Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Double Patenting Rejection
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
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Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,142,831 (hereinafter ‘831). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claimed limitation in US Patent ‘831 overlaps and covers the limitations in claims 1-20 in the current application.
Current application (18/933,333)
US Patent 12,142,831
1. A dual-polarized antenna (100);
the dual-polarized antenna (100) comprising:
a. a dielectric rod (110) having a first diameter at a first end (112) and a second diameter at a second end (114); and
b. a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly (200) having a front face (202) and a back face (204), the PCB assembly (200) comprising:
i. a stacked plurality of planar dielectric layers (210);
ii. a planar conductive layer (220), stacked between the dielectric layers (210);
iii. a plurality of radiating apertures (260) in the conductive layers (220), wherein the radiating apertures (260) in neighboring conductive layers (220 are aligned to form a first parallel pair of slots (265) and a second parallel pair of slots (266), wherein the first pair of slots (265) comprises a first slot (261) and a second slot (262), the second pair of slots (266) comprises a third slot (263) and a fourth slot (264), and wherein the first pair of slots (265) and the second pair of slots (266) are perpendicular to each other;
iv. a dielectric pedestal (270) extending from the front face of the PCB assembly, wherein the first pair of slots (265) and the second pair of slots (266) are arranged to form a quasi-rectangular shape which is concentric with the pedestal (270); and
v. a conductive post (272).
1. A dual-polarized antenna (100);
the dual-polarized antenna (100) comprising:
a. a dielectric rod (110) having a first diameter at a first end (112) and a second diameter at a second end (114); and
b. a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly (200) having a front face (202) and a back face (204), the PCB assembly (200) comprising:
i. a stacked plurality of planar dielectric layers (210);
ii. a plurality of planar conductive layers (220), stacked between the dielectric layers (210);
iii. a plurality of radiating apertures (260) in the conductive layers (220), wherein the radiating apertures (260) in neighboring conductive layers (220) are aligned to form a first parallel pair of slots (265) and a second parallel pair of slots (266), wherein the first pair of slots (265) comprises a first slot (261) and a second slot (262), the second pair of slots (266) comprises a third slot (263) and a fourth slot (264), and wherein the first pair of slots (265) and the second pair of slots (266) are perpendicular to each other;
iv. a dielectric pedestal (270) extending from the front face of the PCB assembly, wherein the first pair of slots (265) and the second pair of slots (266) are arranged to form a quasi-rectangular shape which is concentric with the pedestal (270); and
v. a central conductive post (272) which passes through the pedestal (270) to the back face (204) of the PCB assembly (200) such that it is surrounded by the four slots; wherein the first end (112) of the dielectric rod (110) is affixed to the dielectric pedestal (270) such that the dielectric rod (110) and the dielectric pedestal (270) are concentric.
2. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising
i. a first radio-frequency (RF) connector (230) and a second RF connector (232), each affixed to the back face (204) of the PCB assembly (200);
ii. a first splitter (240) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220), the first splitter (240) comprising a first port (241), a second port (242), and a third port (243), wherein the first port (241) is connected with the first RF connector (230) via a first conductive feed (251);
iii. a second splitter (245) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220), the second spitter (245) comprising a first port (246), a second port (247), and a third port (248), wherein the first port (246) is connected with the second RF connector (232) via a second conductive feed (252);
iv. a first monopole probe (271) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that if bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the first lot (261), wherein the first monopole probe (271) is connected to the second port (242) of the first splitter (240) via a third conductive feed (253);
v. a second monopole probe (272) pattered in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the second slot (262), wherein the second monopole probe (272) is connected to the third port (243) of the first splitter (240) via a fourth conductive feed (254);
vi. a third monopole probe (273) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the third slot (263), wherein the third monopole probe (273) is connected to the second port (247) of the first splitter (245) via fifth conductive feed (255);
vii. a fourth monopole probe (274) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the fourth slot (264), wherein the fourth monopole probe (274) is connected to the third port (248) of the first splitter (245) via a sixth conductive feed (256).
2. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising
i. a first radio-frequency (RF) connector (230) and a second RE connector (232), each affixed to the back face (204) of the PCB assembly (200);
ii. a first splitter (240) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220), the first splitter (240) comprising a first port (241), a second port (242), and a third port (243), wherein the first port (241) is connected with the first RF connector (230) via a first conductive feed (251);
iii. a second splitter (245) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220), the second splitter (245) comprising a first port (246), a second port (247), and a third port (248), wherein the first port (246) is connected with the second RF connector (232) via a second conductive feed (252);
iv. a first monopole probe (271) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the first slot (261), wherein the first monopole probe (271) is connected to the second port (242) of the first splitter (240) via a third conductive feed (253);
v. a second monopole probe (272) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the second slot (262), wherein the second monopole probe (272) is connected to the third port (243) of the first splitter (240) via a fourth conductive feed (254);
vi. a third monopole probe (273) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the third slot (263), wherein the third monopole probe (273) is connected to the second port (247) of the first splitter (245) via a fifth conductive feed (255);
vii. a fourth monopole probe (274) patterned in one of the conductive layers (220) such that it bisects one of the radiating apertures (260) of the fourth slot (264), wherein the fourth monopole probe (274) is connected to the third port (248) of the first splitter (245) via a sixth conductive feed (256).
3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the first RE splitter (240) and the second RE splitter (245) are located in different conductive layers (220); wherein the feeds are formed from traces and vias which are isolated from the conductive layers (220) via easement gaps; and wherein the traces comprise strip lines.
3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the first RF splitter (240) and the second RF splitter (245) are located in different conductive layers (220); wherein the feeds are formed from traces and vias which are isolated from the conductive layers (220) via easement gaps; and wherein the traces comprise strip lines.
4. The antenna of claim 1, additionally comprising a plurality of conformal conductive posts (274) and grid conductive posts (276) passing at least partially through the PCB assembly (200) so as to shield the slots and ground the conductive layers (220); additionally comprising a plurality of mechanical mounting holes (278) passing through the PCB assembly (200) so as to allow for mounting of the PCB assembly (200).
4. The antenna of claim 1, additionally comprising a plurality of conformal conductive posts (274) and grid conductive posts (276) passing at least partially through the PCB assembly (200) so as to shield the slots and ground the conductive layers (220); additionally comprising a plurality of mechanical mounting holes (278) passing through the PCB assembly (200) so as to allow for mounting of the PCB assembly (200).
5. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first pair of slots (265) corresponds to signals polarized in an x-direction, and the second pair of slots (266) corresponds to signals polarized in a y direction.
5. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first pair of slots (265) corresponds to signals polarized in an x-direction, and the second pair of slots (266) corresponds to signals polarized in a y-direction.
6. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna is configured to emit a circularly polarized signal using both the first pair of slots (265) and the second pair of slots (266).
6. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna is configured to emit a circularly polarized signal using both the first pair of slots (265) and the second pair of slots (266).
7. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the central conductive post (272) extends a distance past the four slots; wherein the distance is between about 1/8 and 1/2 of a wavelength of the antenna; wherein the wavelength is about 6 mm.
7. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the central conductive post (272) extends a distance past the four slots; wherein the distance is between about 1/8 and 1/2 of a wavelength of the antenna; wherein the wavelength is about 6 mm.
8. The antenna of claim 7, wherein the first diameter of the dielectric rod is about equal to the wavelength of the antenna.
8. The antenna of claim 7, wherein the first diameter of the dielectric rod is about equal to the wavelength of the antenna.
9. The antenna of claim 7, wherein each of the pairs of slots is spaced about 1/2 of the wavelength apart.
9. The antenna of claim 7, wherein each of the pairs of slots is spaced about 1/2 of the wavelength apart.
10. The antenna of claim 7, wherein each of the slots has a length of about 1/2 of the wavelength.
10. The antenna of claim 7, wherein each of the slots has a length of about 1/2 of the wavelength.
11. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the slots of each pair are fed from opposite directions, with a signal that is 180-degrees out of phase.
11. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the slots of each pair are fed from opposite directions, with a signal that is 180-degrees out of phase.
12. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the central conductive post (272) provides isolation between the four slots.
12. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the central conductive post (272) provides isolation between the four slots.
13. The antenna of claim 1, comprising multiple central conductive posts (272) arranged in a pattern surrounded by the four slots.
13. The antenna of claim 1, comprising multiple central conductive posts (272) arranged in a pattern surrounded by the four slots.
14. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the two conductive feeds from each splitter to the corresponding pair of monopole probes have about equal length.
14. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the two conductive feeds from each splitter to the corresponding pair of monopole probes have about equal length.
15. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the two conductive feeds from each splitter to the corresponding pair of monopole probes have different lengths so as to provide signals Which are 180-degrees out of phase from each other.
15. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the two conductive feeds from each splitter to the corresponding pair of monopole probes have different lengths so as to provide signals which are 180-degrees out of phase from each other.
16. The antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the radiating apertures are curled at one or both of the ends such that they are separated from neighboring radiating apertures in the same layer.
16. The antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the radiating apertures are curled at one or both of the ends such that they are separated from neighboring radiating apertures in the same layer.
17. The antenna of claim 1, wherein a bottom conductive layer acts as a backing short-circuit plane; wherein a distance from the monopole probes to the backing short-circuit plane is about 1/4 of a wavelength of the antenna.
17. The antenna of claim 1, wherein a bottom conductive layer acts as a backing short-circuit plane; wherein a distance from the monopole probes to the backing short-circuit plane is about 1/4 of a wavelength of the antenna.
18. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the splitters are ring hybrid or rat race splitters; wherein each splitter has its first port at 0 degrees, its second port at 60 degrees, and its third port at 180 degrees; wherein the splitters are 180-degree splitters.
18. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the splitters are ring hybrid or rat race splitters; wherein each splitter has its first port at 0 degrees, its second port at 60 degrees, and its third port at 180 degrees; wherein the splitters are 180-degree splitters.
19. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the dielectric pedestal is circular, and has a diameter about equal to the first diameter of the dielectric rod.
19. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the dielectric pedestal is circular, and has a diameter about equal to the first diameter of the dielectric rod.
20. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the central conductive post extends into the dielectric rod.
20. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the central conductive post extends into the dielectric rod.
Citation of pertinent arts
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
The closest reference, Miller et al. (2017/0069972) discloses a dielectric element may include dielectric member, which in the illustrated example is an axial rod extending along axis (paragraph [0060]). Dual-polarized antenna may be formed using multiple planar assemblies including an individual waveguide planar assembly, a waveguide horn planar assembly (paragraph [0074]). The polarizer beam forming network assembly may be formed of multiple layers, where the layers may be perpendicular to the waveguide planar assembly and waveguide horn planar assembly (paragraph [0076]).
However, Miller does not explicitly disclose a plurality of radiating apertures in the conductive layers, wherein the radiating apertures in neighboring conductive layers are aligned to form a first parallel pair of slots and a second parallel pair of slots, wherein the first pair of slots comprises a first slot and a second slot, the second pair of slots comprises a third slot and a fourth slot, and wherein the first pair of slots and the second pair of slots are perpendicular to each other; and a dielectric pedestal extending from the front face of the PCB assembly, wherein the first pair of slots and the second pair of slots are arranged to form a quasi-rectangular shape which is concentric with the pedestal.
Another close reference, Emanuelsson et al. (2022/0109246) discloses that an antenna array with a layered structure comprising a base layer with a metamaterial structure; a printed circuit board (PCB) layer; a feed layer arranged on the opposite side of the PCB from the RF IC(s); and a radiating layer arranged on the feed layer comprising a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the metamaterial structure is arranged to attenuate electromagnetic radiation propagating between the at least two adjacent waveguides in the frequency band (Abstract).
Another close reference, Dong et al. (CN 113131217 A) discloses a full metal dual polarization opening waveguide antenna. The double-polarized radiation on the basis of double-polarization can be realized by adding a circular polarizer at the input end of the square waveguide. The common medium rod loading opening waveguide antenna needs to load medium rod on the opening surface, mechanical strength is not as an integral metal structure.
Another close reference, Izadian (10,539,656) discloses that the horn antenna 404 represents a radiating element of the system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. The horn antenna 404 may be an alternate radiating element used in place of the upper waveguide 302 illustrated in FIG. 3. Potential advantages of using the horn antenna 404 could include improved directivity, bandwidth, and standing wave ratio (SWR) when compared with alternate antenna radiating elements such as the upper waveguide 302 (FIG. 3, Col. 10, lines 55-64).
However, neither of them discloses a plurality of radiating apertures in the conductive layers, wherein the radiating apertures in neighboring conductive layers are aligned to form a first parallel pair of slots and a second parallel pair of slots, wherein the first pair of slots comprises a first slot and a second slot, the second pair of slots comprises a third slot and a fourth slot, and wherein the first pair of slots and the second pair of slots are perpendicular to each other; and a dielectric pedestal extending from the front face of the PCB assembly, wherein the first pair of slots and the second pair of slots are arranged to form a quasi-rectangular shape which is concentric with the pedestal.
Other prior arts:
Coutts (2022/0344816) discloses PCB including one of the multiple phased array antennas. The phased array antenna synthesizes a specified electric field (phase and amplitude) across an aperture, and the elements of the phased array antenna are spaced apart with a specified inter-element spacing value (e.g., a distance between any two elements of the phased array antenna (paragraph [0040]).
Girard et al. (EP 4 012 834 /A1) discloses that the DRA antennas in the field of the invention comprise a large number of sources (generally from 128 to 512 sources) and each source is composed of at least one radiating element, a polarizer and a filter which must be easily connected. amplifiers (or loads). All the sources form a radiating panel. An elementary radiating element of a DRA antenna must have a small opening compared to its operating frequency.
Xiang et al. (WO 2022/002074 A1) discloses that dielectric substrate 21 may be provided with a fourth opening and a fifth opening (not shown), wherein the fourth opening can be partially or completely located below the third radiation arm 24, the fifth opening can be partially or completely located below the fourth radiation arm 25, at this time, The position of the third radiation arm 24 corresponding to the fourth opening may be provided with a fourth extension hole 241, and the position of the fourth radiation arm 25 corresponding to the fifth opening may be provided with a fifth extension hole 251. when assembling the second balun 32 and the radiator 20, the fourth convex part 3214 can be inserted into the fourth opening and the fourth extending hole 241, the fifth convex part 3215 can be inserted into the fifth opening and the fifth extending hole 251 (Figs. 6, 7, 12a, b).
Johnson et al. (2021/0167503) discloses a waveguide device for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves in accordance with various aspects described herein. In an embodiment, FIG. 18D illustrates a front view of a waveguide device 1865 having a plurality of slots 1863 (e.g., openings or apertures) for emitting electromagnetic waves having radiated electric fields (e-fields) (paragraph [0253] and figs. 18D-J).
Wu et al. (2021/0226344) discloses that radiating elements include a conductive patch having first and second slots that each extend along a first axis and third and fourth slots that each extend along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, a feed network that includes first through fourth feed lines, each feed line crossing a respective one of the first through fourth slots, and a conductive ring that at least partially surrounds the periphery of the conductive patch and that encloses each of the first through fourth slots (Abstract).
Vannucci et al. (2020/0195304) discloses a front view of a waveguide device 1865 having a plurality of slots 1863 (e.g., openings or apertures) for emitting electromagnetic waves having radiated electric fields (e-fields) 1861. The radiated e-fields 1861 of pairs of symmetrically positioned slots 1863 (e.g., north and south slots of the waveguide 1865) can be directed away from each other (i.e., polar opposite radial orientations about the cable 1862) (Fig. 18D, paragraph [0251]).
Emaneulsson et al. (11,936,111) discloses a AMC 400 consisting of extended electrically conducting elements 401, optionally rods or slabs, stacked in multiple layers with the rods in a layer arranged at an angle to the rods in a previous layer (Fig. 4. Col. 6, lines 36-40), a radiating element of the radiating layer is a slot opening extending through the radiating layer, and preferably a rectangular slot opening (Col. 3, lines 15-18).
The prior arts as cited above fail to disclose the claimed invention.
Correspondence
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Examiner Wilson Lee whose telephone number is (571) 272-1824. Proposed amendment and interview agenda can be submitted to Examiner’s direct fax at (571) 273-1824.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, examiner’s supervisor, Alexander Taningco can be reached at (571) 272-8048. Papers related to the application may be submitted by facsimile transmission. Any transmission not to be considered an official response must be clearly marked "DRAFT". The official fax number is (571) 273-8300.
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/WILSON LEE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2844