FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an antenna assembly.

BACKGROUND

Helical antennas can be used to facilitate communication between two devices. For example, helical antennas can be used to facilitate communication with a satellite. Helical antennas can convert electrical signals into radio frequency (RF) waves that can be transmitted over the air to another device. Helical antennas can also convert RF waves into electrical signals. In some instances, patch antennas must be designed to operate over a broad range of frequencies, which can impact the axial ratio of a radiation pattern associated with helical antennas.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

In one aspect, an antenna assembly is provided. The antenna assembly includes a tube structure disposed on a circuit board. The antenna assembly further includes a helical antenna comprising a plurality of conductive traces disposed on a flexible substrate wrapped around the tube structure.

In another aspect, an antenna assembly is provided. The antenna assembly includes a tube structure coupled to a first side of a circuit board. The antenna assembly further includes a helical antenna disposed on a flexible substrate wrapped around the tube structure. Furthermore, the antenna assembly includes a phase shifter circuit coupled to a second side of the circuit board. The phase shifter circuit configured to provide a RF signal to the helical antenna such that an axial ratio of a radiation pattern associated with the helical antenna is less than 4 decibels when an elevation angle of the helical antenna is from about −25 degrees to about −40 degrees or from about 25 degrees to 40 degrees.

In yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing an antenna assembly having a helical antenna disposed on a flexible substrate is provided. The method includes aligning a first alignment point of a plurality of alignment points of the helical antenna with a first alignment point on a circuit board of the antenna assembly. Furthermore, subsequent to aligning the first alignment point of the helical antenna with the first alignment point of the circuit board, the method includes wrapping the flexible substrate around a tube structure disposed on the circuit board.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.

