Active manifold system and method for an array antenna
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorsJames B. West, Michael L. Hageman, Russell D. Wyse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method uses an active manifold for an antenna array. The manifold can be assembled by a method including providing a first set of cards including a first set of antenna elements and a corresponding number of integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters for the first set of antenna elements. The first set of antenna elements is associated with a row of the antenna array. The method also includes providing a second set of cards including a second set of antenna elements and a corresponding number of integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters for the second set of antenna elements. The second set of antenna elements is associated with a column of the antenna array.
Claims20
An antenna system, comprising:
- an M×N array configured to receive antenna elements;
- a plurality of first cards, each first card being one unitary piece and comprising a radio frequency integrated circuit active feed manifold for a first polarization comprising first antenna elements of the antenna elements and a plurality of first integrated circuits packages for an active splitter/combiner, and the first cards comprising printed circuits board paths interconnecting the first integrated circuit packages and the first antenna elements;
- and
- a plurality of second cards, each second card being one unitary piece and comprising a radio frequency integrated circuit active feed manifold for a second polarization comprising second antenna elements of the antenna elements and a plurality of second integrated circuit packages for an active splitter/combiner, the second cards comprising printed circuit board paths interconnecting the second integrated circuit packages and the second antenna elements, wherein the first cards are each disposed in a respective one of M rows of the M×N array and the second cards are each disposed in a respective one of N columns of the M×N array, wherein the first cards and second cards each have a first edge proximate the M×N array and a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge being offset from the M×N array.
A method of assembling an antenna array, the method comprising:
- providing a first set of cards comprising a first set of antenna elements and a corresponding number of integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters for the first set of antenna elements, the first set of antenna elements being associated with a row of the antenna array, the first set of cards comprising printed circuit board paths interconnecting the first set of antenna elements and integrated circuit packages for the integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters;
- providing a second set of cards comprising a second set of antenna elements and a corresponding number of integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters for the second set of antenna elements, the second set of antenna elements being associated with a column of the antenna array;
- and
- providing the first set of cards and the second set of cards in a row and column nested arrangement.
A manifold for an antenna array, the manifold comprising:
- a section piece having a row of first elements in a first plane;
- a plurality of first multichannel cards with an active splitter/combiner, the first multichannel cards being arranged in rows corresponding to rows of the antenna array, wherein the first multichannel cards engage the first elements and are disposed at an angle with respect to the first plane, wherein connectors are disposed on an edge of the first multichannel channel cards, the edge being offset from the first plane, wherein the first multichannel cards each comprise printed circuit board paths interconnecting antenna elements integrated with the first multichannel card and integrated circuit packages integrated with the first multichannel card and associated with the active splitter/combiner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.