Abstract: Register banks are used to allow for fast beam switching in a phased array system. Each beam forming channel is associated with a register bank containing M register sets for configuring such things as gain/amplitude and phase parameters of the beam forming channel. The register banks for all beam forming channels can be pre-programmed and then fast beam switching circuitry allows all beam forming channels across the array to be switched to use the same register set from its corresponding register bank at substantially the same time, thereby allowing the phased array system to be quickly switched between various beam patterns and orientations. Active power control circuitry may be used to control the amount of electrical power provided to or consumed by one or more individual beam forming channels such as to reduce DC power consumption of the array and/or to selectively change the effective directivity of the array.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.

Abstract: Register banks are used to allow for fast beam switching in a phased array system. Each beam forming channel is associated with a register bank containing M register sets for configuring such things as gain/amplitude and phase parameters of the beam forming channel. The register banks for all beam forming channels can be pre-programmed and then fast beam switching circuitry allows all beam forming channels across the array to be switched to use the same register set from its corresponding register bank at substantially the same time, thereby allowing the phased array system to be quickly switched between various beam patterns and orientations. Active power control circuitry may be used to control the amount of electrical power provided to or consumed by one or more individual beam forming channels such as to reduce DC power consumption of the array and/or to selectively change the effective directivity of the array.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.

Abstract: A laminar phased array has a first sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with a first polarity and a transmit mode with a second polarity, and a second sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with the second polarity and a transmit mode with the first polarity. The first polarity is physically orthogonal to the second polarity. The array also has a controller configured to control the first and second sub-arrays so that they operate together in either 1) a receive mode or 2) a transit mode. Accordingly, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to receive signals in the first and second polarities when in the receive mode. In a corresponding manner, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to transmit signals in the first and second polarities when in the transmit mode.

Abstract: A conditioning integrated circuit (CDIC) chip can be used to aggregate signals to/from a number of beam forming integrated circuit (BFIC) chips, and signals to/from a number of CDIC chips can be aggregated by an interface integrated circuit (IFIC) chip. The CDIC chip includes temperature compensation circuitry to adjust the gain of the transmit and receive signals as a function of temperature based on inputs from a temperature sensor. The CDIC may include a plurality of beam forming channels each having a transmit circuit and a receive circuit, a common port coupled to the beam forming channels for selectively providing a common transmit signal to the beam forming channels and receiving a common receive signal from the beam forming channels, and a temperature compensation circuit configured to provide variable attenuation to the common transmit signal and the common receive signal based on a temperature sense signal.

Abstract: A phased array system has a plurality of beam-forming elements, and a plurality of beam-forming integrated circuits in communication with the beam-forming elements. Each beam-forming integrated circuit has a corresponding register bank with a plurality of addressable and programmable register sets. In addition, each beam-forming integrated circuit has at least two different types of beam-forming ports. Specifically, each beam-forming element has a serial data port for receiving serial messages, and a parallel mode data port for receiving broadcast messages. Both the serial and broadcast messages manage the data in its register bank. The beam-forming integrated circuits receive the broadcast messages in parallel with the other beam-forming integrated circuits, while the beam-forming integrated circuits receive the serial messages serially—sequentially with regard to other beam-forming integrated circuits.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.

Abstract: A beamforming integrated circuit system is configured to optimize performance. Among other things, the system may run at a lower power than conventional integrated circuits, selectively disable branches to control certain system functions, and/or selectively position ground pads around receiving pads to enhance isolation. The system also may use a beamforming integrated circuit as a distribution circuit for a number of similar or like beamforming integrated circuits.

Abstract: A laminar phased array has a first sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with a first polarity and a transmit mode with a second polarity, and a second sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with the second polarity and a transmit mode with the first polarity. The first polarity is physically orthogonal to the second polarity. The array also has a controller configured to control the first and second sub-arrays so that they operate together in either 1) a receive mode or 2) a transit mode. Accordingly, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to receive signals in the first and second polarities when in the receive mode. In a corresponding manner, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to transmit signals in the first and second polarities when in the transmit mode.

Abstract: A phased array includes a laminar substrate having both 1) a plurality of elements forming a patch phased array, and 2) a plurality of integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit is configured to control receipt and transmission of signals by the plurality of elements in the patch phased array. The integrated circuits also are configured to operate the phased array at one or more satellite frequencies—to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from a satellite. Each integrated circuit physically couples with one corresponding element so that incoming signals are received by the corresponding element in a first polarization, and outgoing signals are transmitted by the corresponding element in a second polarization. The phased array isolates the transmit signals from the receive signals by orienting the first and second polarizations differently.

Abstract: A laminar phased array has a first sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with a first polarity and a transmit mode with a second polarity, and a second sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with the second polarity and a transmit mode with the first polarity. The first polarity is physically orthogonal to the second polarity. The array also has a controller configured to control the first and second sub-arrays so that they operate together in either 1) a receive mode or 2) a transit mode. Accordingly, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to receive signals in the first and second polarities when in the receive mode. In a corresponding manner, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to transmit signals in the first and second polarities when in the transmit mode.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments, register banks are used to allow for fast beam switching (FBS) in a phased array system. Specifically, each beam forming channel is associated with a register bank containing M register sets for configuring such things as gain/amplitude and phase parameters of the beam forming channel. The register banks for all beam forming channels can be pre-programmed and then fast beam switching circuitry allows all beam forming channels across the array to be switched to use the same register set from its corresponding register bank at substantially the same time, thereby allowing the phased array system to be quickly switched between various beam patterns and orientations. Additionally or alternatively, active power control circuitry may be used to control the amount of electrical power provided to or consumed by one or more individual beam forming channels such as to reduce DC power consumption of the array and/or to selectively change the effective directivity of the array.

Abstract: A conditioning integrated circuit (CDIC) chip can be used to aggregate signals to/from a number of beam forming integrated circuit (BFIC) chips, and signals to/from a number of CDIC chips can be aggregated by an interface integrated circuit (IFIC) chip. The CDIC chip includes temperature compensation circuitry to adjust the gain of the transmit and receive signals as a function of temperature based on inputs from a temperature sensor. The CDIC may include a plurality of beam forming channels each having a transmit circuit and a receive circuit, a common port coupled to the beam forming channels for selectively providing a common transmit signal to the beam forming channels and receiving a common receive signal from the beam forming channels, and a temperature compensation circuit configured to provide variable attenuation to the common transmit signal and the common receive signal based on a temperature sense signal.

Abstract: A phased array system has a plurality of beam-forming elements, and a plurality of beam-forming integrated circuits in communication with the beam-forming elements. Each beam-forming integrated circuit has a corresponding register bank with a plurality of addressable and programmable register sets. In addition, each beam-forming integrated circuit has at least two different types of beam-forming ports. Specifically, each beam-forming element has a serial data port for receiving serial messages, and a parallel mode data port for receiving broadcast messages. Both the serial and broadcast messages manage the data in its register bank. The beam-forming integrated circuits receive the broadcast messages in parallel with the other beam-forming integrated circuits, while the beam-forming integrated circuits receive the serial messages serially—sequentially with regard to other beam-forming integrated circuits.

Abstract: A phased array includes a laminar substrate having both 1) a plurality of elements forming a patch phased array, and 2) a plurality of integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit is configured to control receipt and transmission of signals by the plurality of elements in the patch phased array. The integrated circuits also are configured to operate the phased array at one or more satellite frequencies—to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from a satellite. Each integrated circuit physically couples with one corresponding element so that incoming signals are received by the corresponding element in a first polarization, and outgoing signals are transmitted by the corresponding element in a second polarization. The phased array isolates the transmit signals from the receive signals by orienting the first and second polarizations differently.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments, register banks are used to allow for fast beam switching (FBS) in a phased array system. Specifically, each beam forming channel is associated with a register bank containing M register sets for configuring such things as gain/amplitude and phase parameters of the beam forming channel. The register banks for all beam forming channels can be pre-programmed and then fast beam switching circuitry allows all beam forming channels across the array to be switched to use the same register set from its corresponding register bank at substantially the same time, thereby allowing the phased array system to be quickly switched between various beam patterns and orientations. Additionally or alternatively, active power control circuitry may be used to control the amount of electrical power provided to or consumed by one or more individual beam forming channels such as to reduce DC power consumption of the array and/or to selectively change the effective directivity of the array.

Abstract: A laminar phased array has a first sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with a first polarity and a transmit mode with a second polarity, and a second sub-array configured to operate in one of a receive mode with the second polarity and a transmit mode with the first polarity. The first polarity is physically orthogonal to the second polarity. The array also has a controller configured to control the first and second sub-arrays so that they operate together in either 1) a receive mode or 2) a transit mode. Accordingly, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to receive signals in the first and second polarities when in the receive mode. In a corresponding manner, both sub-arrays are configured to operate at the same time to transmit signals in the first and second polarities when in the transmit mode.

Abstract: A phased array system has a plurality of beam-forming elements, and a plurality of beam-forming integrated circuits in communication with the beam-forming elements. Each beam-forming integrated circuit has a corresponding register bank with a plurality of addressable and programmable register sets. In addition, each beam-forming integrated circuit has at least two different types of beam-forming ports. Specifically, each beam-forming element has a serial data port for receiving serial messages, and a parallel mode data port for receiving broadcast messages. Both the serial and broadcast messages manage the data in its register bank. The beam-forming integrated circuits receive the broadcast messages in parallel with the other beam-forming integrated circuits, while the beam-forming integrated circuits receive the serial messages serially—sequentially with regard to other beam-forming integrated circuits.