Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With coupling network or impedance in the leadin
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-05
2001-09-04
Ho, Tan (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With coupling network or impedance in the leadin
C343S7000MS, C343S787000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285337
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to radar and radio antennae, and more particularly relates to antenna systems having electronic steering, and even more particularly relates to methods and systems for providing a ferroelectric phased array antenna with reduced cost.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Phased array theory and technology have been in existence for more than 30 years. Phased array antennae have been used most extensively in the past in military systems, such as airborne and ground-based fire control radar systems. They do have several common problems relating to high cost, including the relatively high cost of: a) phase shifter technology; b) phase shifter beam steering controller networks; and c) the high number of RF and control interconnects required for phased array antennae of even moderate size. As an example, a two-dimensional array of one thousand radiating elements can often require up to one thousand phased shifters, each with commensurate RF interconnect, digital control, and a sophisticated system level beam steering computer. While standard techniques, such as sub-arraying and row/column phase shifter steering, help reduce the interconnect problem with reduced performance, cost is still a major issue. Even state-of-the-art monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) based active phased arrays suffer from excessive cost.
Another prior art approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,524. While this design has considerable benefits, it does have some drawbacks. It is not the most ideal antenna for all applications.
Consequently, there is a need for improvements in affordable phased array antenna systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for electronically steering an antenna beam.
It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a phased array antenna with a ferroelectric material therein.
It is another feature of the present invention to include an antenna conformally shaped to a fuselage of an aircraft.
It is an advantage of the present invention to achieve electronic beam steering in an affordable antenna.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for electronically steering an antenna, which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “one axis phase shifter module-less” manner in a sense that the use of phase shifter modules to control one axis scanning has been greatly reduced. The present invention is also carried out in a “wasted space-less” manner in the sense that the space that is often wasted when a non-conformal antenna is used has been greatly reduced.
Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method for electronically steering an antenna which uses a ferroelectric material as a dielectric in an antenna system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5583524 (1996-12-01), Milroy
patent: 5617103 (1997-04-01), Koscica et al.
patent: 5729239 (1998-03-01), Rao
patent: 6081235 (2000-06-01), Romanofsky et al.
Hauck Bryan L.
West James B.
Eppele Kyle
Ho Tan
Jensen Nathan O.
Rockwell Collins
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