Scaleable antenna array architecture using standard radiating subarrays and amplifying/beamforming assemblies

An antenna array comprising:

• a plurality of antenna array modules interlocking so as to form a contiguous antenna array structure, wherein each antenna array module comprises:
• a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to receive and output an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;
• a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the received signal to an amplifier;
• and
• a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising:
• a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a received signal from an antenna element, and
• a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an output of an amplifier;
• wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module;
• and
• signal frequency, control, and DC power harnesses to electrically connect the plurality of antenna array modules so as to form the antenna array.

A modular array building block for an antenna array comprising:

• a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;
• a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the signal from an amplifier;
• and
• a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising:
• a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a signal coupled to an antenna element, and
• a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an input to an amplifier;
• wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module.

An antenna array comprising:

• a plurality of antenna array modules interlocking so as to form a contiguous antenna array structure, wherein each antenna array module comprises:
• a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;
• a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the signal from an amplifier;
• and
• a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising:
• a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a signal coupled to an antenna element, and
• a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an input to an amplifier;
• wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module;
• and
• signal frequency, control, and DC power harnesses to electrically connect the plurality of antenna array modules so as to form the antenna array.

An antenna array comprising:

• a plurality of antenna array modules interlocking so as to form a contiguous antenna array structure, wherein each antenna array module comprises:
• a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to receive and output an electromagnetic wave signal and to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;
• a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the received signal to a receive amplifier and coupling the signal to be transmitted from a transmit amplifier;
• and
• a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising:
• a plurality of receive amplifiers, each receive amplifier operable to amplify a received signal from an antenna element,
• a plurality of transmit amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a signal coupled to an antenna element,
• a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an input to a transmit amplifier and coupled to an output of a receive amplifier,
• a plurality of duplexing devices coupling a transmit amplifier output and a receive amplifier input to an antenna element interface assembly,
• a plurality of duplexing devices coupling each beamformer to a transmit amplifier input and to a receive amplifier output;
• wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module;
• and
• signal frequency, control, and DC power harnesses to electrically connect the plurality of antenna array modules so as to form the antenna array.