EP0398555A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightweight, low profile phased array antenna with electromagnetically coupled integrated subarrays
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1990-05-03
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2010-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, low profile phased array antenna 10 is disclosed which includes an electromagnetically coupled integrated subarray in a multilayer structure with no vertical electrical connections and no phase shifters. The integrated subarray includes a first layer 11 having an array of patches 20 of electrically conductive material. A second layer 15, is provided, in parallel registration with the first layer 11, which includes an array of resonators 22, each resonator 22 being electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding patch 20 in the first layer 11. A third layer 19 is provided which is in parallel registration with the second layer 15. Electromagnetic couplers 24 and 34 in the second and third layers 15 and 19 couple energy received by resonators 22 in the second layer 15, to processing circuitry in the third layer 19. The antenna of the present invention is adapted for transmit and receive modes of operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C.D. Chang
- 👤 Robert J. Patin
- 👤 Mon N. Wong
- 👤 Stanley S. Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/06; H01Q21/061; H01Q21/065; H01Q25/00; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/24; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/30; H01Q3/34; H01Q3/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A lightweight, low profile phased array antenna with electromagnetically coupled integrated subarrays comprising: a first layer including one or more patches of electrically conductive material; a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer, said second layer including one or more resonators, each resonator being electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding patch; and a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer and electromagnetically coupled thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A lightweight, low profile phased array antenna with electromagnetically coupled integrated subarrays comprising: a first layer including one or more patches of electrically conductive material; a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer, said second layer including one or more resonators, each resonator being electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding patch; and a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer and electromagnetically coupled thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of Claim 1 wherein said second layer includes a first electromagnetic coupler associated with each of said resonators.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of Claim 2 wherein said first electromagnetic coupler includes dual 3 db couplers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of Claim 2 wherein said third layer includes a second electromagnetic coupler associated with each of said first electromagnetic couplers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of Claim 4 wherein said second electromagnetic coupler includes dual 3 db couplers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of Claim 4 wherein said third layer includes Butler matrix feed network electrically connected to said second couplers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of Claim 6 wherein said third layer includes a switch matrix electrically connected to said Butler matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of Claim 7 wherein said third layer includes at least one downconverter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of Claim 8 wherein said third layer includes at least one analog-to-digital converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of Claim 9 wherein said third layer includes a low noise amplifier between each of said second couplers and said Butler matrix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of Claim 1 including a first dielectric layer between said first and second layers in parallel registration therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of Claim 11 including a second dielectric layer between said second and third layers in parallel registration therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
A digital phased array antenna including an electromagnetically coupled integrated subarray comprising: a first layer including one or more patches of electrically conductive material; a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer, said second layer including one or more resonators, each resonator being electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding patch and electrically connected to a corresponding first electromagnetic coupler; a first dielectric layer between said first and second layers in parallel registration therewith and a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer and including: a second electromagnetic coupler associated with each of said first electromagnetic couplers, an amplifier electrically connected to each of said second couplers, a Butler matrix feed network electrically connected to each of said amplifiers, a switch matrix electrically connected to said Butler matrix, at least one downconverter, at least one analog-to-digital converter; and a second dielectric layer between said second and third layers in parallel registration therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
154 words
A digital phased array antenna including an electromagnetically coupled integrated subarray comprising: a first layer including one or more patches of electrically conductive material; a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer, said second layer including one or more resonators, each resonator being electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding patch and electrically connected to a corresponding first electromagnetic coupler; a first dielectric layer between said first and second layers in parallel registration therewith and a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer and including: a second electromagnetic coupler associated with each of said first electromagnetic couplers, an amplifier electrically connected to each of said second couplers, a Butler matrix feed network electrically connected to each of said amplifiers, a switch matrix electrically connected to said Butler matrix, at least one downconverter, at least one analog-to-digital converter; and a second dielectric layer between said second and third layers in parallel registration therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of Claim 13 including digital beamforming means for providing a plurality of individually addressable digitally formed beams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a phased array antenna, a method for receiving electromagnetic energy including the steps of: receiving electromagnetic energy via an array of patches of conductive material disposed in a first layer; electromagnetically coupling the energy received by said patches to a plurality of corresponding resonators disposed in a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer; electromagnetically coupling the energy received by said resonators to a processing circuit on a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a phased array antenna, a method for receiving electromagnetic energy including the steps of: receiving electromagnetic energy via an array of patches of conductive material disposed in a first layer; electromagnetically coupling the energy received by said patches to a plurality of corresponding resonators disposed in a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer; electromagnetically coupling the energy received by said resonators to a processing circuit on a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a phased array antenna, a method for transmitting electromagnetic energy including the steps of: generating electromagnetic signals on a first layer; electromagnetically coupling said electrical signals to a plurality of resonators in a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer; electromagnetically coupling said signals to a plurality of patches in a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer; and radiating said electromagnetic signals from said patches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a phased array antenna, a method for transmitting electromagnetic energy including the steps of: generating electromagnetic signals on a first layer; electromagnetically coupling said electrical signals to a plurality of resonators in a second layer in parallel registration with said first layer; electromagnetically coupling said signals to a plurality of patches in a third layer in parallel registration with said second layer; and radiating said electromagnetic signals from said patches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.