US 4,532,519 AGranted

Phased array system to produce, steer and stabilize non-circularly-symmetric beams

OwnerRonald M. Rudish, Peter J. McVeighinventors

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Abstract

A phased array antenna system for eliminating antenna induced errors and distortions comprising an antenna array consisting of orthogonal rows and columns of antenna elements in which each row of elements is supplied signal power by a single beam forming network. Each input port of the beam forming network corresponds to an element of only one of a number of composite beam constituents which, when combined, form the complete composite beam. The beam constituents are adjusted in position to correct the composite beam shape as necessary by means of plurality of phase shifters, each of which is placed in series with only one input port of the beam forming networks. This unique positioning of the phase shifters in the antenna distribution system reduces the total number of phase shifters required to control the beam, permits the forming of a shaped beam such as a fan beam without the need for amplitude control and simplifies the complexity of the phased array control system.

Claims8

Dependent claims

Apparatus for eliminating antenna induced errors in systems utilizing fan beams, including correction of fan beam distortions in a phased array antenna caused by electronic scanning of the beam or by movement, such as roll, of the structure upon which the antenna is mounted, comprising:

(a) a phased array antenna comprising orthogonal rows and columns of antenna elements,
(b) means for forming fan beam constituents, each having a generally elliptical cross section at its 3 dB level with the cross section having a longitudinal axis positioned generally in the azimuthal plane for reference purposes, and the cross sections having ends generally oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis,
(c) means for aligning the fan beam constituents generally end to opposite end along a line with their longitudinal axis generally parallel to one another, their opposite ends adjacent one another and their centers along the line to form a single composite fan beam, the line constituting the longitudinal axis of the composite beam, the means for positioning the fan beam constituents including means for individually adjusting the position of each fan beam constituent in elevation angle, while maintaining the ends of the constituents adjacent one another to permit reorientation of the composite fan beam with respect to the horizontal plane.

A process for eliminating antenna induced errors in systems utilizing fan beams, including correction of fan beam distortions in a phased array antenna caused by electronic scanning of the beam or by movement, such as roll, of the structure upon which the antenna is mounted, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a phased array antenna comprising orthogonal rows and columns of antenna elements,
(b) providing means for forming fan beam constituents each having a generally elliptical cross section at its 3 dB level with the cross section having a longitudinal axis positioned generally in the azimuthal plane for reference purposes, the beam constituents having ends oriented generally orthogonal to their longitudinal axes,
(c) providing means for positioning the fan beam constituents in elevation angle, and
(d) positioning the beam constituents generally end to opposite end along a line with their axes parallel to one another, their opposite ends adjacent one another, and their centers along the line to form a composite fan beam, the line constituting the longitudinal axis of the composite beam.

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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.