With Scanning, Sweeping, Or Orienting Patents (Class 343/754)
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Publication number: 20130162490Abstract: An optically controlled microwave antenna that reduces the optical power consumed by the antenna and to enable polarimetric detection an optically controlled microwave antenna comprises an antenna array and a feed for illuminating said antenna array with and/or receiving microwave radiation. The antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna elements each including a waveguide, two optically controllable semiconductor elements arranged within the waveguide in front of the light transmissive portion of the second end portion, a controllable light source arranged at or close to the light transmissive portion of the second end portion for projecting a controlled light beam onto said semiconductor element for controlling its material properties, and a septum arranged within the waveguide in front of the light transmissive portion of the second end portion and separating said waveguide into two waveguide portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Sony Corporation
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Patent number: 8473017Abstract: An adjustable monopole antenna especially intended for the mobile terminals. The adjusting circuit (930) of the antenna is located between the radiator (920) and the antenna port of a radio device and forms, together with the antenna feed conductor (901), a feed circuit. This circuit comprises an adjustable reactance between the feed conductor and the ground in series with the feed conductor or in both of those places. For example, the feed conductor can be connected by a multi-way switch to one of alternative transmission lines, which are typically short-circuited or open at their tail end and shorter than the quarter wave, each line acting for a certain reactance. The antenna operating band covers at a time only a part of the frequency range used by one or two radio systems, in which case the antenna matching is easier to arrange than of a real broadband antenna. The space required for both the radiator and the adjusting circuit is relatively small.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Pulse Finland OyInventors: Zlatoljub Milosavljevic, Anne Isohätälä-Lehmikangas, Jyrki Mikkola
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Patent number: 8466776Abstract: A passive wireless tag assembly comprises a plurality of antennas and transmission lines interconnected with circuitry and constructed and arranged in a Van Atta array or configuration to reflect an interrogator signal in the direction from where it came. The circuitry may comprise at least one surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based circuit that functions as a signal reflector and is operatively connected with an information circuit. In another embodiment, at least one delay circuit and/or at least one passive modulation circuit(s) are utilized. In yet another embodiment, antennas connected to SAW-based devices are mounted to at least one of the orthogonal surfaces of a corner reflector.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Timothy F. Kennedy, Gregory Y. Lin
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Patent number: 8462065Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna apparatus and a communication apparatus able to provide an antenna apparatus having wide band characteristics or diversity characteristics. A first antenna element 11, a second antenna element 12, and a divider circuit 13 to which both the antenna elements 11 and 12 are coupled via respectively separate transmission lines 15 and 16 are included. Additionally, a delay process is conducted on one of the transmission lines by modifying the lengths of the transmission line 15 coupling the first antenna element 11 to the divider circuit 13 and the transmission line 16 coupling the second antenna element 12 to the divider circuit 13. By conducting this delay adjustment, the input impedance and/or phase of the first and second antenna elements are adjusted, and wider band characteristics than the antenna characteristics of the first and second antenna elements individually are configured.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Arai, Takayuki Hirabayashi, Takashi Enomoto, Sunghyuk Yoon
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Patent number: 8436785Abstract: A method of delaying the onset of a backward wave mode in a frequency selective surface having a two dimensional array of conductive patches or elements and an RF ground plane, the two dimensional array of patches or elements being interconnected by variable capacitors, the method comprising separating grounds associated with the variable capacitors from the RF ground plane and providing a separate conductive mesh structure or arrangement as a bias voltage ground for the variable capacitors. A tunable impedance surface comprises a RF ground plane; a plurality of patches or elements disposed in an array a distance from the ground plane; a capacitor arrangement for controllably varying capacitance between at least selected ones of adjacent patches or elements in the array; and a grounding mesh associated with the capacitor arrangement for providing a control voltage ground to capacitors in the capacitor arrangement, the grounding mesh being spaced from the RF ground plane by dielectric material.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Anthony Lai, Joseph S. Colburn
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Patent number: 8406812Abstract: The invention provides an antenna array suitable for use in a base station in a wireless communications network, the antenna array having a first beamforming arrangement for producing uplink beams and a second beamforming arrangement for producing downlink beams, wherein the first and second beamforming arrangements are different from one another. Preferably the first and second beamforming arrangements feed a common antenna array to produce the uplink and downlink beams. Particularly preferably a plurality of (sin x/x) beams are formed for the uplink, and a plurality of low cusp beams are formed for the downlink. These are advantageously dual polar, in order to achieve diversity gain. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna array is arranged such that three dual polar low cusp beams are formed for the downlink, and six dual polar (sin x/x) beams are formed for the uplink.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Martin Stevens Smith, Andrew James Urquhart, Julius George Robson, David Damian Nichols Bevan
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Millimeter-wave reflector antenna system and methods for communicating using millimeter-wave signals
Patent number: 8395558Abstract: Embodiments of millimeter-wave chip-array reflector antenna system are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the millimeter-wave chip-array reflector antenna system includes a millimeter-wave reflector to shape and reflect an incident antenna beam and a chip-array antenna comprising an array of antenna elements to direct the incident antenna beam at the surface of the reflector to provide a reflected antenna beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Siavash M. Alamouti, Alexander Alexandrovich Maltsev, Nikolay Vasilevich Chistyakov, Alexander Alexandrovich Maltsev, Jr., Vadim Sergeyevich Sergeyev -
Patent number: 8373589Abstract: A rotational antenna includes a stationary feed which is disposed in a substantially vertical orientation. A parabolic dish is rotationally mounted about the stationary feed in a state of being tipped with respect to the stationary, substantially vertically oriented feed. The rotational parabolic antenna may alternatively be provided with a rotating radio frequency (RF) and acoustic feed. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: DeTect, Inc.Inventors: Scott Andrew McLaughlin, Megan Maureen Sloan, Elias Moises Lau
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Publication number: 20130021213Abstract: An electrical steering lens antenna using a lens composed of a ferroelectric material is provided. The antenna includes a plate composed of a ferroelectric material. The antenna further includes a first resistive electrode disposed on a top surface of the plate. The antenna further includes a second resistive electrode disposed on a bottom surface of the plate. The antenna further includes a first conductive electrode disposed at a center of the first resistive electrode. The antenna further includes a second conductive electrode disposed along an edge of the first resistive electrode. The antenna further includes a power source connected to the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Alexander G. Chernokalov
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Patent number: 8358249Abstract: A multibeam antenna comprising: a plurality of primary radiating elements, each associated to a respective beam; and an active radiating structure comprising a first planar array of radiating elements, a second planar array composed by a same number of radiating elements, a set of connections between each radiating element of the first planar array and one corresponding element of the second planar array, and a set of power amplifiers for amplifying signals transmitted through said connections; wherein: the relative positions of the radiating elements of the first and second planar arrays and phase delays introduced by said connections are such that the radiating structure forms an active discrete converging lens; and said primary radiating elements are clustered on a focal surface of said lens, facing the first planar array; characterized in that said first and second planar arrays are both aperiodic. A method of manufacturing such an antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Agence Spatiale EuropeenneInventors: Giovanni Toso, Piero Angeletti, Gianfranco Ruggerini, Giancarlo Bellaveglia
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Patent number: 8354953Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, incident electromagnetic radiation is received through a subwavelength aperture in a lens, the subwavelength aperture being defined by a substrate encased in a dielectric medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorpInventor: Brett A. Williams
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Patent number: 8354973Abstract: A phased array antenna is disclosed where the transmit/receive modules are replaced by a series of separately packaged components. The components include, for example, a vector control component, a high power amplifier component, a low noise amplifier component, a transmit/receive duplexing component and ancillary supporting components. An advantage of this arrangement is that cheaper antenna arrays can be constructed without limiting the capability and/or performance of a system incorporating such an array when compared to known solutions.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Selex Galileo LtdInventors: Anthony Kinghorn, Ronald Lyon, Angus David McLachlan, Graeme Dick Morrison
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Patent number: 8344939Abstract: Radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a transmitting and receiving device for microwaves, in which beam-shaping devices which are independent of one another are provided for the azimuth and the elevation, and the beam-shaping device for the elevation has a cylindrical lens.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thomas Focke, Joerg Hilsebecher, Thomas Binzer, Thomas Schoeberl, Thomas Hansen
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Patent number: 8339326Abstract: Controlling an antenna's polarization sense. An antenna system includes a polarized antenna and a mechanism for controlling the polarization sense of the antenna. The controlling mechanism can include rotatable polarizer panels disposed between the antenna's aperture and the antenna's target. The polarizer panels are rotated to switch between polarization senses. The polarizer panels can comprise meander line polarizers that convert the polarization sense of a linear polarized antenna to a circularly polarized antenna and vice-versa. The meander line polarizers can be rotated from a position in which the meander line polarizer panels convert between linear polarization and right-hand-circular (“RHC”) polarization to a position that converts between linear polarization and left-hand-circular (“LHC”) polarization. The polarizer panels can be rotated using a mechanical system that rotates the polarizer panels based on a signal received from a remote device.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: EMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Guler, Eric L. Cross, Terence D. Newbury
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Patent number: 8330668Abstract: An antenna adapted for wireless networks and having a variably controlled stagger antenna array architecture is disclosed. The antenna array contains a plurality of driven radiating elements that are spatially arranged having each radiating element or element groups orthogonally movable relative to a main vertical axis so as to provide a controlled variation of the antenna array's azimuth radiation pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Powerwave Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gang Yi Deng, Bill Vassilakis, Matthew J. Hunton, Alexander Rabinovich, Nando Hunt
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Publication number: 20120306708Abstract: An antenna system, comprising: a phased array antenna (4); and a dielectric lens arrangement (6), for example a single solid dielectric lens (6) comprising a substantially spherical convex surface (12) and a concave surface (14); wherein the dielectric lens arrangement (6) is arranged to magnify the effective aperture of the phased array antenna (4). The concave surface (14) is positioned within the near field of the phased array antenna (4). The phased array antenna (4) is operated at a frequency greater than or equal to 50 GHz. The antenna system retains some ability to electronically scan the beam. The antenna system may be for transmission and/or reception. The antenna system may be used for example for communication between two vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLCInventors: Robert Ian Henderson, Christopher Ralph Pescod, Shahbaz Nawaz
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Patent number: 8314742Abstract: An antenna device has a divider producing first and second signals, and amplifiers amplifying the signals at a changeable amplitude ratio of the first signal to the second signal. A Rotman lens gives first phase differences to first high frequency waves, produced from the first amplified signal at an input port and transmitted to output ports, and gives second phase differences to second high frequency waves produced from the second amplified signal at another input port and transmitted to the output ports. An antenna forms a beam composed of electromagnetic waves, having the first phase differences and electric power corresponding to the first amplified signal on an antenna surface, and electromagnetic waves, having the second phase differences and electric power corresponding to the second amplified signal on the antenna surface, and radiates the beam in a particular direction corresponding to the phase differences and the amplitude ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Akihisa Fujita
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Publication number: 20120287005Abstract: The present invention relates to a multibeam antenna system comprising: a substrate forming a ground plane, a lens positioned on the substrate, at least one radiating element to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic waves positioned around the lens, and a switching means enabling the or at least one of the radiating elements to be selected, the lens being constituted by a cylindrical ring whose axis is perpendicular to the substrate. The invention notably applies in multistandard terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Jean-Franoics Pintos, Philippe Minard, Ali Louzir, Dominique Lo Hine Tong
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Publication number: 20120274525Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for steering a radio frequency beam. The radio frequency beam is emitted from an array of antenna elements at a first angle into a lens at a location for the lens. The first angle of the radio frequency beam is changed to a second angle when the radio frequency beam exits the lens. The second angle changes when the location at which the radio frequency beam enters the lens changes. The second angle of the radio frequency beam is changed to a third angle when the radio frequency beam with the second angle passes through a negative index metamaterial lens located over the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Tai Anh Lam, Minas Hagop Tanielian, Claudio Gilbert Parazzoli, John Stephen Derov
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Patent number: 8289220Abstract: The present invention relates to a radio communication system configured to secondarily-radiate, to a desired area by reflection, primarily-radiated radio waves from a transmitter apparatus, by using a reflector plate for controlling phases of reflected waves, wherein a reflecting property of the reflector plate is set so that the reflector plate reflects the primarily-radiated radio waves as plane waves of equal phase directed to a direction different from a reflection angle in the case of specular reflection.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.Inventors: Tamami Maruyama, Shinji Uebayashi, Tatsuo Furuno
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Patent number: 8284102Abstract: A displaced feed antenna which has a spaced conducting plate construction that incorporates electronically selectable feed points with associated antenna beam positions, and which comprises (i) a set of one or more beamforming configurations composed of layered, interlinking spaced conducting plates and conducting boundaries that are separated by cavities containing dielectric material or free space; (ii) a set of one or more internal focusing devices for each beamforming configuration to route radio frequency energy to or from the displaced feed points in receive and transmit modes respectively; (iii) a linear or curved array of displaced feeds for each beamforming configuration for coupling radio frequency energy into, or from, the cavity between the plates; (iv) a selection device to allow definable overlapping regions of the focussing devices to be illuminated for each beamforming configuration; and (v) array elements for each beamforming configuration between spaced conducting plates to free space, allowType: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Plasma Antennas LimitedInventors: David Hayes, Richard Brooke Keeton
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Patent number: 8265687Abstract: A mobile phone or other electronic apparatus capable of displaying a bearing and non-contact communication using electromagnetic waves wherein when detection processing of geomagnetism by a geomagnetism sensor and non-contact communication processing using electromagnetic waves are carried out at the same timing, measures are taken since there is a possibility that the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetism sensor is not correct due to the influence of the electromagnetic waves. Further, when the detection processing of the geomagnetism by the geomagnetism sensor and the non-contact communication processing using electromagnetic waves are carried out at the same timing, bearing processing based on a detection signal of the geomagnetism sensor is restricted or the non-contact communication processing is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventors: Kazuto Ito, Yasuhiro Ueno
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Patent number: 8248317Abstract: A system includes a first radio frequency (RF) lens having array ports and beam ports, and a second RF lens having array ports and beam ports. At least two of the second RF lens array ports are connected to at least two of the first RF lens array ports by phase-matched connectors. The RF lenses may be continuously steerable RF lenses, Rotman lenses, or discretely steerable RF lenses. The system may include first, second, third, and fourth RF switches, at least one transmitter with an associated controller, at least one receiver with associated controller, and an environment controller. The system may also include long-distance simulators connected between the RF switches of the directional simulator and the receiver or the transmitter and controlled by an environment controller. Other system embodiments include multi-pair RF lenses, as well as an RF lens connected to an antenna array system.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Christopher J. Meagher, Randall B. Olsen, Christopher C Cirullo
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Patent number: 8248320Abstract: A millimeter wave power source module may include N submodules, each of which includes M circuit devices, where M and N are greater than one. Each circuit device may have an output connected to a corresponding radiating element. Each submodule may include a power divider having K input ports and M output ports, where K is a factor of M. Each input port may be coupled to a corresponding receiving element, and each output port may be coupled to an input of a corresponding circuit device. Each submodule may include a heat spreader for removing heat from the circuit devices. The power source module may include a combination RF feed network and heat sink. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may include a wavefront expander to expand the RF input wavefront along at least one axis, and to direct the expanded wavefront to the receiving elements of the N submodules. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may also include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat spreaders of the N submodules.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James Stephen Mason, Kenneth William Brown, Andrew Kent Brown, William Earl Dolash, Darin Michael Gritters, Thomas Lee Obert, Michael John Sotelo, Domingo Cruz-Pagan
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Patent number: 8223080Abstract: A transmission and reception module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna, a transmission circuit, a wave detection circuit, a high-frequency switch, a small-signal high-frequency diode limiter circuit, and a first power amplifier. The antenna transmits a transmission wave, or receives a reception wave. The transmission circuit is connected to the antenna via a circulator and supplies the transmission wave to the antenna. The wave detection circuit is connected to the antenna via the circulator and branches the reception wave received by the antenna to generate a control signal based on one branched reception wave. The high-frequency switch is connected to the wave detection circuit and suppresses a power of the other branched reception wave when the control signal is input thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Haruo Kojima
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Publication number: 20120176284Abstract: An antenna array comprises two or more antenna elements. Each of the two or more antenna elements is configured to scan within a field of view. Each of the two or more antenna elements is further configured to transmit or receive a signal. The antenna array also comprises a metamaterial lens coupled to the two or more antenna elements. The metamaterial lens is configured to distribute the signal according to a sinc-like distribution over an aperture of the antenna array.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Erik Lier
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Publication number: 20120139804Abstract: An antenna is provided for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic energy. A circular-shaped lens is disposed within a volume that has a first surface, a second surface, and a center, has an axis of rotation that passes substantially through the first surface, the second surface and the center. A plurality of feed elements are positioned at a plurality of focal points of the circular-shaped lens along at least a portion of a circle which is centered substantially on the axis of rotation. The thickness of the antenna is ? or less of the diameter of the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: MITRE CorporationInventors: Paul G. Elliot, Kiersten C. Kerby Patel
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Patent number: 8193994Abstract: Embodiments of chip-lens array antenna systems are described. In some embodiments, the chip-lens array antenna systems (100) may comprise a millimeter-wave lens (104), and a chip-array antenna (102) to generate and direct millimeter-wave signals through the millimeter-wave lens (104) for subsequent transmission.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Siavash M. Alamouti, Alexander Alexandrovich Maltsev, Vadim Sergeyevich Sergeyev, Alexander Alexandrovich Maltsev, Jr., Nikolay Vasilevich Chistyakov
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Patent number: 8184056Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses for a radial constrained lens in a steerable directional antenna system. The radial constrained lens includes a feed array that excites a continuous radiating aperture through a section of radial waveguide. Feed elements of the feed array are coupled to a feed network that processes a signal for each of the active feed elements. A feed array may include a plurality of feed probes or a plurality of waveguide sections. A sector, which includes a contiguous subset of feed elements, may be configured by a switching arrangement either in a transmit mode or a receive mode. The radial constrained lens may be commutated about a full 360 degree aperture view. Also, a plurality of radial constrained lens may be vertically stacked so that a scanned beam may be adjusted both in an azimuth and elevation directions.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventor: Thomas Miles
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Patent number: 8184059Abstract: Gimbal power systems and methods are operable to provide power to a device attached to the gimbal. An exemplary embodiment is configured to rotate a rotational member of the gimbal system about an axis, wherein a stator of a rotary power transformer affixed to the rotational member rotates about the axis, and wherein an end of an electrical connection coupled to a power connector of a rotor winding of the rotary power transformer remains substantially stationary as the stator of the rotary power transformer rotates about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Brian P. Bunch, Steve Mowry, Paul Ferguson
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Patent number: 8179331Abstract: A method of changing phase of a microwave electromagnetic beam in free space is provided wherein a cascade of device layers is located transverse to a path of the microwave beam. Each of the device layers have one or more columns. Each column has a device combination series-coupled to an adjacent device combination in the column. Each device combination has a first device having inductive characteristics at microwave frequencies and a second device series-coupled to the first device. The second device has at microwave frequencies characteristics of a fixed capacitance in parallel with a variable capacitance. The capacitance of one or more of the second devices is variable to establish a desired phase shift and a desired frequency band edge within a desired frequency pass band.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Daniel Frederic Sievenpiper
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Patent number: 8134511Abstract: A phased array antenna device is described. The phased array antenna device includes at least one one-dimensional phased array of radiating elements arranged along an array direction, a lens, and a phase control element. The lens is arranged such that divergent beams from the radiating elements are collimated by the lens in a direction orthogonal to the array direction to produce a beam. The phase control element is configured to apply a linear phase gradient to the radiating elements thereby providing one-dimensional electronic beam steering for the antenna device. The antenna device may additionally include one or two mechanical positioners to mechanically move the at least one one-dimensional phased array in directions orthogonal to the array direction, where the phased array enables scanning along the array direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Millitech Inc.Inventors: Christopher Tze-Chao Koh, Thomas Robert Newman, Kent Arthur Whitney
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Patent number: 8134510Abstract: A coherent near-field array. The array consists of a number of high-gain elements, each of which directs its beam at the desired target area (either mechanically or electronically). Each element is coherently fed, so that the phase relationships between different feeds are constant or slowly varying. The elements in the array may be spaced many wavelengths apart. The array relies on interference to generate a number of power density peaks within the target area.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: David D. Crouch, Michael J. Schweiger
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Patent number: 8095068Abstract: When an RF signal is output, noise is prevented from appearing in the RF signal without degrading convenience. The MPU of the set top box has a functionally of an RF determination portion, which determines whether or not the RF signal is being output, the antenna setting portion, which if it is determined by the RF determination portion that the output of the RF signal is started, sets a smart antenna to preset one direction of a first predetermined number of directions and to preset one gain of a second predetermined number of steps of gains, and a change prohibition portion which prohibits a change of a direction and gain of the smart antenna if it is determined by the RF determination portion that the RF signal is being output.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Okamoto
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Patent number: 8090312Abstract: A satellite and an arrangement for placing the satellite in a retrograde orbit, i.e. inclined at approximately 180° to the equator. Multiple satellites may be used and the orbits thereof may be circular or elliptical. The invention is well-suited for an illustrative satellite inspection application. In this embodiment, the system includes one or more satellites; means disposed on each satellite for receiving electromagnetic energy from objects (e.g. satellites) within a field-of-view thereof; and an arrangement for placing the inspection satellites in a retrograde orbit. The satellites may be equally spaced in a single orbit or disposed in equally spaced orbits. The satellites may include a variety of instruments including radar, infrared, visible, etc. In a radar implementation, the satellite may include a bistatic or (with a transmitter) monostatic radar system. In the bistatic case, the signal may be transmitted from a ground-based or space based platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Ian S. Robinson
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Patent number: 8085212Abstract: The invention relates to a reconfigurable reflecting array antenna comprising a subset of patterns capable of radiating signals emitted in a given direction and means of loading and placing said radiating arrays to place one of them in a chosen emitting position, characterized in that: the loading and placement means comprise a system for scrolling a first film (F1) comprising the subsets of radiating patterns used to selectively position a subset of radiating patterns in the emitting position. The antenna can be of the reflecting array antenna type or of the phased array antenna type.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hervé Legay, Michel Soudet, Eric Labiole
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Patent number: 8085209Abstract: A system and method of minimizing a polarization quantization error associated with an antenna sub-array. The antenna sub-array includes at least two radiating elements, with the radiating elements having different polarization orientations from other radiating elements in the antenna sub-array. The radiating elements are dual polarized and have electronic polarization control. In an exemplary embodiment, the radiating elements are configured to reduce the polarization quantization error to be less than half of a polarization quantization step size. In various embodiments, rotating the radiating elements and implementing a phase delay, individually or in combination, is used to change the polarizations of the radiating elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Llorens del Rio, Ferdinando Tiezzi, Stefano Vaccaro
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Patent number: 8068053Abstract: A low-profile lens element for steering a beam is provided. Specifically, the low-profile lens element is mechanically rotatable such that a beam can be steered in any direction within three-dimensional space. The lens element may include a number of discrete portions for differentially delaying adjacent discrete portions of a beam in order to effect beam steering. These discrete portions may vary in width. In addition, multiple lens elements may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Nathan A. Stutzke, Mark C. Leifer, Bradley J. Tame, Dean A. Paschen, Kiersten Kerby
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Patent number: 8018390Abstract: A cellular communications antenna including sensors for determining position and/or orientation of the antenna. Position information may be obtained using, for example, a GPS receiver or by triangulation. Orientation information may be obtained using, for example, an electronic compass and/or gyroscope and/or an inclinometer. Position and/or orientation information may be utilised locally to control attributes of the antenna or may be communicated to a central controller which may control attributes of the antenna. Signals may be sent to a central controller to indicate that an attribute of the antenna is outside a desired range.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Andrew LLCInventors: Darren Davidson, Philip Sorells, Bobby Webb, Kevin Eldon Linehan, Louis John Meyer
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Patent number: 8009114Abstract: A switchable 0°/180° phase shifter on a balanced transmission line is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an apparatus for providing 0°/180° phase shifting for a transmit/receive antenna pair including a transmit element and a receive element coupled by a balanced transmission line having two sections, the apparatus including a first section of the balanced transmission line, the first section including a first conductor and a second conductor, a second section of the balanced transmission line, the second section including a third conductor and a fourth conductor, and a switch disposed between the first section and the second section, wherein in a first configuration, the switch couples the first conductor to the third conductor and the second conductor to the fourth conductor, and in a second configuration, the switch couples the first conductor to the fourth conductor and the second conductor to the third conductor.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Mark Hauhe, Clifton Quan
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Patent number: 7999747Abstract: A gas plasma antenna with a rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible substrate and an improved method of generating a uniform electron density. The antenna comprises a gas discharge device containing a multiplicity of microcavities, each microcavity containing an ionizable gas for providing a microdischarge. Each microdischarge acts alone or in concert with other microdischarges to form a dipole or pattern of dipoles.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Imaging Systems TechnologyInventors: Carol Ann Wedding, Thomas J. Pavliscak, Edwin F. Peters
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Patent number: 7994996Abstract: A plurality of antenna elements on a dielectric substrate are adapted to launch or receive electromagnetic waves in or from a direction substantially away from either a convex or concave edge of the dielectric substrate, wherein at least two of the antenna elements operate in different directions. Slotlines of tapered-slot endfire antennas in a first conductive layer of a first side of the dielectric substrate are coupled to microstrip lines of a second conductive layer on the second side of the dielectric substrate. A bi-conical reflector, conformal cylindrical dielectric lens, or discrete lens array improves the H-plane radiation pattern. Dipole or Yagi-Uda antenna elements on the conductive layer of the dielectric substrate can be used in cooperation with associated reflective elements, either alone or in combination with a corner-reflector of conductive plates attached to the conductive layers proximate to the endfire antenna elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: TK Holding Inc., ElectronicsInventors: Gabriel Rebeiz, James P. Ebling, Bernhard Schoenlinner
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Patent number: 7990316Abstract: An antenna system and electronic scanning method that employs feed subarray electronic offset beam scanning. The system includes a feed element containing an array of electronic transmitting/receiving elements. The system further includes a reflector for reflecting signals received from the feed element to a target region, and for reflecting signals received from a target region to the feed element. Electronic beam scanning is achieved by activating and deactivating in turn subarrays within the array of transmitting/receiving elements of the feed element.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Robert T. Cock, Ralph T. Tadaki
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Patent number: 7990327Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cellular reflectarray antenna arranged in an m by n matrix of radiating elements for communication with a satellite includes steps of determining a delay ?m,n for each of said m by n matrix of elements of said cellular reflectarray antenna using sub-steps of: determining the longitude and latitude of operation, determining elevation and azimuth angles of the reflectarray with respect to the satellite and converting theta0 (?0) and phi0 (?0), determining ??m,n, the pointing vector correction, for a given inter-element spacing and wavelength, determining ??m,n, the spherical wave front correction factor, for a given radius from the central element and/or from measured data from the feed horn; and, determining a delay ?m,n for each of said m by n matrix of elements as a function of ??m,n and ??m,n.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Robert R Romanofsky
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Patent number: 7990329Abstract: An antenna system for wireless networks having a dual stagger antenna array architecture is disclosed. The antenna array contains a number of driven radiator elements that are spatially arranged in two vertically aligned groups each having pivoting actuators so as to provide a controlled variation of the antenna array's azimuth radiation pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Powerwave Technologies Inc.Inventors: Gang Yi Deng, Bill Vassilakis, Matthew J. Hunton, Alexander Rabinovich
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Patent number: 7957692Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite an improved signal receiver circuit and a method of implementation. In one embodiment, a first signal pathway of a low-noise block feedhorn comprises a ceramic low-pass filter coupled with a first polarity signal input. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a second signal pathway of the low-noise block feedhorn comprises ceramic high-pass filter coupled with a second polarity signal input.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Chaparral Communications, Inc.Inventor: Yu-Wei Liu
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Patent number: 7928900Abstract: An antenna array includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The antenna array further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Christopher Fuller, John R. Lamberg, John J Geddes, Michael J Gawronski
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Patent number: 7924232Abstract: An electromagnetic wave measuring method is provided that is capable of performing high-precision measurement in a shorter time and in a greater variety of frequency bands than heretofore with a comparatively simple configuration. A plate-like antenna (13) of which the outline shape of an opposed surface opposite a measured object (5) is similar to the outline shape of an opposed surface of the measured object (5) is brought close to the measured object (5), and an electromagnetic wave from the measured object (5) is measured based on the frequency spectrum of a received signal received by the plate-like antenna (13).Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shoichi Kajiwara, Hiroyuki Tani
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Patent number: 7911393Abstract: An antenna device includes a dielectric substrate, an electric supply line that includes a microstrip line and is formed on the dielectric substrate, an antenna element that includes a microstrip line and is formed on the dielectric substrate, and a reflector plate disposed on the dielectric substrate at a predetermined angle of inclination. The reflector plate is allowed to move relative to the dielectric substrate while keeping the predetermined angle of inclination.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.Inventor: Xin Zhang
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Patent number: 7911407Abstract: A method for designing artificial impedance surfaces is disclosed. The method involves matching impedance component values required for a given far-field radiation pattern (determined, for example, by holographic means) with measured or simulated impedance component values for the units of a lattice of conductive structures used to create an artificial impedance surface, where the units of the lattice have varied geometry. For example, a unit could be a square conductive structure with a slice (removed or missing material) through it. The measured or simulated impedance components are determined by measuring wavevector values for test surfaces in three or more directions over any number of test surfaces, where each unit of a given test surface has the same geometric shape and proportions as all of the other units of that test surface, but each test surface has some form of variation in the unit geometry from the other test surfaces. These test measurements create a table of geometry vs.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Bryan Ho Lim Fong, Joseph S. Colburn, Paul R. Herz, John J. Ottusch, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, John L. Visher