Multicode aperture transmitter/receiver

A multicode array for receiving and transmitting a signal comprising:

• a feed adapted to receive and split the signal into low power signals;
• individual elements at a transmitter side of the multicode array wherein each low power signal is coded with different codes respectively and transmitted through each individual element of the multicode array, wherein the coding with different codes comprises convolving each low power signal with the different code individually corresponding to the respective individual element;
• at least one element at a receiver side wherein the at least one element receives all the low power signals, wherein receiving the coded, low power signals further comprises receiving return signals at the multicode array upon illuminating a target object;
• and
• a correlated receiver adapted to add decoded low power signals to form a complete received signal, wherein the multicode array acts like a high power transmitter array when the correlated receiver is used, but acts as a collection of small transmitter arrays when an uncorrelated receiver is used.

A method of transmitting and receiving signals in a high power radar system, the method comprising:

• splitting a signal into low power signals;
• coding the low power signals with different codes, wherein the coding comprises convolving each low power signal with the different code individually corresponding to a respective separate element of an active antenna array;
• transmitting the coded low power signals through the individual elements of the active antenna array;
• receiving the coded low power signals by at least one individual receiver element, wherein receiving the coded low power signals further comprises receiving return signals at the active antenna array upon illuminating a target object;
• decoding the coded low power signals;
• and
• adding the decoded signals with a correlated receiver to form a complete received signal,
• wherein the active antenna array acts like a high power transmitter array when the correlated receiver is used, but acts as a collection of small transmitter arrays when an uncorrelated receiver is used.

A method of receiving signals, the method comprising:

• receiving coded, low power portions of a signal by at least one receiver element wherein each portion of the signal is coded with a different code respectively, wherein the coding comprises convolving the portion of the signal with the different code individually corresponding to the respective portion of the signal, and wherein receiving the coded, low power portions of the signal further comprises receiving return signals at the at least one receiver element upon illuminating a target object;
• decoding the coded portions of the signal;
• and
• adding decoded portions of the signal with a correlated receiver to form a complete received signal, wherein the signal appears to come from a high power transmitter array when the correlated receiver is used, but appears to come from a collection of small transmitter arrays when an uncorrelated receiver is used.

A multicode array comprising:

• a plurality of modules adapted to process and code low power portions of a signal, wherein each coded, low power portion of the signal comprises a low power portion of the signal convolved with a different code individually corresponding to the respective low power portion of the signal;
• and
• a correlated receiver comprising at least one correlated receiver element wherein the at least one correlated receiver element receives and decodes the differently coded, low power portions of the signal wherein:
• receiving the differently coded portions of the signal further comprises receiving return signals at the at least one correlated receiver element upon illuminating a target object;
• the correlated receiver is adapted to add decoded portions of the signal to form a complete received signal;
• and
• the multicode array acts like a high power transmitter array when the correlated receiver is used, but acts as a collection of small transmitter arrays when an uncorrelated receiver is used.