Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a steerable array
Patent
1991-04-29
1992-07-14
Blum, Theodore M.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a steerable array
H01Q 322
Patent
active
051307170
ABSTRACT:
An array antenna (12) in which dependent programmable and digitally generated time delays are imposed on signals passing through each antenna element (14) is disclosed. A beam steering computer (32) determines data values corresponding to delays needed at each element to form a desired beam angle. These data values are written into digital element signal processors (DESPs) (40) which are associated with each element in one-to-one correspondence. Each DESP (40) includes a waveform generator (30), which produces digitized samples synchronously with a reference clock signal. A stream of the digitized samples passes through and is delayed in a highly precise delay generator (54) before being converted to analog in a D/A converter (60). The analog signal is modulated (62), amplified (66), and then radiated at the associated element (14). Received signals are amplified (70), demodulated (72), converted to digital in an A/D converter (74), and then passed through the same delay generator (54). They are then re-converted to analog (60), modulated (62) back to RF, and combined (50) with other delayed RF signals. The delay generator (50) includes a register file (106) which receives a digitized waveform. A latch (86) receives delay data. The delay data programs a counter (80, 82) to delay the waveform for a variable, integral number of reference clock cycles. The delay data further programs a delay line (88) to impose a further fractional portion of a reference cycle delay on the waveform.
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Victor C. Anderson, "Digital Beamformer", SPIE vol. 180 Real Time Signal Processing II. 1979 pp. 68-73.
Barrett Fredrick W.
Ewen Kenneth
Blum Theodore M.
Flickinger Don J.
Gresham Lowell W.
Loral Defense Systems
Meschkow Jordan M.
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