Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a steerable array
Patent
1998-03-18
1999-05-18
Blum, Theodore M.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a steerable array
342368, 333159, H01Q3/22;3/24;3/26
Patent
active
059054620
ABSTRACT:
A phased-array antenna having either a corporate or series feed network advantageously includes a phase-shifter array comprised of mechanical phase shifters for beam steering. In some embodiments, the phase-shifter array includes a plurality of phase-shifting slabs each of which includes a phase-shifting member advantageously comprised of a dielectric material. When placed in electromagnetic fields generated by signals propagating through different regions of a transmission line, the phase-shifting members affect the phase of such signals. In some embodiments, the plurality of phase-shifting slabs are mechanically linked by a rigid linkage that is driven by a single driving mechanism. In those embodiments, the phase-shifting slabs and incorporated phase-shifting members in the phase-shifter array are moved in unison, relative to the transmission line, causing a shift in the relative phases of a multiplicity of signals, thereby steering the antenna beam. Each phase-shifting slab in the phase-shifter array also advantageously incorporates at least one impedance-matching member that decreases or eliminates a step change in impedance between air-suspended and dielectric-loaded regions of a transmission line over the full phase-shifting range of the phase-shifting members. Due the reduced incidence of impedance mismatch, phase shifters used in conjunction with the present antenna may be comprised of materials having a relatively high dielectric constant. Using relatively high-dielectric-constant materials results in relatively small phase shifters for a given phase shifting range, or a relatively large phase-shifting range for a given phase shifter size. The phase-shifter array is advantageously readily compatible with flat-panel antenna arrays with little or no modification required to the feed network due to the phase shifter array.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5504466 (1996-04-01), Chan-Son-Lint et al.
patent: 5798675 (1998-08-01), Drach
Hampel Karl Georg
Hojell Gary M.
Blum Theodore M.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
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