Common aperture antenna
AssigneeBAE SYSTEMS plc
InventorRonald F. E. Guy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to antennas (26, 28, 30 32, 34) including an integrated array of antenna elements (36). More particularly, the invention relates to antennas (26, 28, 30 32, 34) in which the array of antenna elements (36) can be reconfigured to suit a multitude of system functions, such as radar, electromagnetic warfare (EW) and communication. Such antennas (26, 28, 30 32, 34) are often referred to as ‘common aperture antennas’ and find use on many platforms including airborne vehicles, ships and boats. An antenna (26, 28, 30 32, 34) is provided that comprises a plurality of antenna elements (36), the antenna (26, 28, 30 32, 34) being operable with sets of the antenna elements (36) organized into first order groups (14, 46) and with sets of first order groups (14, 46) organized into sets of second order groups (18).
Claims18
An antenna system, comprising a beam-forming network linked to a plurality of antenna elements organized, in operation, into a plurality of first-order groups of antenna elements, the beam-forming network comprising:
- a plurality of local networks, each of said local networks for manipulating signals received by or to be transmitted by antenna elements of at least one of said plurality of first-order groups of antenna elements;
- a common remote network for manipulating signals received from or to be transmitted to said plurality of local networks;
- and
- a controller for dynamically reconfiguring the organization of groups from said plurality of first-order groups of antenna elements into at least one second-order groups of antenna elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.