US 8,547,275 B2 · Active electronically scanned array antenna for hemispherical scan coverage

Abstract

An antenna architecture for hemispherically-scanning active electronically scanned arrays (AESA). The antenna architecture utilizes variable diameter disks of antenna elements configured in a conical implementation. The antenna elements are oriented such that the element boresight is normal to the surface of the conical structure. Beamforming takes place on each disk first, and them separately in combining the signals from each disk, thereby reducing complexity. The antenna optionally utilizes disks of antenna elements of the same diameter to form a cylindrical antenna, which when combined with a conical configuration create enhanced sectors while maintaining a hemispherical coverage capability. Further, use of two conical configurations can produce a fully spherical coverage capability.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for radar target detection comprising the steps:

providing an antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements arranged on the exterior circumference of a plurality of platters, and a plurality of amplitude/phase modules, wherein each of said plurality of amplitude/phase modules is coupled to at least two antenna elements;
selecting a first subset of said plurality of antenna elements;
receiving a signal at said antenna;
using an azimuth beamformer to calculate a sum (Σ) azimuth beam and a delta (Δ) azimuth beam for each amplitude/phase module which is coupled to an antenna element in said selected first subset and
to combine each sum (Σ) azimuth beam and a delta (Δ) azimuth beam from every amplitude/phase module on each platter into a single sum (Σ) azimuth beam and a single delta (Δ) azimuth beam for that platter;
and
using an elevation beamformer to form an elevation beam.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Active electronically scanned array antenna for hemispherical scan coverage

Life of this patent

Active electronically scanned array antenna for hemispherical scan coverage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10