US 5,008,680 A · Programmable beam transform and beam steering control system for a phased array radar antenna

Abstract

A programmable beam transform system is disclosed for performing both beam steering and beam shaping operations in a phased array antenna. A programmable beam transform control circuit is responsive to a plurality of input signals for selectively generating and applying a plurality of control signals to each intelligent phase shift control circuit in an array of phase shift control circuits/phase shifters/antenna elements. Each phase shift control circuit simultaneously modifies the plurality of control signals applied thereto as a function of its internally-stored data to develop its own phase shift command signal which is used by its associated phase shifter to phase shift that portion of the total energy applied thereto. On transmit, the phase-shifted energy outputs from the phase shifters in the array are then respectively transmitted by the associated antenna elements in the array to form the desired beam pattern at the desired beam position; and on receive the complementary function occurs.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A programmable beam transform system for a phased array antenna, said system comprising:

an array of assemblies contained in said antenna, each said assembly containing its own associated internally-stored data;
and
a programmable beam transform controller responsive to a plurality of programmable input signals for selectively generating and applying a plurality of control signals to each of said assemblies to enable said assemblies to collectively perform both beam steering and beam-shaping operations;
each of said assemblies modifying said plurality of control signals applied thereto as a function of its associated internally-stored data to phase shift associated energy applied thereto in order to cause said assemblies to collectively transmit and/or receive an energy beam at any desired beam position and with any desired beam pattern.

1 more element

A programmable beam transform system for an electronically steered phase array antenna, said system comprising:

control means for selectively developing a plurality of control signals as a function of a plurality of programmable input signals;
and
antenna means contained in said antenna for controlling as a function of said plurality of control signals the position and pattern of an energy beam transmitted and/or received from said antenna;
said control means including:
a programmable beam transform controller for selectively generating a plurality of parallel-formatted digital control signals as a function of a plurality of programmable input signals;
means for converting the parallel-formatted digital control signals to serial control signals;
and
an optical transmitter for transmitting said serial control signals to said antenna means;
and
said antenna means including:
an optical receiver for receiving said serial control signals from said optical transmitter;
means for converting said serial control signals to a plurality of parallel-formatted digital control signals;
and
an array of assemblies with each said assembly receiving said plurality of control signals, each said assembly containing its own associated internally-stored data for modifying said plurality of control signals as a function of its associated internally-stored data to accordingly phase shift an associated portion of energy applied thereto as a function of said modified plurality of control signals.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Programmable beam transform and beam steering control system for a phased array radar antenna

Life of this patent

Programmable beam transform and beam steering control system for a phased array radar antenna

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18