With Phasing Patents (Class 343/778)
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Patent number: 4980692Abstract: A circular array includes a plurality of antenna elements which are spaced apart from each other and situated in a conical arrangement and in parallel rows circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of the conical arrangement. The circumferential spacing between the phase centers of adjacent antenna elements of any one row situated closer to the base of the conical arrangement is greater than that of adjacent antenna elements situated relatively closer to the apex of the conical arrangement. The respective operating frequencies of the antenna elements of any one row situated closer to the base of the conical arrangment is lower than the operating frequencies of the antenna elements of any other row situated relatively closer to the apex. The circuit array antenna further includes a plurality of feed lines, where each feed line is coupled to an antenna element of each row in progression.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1989Date of Patent: December 25, 1990Assignee: AIL Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronald M. Rudish, Peter J. McVeigh
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Patent number: 4959658Abstract: A flat phased array antenna for reception of circularly polarized high frequency signals. The flat antenna array consists of a number of subarrays arranged in a matrix. In turn, each of the subarrays consist of individual antenna elements arranged in a matrix. In one embodiment, each subarray consists of four layers stacked one on top of the other. The top layer defines an array of miniature reception horns. Secured to the top layer is a second layer which constitutes the short-circuit plate of the antenna array. The short-circuit plate contains a plurality of through holes disposed about the surface of the circuit plate to permit passage of pairs of cylindrically shaped probes. The two remaining layers constitute the first power dividing layer and the second power dividing layer, respectively. Each of the layers includes transmission line waveguides.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1987Date of Patent: September 25, 1990Inventor: John L. Collins
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Patent number: 4952894Abstract: An improved corporate feed network for distributing radio frequency energy to elements of an antenna array is shown. The corporate feed network comprises an improved feed coupler, including a quadrature hybrid junction for dividing radio frequency (R.F.) energy from an input port into the two waveguides and a plurality of secondary waveguides disposed orthogonally to the first and second waveguides, each of the secondary waveguides having narrow walls common to broad walls of the first and second waveguides with apertures formed through common sections of such walls, the common sections being offset to impart directional characteristics to the corporate feed network.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1989Date of Patent: August 28, 1990Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: William R. Connerney, Jaffar W. Hamandi
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Patent number: 4939523Abstract: In an aircraft on-board radar system employing a sharply focused directional pattern which is able to sweep over a given space range, the range in the MPRF mode is limited primarily by the ground clutter picked up via the side lobes of the antenna pattern. To increase the range, an antenna is employed which, due to asymmetrical distribution of the antenna aperture (signal field) in the elevational direction with respect to the center of the aperture, has a significantly higher side lobe spacing below the principal lobe than above the principal lobe. Because of the side lobe spacing being greater below the principal lobe, less ground clutter components are picked up while the smaller side lobe spacing above the principal lobe results in hardly any increase of clutter components in the echo signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1988Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Assignee: Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbHInventors: Franz Jehle, Eugen Arnold, Erwin Woelfle
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Patent number: 4939527Abstract: A distribution network for a modified space-fed phased array antenna consists of a planar array of radiating slots distributed along a coplanar wall in each of an ensemble of parallel waveguides. This waveguide ensemble is fed or excited by an orthogonal waveguide or waveguides, through a row of slots in a wall common to the excitation waveguides and the parallel waveguide ensemble, one slot per waveguide. A predetermined amplitude distribution is achieved in the plane parallel to the axis of the exciting waveguide by adjusting the coupling value of each exciting slot, and in the orthogonal plane by adjusting the displacement of the radiating slots from the center line of the waveguides, and by adjusting slot width, length, and geometry. Such an array of slots is used to feed the inside face of a quasi-space-fed antenna array having identical, individual electronics modules.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1989Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bernard J. Lamberty, Edward J. Vertatschitsch, George W. Fitzsimmons
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Patent number: 4891651Abstract: A light plane assembly for use in a phased array antenna to provide a communication link between a phased array antenna control system and the individual phase control modules in the array. The light plane assembly includes a translucent member having a plurality of openings therethrough. Each opening is adapted to receive a phase control module having an optic signal detector mounted thereon. Each module is positioned in an opening so that the optic signal detector on the module lies within the opening. Light emitting diodes in optic communication with an edge surface of the translucent member are connected with a phased array antenna control system and are operable to convert an electrical information signal provided from the control system to an equivalent optic information signal. The light emitting diodes generate an optic information signal which is transmitted through the interior of the translucent member for detection by the optic signal detector on each phase control module.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1988Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: John H. Staehlin, John R. Colgan
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Patent number: 4888597Abstract: An integrated circuit antenna structure for transmitting or receiving millimeter and/or submillimeter wave radiation having an antenna relatively unimpaired by the antenna mounting arrangment is disclosed herein. The antenna structure of the present invention includes a horn disposed on a substrate for focusing electromagnetic energy with respect to an antenna. The antenna is suspended relative to the horn to receive or transmit the electromagnetic energy focused thereby.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1987Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Gabriel M. Rebiez, David B. Rutledge
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Patent number: 4878060Abstract: Multi-element microwave plane antenna formed from at least two metallic sheets (156, 157) on which separating studs (4, 19) are silk-screen printed and on which is inserted at least one block (50) of waveguides (2). The assembly of two such sheets forms a sandwich enclosing a printed circuit (195) carrying microwave lines which emerge into the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1986Date of Patent: October 31, 1989Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Pascal Barbier, Francis Falgat, Alain Sorel
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Patent number: 4872211Abstract: A dual frequency antenna feed is formed from a central, circular waveguide onnected to the flat boundry of circular, disk-shaped resonant cavity. A second circular waveguide is connected one end of a disk-shaped resonant cavity. Energy of one frequency enters and exits the cavity along the common axis of the waveguides. Energy of the second frequency is introduced to the same resonant cavity by way of a plurality of bandpass filters, also connected to the cavity. This energy enters by way of slots in the cylindrical walls of the cavity. The central circular waveguide is propagating at one frequency but cut off at the second frequency. These bandpass filters are at this pass band for the second frequency, but at the rejection band for the first frequency. Therefore, the isolation between these two input ports are obtained.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1988Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Ming H. Chen
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Patent number: 4868575Abstract: A phase slope equalizer is a recent device used to replace phase shifters in feed networks for satellite communications antennas. The phase slope equalizer has been further refined so that, once manufactured, it does not require tuning and is well suited to integration in larger systems. Three main embodiments are disclosed, one based on a waveguide configuration and the other two on a square coaxial configuration. In the case of the waveguide configuration half wavelength short-circuited stubs spaced by a quarter wavelength are used and in the case of one of the square coaxial configurations half wavelength open-circuited stubs spaced by a quarter wavelength are used. The third embodiment uses quarter wavelength short-circuited stubs spaced by a quarter wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1987Date of Patent: September 19, 1989Inventors: Chuck K. Mok, Alain Martin, Christian Hobden, Yves Patenaude
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Patent number: 4829314Abstract: Multi-element microwave plane antenna for receiving satellite television signals with two simultaneous polarizations. The antenna is provided with two systems of lines (1) whose ends (3, 30) form probes emerging into wave-guides (2). The probes of one system (3) are perpendicular to those of the other system (30). Between the two systems of lines there is placed only a thin sheet (150) bored with cross-shaped cut-outs (6), and provided with separating studs made from a silk-screen-printed insulating material.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1986Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Pascal Barbier, Francis Falgat, Alain Sorel
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Patent number: 4827276Abstract: A planar microwave antenna of the suspended line feed type has a substrate sandwiched between a pair of conductive plates, each of the plates having aligned openings defining radiation elements. The substrate is held in place by holding portions surrounding the openings and wide grooves between the openings house a plurality of parallel suspended lines.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1987Date of Patent: May 2, 1989Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Keiji Fukuzawa, Fumihiro Ito, Junichi Kajikuri, Shinobu Tsurumaru
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Patent number: 4825172Abstract: An equal power amplifier system (100) for amplifying a plurality of signals for transmission by an active phase array antenna (20), and a compact plural level beam-forming network (98) for forming a plurality of such signals, for example on excitation patterns for frequency scanned virtual beams, are disclosed. The amplifier system uses at most only a few sizes of power amplifiers (130, 134) to amplify efficiently numerous signals having significantly different amplitudes. This is accomplished by distributing the task of amplifying signal pairs (A.sub.i, B.sub.i) composed of one large amplitude signal and one small amplitude signal to an equal power amplifying apparatus (130; 230), which includes two hybrid couplers (236, 238) and two equally sized power amplifiers (232, 234). The first hybrid coupler (236) divides the two signals (A.sub.i, B.sub.i) for input into the two power amplifiers.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1987Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventor: James D. Thompson
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Patent number: 4818958Abstract: A compact, dual series waveguide feed network is disclosed which has application to monopulse radar antennas and is usable in applications requiring compact and light weight feed networks. The network in accordance with the invention uses phase shifters at the phase reversal points of the secondary (42) feed lines to establish a 180.degree. relative phase difference with the corresponding phase reversal point of the primary feed line. No phase shifters are used in the crossguide feed lines (44). Because of the invention's phase shifter arrangement, crossguide lines (44) may be located directly opposite each other instead of being staggered as in prior techniques; hence the size of the network is reduced and resolution is increased. Also, the primary and secondary feed lines may be located closer together because there are no phase shifters with associated matching and transition devices located in the crossguide feed lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1987Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Kuan M. Lee, William L. Lange, Stan W. Livingston
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Patent number: 4819004Abstract: A printed circuit array antenna includes at least one printed circuit formed by a substrate having radiating elements on a first face and an energy distribution tree on a second face. The array antenna is provided with a front structure having an elongated shape and superposed on the first face of the printed circuit. The front structure is composed of a substrate pierced with radiating apertures located opposite to the radiating elements of the printed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1987Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Alcatel Thomason Faisceaux HertziensInventors: Lazare Argintaru, Eric Leroux
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Patent number: 4801943Abstract: A plane antenna assembly comprises a plurality of antenna bases and a signal composing means including amplifiers each connected to output part of each antenna base for composing respective outputs of the antenna bases amplified through the amplifiers, whereby a composite antenna output is obtained in correspondence to the number of the antenna bases and in an excellent S/N ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1987Date of Patent: January 31, 1989Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Yabu, Kazuhisa Akiyama, Toshio Abiko, Minoru Kanda, Mikio Komatsu, Hirohumi Ishizaki, Hidetsugu Nunoya, Yasumasa Ogawa, Hiroshi Yokota
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Patent number: 4792810Abstract: A planar antenna for circular polarized microwaves incorporates a substrate sandwiched between conductive layers having a plurality of openings arranged in a rectangular array, with a pair of perpendicular excitation probes supported on the substrate in alignment with each opening, and a feed circuit for interconnecting the excitation probes in a predetermined phase relationship. Two additional conductive elements may be supported on the substrate in alignment with the excitation probes to provide improved impedance matching. The feed circuit may incorporate a pair of quarter wavelength feed lines connected to the excitation probes, with a resistance element interconnected between the feed lines. The feed point of the antenna may be located near the center of the array, occupying a position normally occupied by one of the pairs of excitation probes.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1986Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Keiji Fukuzawa, Fumihiro Ito, Shinobu Tsurumaru
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Patent number: 4788515Abstract: An adjustable phase-shifting apparatus for use in shifting the phase of a microwave signal transmitted along a TEM transmission line, such as coaxial line whose inner and outer conductors have square cross-sections. The apparatus includes a body with an elongated cavity therein which forms part of the outer conductor, and a cover attached to the body which forms at least part of the outer conductor. The cover has at least one pair of elongated openings that provide access to a portion of the cavity. The apparatus also includes a movable member provided with at least one pair of elongated, tapered, dielectric-loaded projections that slidably pass through the elongated openings and are positionable about either side of the center conductor to provide an adjustable phase lag.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1988Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Mon N. Wong, Donald C. D. Chang
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Patent number: 4783663Abstract: In a high-frequency antenna comprising a plurality of horns 1, phase differences arising in these horns 1 would need to be corrected. Such phase differences are avoided by providing a planar design of the antenna comprising four adjacent horns 1 fed by T-shaped power divider 6, being linear and symmetrical.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1986Date of Patent: November 8, 1988Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Emmanuel Rammos, Bernard M. Byzery
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Patent number: 4772893Abstract: A steerable multibeam five element cross-feed cluster antenna (16) system. The feed power is divided into five branches. Each branch includes a switching network (12A-12E) comprised of a plurality of time delay elements (90A; 92A) each individually controlled by a respective electromagnetic latching switch (56A,B; 58A,B; 60A,B; 62A,B; 46A,B). Frequency independent individual two-dimensional beam steering at IF scanning frequencies is thereby provided wherein discrete incremental time delays are introduced by the switching networks into each branch and the signals recombined thereafter to form each beam. The electromagnetic latched switching reduces power consumption and permits higher power switching and reciprocal coincident transmit and receive operation. Frequency independence due to incremental time delay switching permits coincident reciprocal operation and steering for transmit-receive signal paths carrying different transmit-receive frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1987Date of Patent: September 20, 1988Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Richard S. Iwasaki
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Patent number: 4768001Abstract: A microwave phase shifter comprise a dielectric waveguide having a flat side and a moving conductor plane member substantially parallel to the waveguide side. Piezoelectric means are provided to move the plane member with respect to the waveguide side between a portion relatively remote from the waveguide side and an other position substantially in contact with the waveguide side. The piezoelectric means consists preferably of a stack of piezoelectric members supplied by a variable d.c. power source. Owing to the piezoelectric means for moving the conductor plane member, a variable phase shift is continuously adjusted. Such a phase shifter can be as an antenna network when the dielectric waveguide contains groups of radiator perturbations, such as conductor strips, respectively controlled by one or several piezoelectric means carrying conductor plates facing waveguide portions including the perturbations groups.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1986Date of Patent: August 30, 1988Assignee: Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales (ONERA)Inventors: Bernard Chan-Son-Lint, Pierre Borderies, Christian J. Pouit
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Patent number: 4758842Abstract: An array of horn antennas with non-uniform aperture sizes is disclosed wherein the individual horns phase track over a wide frequency band. The horn with the smallest aperture is considered the reference horn, and its length defines the overall horn length of the other horn in the array. The flare lengths of the other horns of the array are less than the length of the reference horn, and lengths of waveguide are added to the other horns such that the respective combined flare lengths and waveguide lengths of each of the other horns equals the horn length of the reference horn. The respective lengths of the flare and the waveguide section are chosen such that the resultant horn antenna phase tracks the reference horn over the frequency band.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1986Date of Patent: July 19, 1988Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Wilbur J. Linhardt, Robert J. Patin
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Patent number: 4710776Abstract: The invention provides an antenna for transmitting or receiving closely spaced multibeams with very low level sidelobes comprising, for each beam feed, a primary feed feeding one or more main elements surrounded by secondary elements some of which are shared between several adjacent beam feed, the power supplied by the primary feed being distributed to the different elements by means of couplers. According to the invention, each shared element is fed by each of the power transmission lines feeding the main element (E1, E'1) of said adjacent beams through a coupler, each transmission line of a secondary radiating element (L2, L'3) comprising at least two couplers (C1, C2) in series.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1984Date of Patent: December 1, 1987Assignee: Agence Spatiale EuropeenneInventors: Antoine G. Roederer, Guilio Doro, Marco Lisi
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Patent number: 4689627Abstract: A dual band, phased array antenna especially adaptable for tactical radar capable of performing search, track and identification in a hostile jamming environment. The dual band array antenna is essentially two antennas sharing a common antenna aperture. The two antennas possess separate feed system and beam steering control. Thus, the beams for each frequency band can be steered independently and simultaneously. This design utilizes an ultra-wide band radiating element which can operate over approximately an octave bandwidth encompassing two adjacent microwave bands. In particular, the dual band signals can be received efficiently by the radiating element. A dual band coaxial-to-waveguide transition can be used to carry the signals to a diplexer. The dual band signals are separated at the diplexer and can be processed in separate feed networks.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1983Date of Patent: August 25, 1987Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Kuan M. Lee, Nam S. Wong, Ruey S. Chu, Ray Tang
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Patent number: 4675681Abstract: A planar array antenna is contructed of two sets of slotted rectangular waveguides positioned to have the slots of adjacent waveguides offset by half the slot spacing. A bidirectional feed is used with phase switching between inputs to produce four distinct output beams from the array.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1985Date of Patent: June 23, 1987Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Richard R. Kinsey
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Patent number: 4644362Abstract: Antenna output for a planar antenna comprising an array of receiving elements provided by two networks (20, 30) of high frequency transmission lines and three sheets (10, 40, 50). The first sheet (10) comprises first cavities (11), the first and second transmission line networks are planar, located respectively on either side of this first sheet and, for signal reception, coupled to each of the cavities by a corresponding number of distinct ends forming exciting probes along two perpendicular axes. The third and second sheets (40, 50) are located on the other side of both of these networks and comprise second and third cavities (41, 51) which are in line with the first cavities. The third cavities are short-circuited in a plane parallel to the surfaces of the sheets, and these sheets are made of a metal or of a dielectric material having metal-plated walls of the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1984Date of Patent: February 17, 1987Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Emmanuel Rammos
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Patent number: 4635062Abstract: A transceiver element for controlling the phase of a microwave signal passing therethrough. The transceiver element includes a plurality of switching means arranged to steer a microwave frequency signal provided by a radar system through a nonreciprocal phase shifter to a phased array antenna during a transmit mode, and to steer a microwave frequency signal received by the phased array antenna through the nonreciprocal phase shifter to the radar system during a receive mode. The microwave frequency signal passes through the phase shifter in the same direction during both the transmit and receive modes. A set of control signals is fed to such switching means and the phase shifter of the transceiver element to provide collimated and directed beams of microwave energy during the transmit mode and the receive mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1984Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Robert W. Bierig, Robert A. Pucel
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Patent number: 4633258Abstract: A microwave antenna feed network dispenses with the conventional phase shifters. Instead, the required phase relationships between the different individual antenna components is achieved by means of a new device, known as a phase slope equalizer, placed in each feed line. This device is formed of a section of waveguide containing one or more resonant circuit elements. Each element comprises, for example, a pair of spaced inductive posts and capacitive tuning screw, or an inductive iris and a capacitive tuning screw, or a resonant slot. The phase slope equalizer exhibits a substantially constant slope phase shift/frequency response curve extending from a positive phase shift through zero phase shift at midband to a negative phase shift. The device is simpler and smaller than the conventional phase shifter and fewer are required thereby reducing costs.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1984Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: SPAR Aerospace LimitedInventors: Chuck K. Mok, Alain Martin
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Patent number: 4623891Abstract: A technique for reducing cross-polarized signals in the axis of four-port al-polarized antennas. The resulting lower cross-polarized signals reduce a tracking antenna's susceptibility to tracking errors and to breaklocks. Some energy from the transmission line connected to the (V) port is coupled, after proper attenuation and phase adjustment, and transmitted through the (H) port, thereby nulling out the (V) cross-polarized pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1984Date of Patent: November 18, 1986Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Richard C. Johnson
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Patent number: 4614947Abstract: A planar high-frequency antenna having radiating elements for high-frequency signals includes at least two facing conductive plates provided with oppositely-arranged openings which cooperate to form respective cavities. Disposed between each pair of facing plates is a thin dielectric sheet supporting an array of strip conductors of coaxial lines forming suspended-substrate microstrip lines with these plates. Ends of the strip conductors extend into the cavities and form radiating elements. Each thin dielectric sheet is held in place between the facing plates by means of positioning spacers provided on the faces of these plates. The spacers are located in areas where there are no conductors on the dielectric sheet and are sufficiently remote from each other such that at least two cavities and/or lines of the network of strip conductors are located between any two spacers.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1984Date of Patent: September 30, 1986Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Emmanuel Rammos
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Patent number: 4607259Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna arrangement for reducing multipath fades. The antenna arrangement comprises a curved main reflector disposed confocally with one focal point of a subreflector, and a feed arrangement. The feed arrangement comprises at least a pair of feed horns and a selectively movable plate reflector disposed between the feed horns and the subreflector along a feed axis of the antenna arrangement. The feed horns are disposed adjacent each other with the aperture of each of two feed horns covering one-half of the image of the main reflector. By selectively orienting the plate reflector so that one of the two multipath beams arrives with its central ray disposed orthogonal to the aperture of the feed horns, the contribution from each half of this beam received at each feed horn, for a particular frequency band, is equal and can be subtracted from the other half beam signal to cancel its effect without the need for an equalizer.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1984Date of Patent: August 19, 1986Assignee: AT&T Bell LaboratoriesInventor: Corrado Dragone
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Patent number: 4532518Abstract: An amplitude control circuit and variable phase shifter driver, employable in electronically steerable antennas, compares amplitude and phase command signals for the amplitude controller and phase shifter with command signals derived from the amplitude ratio and phase difference between a reference r.f. signal and an r.f. signal at a selected location. The difference signals resulting from this comparison are added to the amplitude and phase shift command signals and applied to the amplitude controller phase shifter drivers to adjust the amplitude controller and phase shifter.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1982Date of Patent: July 30, 1985Assignee: Sperry CorporationInventors: Stanley Gaglione, John J. Stangel
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Patent number: 4527165Abstract: An antenna for circularly polarized high-frequency signals comprising a succession of layers. An insulating layer 10 includes openings defined by metal plated walls forming miniature horns, each having a square cross-section. A dielectric layer 19 adjacent layer 10 supports a first supply network 20 for signals whose direction of polarization is of a first type of linear polarization. An insulating layer 30 adjacent layer 19 includes openings defined by metal plated walls forming miniature waveguides each having the same square cross-section as a respective horn, at the side facing the first network 20, and having a rectangular cross-section at the other side. A dielectric layer 39 adjacent layer 30 supports a second supply network 40 for signals whose direction of polarization is perpendicular to the polarization of the signals of the first network.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1983Date of Patent: July 2, 1985Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Frans C. de Ronde
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Patent number: 4491845Abstract: An antenna assembly configured by the combination of the high forward gain of a conventional planar phased array antenna with the wide angle scanning capability of a dome antenna. The invention includes an optically fed phased array, which may be structurally configured similar to a conventional lens array, but comprises a reflection/transmission switch and an electronic phase shifter at each radiating element. The switches facilitate operation of the phased array in two distinct modes; when the switches are set for the transmission mode, the phased array operates substantially as a conventional lens array to scan a .+-.60.degree. conical sector; when the switches are set for the reflection mode, the phased array behaves like a reflect array to scan an additional .+-.60.degree. to .+-.120.degree. sector.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1982Date of Patent: January 1, 1985Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: Carl Rothenberg
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Patent number: 4476470Abstract: A three-horn microwave feed produces a near ideal aperture width ratio of 2:1 for the difference and sum modes of aperture illumination. Three horns are utilized, each of which supports propagation of at least two modes. Sum and difference components are present in all three horns in response to signals applied to both sum and difference ports of the feed and sum illumination components are present in all three horns in response to signals applied to only the sum port of the feed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1982Date of Patent: October 9, 1984Assignee: RCA CorporationInventor: David F. Bowman
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Patent number: 4439773Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed arrangement for use with compact scanning beam antennas which comprises a linear phased array of small feed elements (10) which form an approximate line source that radiates a wedge-shaped cylindrical beam toward a subreflector (12) which is shaped to focus the wedge-shaped cylindrical beam to a point source which then produces a spherical wavefront. The spherical wavefront can then be focused by a main reflector (14) into linear scanning beams if desired. Multiple linear phased arrays of small feed elements can be disposed parallel to each other to form a multibeam feed arrangement for producing multiple fixed or scanning spot beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1982Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, IncorporatedInventor: Ta-Shing Chu
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Patent number: 4413263Abstract: The present invention relates to phased array antenna arrangements which comprise a linear array of feed elements where the array has an aperture which is out at a bias angle along the minor axis of the array to produce a fixed linear phase taper along the minor axis by all elements. Then by linearly scanning the array along the major axis of the aperture of the array, a beam is scanned along an arc which can be made to correspond to an orbital arc segment around a celestial body and within the field of view of the antenna arrangement when the bias angle is properly chosen. The feed elements can comprise long feedhorns or horn antenna configurations which can be used in a separate array or disposed in an array on a conjugate plane of a main cylindrical reflector when used in multiple reflector phased array antenna arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1981Date of Patent: November 1, 1983Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, IncorporatedInventors: Noach Amitay, Michael J. Gans
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Patent number: 4353072Abstract: A radio frequency antenna including an antenna element having an open-ended waveguide section coupled to a first feed means for establishing radio frequency energy having linear polarization, the electric field vector of such energy being disposed normal to a pair of opposing wall portions of the waveguide. The antenna element includes a microwave circuit means for establishing radio frequency energy having a linear polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the first mentioned radio frequency energy. The microwave circuit includes a dielectric and a conductive sheet disposed over the dielectric; such sheet providing one of the wall portions of the waveguide section. The conductive sheet has an array of notches formed therein, such notches being disposed adjacent the open end of the waveguide section.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1980Date of Patent: October 5, 1982Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: George J. Monser
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Patent number: 4348681Abstract: A distribution system for a phased array antenna comprising a transmission line with couplings positioned to feed the antenna elements in series. Antireciprocal phase shifters are placed in series with the line between couplings to provide previously unavailable features including forced feeding of a scannable array, sweeping the beam of a standing wave system and sweeping the beam of a traveling wave system through boresight.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1980Date of Patent: September 7, 1982Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Peter J. McVeigh, Ronald M. Rudish
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Patent number: 4348680Abstract: An electronically scannable microwave antenna having a minimum physical size suitable for mounting in the leading edge of an aircraft wing or the like. A multiplicity of waveguide radiators form a horizontal array having a common horn for limiting the vertical beamwidth. The radiators are fed by a common continuous sinuous waveguide having a plurality of coupling apertures for feeding the radiators in phase. The sinuous waveguide includes coupling sections above and below the radiators to minimize the horizontal size of the antenna. The coupling apertures are formed to provide a linear Taylor distribution of energy to the radiators to produce a narrow horizontal beamwidth having very small side lobes. The antenna beam is scannable in azimuth by varying the frequency of the input signal or by periodically varying the phase of a constant frequency input signal at each radiator.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1981Date of Patent: September 7, 1982Inventor: Donald C. Collier
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Patent number: 4334225Abstract: An antenna system for locating a microwave signal source utilizing two directional finding antennas (1,2) which have major radiation lobes (3,4) which are identical and are angularly offset relative to each other in the bearing plane but overlap so that the angular position of the signal source can be identified within the overlapping range of the lobes of the two antenna by using signal level comparison or ratio formation of two signal voltages received from the two antennas (1,2). False or ambiguous bearings occurring from side lobes which overlap are avoided by the use of a pair of auxiliary radiators (13, 14) which are associated with each of the primary directional finding antennas (1,2) and wherein the primary radiation direction of the auxiliary radiators are offset in the bearing plane by a specific angle relative to the direction of the primary direction finding antennas.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1980Date of Patent: June 8, 1982Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Reinhard Bredow
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Patent number: 4245223Abstract: A self-multiplexing antenna comprising an array of radiating elements for diating a plurality of orthogonal beams in response to wave energy excitations applied thereto. A plurality of first transmission lines are connected between respective radiating elements and respective resistive terminations. A plurality of second transmission lines are connected between respective input ports and respective resistive terminations. A plurality of directional couplers couple wave energy from each input port to each radiating element in the array via the first and second transmission lines whereby wave energy from each input port generates a separate orthogonal beam from the array of radiating elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1977Date of Patent: January 13, 1981Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Gary E. Evans
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Patent number: 4232321Abstract: Microwave energy feed elements for launching essentially linearly polarized beams in a satellite communications system are oriented in the satellite's antenna so that the polarization directions of the feed elements form a rim and spoke configuration. The vertical polarizations are arranged to extend radially from a point on the antenna's focal surface which images the point on the surface of the celestial body directly below the satellite. Horizontal polarizations are arranged concentrically about the subsatellite image point. Electromagnetic energy launched from the feed elements will reach the surface of the earth at planes of incidence which are locally vertical and horizontal, thereby minimizing cross-polarization coupling between the orthogonally polarized signals due to such energy passing through precipitation.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1978Date of Patent: November 4, 1980Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, IncorporatedInventor: Edward A. Ohm
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Patent number: 4199763Abstract: A doubly-ridged waveguide device acts an an electrical-length equalizer or hase compensator for a pair of horn antennas of different physical length and/or aperture size. The phase compensator comprises a central doubly-ridged waveguide section with a uniform cross-sectional area and two similar doubly-ridged tapered waveguide transmission lines with cross-sections and ridge depth that continuously vary, located at either end of the central section. The width of the ridge is constant along the entire length of the structure. The device is connected in the standard waveguide transmission line of the smaller of the two horns.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1972Date of Patent: April 22, 1980Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: James J. Epis
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Patent number: 4195289Abstract: A microwave movement detector which is capable of discriminating between progressive or unidirectional movement such as that by an unauthorized intruder and reciprocating movement such as by a curtain. The detector includes a pair of receiver/mixer diodes into which a transmitted signal is mixed with a surveying signal causing a phase difference so that the resultant signals have a different phase relationship amplifying the resultant signals feeding the signal into an integrating circuit in similar counter so that an alarm is sounded when the counter reaches a high or low threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1978Date of Patent: March 25, 1980Assignee: I.E.I. Proprietary LimitedInventor: Martin T. Cole
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Patent number: 4101902Abstract: There is described an electronic scanning antenna comprising a multiplicity of elementary radiators arranged for example in a vertical plane and constituting an array designed for simultaneous surveillance and tracking, the array being fed by two parallel waveguides. The first waveguide is connected to the radiators through a set of first couplers in cascade with a set of fixed phase shifters. The second waveguide is connected to the radiators through a set of second couplers in cascade with a set of variable phase shifters and with the first couplers and the fixed phase shifters. The waveguides are connected to respective transmitters and receivers operating at different frequencies. The complete assembly produces simultaneously at least one tracking beam which varies in elevation and one searching beam having a fixed, preferably low elevation angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1976Date of Patent: July 18, 1978Assignee: Thomson-CSFInventor: Roland Trigon
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Patent number: 4096482Abstract: A wide band monopulse antenna includes a plurality of contiguous square quad-ridged waveguides arranged in a geometric array. Proper orientation of the array permits connection to circuitry to permit use of the individual waveguides for development of azimuth, elevation and sum pattern signals. Further, orientation of concentric arrays permits extension of the frequency band.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1977Date of Patent: June 20, 1978Assignee: Control Data CorporationInventor: Glenn A. Walters
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Patent number: 4090203Abstract: Various antenna systems are disclosed which generate a shaped beam having a substantially Gaussian distribution substantially without sidelobes. The antenna system consists of basic subarrays consisting of seven or nine radiating elements arranged respectively in a circle with a central element or in the form of a square. The radiating elements are fed in phase but the power applied to each element and the spacing is so selected that due to interference the sidelobes substantially disappear. More complex antenna arrays to form different beam shapes may be formed from the two basic subarrays.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1975Date of Patent: May 16, 1978Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: James W. Duncan
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Patent number: 4087822Abstract: A radio frequency antenna having a microstrip feed network and a flared radiating structure directly fed by such microstrip feed network. A wedge-shaped dielectric structure is disposed in the narrow region of the flared radiating structure to match the impedance of the antenna to the impedance of free space. An E-plane array antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements, each including a single feed element on a dielectric board. An H-plane array antenna includes a plurality of feed elements on a single dielectric board. A cover, having an absorbing material, is disposed over the microstrip feed network to suppress stray radiation from propagating from such feed network.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1976Date of Patent: May 2, 1978Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Michael J. Maybell, George S. Hardie
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Patent number: 4063248Abstract: A multiple polarization antenna element comprises a combination of a waveguide radiator and a dipole radiator disposed across the waveguide aperture. The dipole radiator is orientated to radiate a polarization perpendicular to the radiation from the waveguide aperture. Independent means are provided for supplying wave energy signals to the waveguide and dipole radiators. The arrangement of the elements is such that both polarizations are radiated from substantially the same phase center.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1976Date of Patent: December 13, 1977Assignee: Sedco Systems, IncorporatedInventors: Thomas R. Debski, Joseph Gaudio