Abstract: An array antenna is constructed of radiators disposed upon a flexible substrate wherein a plurality of receiving circuits connect with respective ones of the radiators for conversion of RF (radio frequency) signals, received by the radiators, are converted into IF (intermediate frequency) signals. The signals outputted by the receiving circuits may be applied to a beam former for generating a receive beam from the array. The receiving circuits have an elongated flexible form to permit bending of the array to have a desired configuration. All power for operating the receiving circuits and all signal paths to and from the receiving circuits are accomplished via optical fibers. Photocells are provided within the receiving circuits for conversion of optical power to operating electric power. Photodetectors within the receiving circuits provide for conversion of optical reference signal to electrical reference signals.

Abstract: An array antenna system for forming multiple independently steered beams is described. The antenna system includes series or parallel feed circuits and phase shifters which are not disclosed directly in the signal path between the feed circuits and antenna elements included in the array antenna system.

Abstract: An array antenna system for forming multiple independently steered beams is described. The antenna system includes series or parallel feed circuits and phase shifters which are not disclosed directly in the signal path between the feed circuits and antenna elements included in the array antenna system.

Abstract: A low array antenna having transmit/receive (T/R) modules, which contain a digitally-controlled variable attenuator, for each of the two polarizations (horizontal and vertical). The array has a cylindrically curved surface which closely conforms to the shape of the fuselage of an airborne vehicle or another structure. Each polarization feeds into an elevation beamformer apparatus which provides both a uniform taper and a Bayliss/Taylor taper. As the beam is scanned in elevation, the amplitude taper is adjusted via the variable attenuator to control the taper of a sum pattern and thereby achieve low sidelobe far field sum patterns. The same attenuators that are used for the sum pattern also feed a difference network. The T/R module attenuators are set to yield the desired low sidelobe sum illumination for a desired elevation scan angle.

Abstract: A package is provided for a pair of microwave semiconductor devices, such package comprising upper and lower mating covers, each one of such covers having bonded thereto a corresponding one of the pair of microwave semiconductor devices. With such arrangement, after the devices are bonded to the cover to form a component of the package, the effective impedance of the thus formed component is electrically characterized, or measured. Having characterized a large quantity of such components, the components are then sorted into bins with components having substantially matched characteristics being placed in a common one of the bins. Pairs of such components in a common bin are used as the upper and lower cover for the package. Thus, assembly time is significantly reduced since additional matching compensation techniques are not required.

Abstract: A digitally controlled reflective type phase shifter wherein radio frequency energy is fed to an input/output port of the phase shifter and then coupled from the phase shifter at the input/output port, the phase shifter providing one of a plurality of predetermined phase shifts between the fed energy and the coupled energy selectively in accordance with a control signal.

Abstract: A network having a plurality of network ports includes a plurality of substantially identical independent components, each one thereof having a plurality of ports, the degree of coupling among the ports of each component being characterized by a predetermined scattering coefficient matrix. A plurality of feed networks is included, each one having: a first port corresponding to one of the plurality of network ports; and, a plurality of second ports each one being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of ports of each one of the plurality of components, the degree of coupling among the first port and the plurality of second ports of each of the feed networks being characterized by a predetermined scattering coefficient matrix. The plurality of feed networks and the coupling thereof to the components characterize the network with a scattering coefficient matrix, relating the coupling among the network ports, different from the scattering coefficient matrix characterizing each one of the components.