Transmit/receive module for phased array antenna system

Claim 2

A transmitter and receiver module for use with radiating antenna elements of a phased array antenna system, comprising: a small housing forming first and second coaxial connections, said first coaxial connection being adapted for connection with a system control for generating, controlling, and permitting the use of electromagnetic energy transmitted from and received by the phased array antenna system, said second coaxial connection being adapted for connection with a radiating antenna element; a circulator for electromagnetic energy located within said housing adjacent and connected with said coaxial antenna connection, said circulator having an input connection and an output connection; a pulsed high-power amplifier for electromagnetic energy centrally located within said housing at one side thereof having its output connected with an input connection of the circulator and its input connected with a first phase-adjusting network located within said housing near the coaxial system connection; a signal-limiting means connected with the output of the circulator for limiting the electromagnetic energy passing therethrough; a low-noise amplifier for electromagnetic energy located centrally within said housing at the other side thereof having its input connected with the signal-limiting means and its output connected with a second phase-adjusting network located near the coaxial system connection; and a transmit and receive switch located and connected between the first and second phase-adjusting networks and the coaxial system connection.

Claim 3

The module of Claim 1 wherein said housing forms a ground plane for said electromagnetic energy passing therethrough.

Claim 4

The module of Claim 1 wherein said first and second phase-adjusting networks each include a plurality of stub tuners, each stub tuner presenting a capacitive load.

Claim 5

The module of Claim 1 wherein said transmit and receive switch comprises means forming a first signal pathway from said first coaxial connection to said high-power amplifier, with a first PIN diode connected in shunt with the first signal pathway at a point equal to one-quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic energy being transmitted and received, means forming second signal pathway from said first coaxial connection to said low-noise amplifier with a second PIN diode connected in shunt with the second signal pathway at a point equal to one-quarter wavelength of the electromagnetic energy being transmitted and received, and first and second dc connections to said first and second PIN diodes, respectively, to control the impedance of the first and second signal pathways at the first coaxial connection.

Claim 6

The module of anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising a microstrip substrate within the conductive housing forming a first pathway for transmission of microwave energy to the antenna element and a second pathway for transmission of microwave energy from the antenna element, said housing and said microwave substrate forming a first coaxial connection to a system control, and a second coaxial connection to said antenna element, said first and second pathways extending from and connecting with said first. coaxial connection and including PIN diodes connected with each of the first and second pathways at a distance equal to one-quarter wavelength of the microwave energy of the system to form the transmit and receive switch, said first pathway extending from said transmit and receive switch and being connected with a first plurality of stub tuners to form the first phase-adjusting network, from said first plurality of stub tuners to the high-power amplifier for amplification of said signal to be transmitted, and from said high-power amplifier to the circulator for transmission to said second coaxial connection, said circulator forming a high-loss path from said high-power amplifier to said second coaxial connection, and a low-loss path from said second coaxial connection to said second pathway, said second pathway extending from and connecting with said circulator and including a PIN diode limiter connected with said second pathway, and further extending from a PIN diode limiter to a low-noise amplifier for said received microwave energy, said second pathway further connecting said amplifier received signal with a second plurality of stub tuners whose length may be varied to control the phase of the amplified received signal to form the second phase-adjusting network and extending from said second plurality of stub tuners through said transmit and receive switch to said first coaxial connection, said housing also carrying a plurality of connections to control the impedances of the PIN diodes of the transmit and receive switch.