Compact, wide-band, integrated active module for radar and communication systems
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsLoc B. Chau, Kuan M. Lee, John S. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated module for an active antenna assembly is disclosed. The integrated module is switchable between a receive mode and a transmit mode and includes active components and a dual input wideband balun. The active components includes amplifiers and micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switches. The integrated module is adapted for positioning directly behind a radiator of an antenna array.
Claims24
An integrated module for an active antenna radiator assembly, the integrated module switchable between a receive mode and a transmit mode, the integrated module comprising a first amplifier to amplify signals to be transmitted by the radiator, a second amplifier to amplify signals received by the radiator, a dual input wideband balun, a transmit line coupled to an output of the first amplifier and the balun, a receive line coupled to an input of the second amplifier and the balun, a first MEMS switch to shunt the receive line to ground when the integrated module is placed in the transmit mode and a second MEMS switch to shunt the transmit line to ground when the integrated module is placed in the receive mode.
An active antenna radiator assembly, comprising:
- a radiator;
- and
- an integrated module disposed behind the radiator and switchable between a receive mode and a transmit mode, wherein the integrated module includes:
- a high power amplifier (HPA) for amplifying signals to be transmitted by the radiator;
- a low noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying signals received by the radiator;
- a wideband balun having at least a first arm and a second arm, the arms respectively coupled to the radiator via a pair of probes that are 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the radiator;
- a receive line coupled to an input of the LNA and the balun;
- a transmit line coupled to an output of the HPA and the balun;
- a receive micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch to selectively couple the receive line to ground when the integrated module is placed in the transmit mode;
- and
- a transmit MEMS switch to selectively couple the transmit line to ground when the integrated module is placed in the receive mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.