Method and Apparatus for Thermal Management of a Radio Frequency System

A phased array comprising:

• an antenna panel having a plurality of antenna elements disposed on a first surface thereof and having a second opposing surface;
• a plurality of integrated panel array assemblies (IPAAs), each of said IPAAs having an integrated thermal management system and each of said IPAAs having an RF signal distribution circuit, a power signal distribution circuit and a logic signal distribution circuit;
• a mechanical frame;
• an air-manifold system mechanically coupled to said mechanical frame and in fluid communication with each of said plurality of integrated panel array assemblies (IPAAs).

A thermal management system comprising:

• (a) an air duct assembly comprising:
• a supply air duct having an air inlet opening;
• a return air duct having an air exit opening;
• and
• a plurality of distribution air ducts configured to be in fluid communication with the air inlet opening of the supply air duct and configured to be in communication with the air exit opening of the return air duct;
• (c) a heat sink having a first surface configured to contact a plurality of heat generating elements and a second surface having heat spreading elements projecting therefrom;
• (b) a fan disposed within the air duct assembly to direct air from the air inlet opening of the supply air duct through the supply air duct and out the air exit opening of the return air duct wherein said fan and supply duct are disposed to direct air over the heat spreading elements projecting from the second surface of said heat sink.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an active panel which is thin and generally planar and which has a plurality of active circuits mounted on a first surface thereof as flip chip circuits;
• an antenna panel which is disposed on second, opposite surface of said active panel, and which includes a plurality of antenna elements that are each electrically coupled to said active panel;
• and
• a thermal management system which is coupled to said active panel on a side thereof opposite from said antenna section and which is directly thermally coupled to said active circuits.