# US 8,570,237 B2 · Multi-band electronically scanned array antenna > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,570,237 B2 - Document ID: US8570237B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/019,108 - Filed: 2011-02-01 - Published: 2012-08-02 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-01 - Assignees: Raytheon Company - Applicants: Matthew D. Brown; George F. Barson; William P. Hull, Jr.; Steven P. Mcfarlane; James S. Wilson; Karl L. Worthen; Joshua Lamb; Thomas H. Taylor - Inventors: Matthew D. Brown; George F. Barson; William P. Hull, Jr.; Steven P. Mcfarlane; James S. Wilson; Karl L. Worthen; Joshua Lamb; Thomas H. Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8570237B2 ## CPC - H01Q 21/0025: {Modular arrays} - H01Q 5/42: using two or more imbricated arrays (H01Q5/49 takes precedence) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract A multi-band electronically scanned array antenna including a first sub-assembly having electronic circuits for a first frequency band; a second sub-assembly mechanically coupled to the first sub-assembly and having electronic circuits for a second frequency band; and an aperture adjacent to the first sub-assembly, the aperture being shared by the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly. The array antenna may further include a band switching circuit, or a combining circuit for coupling the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly to the aperture. The array antenna may also include a third sub-assembly including electronic circuits for a third frequency band. In this way, the aperture is shared by the first sub-assembly, the second sub-assembly, and the third sub-assembly to provide a smaller and lighter array antenna. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-band electronically scanned array antenna comprising: a first sub-assembly including electronic circuits of a first frequency band of said multi-band electronically scanned array antenna; a second sub-assembly mechanically coupled to the first sub-assembly and including electronic circuits for a second frequency band; and an aperture adjacent to the first sub-assembly, the aperture being shared by the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly, wherein the first sub-assembly is positioned between the aperture and the second sub-assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, further comprising a band switching circuit for coupling the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly to the aperture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, further comprising a combining circuit for coupling the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly to the aperture. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, further comprising a third sub-assembly including electronic circuits for a third frequency band, wherein the aperture is shared by the first sub-assembly, the second sub-assembly, and the third sub-assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) antenna. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, wherein the electronics for the first frequency band and electronics for the second frequency band are mounted on two or more separate printed circuit boards. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second assemblies include a separate circulator layer, a cold plate layer, transmit/receive channels, and RF-DC distribution layer and coupling means positioned on top of each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, further comprising electrical interconnect means positioned between only the first sub-assembly and the aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, further comprising a cover coupled to the second sub-assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 2, wherein the band switching circuit for coupling the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly to the aperture is selectable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 1, wherein the first frequency band is a higher frequency than the second frequency band. ### Claim 13 A multi-band electronically scanned array antenna comprising: a first sub-assembly including a first transmitter/receiver circuit for transmitting and receiving a first frequency band of said multi-band electronically scanned array antenna; a second sub-assembly mechanically coupled to the first sub-assembly and including a second transmitter/receiver circuit for transmitting and receiving a second frequency band of said multi-band electronically scanned array antenna; an aperture adjacent to the first sub-assembly, the aperture being shared by the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly, wherein the first sub-assembly is positioned between the aperture and the second sub-assembly; and a band switching circuit coupled between the first sub-assembly and the aperture for electrically coupling the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly to the aperture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, further comprising a cover coupled to the second sub-assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, wherein the band switching circuit is selectable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, wherein the first frequency band is a higher frequency than the second frequency band. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, wherein the antenna is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, wherein the antenna is a Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) antenna. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, wherein the first sub-assembly further includes a first circulator and the second sub-assembly further includes a second circulator different from the first circulator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The multi-band electronically scanned array antenna of claim 13, wherein the first sub-assembly further includes a first transmitter/receiver switch and the second sub-assembly further includes a second transmitter/receiver switch.