Electronically scanned array using manifolds
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsJames A. Pruett, Jerry M. Grimm, Fred H. Clairmont, Robert P. Bernard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for an antenna assembly including one or more array blocks having one or more corporate manifolds, each having an input port, a plurality of output ports, and a plurality of phase shifters, each of the phase shifters located at a respective one of the output ports. Array blocks can further include a plurality of serial manifolds each having an input port and a plurality of output ports, the input port coupled to a respective output port of one of the corporate manifolds; and plurality of antenna elements coupled to respective output port of one of the serial manifolds.
Claims15
An antenna assembly comprising:
- one or more array blocks, at least one of the array blocks including:
- one or more corporate manifolds, each of the corporate manifolds having an input port, a plurality of output ports, and a plurality of phase shifters, each of the phase shifters located at a respective one of the output ports of the corporate manifold, each of the plurality of phase shifters being arranged to receive a control signal that determines phase shift in azimuth, each of the corporate manifolds being configured to phase shift an applied RF signal in the azimuth by using the corporate manifold's respective plurality of phase shifters;
- and
- a plurality of serial manifolds, each having an input port and a plurality of output ports, the input port of each of the serial manifolds coupled to a respective output port of one of the corporate manifolds, each of the serial manifolds being configured to passively phase shift the applied RF signal in elevation based on a frequency of the applied RF signal;
- and
- a plurality of antenna elements coupled to each respective output port of one of the serial manifolds.
An electronically scanned array (ESA) radar system comprising:
- a transmitter;
- a receiver;
- and
- an antenna assembly comprising:
- one or more array blocks, at least one of the array blocks including:
- one or more corporate manifolds, each of the corporate manifolds having an input port, a plurality of output ports, and a plurality of active phase shifters, each of the phase shifters located at a respective one of the output ports of the corporate manifold, each of the plurality of phase shifters being arranged to receive a control signal that determines phase shift in azimuth, each of the corporate manifolds being configured to phase shift an applied RF signal in the azimuth by using the corporate manifold's respective plurality of phase shifters;
- and
- a plurality of serial manifolds, each having an input port and a plurality of output ports, the input port of each serial manifold coupled to a respective output port of one of the corporate manifolds, each of the serial manifolds being configured to passively phase shift the applied RF signal in elevation based on a frequency of the applied RF signal;
- and
- a plurality of antenna elements coupled to each respective output port of one of the serial manifolds.
A method for providing an antenna assembly comprising:
- providing one or more array blocks, at least one of the array blocks including:
- providing one or more corporate manifolds, each of the corporate manifolds having an input port, a plurality of output ports, and a plurality of phase shifters, each of the phase shifters located at a respective one of the output ports of the corporate manifold, each of the plurality of phase shifters being arranged to receive a control signal that determines phase shift in azimuth, each of the corporate manifolds being configured to phase shift an applied RF signal in the azimuth by using the corporate manifold's respective plurality of phase shifters;
- providing a plurality of serial manifolds, each having an input port and a plurality of output ports, the input port of each of the serial manifolds coupled to a respective output port of one of the corporate manifolds, each of the serial manifolds being configured to passively phase shift the applied RF signal in elevation based on a frequency of the applied RF signal;
- and
- providing a plurality of antenna elements coupled to each respective output port of one of the serial manifolds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.