Phased array antenna aperture and method

Abstract

A phased antenna array which includes a single piece electrically conductive faceplate which uses accurately positioned posts with precision formed grooves in the post faces to obtain accurate board placement of the boards relative to each other. The element boards penetrate through slots in the bottom portion of the faceplate and rest in the precision formed grooves in the posts at opposing sides of a slot with the board edges restrained by the grooves in the posts. The portions of each element board extending out of the slots are accurately positioned by providing holes in each of the element boards through which pins are positioned to accurately determine the amount of entry of the elements into the slots. As an alternative, some or all of the element boards can be secured to an external structure which does not move relative to the faceplate to accurately position the boards relative to the faceplate. Since the faceplate is electrically conductive, electrical connection from the faceplate to a board can be made by disposing electrically conductive material on the board on a surface portion thereof that contacts the faceplate. The element boards each have an electrically conductive pattern disposed thereon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.