Flat phased array antenna

In an antenna, a waveguide system comprising:

• a first substantially planar layer having first and second surfaces;
• first channels defined along said first surface and recessed within said first layer;
• a first conductive network disposed in said first channels;
• a second layer having a substantially planar third surface, said second layer being adjacent said first layer with said third surface of said second layer in intimate contact with said first surface, said third surface of said second layer providing a closure surface for closing said first channels;
• support means originating within said first channels for supporting said first conductive network in spaced relation from the interior surface of said closed first channels;
• an energy reflecting metallic coating surrounding the interior surfaces of said closed first channels, said metallically coated interior surfaces of said channels defining waveguide means for said first conductive network;
• a conductive portion formed as part of said network, said conductive portion projecting outwardly from said first channels;
• second channels defined along said second surface and recessed within said first layer;
• a second conductive network disposed in said second channels;
• a third layer adjacent said first layer, a surface of said third layer in intimate contact with said second surface, said surface of said third layer providing a closure surface for closing said second channels;
• and
• a metallic coating surrounding the interior surfaces of said closed second channels, said metallically coated interior surfaces of said second channels defining waveguide means for said second conductive network.

In an antenna, a waveguide system comprising:

• a first substantially planar layer having first and second surfaces;
• first channels defined along said first surface and recessed within said first layer;
• a first conductive network disposed in said first channels;
• a second layer having a substantially planar third surface, said second layer being adjacent said first layer with said third surface of said second layer in intimate contact with said first surface, said third surface of said second layer providing a closure surface for closing said first channels;
• support means originating within said first channels for supporting said first conductive network in spaced relation from the interior surface of said closed first channels;
• an energy reflecting metallic coating surrounding the interior surfaces of said closed first channels, said metallically coated interior surfaces of said channels defining waveguide means for said first conductive network;
• and
• a conductive portion formed as part of said network, said conductive portion projecting outwardly from said first channels and extending through said closure surface and said second layer.

An antenna element comprising:

• a plurality of reception horns arranged in a matrix and constituting a first layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a septum transducer positioned in each reception horn for dividing each horn into two substantially equal volumes;
• a first plurality of elongated probes, each of said probes operatively mounted in one of said two equal volumes in each reception horn;
• a second plurality of elongated probes, each of said probes operatively mounted in the other of said two equal volumes in each reception horn;
• a second layer secured to the bottom surface of said horn layer, said second layer including a plurality of feed through holes to allow said probes to be placed into each of said reception horns;
• a third layer secured to the bottom of said second layer;
• a first waveguide network defined in said third layer as a predetermined pattern of first transmission lines;
• means for securing one end of said first and second probes to certain of said first transmission lines, the free ends of said first and second probes residing in said reception horns;
• a fourth layer secured to the bottom of said third layer;
• a second waveguide network defined in said fourth layer as a predetermined pattern of second transmission lines;
• and
• means for securing one end of said second probes to certain of said second transmission lines, the free ends of said second probes residing in said reception horns.

An antenna element for use in a flat plate antenna array, wherein a plurality of said antenna elements comprising:

• a reception horn having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a septum transducer positioned in said reception horn for dividing each horn into two substantially equal volumes;
• a first elongated probe operatively mounted in one of said two equal volumes;
• a second elongated probe operatively mounted in the other of said two equal volumes;
• a second layer secured to the bottom surface of said reception horn, said second layer including a plurality of feed through holes to allow said probes to be placed into the volumes of said reception horns;
• a third layer secured to the bottom of said second layer;
• a first waveguide network defined in said third layer as a predetermined pattern of first transmission lines;
• means for securing one end of said first probe to a certain one of said first transmission lines, the free end of said first probe residing in said reception horn;
• a fourth layer secured to the bottom of said third layer;
• a second waveguide network defined in said fourth layer as a predetermined pattern of second transmission lines;
• and
• means for securing one end of said second probe to a certain one of said second transmission lines, the free end of said second probe residing in said reception horn.