Including A Steerable Array Patents (Class 342/368)
  • Patent number: 7482976
    Abstract: Measurements of frequency and/or phase are taken at the signal ports (S1-S4) of an ISS device (10). These measurements are used to determine phase errors within the ISS device, and phase errors due to the antenna cables (C1-C4). On port, (e.g., S1) is selected as the reference port and then, based on these determined phase errors, offsetting phase errors are determined to correct the phase for the other ports (e.g., S2, S3, S4) with respect to the reference port. The signals at the antenna ports (A1-A4) are then in phase when an omnidirectional antenna pattern is desired from the TCAS antenna array (16). One in embodiment the frequency of the calibration signal is fixed; in another embodiment two different, fixed frequencies are used; and in still another embodiment the frequency is swept to achieve a predetermined measured phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems
    Inventor: Gregory H. Plesinger
  • Publication number: 20090021439
    Abstract: A variable directivity slot antenna includes: ground conductors 101a and 101b, which are divided by a slot region 109 both of whose ends are open ends 111a and 111b; a feed line 115 having a loop shape at a feeding site 113 for the slot region 109; a first selective conduction path 119 connecting between the ground conductors 101a and 101b in a direction of the open end 111a as viewed from the feeding site 113; and a second selective conduction path 121 connecting between the ground conductors 101a and 101b in a direction of the open end 111b as viewed from the feeding site 113. Depending on the driving state, the first selective conduction path 119 and the second selective conduction path 121 are controlled into a conducting or open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi KANNO, Ushio Sangawa
  • Publication number: 20090002235
    Abstract: Although the beam forming is quite a good scheme, if there exist particularly a plurality of users, the characteristic deterioration occurs in an associated communication line due to the tight radio resource on the reverse line and delay in the transmission time caused by the feedback of information exceeding the required information. The transmitter 1 in a radio communication system receives signals by the antennas 13-1 to 13-M and the duplexers 14-1 to 14-M, extracts user's profile information by the transmission signal controller 12, determines in a unified manner a radio resource amount and its assignment as well as the application or non-application of the beam forming, generates by the transmission signal generator 11 transmission signals using user's transmission data according to the resource distribution and the application or non-application of the beam forming thus determined, and transmits the signals by use of the duplexers 14-1 to 14-M and the antennas 13-1 to 13-M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takumi Ito
  • Publication number: 20080316097
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a radio frequency transition system includes a stripline trace section with openings in ground planes and forms a quarter wavelength resonator and an electromagnetic mechanism to couple the RF energy from the stripline trace section to a connector, wherein the RF signal energy is transferred from inside a beam forming network printed wiring board to an antenna back plane with minimal RF losses. An RF transition system is disclosed. The RF transition system comprises a stripline trace section with openings in ground planes and forms a quarter-wavelength resonator. The RF transition system further includes an electromagnetic mechanism to couple the RF energy from the stripline trace section to a connector. The RF signal energy is transferred from inside a beam forming network printed wiring board to an antenna back plane with minimal RF losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chris D. MCKINLEY, Ming CHEN, John B. O'CONNELL
  • Publication number: 20080316098
    Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna apparatus which can control directivity of a plurality of radiation elements using one parasitic element. The antenna apparatus includes two radiation elements arranged on a base parallel to each other, and a parasitic element disposed between the two radiation elements. Radiation directivity of the two radiation elements is controlled according to the length of the parasitic element. This configuration provides a small-sized antenna apparatus including a plurality of radiators with desired directivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsutomu MITSUI
  • Publication number: 20080303716
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a phased array system. The phased array system may include an array structural frame defining an array of module-receiving mounting locations. The phased array system may further include multiple array modules. Each array module may be adapted to be mounted in one of the mounting locations, and may include an antenna and a power source. The power source may supply power to the array module during an array transmit operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: James R. Gallivan, Kenneth W. Brown, Reid Lowell
  • Publication number: 20080297414
    Abstract: Variable phase ring oscillators are described that provide a linear phase progression between adjacent elements in an antenna array by providing a symmetric ring configuration of tuned amplifiers and a single phase shifter. The ring topology is coupled to a single PLL that allows for direct modulation and demodulation of arbitrary waveforms without using RF up/down converting mixers. The PLL distributes the transmit waveforms to all antenna elements in the transmit mode and combines the received waveforms in the receive mode without any complicated power distribution network. Ultra-wideband architectures and methods are described that utilize a first reference signal source, a VPRO, and a second reference signal source. Related methods are controlling an array and beam steering are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Harish Krishnaswamy, Hossein Hashemi
  • Patent number: 7460834
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a switched beam directional antenna in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is disclosed. A wireless communication system includes a serving cell, a neighbor cell and a WTRU. The WTRU is configured to generate and steer a directional beam in a plurality of directions. Once the WTRU registers with the wireless communication system, the WTRU receives messages transmitted by the serving cell. The WTRU measures signal quality of messages received in each of a plurality of predetermined directions while steering the directional beam antenna. The WTRU selects a particular one of the directions having the best signal quality. As the WTRU constantly moves, the WTRU monitors signal quality in the selected direction, and switches to another direction when the signal quality in a current direction drops below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Peter Johnson, Ross L. Lintelman, Michael James Lynch, Gregg Arthur Charlton, Carl Wang, Kambiz Casey Zangi
  • Patent number: 7460067
    Abstract: A system for dynamically compensating signal propagation for flexible radar antennas receives measurement signals indicating the position of selected locations of an antenna array. The future shape of the antenna array at a future time is predicted, and compensation signals are applied to signals generated or received by the antenna elements. The compensation signals are based on the future shape of the antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed-Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward H. Allen, Fred L. Reagor, Mary P. Reagor
  • Patent number: 7460060
    Abstract: An electric wave transmitting/receiving module includes: a waveguide including a conductive member and an opening facing a transmitting side and/or a receiving side; a dielectric substrate disposed on a side opposite to the opening of the waveguide; and transmitting/receiving means. The transmitting/receiving means includes a core line, a transmitting/receiving element, and a wire. The core line and the transmitting/receiving element are horizontally disposed on the dielectric substrate. The core line transmits the transmitting electric wave and/or receives the receiving electric wave. The transmitting/receiving element outputs a transmitting/receiving signal corresponding to the transmitting electric wave and/or the receiving electric wave. The wire sends the transmitting/receiving signal from the transmitting/receiving element to an external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Aoki
  • Patent number: 7453398
    Abstract: The invention refers to array antennas consisting of a set of individual sources set out over the surface of the antenna and whose mechanical positioning is determined in such a way as to obtain the desired radiation pattern. The process according to the invention is designed to compensate for the positioning errors of radiating elements occurring when such an antenna is constructed. These positioning errors follow a law that is in theory random and whose result is known by determining the imperfection vector I whose components of real positioning errors measured for each feed of the antenna obtained comprising components forming values of an error function ?(n) where n represents the index attributed to the radiating element in question. The process according to the invention consists in first measuring the positioning errors. It then consists in determining the spatial spectral components making up error function ?(n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Benjamin Rouzeaud, Claude Chekroun, Marc-Yves Lienhart
  • Publication number: 20080280622
    Abstract: A smart antenna apparatus including a receiving system, one or more beam analysis modules, a control channel monitoring module, a processing system, and a receiving beam switch is provided. The receiving system is operable to receive a plurality of uplink beams, each including traffic signals transmitted by a mobile station. The beam analysis modules are operable to analyze the uplink beams to determine one or more characteristics of each uplink beam. The control channel monitoring module is operable to monitor control channel signals being communicated from a base station transceiver. The control channel signals include synchronization signals. The processing system is operable to synchronize the smart antenna apparatus with the base station transceiver using the synchronization signals received by the control channel monitoring module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: FAULKNER INTERSTICES LLC
    Inventors: Omri Hovers, Shahar Kagan
  • Patent number: 7450066
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system with adjustable electrical tilt includes an array (62) of antenna elements 621, to 6210. It has a splitter (44) dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter (46) introduces a variable phase shift. Further splitters (52) and (54) divide the relatively phase shifted signals into two sets of five signals. Four of each of the sets of five signals are vectorially combined in a network of 180 degree hybrid couplers 601, to 604. This provides vector sum and difference components which together with the fifth members of the sets are fed to respective fixed phase shifters (56, 58) and 641, to 6410. The phase shifters 641, to 6410 provide signals which are appropriately phased for use as phased array drive signals for respective antenna elements 621, to 6210. Adjustment of the single phase shift provided by the variable phase shifter (46) changes the angle of electrical tilt of the entire antenna array (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Quintel Technology Limtied
    Inventor: Philip Edward Haskell
  • Publication number: 20080272962
    Abstract: A wireless area network communication system comprising at least one phased array antenna frame, a phased array antenna circuit connected to the at least one phased array antenna frame wherein said phased array circuit and said at least one phased array antenna frame are adapted to transmit and receive wireless area network compliant signals from or to wireless area network devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: BEAM NETWORKS LTD
    Inventors: Alberto MILANO, Hillel WEINSTEIN
  • Patent number: 7447523
    Abstract: A method and system for coordinating the use of beam forming between two communicating entities in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The two entities may communicate control information regarding their respective use of beam forming. A correction factor for at least one entity is provided wherein said entity may reduce or withhold its beam adjustment in order to correct any error measured in the alignment of its beam with respect to the beam of the other entity with which it is communicating. Adjustment parameters for adjusting the beams are selected based on conditions surrounding the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Jeffrey Goldberg, Kimberly Chotkowski
  • Patent number: 7446728
    Abstract: An antenna system of any three dimension (3D) geometry and method for constructing said system with an array of basic antenna elements are described. An antenna system beam pattern is specified. The basic antenna element parameters including basic pattern and actual spacing location are measured. The measured parameterized array elements are injected in an exact array frame formula for any 3D array systems to form an array frame. Array calibration is performed by evaluating a dual frame to the array frame and the array control weights are determined based on the dual array frame and the specified system beam pattern. The antenna system and a software tool is then constructed in accordance with the antenna control weights. The present invention enables the high precision beam synthesis with high quality beams for array of any geometry. The present invention is capable of taking account various factors in antenna constructions together in a one-step approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Shidong Li
  • Publication number: 20080268790
    Abstract: An antenna system may include a reconfigurable array antenna system including a plurality of elements each capable of radiating and receiving electromagnetic energy. The antenna system may also include an electronically reconfigurable power management and control system to selectively power each of the plurality of elements to generate a desired beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Fong Shi, Lixin Cai, Ming Chen, Mike Bemes, Victor Starkovich, Mark Davis
  • Patent number: 7444157
    Abstract: A method of beam selection in a smart antenna system is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of uplink beams by a plurality of receivers, each corresponding with one of the plurality of uplink beams. Each uplink beam includes signals transmitted by a mobile station. The method further includes analyzing each of the plurality of uplink beams and selecting an uplink beam from the plurality of uplink beams based at least in part on the analysis of the uplink beams. The method further includes switching to the selected beam in real time to allow the signals communicated in the selected beam to be communicated to a base station transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Faulkner Interstices LLC
    Inventors: Omri Hovers, Shahar Kagan, Eran Shenhar
  • Patent number: 7440766
    Abstract: A method of employing multipath propagation in wireless radio communications uses an omnidirectional transmitting/receiving antenna at one end of a transmission link to send an interrogating signal across an environment subject to multipath disturbances to a phase-conjugating retrodirective antenna, and the retrodirective antenna returns a communication signal along the multiple pathways taken by the interrogating signal to the omnidirectional antenna despite the multipath disturbances. In a simplex communication mode, the retrodirective antenna sends a return signal mixed with a communication signal to the omnidirectional antenna. In a duplex communication mode, both an omnidirectional antenna and a phase-conjugating retrodirective antenna are operated in tandem at each end of the transmission link to provide effective two-way wireless radio transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventors: Jussi Tuovinen, William Forsyth, Wayne Shiroma
  • Patent number: 7439901
    Abstract: An active antenna is provided that includes an antenna element for transmitting RF transmit signals at a predetermined effective radiated power (ERP). An antenna module is configured to be mounted to an aircraft, with the antenna element being mounted to the antenna module. A connector module is provided at the antenna module and is configured to be coupled to a communications link and receive electrical transmit signals from the communications link. A transmit path is provided within the antenna module and extends between the antenna element and the connector module. A power amplifier is provided on the antenna module along the transmit path. The power amplifier increases a power level of the electrical transmit signals, received from the communications link, by a predetermined amount sufficient to drive the antenna element to transmit the RF transmit signals at the predetermined ERP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Needham, David T. Mindrup, John C. Blessing
  • Publication number: 20080252522
    Abstract: A method of determining one or more attribute of an antenna beam based on measuring phase and/or amplitude differences at different points in a feed network. By using lookup tables based on actual measurements of antenna beam attributes for phase and/or amplitude differences at different points in a feed network computation may be simplified. The method enables a relatively inexpensive control circuit to be employed while providing accurate measurement of antenna beam attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Harold E. Asbridge
  • Publication number: 20080252521
    Abstract: A transceiver array that employs vertically integrated circuits in one or more wafers. The array includes a digital wafer having digital circuits. A plurality of RF cubes are formed to the digital wafer, where each RF cube includes an antenna wafer and at least one lower wafer, and where each RF cube represents a separate channel of the array. The antenna wafer includes a patch antenna and a resonating cavity. The at least one lower wafer includes high frequency RF integrated circuits and intermediate frequency RF integrated circuits. The array has application as a front-end for a digital beam-forming system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: EMAG Technologies, inc.
    Inventors: Kazem F. Sabet, Linda P. B. Katehi, Alexandros Margomenos
  • Patent number: 7436800
    Abstract: In this second radio channel setting example, the grouping is done for each radio mobile stations 98 running on the same lane. A different radio channel is assigned to each group. Accordingly, this prevents the beam patterns using the same channel from intersecting with each other (interfering with each other). Actually, as shown in FIG. 10B, the pas or the pursuit does not occur between the radio mobile stations 98. Thus, the same radio channel is assigned to each radio mobile stations 98 running on the same lane so as to avoid the interference in the same radio channel. Hence, the same radio channel can be repeatedly used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Toshimitsu, Akihiro Tsujimura, Kuniaki Ito, Shuichi Obayashi, Hiroki Shoki
  • Patent number: 7432855
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an RFID reader and active tag (RAT) includes: a first beam forming means for interrogating a plurality of RFID tags using at least a first set of two antennas coupled to a first fixed phase feed network, the beam forming means being configured to adjust gains in the first fixed phase feed network to scan with respect to the plurality of RFID tags; and a second beam forming means for uploading RFID data from the interrogated plurality of RFID tags to an external access point using at least a second set of two antennas coupled to a second fixed phase feed network, the beam forming means being configured to adjust gains in the second fixed phase feed network to direct its RF beam at the external access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Farrokh Mohamadi
  • Publication number: 20080218415
    Abstract: A wide-angle null-fill antenna with no null in the depression angle range, an omni antenna using the same, and radio communication equipment. A null-fill antenna comprises a first antenna array including antenna elements arranged with a prescribed point as the center, and a second antenna array having amplitude characteristics substantially equal to those of the antenna elements forming the first antenna array. The first antenna array is excited so that the excitation amplitude distribution is to have symmetry with respect to the prescribed point, while the excitation phase distribution is to have point symmetry with respect to the prescribed point. The phase center of the first antenna array is substantially coincident with that of the second antenna array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norihiko Oomuro
  • Publication number: 20080218414
    Abstract: The invention relates to adjusting the shape of the antenna beam (20) of a directional antenna (120) in a communications system (1). According to the invention, the antenna beam (20) is divided into at least a handover beam sector (24) and a main beam sector (22). The shape of the at least two beam sectors (22; 24) are then adjusted based on different requirements and objectives. The shape of handover beam sector (24) is adjusted based on the handover parameter settings of the communications system (1), e.g. by adjusting the angular interval of this handover beam sector (24) based on the parameter settings. Optionally, the shape of the main beam sector (22) is adjusted by maximizing the antenna gain of the directional antenna (120) within this beam sector (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Bo Hagerman, Fredrik Ovesjo, Bjorn Gunnar Johannisson, Kimmo Hiltunen
  • Patent number: 7423587
    Abstract: A method for generating a multiresolution decomposition of an array signal by a bank of spatial bandpass filters is disclosed. The signal processing operation is implemented through the use of the directivities of the individual array elements and does not degrade the spatial or temporal resolution of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Rolf Mueller
  • Patent number: 7423586
    Abstract: In a radio communications system, a plurality of transceivers are each connected to one element of an array of antenna elements. In addition, at least one of the transceivers is additionally connected to a calibration antenna for transmitting or receiving test signals via the antenna elements. At least one calibration processor is provided for determining variations of the test signals in the transceivers. A beamforming processor is provided for taking into account the determined variations for beamforming or determination of direction of arrival of respectively transmitted and received radio signals by the antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Schieblich
  • Publication number: 20080211716
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system with variable electrical tilt comprises an array of antenna elements etc. incorporating a divider dividing a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal into two signals between which a phase shifter introduces a variable phase shift. A phase to power converter converts the phase shifted signals into signals with powers dependent on the phase shift. Power splitters divide the converted signals into two sets of divided signals with total number equal to the number of antenna elements in the array. Power to phase converters etc. combine pairs of divided signals from different power splitters this provides vector sum and difference components with appropriate phase for supply to respective pairs of antenna elements etc. located equidistant from an array centre. Adjustment of the phase shift provided by phase shifter changes the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Philip Edward Haskell
  • Patent number: 7420507
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system with controllable electrical tilt generates two signals V2a and V2b with variable relative delay therebetween. The signals are converted into antenna element drive signals by a power distribution network. The network splits each of the two signals V2a and V2b into three signal components. Pairs of components of different signals are input respective hybrid coupling devices (hybrids), which provide vector sums and differences of their inputs and act as phase-to-power converters. Their outputs are distributed between further hybrids, which act as power-to-phase converters and provide antenna element drive signals with phase varying both with element array position and also with the variable relative delay between the two signals V2a and V2b. Antenna electrical tilt is therefore controllable by altering a single relative delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Louis David Thomas, Philip Edward Haskell
  • Publication number: 20080204319
    Abstract: A method and system for analog beamforming in a wireless system is provided. Analog beamforming involves performing an iterative beam acquisition process based on beam search training, determining transmit and receive beamforming vectors including phase weighting coefficients, based on the iterative beam acquisition process. Each iteration includes estimating the receive and transmit beamforming coefficients alternatively, until the receive and transmit beamforming coefficients converge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huaning Niu, Pengfei Xia, Chiu Ngo
  • Patent number: 7417598
    Abstract: A compact, low profile electronically scanned antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a multi-layer antenna integrated printed wiring board (AiPWB) that includes a radiator layer on a front surface. The radiator layer includes a plurality of RF radiating elements. The antenna module additionally includes a plurality of radiator electronics modules orthogonally connected to a back surface of the AiPWB. The electronics modules are interconnected with radiating elements through the AiPWB and include a plurality of beam steering electronic elements mounted to a multi layer conformable substrate. The orthogonal connections allow the antenna module to have outer dimensions that are substantially equal to the dimensions of a perimeter of the AiPWB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Julio A. Navarro, Devin W. Hersey, Michael H. Florian, Gordon D Osterhues, Percy Yen
  • Patent number: 7414576
    Abstract: A precision antenna pointing system and methods are disclosed. Antenna pointing error is determined by detecting RF signal phases at locations along the edge of an antenna reflector. A set of signal phase reference harnesses are used to compensate for harness induced errors. Furthermore, multiplexing is used to minimize electronics induced phase errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Ketao Liu
  • Patent number: 7411472
    Abstract: A wafer-scale heterogeneous layered active electronically scanned array (ESA) utilizes a low-loss integrated waveguide feed. The ESA is formed from wafer-scale subarray modules each of which comprises a multilayer stack to form transmit/receive (T/R) modules. Waveguide subarray combiners feed the T/R modules. A subarray combiner is a waveguide assembly bonded to a bottom layer in the multilayer stack. The bottom layer is a ground plane forming a top waveguide broadwall of the combiner. The waveguide subarray combiner may be formed from a variety of waveguide types and feeds the T/R modules using electric field probe coupling or an aperture slot coupling. A second layer feed structure forms the subarray modules into the ESA and feeds the waveguide subarray combiners. The second layer feed structure uses waveguides to feed the waveguide subarray combiners using E-field probes or aperture slot coupling on the bottom waveguide broadwall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Ross K. Wilcoxon
  • Patent number: 7408507
    Abstract: A phased array antenna system includes an RF front end, a radome, and an optical calibrator embedded in the radome for enabling in-situ calibration of the RF front end. The optical calibrator employs an optical timing signal generator (OTSG), a Variable Optical Amplitude and Delay Generator array (VOADGA) for receiving the modulated optical output signal and generating a plurality of VOADGA timing signals, and an optical timing signal distributor (OTSD). The in-situ optical calibrator allows for reduced calibration time and makes it feasible to perform calibration whenever necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eung Gi Paek, Mark Parent, Joon Y Choe
  • Publication number: 20080174474
    Abstract: An interferometric switched beam radar apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a selected antenna of a planar array of beam forming antennas is activated with a substantially continuous frequency modulated transmit signal and a return signal is received from at least two return antennas that have a known offset distance relative to each other. Phase information is extracted from each return signal and used to present information regarding an operating environment to a user. Each beam forming antenna within the array may correspond to a particular viewing angle within the operating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: imSAR
    Inventors: Logan Carl Harris, Ryan Lee Smith
  • Patent number: 7403156
    Abstract: A method of performing digital beam forming on the radiation pattern of an array antenna using a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element being coupled to a signal processing chain. A weighting phase is used in which at least a complex weight coefficient is applied to a digital signal in a corresponding signal processing chain. The digital signal is an intermediate frequency digital signal, and the weighting phase has the following steps: a) duplicating the digital signal into a first and a second digital signal; b) processing the first and second digital signals by multiplying the first and second digital signals respectively by a real and an imaginary part of the complex weight coefficient; applying a Hilbert transform to that signal which is multiplied by the imaginary part of the complex weight coefficient; and c) combining the processed first and second digital signals into a weighted digital intermediate frequency signal by subtracting the second signal from the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Telecon Italia S.p.A., Pirelli & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Coppi, Maurizio Crozzoli, Daniele Disco, Renato Scotti
  • Publication number: 20080169973
    Abstract: An element support and thermal control arrangement for an active array antenna, preferably modular, using line-replaceable units (LRUs), includes a radiating-side liquid-cooled cold plate lying parallel with a liquid-cooled TR coldplate. Antenna elements are supported and cooled by the radiating cold plate, and a beamformer lies between the radiating and TR coldplates. A plurality of column coldplates are attached to the rear of the TR coldplate and define bays or volumes in which power LRUs can be fitted in thermal communication with the TR coldplate, the column coldplates, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Pluymers, Marc T. Angelucci, John Fraschilla, Stuart R. Ducker,, Thomas E. McGuigan, Robert B. Lewis, Richard J. Heinrich, Daniel W. Harris
  • Patent number: 7397420
    Abstract: On/off timing of an amplifier and timing of antenna selection are accurately adjusted. When adjusting the on/off timing of the amplifier, modulation of a transmit signal is stopped, and a switch is set so as not to select any one of the antennas, thereby totally reflecting the transmit signal; in this condition, the timing is controlled so that the average value of the output level of a mixer becomes a minimum. When adjusting the antenna selection timing, modulation of the transmit signal is stopped, and a reflective object is placed in close proximity to the antenna; in this condition, the timing is adjusted so that the average value of the output level of the mixer becomes a maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Nobukazu Shima
  • Publication number: 20080158054
    Abstract: An array antenna system is provided. The array antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements which are arranged at intervals in rows and in columns; and a control means which selectively operates at least two antenna elements of the plurality of the antenna elements according to a direction of received radio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Su-Khiong YONG, Young-hwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20080158055
    Abstract: The invention, in its various aspects and embodiments, comprises a variety methods and apparatuses. The methods variously determine the delay (or phase shift) in each element of a phased array to simultaneously form, steer and/or combine a set of beam shapes. The apparatuses include apparatuses that implement the methods as well as apparatuses that employ such methods. The invention also includes a beam controlled by such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Scott J. Paynter
  • Publication number: 20080150802
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein providing an improved approach to phased array antenna communications. In one example, an antenna system includes a digital beamformer adapted to receive a plurality of input signals and selectively replicate and weight the input signals to provide a plurality of digital subarray signals. Digital to analog (D/A) converters convert the digital subarray signals to a plurality of composite analog subarray signals. Modules of a subarray are adapted to perform analog beamsteering on at least one of the composite analog subarray signals. In another example, a subarray of a phased array antenna may include a thermal cold plate, a plurality of feed/filter assemblies, a distribution board stacked on the thermal cold plate, and a plurality of modules adapted to perform analog beamsteering. The modules may be interconnected with each other through the distribution board and removably inserted into the distribution board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: David Kalian, Jane R. Felland
  • Publication number: 20080150801
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for determining at least one relative characteristic of a transmit diversity transmitter based on at least one quality indicator based on signals received on the plurality of antennas. In some embodiments of the invention, the relative characteristic may be a relative power or amplitude ratio and/or a phase difference between the signals transmitted on the different antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Haim Harel, Kenneth Kludt, Yair Karmi
  • Publication number: 20080150800
    Abstract: A phased array antenna apparatus includes: an antenna array portion having a plurality of antenna elements (2) disposed at equal intervals, and a plurality of phase shifters (3), each phase shifter being connected between the adjacent antenna elements and changing a phase of a transmission signal; a phase shifter control portion (4) controlling each phase shift quantity of the plurality of phase shifters (3); and a power feed path switching portion (5) for switching a power feed path from an external apparatus (6) to the antenna array portion to one of a path from one end of the antenna array portion and a path from the other end of the antenna array portion, and causing the control by the phase shifter control portion (4) to correspond to the switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: OPTEX CO., LTD
    Inventor: Masatoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7392011
    Abstract: A power system flexibly distributes power among phased array antenna apertures of a satellite (or other type of platform). By allocating the power provided by a power source among the apertures, if one aperture is not providing useful coverage (due to orientation, light traffic volume, aperture operating frequency and/or polarization, etc.), power being supplied to that aperture may be reallocated to one or more other apertures that are providing useful coverage. To flexibly allocate power among the apertures, power amplifiers and attenuators associated with each antenna element are adjusted to provide a wide range of RF output powers with high efficiency at all output power levels. By increasing power allocation efficiency, the size of the satellite power source may be reduced while appropriate power is still provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony W. Jacomb-Hood
  • Publication number: 20080139137
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for generating a beamformed multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel. The method comprises receiving by a first wireless station a first plurality of signals transmitted from a first antenna on a second wireless station, deriving by the first wireless station a second plurality of signals corresponding to a second antenna on the second wireless station from the first plurality of signals, computing a first and second beamforming weighting vectors, using the first and second plurality of signals, creating a beamformed MIMO channel between the first and second wireless stations using the first and second beamforming weighting vectors, and allocating a predetermined transmitting power to signals beamformed by the first and second beamforming weighting vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Li Guo, Hang Jin
  • Publication number: 20080129595
    Abstract: An antenna system may include an antenna array which includes a plurality of radiating elements. The system may also include a phase shifter controller and algorithm to apply a non-periodic modulation to an excitation of each radiating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Chang W. Choi, Alan R. Keith, Wesley F. Walloch
  • Patent number: 7382983
    Abstract: An optical control type phased array antenna includes a laser generating means for generating light of single wavelength, an optical path branching means for branching the light emitted from the laser generating means into first and second transmission lights, a high frequency signal generating means for generating a high frequency signal, an optical frequency modulating means for shifting the frequency of the first transmission light branched by the optical path branching means by the frequency of a high frequency signal thus generated, a spatial light phase modulating means performing spatial phase modulation of the first transmission light shifted by the frequency of a high frequency signal depending on the antenna beam pattern, and an optical path branching/multiplexing means for multiplexing the first transmission light subjected to phase modulation and the second transmission light branched by the optical path branching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Mizuma, Toshiyuki Ando, Tomohiro Akiyama, Yoshihito Hirano
  • Publication number: 20080122693
    Abstract: An active antenna is provided that includes an antenna element for transmitting RF transmit signals at a predetermined effective radiated power (ERP). An antenna module is configured to be mounted to an aircraft, with the antenna element being mounted to the antenna module. A connector module is provided at the antenna module and is configured to be coupled to a communications link and receive electrical transmit signals from the communications link. A transmit path is provided within the antenna module and extends between the antenna element and the connector module. A power amplifier is provided on the antenna module along the transmit path. The power amplifier increases a power level of the electrical transmit signals, received from the communications link, by a predetermined amount sufficient to drive the antenna element to transmit the RF transmit signals at the predetermined ERP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: GARMIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Edward W. Needham, David T. Mindrup, John C. Blessing
  • Patent number: 7372402
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method and a system for enhancing the measuring accuracy in an antenna array (1), where the method comprises the steps of; a) receiving analog signals on all antenna elements (2) at a first time t1; producing first values for a first radiation diagram from the values in the signals from the first time (t1), and; finding the maximum point (8) for the first values, b)—reducing the signal from one interadjacent antenna element (2) at a second time (t2); receiving analog signals on all antenna elements (2) except from the one switched off or reduced antenna element, and; producing second values for a second radiation diagram from the values in the signals from the second time (t2); c) rejecting all values outside a first range (9) calculated from the first values, and; finding the maximum point (8) for the second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Telfonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Michael Numminen