Abstract: A generally planar active array antenna includes a plurality of transmit-receive (TR) modules arrayed in an array direction on a generally planar heat-conducting baseplate of a line-replaceable unit (LRU). Heat is coupled from the TR modules to their associated baseplate. Each baseplate of an LRU has a straight edge parallel to the array direction of the modules. In a preferred embodiment, the modules are located adjacent the straight edge without significant intermediary components. The LRUs are arrayed with their straight edges lying in a plane. The straight edges are coupled to a generally planar cold plate for extracting heat from the baseplates. Since the heat is extracted in a direction orthogonal to the arraying direction of the modules, all the modules tend to have the same operating temperature.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement useful for semiconductors or solid-state assemblages mounts the semiconductor or other solid-state device directly onto a first surface of a thermally conductive “heat spreader.” The heat spreader contains microchannels which open into coolant fluid ports on the second side of the heat spreader. The heat spreader, in turn, is mounted on a coolant fluid distribution or circulation plate. In one embodiment, the coolant fluid distribution plate also includes a micropump for circulating coolant fluid through the microchannels of the heat spreader. In another embodiment, the coolant fluid distribution plate simply distributes coolant applied to its fluid input port to those heat spreaders mounted thereon, and a plurality of coolant fluid distribution plates are mounted on a coolant fluid circulation plate, which uses a micropump to circulate coolant fluid to the various distribution plates and ultimately to the heat spreaders.

Abstract: An array of antenna elements is arranged to calibration by assigning certain ones of the elements to be “kernel” elements. The kernel elements are coupled to the beamformer by way of a directional coupler arrangement, and calibration ports are coupled to ports of the directional coupler. Calibration includes applying signal to a first calibration port of a kernel element and determining the amplitude andor phase of the calibration signal paths. Signals are applied to the beamformer ports feeding the kernel element, and the lengths of the beamformer-plus-calibration paths are determined. From these, the beamformer paths to the kernel elements are determined. Other non-kernel antenna elements near the kernel elements are calibrated by applying signal through the beamformer to the non-kernel element, and receiving the signal through a calibration path of the kernel element.