US 9,000,982 B2 · Conformal array antenna

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure provide an antenna array system. The antenna array system includes a plurality of antenna elements and phase-shift switching circuitry. The plurality of antenna elements are organized in an array and configured to form a non-planar shaped antenna array surface. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is switchable to one of a plurality of phase shift states. The phase-shift switching circuitry is configured to switch each of the plurality of antenna elements to one of the plurality of phase shift states based on phase control signals. In an example, the phase-shift switching circuitry switches a first set of antenna elements to a first phase shift state and switches at least a second set of antenna elements to a second phase shift state to steer an antenna beam in a direction.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An antenna array system, comprising:

a plurality of antenna elements organized in an array and configured to form a non-planar shaped antenna array surface, each of the plurality of antenna elements being switchable to one of a plurality of phase shift states;
and
phase-shift switching circuitry configured to switch one set of the antenna elements to one of the phase shift states and switch another set of the antenna elements to another of the phase shift states based on phase control signals for steering an antenna beam to a direction, the one set and another set being one and another of at least four sets of the antenna elements, a first set having a phase delay range of (−45°, +45°), a second set having a phase delay range of (+45°,+135°), a third set having a phase delay range of (+135°,+225°), and a fourth set having a phase delay range of (+225°,+315°).

A method, comprising:

receiving phase control signals for a plurality of antenna elements organized in an array and configured to form a non-planar shaped antenna array surface, each of the phase control signals being indicative of one of a plurality of phase shift states;
and
switching, according to the phase control signals, one set of the antenna elements to one of the phase shift states and switching another set of the antenna elements to another of the phase shift states for steering an antenna beam to a direction, the one set and another set being one and another of at least four sets of the antenna elements, a first set having a phase delay range of (−45°,+45°), a second set having a phase delay range of (+45°,+135°), a third set having a phase delay range of (+135°,+225°), and a fourth set having a phase delay range of (+225°,+315°).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Conformal array antenna

Life of this patent

Conformal array antenna

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20