Phased array millimeter wave imaging techniques
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsDong G. Kam, Duixian Liu, Arun S. Natarajan, Scott K. Reynolds, Alberto Valdes Garcia
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Abstract
An apparatus, imager elements, and a method for detecting a radio frequency image using phased array techniques. An example apparatus includes an array of radio frequency antennas fabricated on one or more packaged integrated circuits. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to selectively phase shift radio frequency signals from the antennas such that the at least a portion of the radio frequency image is focused.
Claims20
An apparatus to detect a radio frequency image, the apparatus comprising:
- an array of radio frequency antennas carried by one or more packaged integrated circuits;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively phase shift radio frequency signals from the antennas such that at least a portion of the radio frequency image is focused.
An imager element in an imager array for detecting a focused radio frequency signal from a radio frequency lens, the imager element comprising:
- a radio frequency antenna configured to receive a focused radio frequency signal;
- a phase shifter configured to phase shift the radio frequency signal such that at least a part of the imager array is electronically steered when the radio frequency signal is combined with other radio frequency signals detected by other imager elements in the imager array;
- a first pixel detector circuit configured to pass the radio frequency signal to an imager without combining the radio signal with the other radio signals;
- and
- a radio frequency switch, the switch configurable to divert the radio frequency signal to one of the phase shifter and the pixel detector.
An imager element in an imager array, the imager element comprising:
- a radio frequency antenna positioned at a pupil plane and configured to receive a radio frequency signal;
- a phase shifter configured to phase shift the radio frequency signal such that the imager array is electronically steered when the radio frequency signal is combined with other radio frequency signals detected by other imager elements in the imager array, the other imager elements being physically isolated from the imager element at the pupil plane;
- and
- a common local oscillator signal for maintaining phase coherence with the imager element and the other imager elements in the imager array.
A method for imaging a radio frequency signal, comprising:
- receiving a focused radio frequency signal from a radio frequency antenna, the radio frequency antenna belonging to an array of antennas;
- and
- switching the radio frequency signal from a pixel detector circuit configured to pass the radio frequency signal to an imager without combining the radio signal with the other radio signals to a phase shifter circuit configured to phase shift the radio frequency signal such that at least a part of the array of antennas is electronically steered when the radio frequency signal is combined with other radio frequency signals detected by other antennas in the array of antennas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.