Patent attributes
An antenna element for use with an array includes an elongated slot fed from a waveguide for exciting a patch radiator. An elongated thermally conductive strip lies between the slot and the patch, and is parallel with the direction of elongation of the slot. A radome extends above the patch. In one embodiment, a thermal conductor rod extends from the thermally conductive strip to the patch, and coaxially above the patch to the radome. In a preferred embodiment, the slot is ridged and (inter) digitated near its ends. The slot is excited from stripline by means of an elongated conductive strip orthogonal to the elongation of the slot. Through vias extend through and between thin electrically conductive layers to define the waveguide and provide heat sinking.
