US 6,784,837 B2Granted

Transmit/receiver module for active phased array antenna

AssigneeChief Controller, Research and Development Ministry of Defence, Government of India

InventorsUdayshankar Kashinathrao Revankar, Kalappurakkal Thomas Sophy, Kilari Sreenivasulu, Kori Malleshappa Veerabhadra

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Abstract

This invention relates to a transmit/receive module for a high power Active Phased Array Antenna system operating in L-band based upon a combination of Hybrid Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) as well as Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology. The transmit/receive module includes a power monitoring means, transmitter protector means, and a receiver protector means. The module comprises a signal transmit chain incorporating power conditioner and a signal receive chain incorporating control electronics and bias- sequencer modulator. The transmit chain has switching means for switching the module to transmit mode which is connected to the transmit amplifier chain through a shared digital phase shifter. The amplified signals from the transmit amplifier chain are conveyed to a duplexer means. In receive mode, the receive chain receives signal through drop-in circulator and high power switch and comprises of high power limiter, low noise amplifier means, and a digital attenuator means connected to the shared digital phase shifter through T/R switch means. Electronic means are connected through integrated control electronic., bias sequencer modulator and power conditioner for controlling the operation of the device.

A transmit/receive module for a high power active phased array antenna system operating in L-band based upon a combination of hybrid microwave integrated circuit (MIC) and monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology and having power monitoring means (22-25) for on line diagnostic purposes, a transmitter protector means and a receiver protector means, the said transmit/receive module comprising:

signal transmit chain (10) incorporating power conditioner (38), and signal receive chain (11) incorporating control electronics (37) and bias sequencer-modulator (39);
wherein the said signal transmit chain (10) comprises of:
TP switching means (35) for switching means (35), for switching the module to the transmit mode, connected to the transmit amplifier chain (12-20) through shared 6-bit digital phase shifter (36);
duplexer means (21) receiving the amplified signal from the transmit amplifier chain (12-20) and forming the said transmitter protector means of the said transmit chain (10);
a high power switch (28) having a drop in circulator (27) connected to its input end which together with a high power limiter (29) of the said receive chain (11) form the said receiver protector means of the said receive chain (11);
on-line power monitoring means (22-25);
a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) switch (26) for on line sampling of transit power;
Tx/Rx interface PCBs (40, 41) for interconnections between the said transmit chain (10) and the said receive chain (11);
wherein, the said receive chain (11) receives signal from drop-in circulator (27) and high power switch (28) in receive mode and comprises of:
high power limiter (29);
RF pre-selection filter (30) connected to the said high power limiter (29);
low noise amplifier means (31-33);
6-bit digital attenuator means (34) connected to shared digital phase shifter (36) through T/R switching means (35);
all connected through control electronics (37), bias sequencer-modulator (39) and power conditioner means (38).

11 more elements

Abstract

Claims13