Distribution network for phased array antennas

Abstract

A distribution network for a modified space-fed phased array antenna consists of a planar array of radiating slots distributed along a coplanar wall in each of an ensemble of parallel waveguides. This waveguide ensemble is fed or excited by an orthogonal waveguide or waveguides, through a row of slots in a wall common to the excitation waveguides and the parallel waveguide ensemble, one slot per waveguide. A predetermined amplitude distribution is achieved in the plane parallel to the axis of the exciting waveguide by adjusting the coupling value of each exciting slot, and in the orthogonal plane by adjusting the displacement of the radiating slots from the center line of the waveguides, and by adjusting slot width, length, and geometry. Such an array of slots is used to feed the inside face of a quasi-space-fed antenna array having identical, individual electronics modules.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.