, AZ (US); Michael T. Kretsch, San Diego, CA (US); Kevin D. House, Gilbert, AZ (US); and Mark D. Vossler, Tempe, AZ (US)
Assigned to VIASAT, INC., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Appl. No. 18/250,684
Filed by VIASAT, INC., Carlsbad, CA (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 14, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/054938
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 26, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/081817, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 21, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/091,922, filed on Oct. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0307843 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. H01Q 15/00 (2006.01); H01Q 1/28 (2006.01); H01Q 21/26 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 15/006 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/288 (2013.01); H01Q 21/26 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) antenna apparatus comprising:
a ground plane comprising:
a conductive base surface;
a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer above the base surface, the FSS layer comprising a plurality of conductive patches separated from one another; and
a plurality of memory metal wires, each electrically connecting one of the conductive patches to the base surface and each being rigid in a memory-shaped state, causing the FSS layer to be fixedly spaced from the base surface during operation of the AMC antenna apparatus, and each being flexible in a non-memory-shaped state, enabling the FSS layer to be collapsed towards the base surface when the antenna apparatus is stowed; and
a flexible antenna element layer above the FSS layer, comprising at least one antenna element.