Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a steerable array
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-18
2001-10-09
Phan, Dao (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a steerable array
C342S371000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300901
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to array radiators, and more particularly the invention pertains to a means for providing a compact, modular limited-scan phased array by combining the feed and the radiating elements, which are fabricated as a multilayer, planar substrate structure, with vias incorporated as layer interconnects.
Most phased array antennas are designed for wide-angle scanning. This invention, however, addresses a specialized group of array systems that take advantage of restrictions in the scan coverage in order to produce a very-high-gain scanning system with relatively few phase controls, or that provide wide-band, wide-angle scanning performance for large apertures without an accompanying large number of time-delay controls.
The limited scan phased array antenna is best understood by the systems of: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,938,160, 4,228,436, and 4,321,605 which are incorporated wherein by reference.
The first patent shows coupled array elements that are used in the present invention.
The second patent is the Lopez array antenna system that is also used in the present invention.
The third patent is for a limited scan phased array antenna, which is also used in the present invention.
The present invention improves the above-cited references by a design providing compactness, a transverse dimension of less that ½ free-space wavelength suitable for conformal integration and modularity, as discussed below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a compact, modular limited-scan phased array. The entire array, combining the feed and the radiating elements, is fabricated as a multilayer, planar substrate structure, with vias incorporated as layer interconnects. Furthermore, the desired degree of control over the array pattern can be exercised by inclusion of additional feed circuit layers. The feed can be used in systems requiring limited scan in one of the principal scan planes and wide-angle scan in the other plane, as well as in phased arrays with limited field-of-view in both principal scan planes. The planar circuit implementation of the array makes it inherently amenable to integration with state-of-the-art solid-state active components.
In one embodiment of the invention, the switch includes a limited field-of-view array system which is made up of:
an array of a plurality of two element modules which each receive overlapping feed signals to stimulate collective radiation of an output signal with a restricted degree of freedom; and
a folded multilayer modular Lopez/Skobelev network which sends the overlapping feed signals to the array of two element modules.
It is an object of the present invention to provide modular limited scan phased array.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4041501 (1977-08-01), Frazita et al.
patent: 4228436 (1980-10-01), DuFort
patent: 4321605 (1982-03-01), Lopez
patent: 4652880 (1987-03-01), Moeller et al.
patent: 4876548 (1989-10-01), Lopez
patent: 5546095 (1996-08-01), Lopez
Davidovitz Marat
Franchi Peter
Auton William G.
Phan Dao
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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