| CPC H01Q 13/16 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/288 (2013.01); H01Q 13/02 (2013.01); H01Q 21/0006 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
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1. A four element folded slot-based multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for use on cubic shaped satellites (Cube-Sat) having dimensions of (about 50 mm to about 100 mm)×(about 50 to about 100 mm)×(about 50 to about 100 mm), comprising:
a dielectric circuit board having a surface dimension in the ranges of 50 mm to 100 mm in length by 50 mm to 100 mm in width, a top side, a bottom side, a first edge opposite a second edge, and a third edge opposite a fourth edge;
a metallic layer configured to cover a top side of the dielectric circuit board, wrap around the first edge and the second edge and cover a first portion of the bottom side and a second portion of the bottom side;
a first meandering slot located in the metallic layer, wherein the first meandering slot is configured to wrap from the top side, over the first edge, and into the first portion on the bottom side;
a second meandering slot located in the metallic layer, wherein the second meandering slot is configured to wrap from the top side, over the second edge and into the second portion of the bottom side;
a first feed horn located in a gap portion between the first portion and the second portion of the bottom side, wherein a feed line of the first feed horn extends from the third edge, and wherein the first feed horn is directed towards the first meandering slot;
a second feed horn located in the gap portion, wherein a feed line of the second feed horn extends from the fourth edge, and wherein the second feed horn is directed towards the second meandering slot;
a first capacitor connected to the metallic layer across a slot section of the first meandering slot; and
a second capacitor connected to the metallic layer across a slot section of the second meandering slot;
wherein:
the first portion is configured to extend from the first edge to about one fourth of the length of the bottom side of the dielectric circuit board;
the second portion is configured to extend from the second edge to about one fourth of the length of the bottom side of the dielectric circuit board; and
the gap portion covers about one half of the length of the bottom side of the dielectric circuit board,
wherein the first meandering slot comprises:
a semicircular arch located on the top side and extending to about two thirds of the width of the dielectric circuit board from the third edge towards the fourth edge, wherein an apex of the semicircular arch is located halfway between the second edge and the first edge, wherein the semicircular arch is configured to open towards the first edge;
a first leg connected to and perpendicular to a base of the semicircular arch at an outer end of the semicircular arch near the third edge, wherein the first leg is configured to extend from the top side, over the first edge, and through about two thirds of a length of the first portion;
a second leg connected to and perpendicular to the first leg, wherein an outer width of the second leg is about one fifth of the width of the dielectric circuit board;
a third leg connected to and perpendicular to the second leg, wherein the third leg is configured to extend from the second leg, through the first portion, over the first edge, to about one fourth of the length of the top side of the dielectric circuit board;
a fourth leg connected to and perpendicular to the third leg, wherein the fourth leg is configured to extend parallel to the base of the semicircular arc for a distance equal to about one third of the width of the dielectric circuit board and towards the fourth edge;
a fifth leg connected to and perpendicular to the fourth leg, wherein the fifth leg is configured to extend from the top side, over the first edge, and through two thirds of the length of the first portion;
a sixth leg connected to and perpendicular to the fifth leg, wherein the sixth leg is configured to extend from the fifth leg towards the fourth edge, wherein an outer width of the second leg is about one fifth of the width of the dielectric circuit board; and
a seventh leg connected to and perpendicular to the sixth leg, wherein the seventh leg is configured to extend from the sixth leg, through the first portion, over the first edge, and connect to a meandering slot section at an inner end of the base of the semicircular arch.
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