Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a steerable array
Utility Patent
1980-06-12
2001-01-02
Blum, Theodore M. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a steerable array
C342S149000, C343S768000
Utility Patent
active
06169518
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains to the field of radar and in particular to an antenna system for monopulse operation.
BACKGROUND ART
Heretofore monopulse radar systems have been limited to monopulse direction finding in directions orthogonal to a plane which is symmetrical with and essentially perpendicular to the axis of the radar beam. The signals received through the separate elements are compared in phase and amplitude to determine the angle of the return relative to the boresight of the antenna. Since a uniform, symmetrical beam pattern is best for a monopulse operation in the receive mode, the transmitted beam is limited to the same configuration due to reciprocity. As such, a monopulse system is more appropriate for use in a tracking function rather than in a search function. The adaptation of a monopulse system for searching requires the use of complex and expensive techniques such as raster scanning.
In view of the above limitations inherent in existing monopulse radar systems, there exists a need for a monopulse radar system which can generate a search type beam in addition to a conventional pencil beam while maintaining monopulse operation in the receive mode for both the search and pencil beams.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A dual beam monopulse antenna system is described which produces both a pencil beam and a shaped search beam. The antenna includes an array of slotted waveguides arranged in a plurality of groups to form a flat plate antenna. A primary feed assembly is provided for each of the groups of the slotted waveguides with the primary feed assembly coupled to the slotted waveguides in the corresponding group. A secondary feed assembly is provided for each group of the slotted waveguides and the secondary feed assembly is coupled to both the slotted waveguides and the primary feed assembly for the corresponding group. A primary monopulse network is connected to the primary feed assemblies and has a summation terminal, a first difference terminal and a second difference terminal. A secondary monopulse network is connected to the secondary feed assemblies and has a summation terminal, a first difference terminal and a second difference terminal. A first switching and summation circuit is provided for coupling a system summation terminal to either the primary monopulse network terminal or to both the primary and the secondary monopulse network summation terminals. A second switching and summation circuit is provided for coupling a system first difference terminal to either the primary monopulse network first difference terminal or to both the primary and the secondary monopulse network first difference terminals. A third switching and summation circuit is provided for coupling a system second difference terminal to either the primary monopulse network second difference terminal or to both the primary and the secondary monopulse network second difference terminals. The switching circuits are set to a first state in which the antenna system produces a pencil beam or to a second state in which the system produces a shaped beam, while the antenna system operates in the monopulse mode for both beams.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3824500 (1974-07-01), Rothenberg
patent: 4041501 (1977-08-01), Frazita et al.
patent: 4176359 (1979-11-01), Fassett et al.
Flick Edward A.
Nelson Everett A.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Blum Theodore M.
Raytheon Company
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