EP0513856A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Use of a transmit signal amplifying apparatus, transmit subsystem and method for amplifying transmit signals
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1988-02-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A transmit signal amplifying apparatus and a transmit subsystem for a microwave antenna of the phased array type use signals which are paired such that their amplitudes are approximately equal. Each such pair of signals is fed to an equal power amplifier (230) which divides (236) the signals, amplifies (232, 234) the respective portions of the signals and reconstitutes (238) the amplified signals.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/06; H01Q21/22; H01Q25/00; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/60; H03F3/602; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/198
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
370 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus comprising a plurality of amplifiers (130,230) which each include: - first (240) and second (242) inputs for receiving first (A i ) and second (B i ) input signals, - first (256) and second (258) outputs, - means (236) for dividing each of said first (A i ) and second (B i ) input signals into first and second portions, - a first amplifier (232) coupled with said dividing means (236) for amplifying said first portion of said first input signal (A i ) and said second portion of said second input signal (B i ), thereby producing a first intermediate signal, - a second amplifier (234) coupled with said dividing means (236) for amplifying said first portion of said second input signal (B i ) and said second portion of said first input signal (A i ), thereby producing a second intermediate signal, - reconstitution means (238) coupled with said first (232) and second (234) amplifiers for combining said first and second intermediate signals to produce first (B i *) and second (A i *) output signals, characterized in that - said transmit signal amplifying apparatus is adapted for use with a microwave antenna system of the type including an array (20) of radiating elements (106) for producing at least one microwave beam having a preselected beam pattern, wherein said microwave antenna system includes means for producing a plurality of transmit signals (T1-T4) respectively having various predefined amplitudes (A₁-A K ; B₁-B K ; C₁-C₇; D₁-D₇) related to said beam pattern, - each of the first (240) and second (242) inputs of said amplifiers (130; 230) receive respectively first and second transmit signals, wherein - each of said first and second transmit signals define a pair of preselected transmit signals, such that each of said amplifiers (130; 230) receive said first transmit signal as said first input signal (A i ), and said second transmit signal as said second input signal (B i ), - the first (256) and second (258) outputs of said amplifiers (130; 230) respectively deliver pairs of amplified transmit signals as said first (B i *) and second (A i *) output signals to said array (20) of radiating elements (106).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said dividing means (236) and/or said reconstitution means (238) consist of a single microwave coupler, preferably a hybrid coupler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of said first (256) and second (258) outputs of each of said amplifiers (130; 230) is respectively coupled with only a respectively associated one of said radiating elements (106), such that each of said radiating elements (106) is driven only by one of said output signals (B i *; A i *) which has an amplitude corresponding to the portion of said preselected beam pattern produced by said associated radiating elements (106).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amplification factors of said first (232) and second (234) amplifiers are, for at least certain or all of said plurality of amplifiers (130; 230), essentially equal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first and second portions of said first input signals (A i ) are equal in amplitude and out-of-phase by a predetermined amount, preferably 90 degrees, and said first and second portions of said second input signal (B i ) are equal in amplitude and out-of-phase by the same predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reconstitution means (238) produces the first and second output signals (B i *; A i *) on said first and second outputs (256; 258) by destructive and constructive interference of components of said first and second intermediate signals from said first (232) and second (234) amplifiers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first (232) and second (234) amplifiers each include a solid-state power amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
Transmit signal amplifying apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dividing means (236) is arranged such that first (A) and second (B i ) input signals of substantially unequal strength are each substantially equally divided to form their respective first and second portions whereby said first (232) and second (234) amplifiers equally share the task of amplifying the first (A i ) and second (B i ) input signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
356 words
Use of an amplifier (130; 230) comprising: - first (240) and second (242) inputs for receiving first (A i ) and second (B i ) input signals, - first (256) and second (258) outputs, - means (236) for dividing each of said first (A i ) and second (B i ) input signals into first and second portions, - a first amplifier (232) coupled with said dividing means (236) for amplifying said first portion of said first input signal (A i ) and said second portion of said second input signal (B i ), thereby producing a first intermediate signal, - a second amplifier (234) coupled with said dividing means (236) for amplifying said first portion of said second input signal (B i ) and said second portion of said first input signal (A i ), thereby producing a second intermediate signal, - reconstitution means (238) coupled with said first (232) and second (234) amplifiers for combining said first and second intermediate signals to produce said first (B i *) and second (A i *) output signals, characterized by its use in a microwave antenna system of the type including an array (20) of radiating elements (106) for producing at least one microwave beam having a preselected beam pattern, wherein said microwave antenna system includes means for producing a plurality of transmit signals respectively having various predefined amplitudes (A₁-A K ; B₁-B K ; C₁-C₇; D₁-D₇) related to said beam pattern, and - each of the first (240) and second (242) inputs of said amplifiers (130; 230) receive respectively first and second transmit signals, wherein - each of said first and second transmit signals define a pair of preselected transmit signals, such that each of said amplifiers (130; 230) receive said first transmit signal as said first input signal (A i ), and said second transmit signal as said second input signal (B i ), - the first (256) and second (258) outputs of said amplifiers (130; 230) respectively deliver pairs of amplified transmit signals as said first (B i *) and second (A i *) output signals to said array (20) of radiating elements (106).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
195 words
Transmit subsystem for use with a microwave antenna system having an array (20) of radiating elements (106), comprising - beam-forming network means for producing, from at least one transmit signal (T1-T4), a plurality of output signals having a predetermined relationship relative to one another which defines a distribution function desired for driving the array (20) of radiating elements (106) to produce at least one microwave beam having selected characteristics, - amplifying means for amplifying the plurality of output signals before the output signals are applied to the array (20), characterized in that the amplifying means include - at least a pair of first power amplifiers (232; 234) for simultaneously amplifying a selected first pair of the output signals having substantially unequal signal strength, - means (236) for dividing the selected pair of signals between the power amplifiers (232; 234) such that the power amplifiers (232; 234) substantially equally share the task of amplifying the selected pair of signals, and - means (238) for combining signals output by the power amplifiers (232; 234) to form a first pair of amplified signals which each directly correspond to a respective one of the first pair of output signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 10, characterized in that the amplifying means include a plurality of such pairs of first power amplifiers (232; 234), each such pair being arranged for simultaneously amplifying a distinct selected pair of the output signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said first power amplifiers (232; 234) have substantially equal, preferably identical, power ratings and/or are of identical design.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 12, characterized in that the amplifying means includes a plurality of second power amplifiers (134) for simultaneously amplifying selected output signals distinct from the first pair of output signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
279 words
Transmit subsystem according to any of claims 10 through 13, characterized in that the beam-forming network comprises: - At least one first line (168; 170; 172; 174) for carrying the transmit signal (T1-T4), - a set of second lines (176) spaced from one another and disposed at an angle to and crossing the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) so as to define cross-over points therewith, each of the second lines (176) being coupled to the first line () at the cross-over points (180) such that a portion of the electromagnetic energy of the transmit signal (T1-T4) carried by the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) is transferred to each of the second lines (176), each of the second lines (176) having an output adapted to be placed in electromagnetic communication with the array (20), - the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) having first (168a; 170a; 172a; 174a) and second (168b; 170b; 172b; 174b) portions spaced apart from one another and respectively defining first and second layers displaced from one another, - the set of second lines (176) having first (176a) and second (176b) subsets of second lines (176) respectively arranged adjacent to said first and second layers and respectively associated with the first (168a; 170a; 172a; 174a) and second (168b; 170b; 172b; 174b) portions of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174), such that the first subset (176a) of second lines (176) is coupled to the first portion (168a; 170a; 172a; 174a) of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174), and the second subset (176b) of second lines (176) is coupled to the second portion (168b; 170b; 172b; 174b) of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 14, characterized in that selected ones of said first subset (176a) of second lines (176) are disposed adjacent to selected ones of said second subset (176b) of second lines (176).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
144 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the transmit signal (T1-T4) is provided simultaneously to the first (168a; 170a; 172a; 174a) and second (168b; 170b; 172b; 174b) portion of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) by coupling one end of the first (168a; 170a; 172a; 174a) and second (168b; 170b; 172b; 174b) portion of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) together at a common signal splitting device (120), and the second portion (168b; 170b; 172b; 174b) of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) has a section (138) thereof having a predetermined length for providing a time delay for the transmit signal passing therethrough substantially equal to the length of the time delay experienced by the same transmit signal as it passes through the first portion ()168a; 170a; 172a; 174a of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
Transmit subsystem according to any of claims 14 through 16, wherein the portion of the electromagnetic energy of the transmit signal (T1-T4) carried by the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) and transferred to each of the second lines (176) is substantially uniform for substantially all of the cross-over points (180), characterized by means (240; 314) disposed between the outputs of the second lines (176) and the first power amplifiers (130; 230) of the amplifying means, for attenuating at least selected ones of the output signals before such selected output signals are amplified by the first power amplifiers (130; 230).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 17, characterized in that the means for attenuating (240; 314) include a distinct attenuation device for at least the majority of output signals, and characterized in that the attenuation devices have preselected attenuation values to thereby produce the desired distribution function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 18, characterized in that the means for attenuating (240; 314) includes a distinct attenuation device for substantially all of the output signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
Transmit subsystem according to any of claims 14 through 19, characterized in that the beam-forming network includes means, associated with the cross-over points (180), for passing different percentages of the transmit signal (T1-T4) of the first line (168; 170; 172; 174) to the second lines (176), thereby providing the desired distribution function.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 20, characterized in that the means for passing different percentages of the transmit signal include a cross-coupler for each cross-over point (180).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
Transmit subsystem according to claim 21, characterized in that the percentage of the transmit signals passed by the cross-couplers of adjacent second lines is generally different, and varies in a preselected manner from one second line (176) to the next second line (176), such that the desired distribution function is produced in the output signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
105 words
Transmit subsystem according to any of claims 14 through 22, characterized by - a plurality of first lines (168; 170; 172; 174) for carrying respective ones of a plurality of transmit signals (T1-T4) with each such first line (168; 170; 172; 174) having the same attributes as said at least one first line (168; 170; 172; 174), and characterized in that - the percentage of the transmit signal (T1-T4) passed at each cross-over point (180) associated with any given second line (176) is substantially the same, whereby the desired distribution function produced in the output signals is substantially the same for each transmit signal (T1-T4).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
157 words
Method for amplifying transmit signals in a microwave antenna system of the type including an array (20) of radiating elements (106) for producing at least one microwave beam having a preselected beam pattern, and means for producing a plurality of transmit signals respectively having various predefined amplitudes (A₁-A K ; B₁-B K ; C₁-C₇; D₁-D₇) related to said beam pattern, said method comprising the steps of: (A) pairing said transmit signals such that the sums of the amplitudes (A₁-A K ; B₁-B K ; C₁-C₇; D₁-D₇) of the pairs of transmit signals are essentially equal, whereby a plurality of pairs of transmit signals is set up; (B) separately amplifying each of the pairs of transmit signals by individual amplifiers (130; 230) associated with each of said pairs of transmit signals, (B1) wherein the amplification factors of all of said amplifiers (130; 230) are essentially equal; (C) feeding said pairs of amplified transmit signals to said array (20).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method according to claim 24, characterized in that step (A) includes the substep of selecting transmit signals to be paired based on the amplitudes (A₁-A K ; B₁-B K ; C₁-C₇; D₁-D₇) of said transmit signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
Method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that step (B) includes the substeps of: - delivering each of said pairs of transmit signals to a pair of inputs (240; 242) of the respectively associated amplifiers (130; 230), - amplifying the transmit signals in each pair thereof using a pair of amplifiers (232; 234) which are essentially identical.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
Method according to claim 26, characterized in that step (B) additionally includes the substeps of: - forming a first intermediate signal using a first portion of each of said transmit signals in said pair thereof, - forming a second intermediate signal using a second portion of each of said transmit signals in said pair thereof, - separately amplifying said first and second intermediate signals, and - reconstituting said pair of transmit signals in amplified form using said first and second intermediate signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method according to claim 27, characterized in that said first and second intermediate signals are formed by dividing the energy of each of said transmit signals in said pair thereof, and the step of reconstituting said pair of transmit signals is performed by reconstituting the divided energies of said transmit signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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