Phased array antenna with interconnect member for electrically connnecting orthogonally positioned elements used at millimeter wavelength frequencies

A phased array antenna comprising:

• an antenna housing including a subarray assembly and a plurality of beam forming network modules positioned on the subarray assembly;
• an antenna support and interconnect member mounted on the antenna housing and comprising
• a carrier member having a front antenna mounting surface substantially orthogonal to the subarray assembly and at least one antenna element mounted on the antenna mounting surface, a rear surface having a receiving slot and at least one conductive via associated with the receiving slot and positioned to extend to the antenna element, wherein said at least one antenna element further comprises,
• a driven antenna element having a front and rear side;
• a parasitic antenna element positioned forward of the front side of the driven antenna element;
• and
• a microstrip quadrature-to-circular polarization circuit positioned rearward of the rear side of the driven antenna element and operatively connected to the driven antenna element and the conductive via in the carrier member;
• a launcher member fitted into the receiving slot and having a module connecting end extending rearward to a beam forming network module, said launcher member including conductive signal traces that extend along the launcher member from the conductive via to module connecting end adjacent a beam forming network module.

A phased array antenna comprising:

• an antenna housing including a subarray assembly and a plurality of beam forming network modules positioned on the subarray assembly;
• a plurality of antenna support and interconnect members mounted on the antenna housing and each comprising,
• a carrier member having a substantially rectangular and planar configured, front antenna mounting surface substantially orthogonal to the subarray assembly, a plurality of antenna elements mounted on the antenna mounting surface, a rear connecting surface having a receiving slot and a plurality of conductive vias associated with the receiving slot and each positioned to extend to respective antenna elements, wherein said antenna elements further comprise,
• a driven antenna element having a front and rear side;
• a parasitic antenna element positioned forward of the front side of the driven antenna element;
• and
• a microstrip quadrature-to-circular polarization circuit positioned rearward of the rear side of the driven antenna element and operatively connected to the driven antenna element and the conductive via in the carrier member;
• a launcher member fitted into the receiving slot and having a module connecting end extending rearward adjacent to a beam forming network, said launcher member including conductive signal traces that extend along the launcher member from each conductive via to the module connecting end adjacent a beam forming network module;
• and
• a conductive bond member interconnecting said beam forming network and said signal traces.