Planar radial array with controllable quasi-optical lens

Claim 2

A power-dividing apparatus including: a radial line power-dividing means including an input port and n output ports, said radial line power-dividing means being operative to divide an input signal of a predetermined power level applied to the input port into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports; and a stripline power-dividing means including n input connections directly coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means, m output connections, m being greater than n, and a plurality of individual power-dividing conductor arrangements connected between the n input connections and the m output connections, each of said power-dividing conductor arrangements including a first conductor connected to one of the n input connections and a number of additional conductors connected to the first conductor and to a corresponding number of the m output connections, the number of additional conductors in each of the individual power-dividing conductor arrangements having a value of one or greater, the total number of additional conductors for the plurality of power-dividing conductor arrangements being equal to m, each of the m output connections having one of the total number of additional conductors connected thereto, whereby m output signals of varying power levels are provided at the m output connections in response to the =n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means being received at the n input connections.

Claim 3

A power feed apparatus including the power-dividing apparatus of claim 1 and further including: a signal source adapted to apply an input signal of a predetermined power level to the input port of the radial line power-dividing means.

Claim 4

A power feed apparatus comprising: a signal source for providing an input signal of a predetermined power level; a radial line power-dividing means including: a. an input port coupled to the signal source and adapted to receive the input signal of the predetermined power level; b. a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including a plurality of portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a predetermined distance from the input port and each of the ports of each group being spaced from the central axis a different distance than each of the ports of the other groups; and c. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the groups of output ports whereby the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each group of output ports being established by the predetermined distance in the direCtion of the central axis of the groups of output ports from the input port; and a stripline power-dividing means including a plurality of power-dividing conductor means coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means and operative to receive the n output signals from the n output ports and to provide m output signals of varying power levels at m output connections, m being greater than n.

Claim 5

A power feed apparatus comprising: a signal source for providing an input signal of a predetermined power level; a radial line power-dividing means including: a. an input port coupled to the signal source and adapted to receive the input signal of the predetermined power level; b. a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including a plurality of portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a predetermined distance from the input port and each of the ports of each group being spaced from the central axis a different distance than each of the ports of the other groups; and c. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the groups of output ports whereby the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each group of output ports being established by the predetermined distance in the direCtion of the central axis of the groups of output ports from the input port; and a stripline power-dividing means including a plurality of power-dividing conductor means coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means and operative to receive the n output signals from the n output ports and to provide m output signals of varying power levels at m output connections, m being greater than n.

Claim 6

A power feed apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the heights of the portions of the member are selected such that a different percentage of the power of the input signal is distributed to each group of output ports.

Claim 7

A power feed apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the number of groups of output ports and the pattern of each group of output ports, the number and spacing of the output ports of each group, and the heights of the portions of the member are selected such that the power of the input signal is divided into n signal portions of equal value at the n output ports.

Claim 8

A power feed apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the radial line power-dividing means further comprises: a plurality of spacer means each of a predetermined thickness and coaxial with the central axis, each of said spacer means being secured to the surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of portions in a region adjacent to the group of output ports provided in the portion, the thickness of each spacer means being selected such that an upper surface thereof is flush with the surface of the adjacent portion; a plurality of contact plate means each coaxial with the central axis and each secured both to the upper surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of spacer means and to the surface of the portion adjacent to and flush with the spacer means, each of said contact plate means being adapted to receive power from the input port; m probe means disposed within the n output ports and in direct contact with the plurality of contact plate means and operable in response to the contact plate means receiving power from the input port to sense the power received by the contact plate means and to couple out n signals from the n output ports.

Claim 9

A radial line power divider including: an input port adapted to receive an input signal of a predetermined power level; a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including: a. a plurality of portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a predetermined distance from the input port and each of the ports of each group being spaced from the central axis a different distance than each of the ports of the other groups; and b. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the groups of output ports whereby the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each group of output ports being established by the predetermined distance in the direction of the central axis of the groups of output ports from the input port.

Claim 10

A radial line power divider including: an input port adapted to receive an input signal of a predetermined power level; a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including: a. a plurality of portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a predetermined distance from the input port and each of the ports of each group being spaced from the central axis a different distance than each of the ports of the other groups; and b. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the groups of output ports whereby the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each group of output ports being established by the predetermined distance in the direction of the central axis of the groups of output ports from the input port.

Claim 11

A radial line power divider in accordance with claim 7 wherein the heights of the portions of the member are selected such that a different percentage of the power of the input signal is distributed to each group of output ports.

Claim 12

A radial line power divider in accordance with claim 7 wherein the number of groups of output ports and the pattern of each group of output ports, the number and spacing of the output ports of each group, and the heights of the Portions of the member are selected such that the power of the input signal is divided into n signal portions of equal value at the n output ports.

Claim 13

A radial line power divider in accordance with claim 7 wherein the radial line power-dividing means further comprises: a plurality of spacer means each of a predetermined thickness and coaxial with the central axis, each of said spacer means being secured to the surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of portions in a region adjacent to the group of output ports provided in the portion, the thickness of each spacer means being selected such that an upper surface thereof is flush with the surface of the adjacent portion; a plurality of contact plate means coaxial with the central axis and each secured both to the upper surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of spacer means and to the surface of the portion adjacent to and flush with the spacer means, each of said contact plate means being adapted to receive power from the input port; and n probe means disposed within the n output ports and in direct contact with the plurality of contact plate means and operable in response to the contact plate means receiving power from the input port to sense the power received by the contact plate means and to couple out n signals from the n output ports.

Claim 14

A phased-array antenna system comprising: a signal source for providing an input signal of a predetermined power level; a radial line power-dividing means including an input port coupled to the signal source and n output ports, said radial line power-dividing means being operative to divide the input signal from the signal source into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports; a stripline power-dividing means including n input connections directly coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means, m output connections, m being greater than n, and a plurality of individual power-dividing conductor arrangements connected between the n input connections and the m output connections, each of said power-dividing conductor arrangements including a first conductor connected to one of the n input connections and a number of additional conductors connected to the first conductor and to a corresponding number of the m output connections, the number of additional conductors in each of the individual power-dividing conductor arrangements having a value of one or greater, the total number of additional conductors for the plurality of power-dividing conductor arrangements being equal to m, each of the m output connections having one of the total number of additional conductors connected thereto, whereby m output signals of varying power levels are provided at the m output connections in response to the n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means being received at the n input connections; m phase-shifting means coupled to the m output connections of the stripline power-dividing means and adapted to receive the m output signals of varying power levels from the m connections and in response to steering command signals from a control means to phase shift each of the signals received thereby by a predetermined amount; an array of m antenna elements coupled to the m phase-shifting means; and a control means adapted to apply steering command signals to the m phase-shifting means to cause the signals received thereby to be shifted by controlled amounts whereby a desired phase front is established across the antenna array.

Claim 15

A phased-array antenna system comprising: a signal source for providing an input signal of a predetermined power level; a radial line power-dividing means including an input port coupled to the signal source and n output ports, said radial line power-dividing means being operative to divide the input signal from the signal source into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports; a stripline power-dividing means including n input connections directly coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means, m output connections, m being greater than n, and a plurality of individual power-dividing conductor arrangements connected between the n input connections and the m output connections, each of said power-dividing conductor arrangements including a first conductor connected to one of the n input connections and a number of additional conductors connected to the first conductor and to a corresponding number of the m output connections, the number of additional conductors in each of the individual power-dividing conductor arrangements having a value of one or greater, the total number of additional conductors for the plurality of power-dividing conductor arrangements being equal to m, each of the m output connections having one of the total number of additional conductors connected thereto, whereby m output signals of varying power levels are provided at the m output connections in response to the n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means being received at the n input connections; m phase-shifting means coupled to the m output connections of the stripline power-dividing means and adapted to receive the m output signals of varying power levels from the m connections and in response to steering command signals from a control means to phase shift each of the signals received thereby by a predetermined amount; an array of m antenna elements coupled to the m phase-shifting means; and a control means adapted to apply steering command signals to the m phase-shifting means to cause the signals received thereby to be shifted by controlled amounts whereby a desired phase front is established across the antenna array.

Claim 16

A phased-array antenna system comprising: a signal source for providing an input signal of a predetermined power level; a radial line power-dividing means including: a. an input port coupled to the signal source and adaptEd to receive the input signal of the predetermined power level; b. a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including a plurality of portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a predetermined distance from the input port and each of the ports of each group being spaced from the central axis a different distance than each of the ports of the other groups; and c. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the groups of output ports whereby the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each group of output ports being established by the predetermined distance in the direction of the central axis of the groups of output ports from the input port; and a stripline power-dividing means including a plurality of individual power dividers coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means and capable of providing different amounts of power division, said individual power dividers being operative to receive the n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means and to provide m output signals of varying power levels at m output connections, m being greater than n; m phase-shifting means coupled to the m output connections of the stripline power-dividing means and adapted to receive the m output signals of varying power levels from the m output connections and in response to steering command signals from a control means to phase shift each of the signals received thereby by a predetermined amount; an array of m antenna elements coupled to the m phase-shifting means; and a control means adapted to apply steering command signals to the m phase-shifting means to cause the signals received thereby to be shifted by controlled amounts whereby a desired phase front is established across the antenna array.

Claim 17

A phased-array antenna system comprising: a signal source for providing an input signal of a predetermined power level; a radial line power-dividing means including: a. an input port coupled to the signal source and adaptEd to receive the input signal of the predetermined power level; b. a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including a plurality of portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a predetermined distance from the input port and each of the ports of each group being spaced from the central axis a different distance than each of the ports of the other groups; and c. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the groups of output ports whereby the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each group of output ports being established by the predetermined distance in the direction of the central axis of the groups of output ports from the input port; and a stripline power-dividing means including a plurality of individual power dividers coupled to the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means and capable of providing different amounts of power division, said individual power dividers being operative to receive the n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power-dividing means and to provide m output signals of varying power levels at m output connections, m being greater than n; m phase-shifting means coupled to the m output connections of the stripline power-dividing means and adapted to receive the m output signals of varying power levels from the m output connections and in response to steering command signals from a control means to phase shift each of the signals received thereby by a predetermined amount; an array of m antenna elements coupled to the m phase-shifting means; and a control means adapted to apply steering command signals to the m phase-shifting means to cause the signals received thereby to be shifted by controlled amounts whereby a desired phase front is established across the antenna array.

Claim 18

A phased-array antenna system in accordance with claim 12 wherein the heights of the portions of the member are selected such that a different percentage of the power of the input signal is distributed to each group of output ports.

Claim 19

A phased-array antenna system in accordance with claim 12 wherein the number of groups of output ports and the pattern of each group of output ports, the number and spacing of the output ports of each group, and the heights of the portions of the member are selected such that the power of the input signal is divided into n signal portions of equal value at the n output ports.

Claim 20

A phased-array antenna system in accordance with claim 12 wherein the radial line power-dividing means further comprises: a plurality of spacer means each of a predetermined thickness and coaxial with the central axis, each of said spacer means being secured to the surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of portions in a region adjacent to the group of output ports provided in the portion, the thickness of each spacer means being selected such that an upper surface thereof is flush with the surface of the adjacent portion; a plurality of contact plate means each coaxial with the central axis and each secured both to the upper surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of spacer means and to the surface of the portion adjacent to and flush with the spacer means, each of said contact plate means being adapted to receive power from the input port; and n probe means disposed within the n output ports and in direct contact with the pluRality of contact plate means and operable in response to the contact plate means receiving power from the input port to sense the power received by the contact plate means and to couple out n signals from the n output ports.

Claim 21

A monopulse phased-array antenna system comprising: a multimode hybrid launcher comprising: a. a folded E-plane magic-tee including a sum port, an elevation difference port, and an output port; and b. an orthomode transducer coupled to the output port of the folded E-plane magic-tee and including an azimuth difference port and an output port; said multimode hybrid launcher being operative in a transmit mode of operation to transfer a signal of a predetermined power level applied to the sum port of the folded E-plane magic-tee to the output port of the orthomode transducer; a radial line power divider including: c. an input port adapted to receive the signal provided at the output port of the orthomode transducer; d. a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including: e. a plurality of flat circular portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a ring pattern, the radii of the rings of output ports being different, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a different distance from the input port; f. a plurality of flat spacer rings coaxial with the central axis and each of a different thickness, each of said spacer rings being secured to the surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of portions in a region adjacent to the ring of output ports provided in the portion, the thicknesses of the spacer rings increasing with increasing radii of the rings of output ports, an upper surface of each spacer ring being flush with the surface of the adjacent portion; g. a plurality of flat contact rings each coaxial with the central axis and each secured both to the upper surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of spacer rings and to the surface of the portion adjacent to and flush with the spacer ring, each of the contact rings being adapted to receive power from the input port; h. n probes disposed within the n output ports and in direct contact with the plurality of contact rings and operable in response to the contact rings receiving power from the input port to sense the power received by the contact rings and to couple out n signals from the n output ports; and i. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the rings of output ports; the number of rings of output ports and the number and spacing of the output ports of each ring being selected whereby in the transmit mode of operation the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each ring of output ports increasing with increasing radii of the rings of output ports; a stripline power divider including a plurality of individual power dividers coupled to the n probes and capable of providing different amounts of power division, said individual power dividers being operative in the transmit mode of operation to receive the n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power divider and to provide m output signals of varying power levels at m output connections, m being greater than n; m transitions connected to the m output connections of the stripline power divider for transferring the m output signals of varying power level from the m output connections; m latching, analog, nonreciprocal phase shifters connected to the m transitions and adapted to receive the m output signals of varying power levels from the m output connections and in response to steering command signals from an electronic beam-steering control unit to phase shift each of the signals received thereby by a predetermined amount; an array of m antenna elements coupled to the m phase shifters; and an electronic beam-steering control unit operative in the transmit mode of operation to apply individual steering command signals to the phase shifters to cause the signals received thereby to be shifted by controlled amounts whereby a desired phase front is established across the antenna array; said array of m antenna elements being operative in a receive mode of operation to receive monopulse signals from a target, said signals being combined by the stripline power divider and the radial line power divider to form a sum signal, an elevation difference signal, and an azimuth difference signal at the output port of the orthomode transducer, said sum signal, elevation difference signal, and azimuth difference signal being applied by the orthomode transducer to the sum port, elevation difference port, and azimuth difference port, respectively, of the multimode hybrid launcher.

Claim 22

A monopulse phased-array antenna system comprising: a multimode hybrid launcher comprising: a. a folded E-plane magic-tee including a sum port, an elevation difference port, and an output port; and b. an orthomode transducer coupled to the output port of the folded E-plane magic-tee and including an azimuth difference port and an output port; said multimode hybrid launcher being operative in a transmit mode of operation to transfer a signal of a predetermined power level applied to the sum port of the folded E-plane magic-tee to the output port of the orthomode transducer; a radial line power divider including: c. an input port adapted to receive the signal provided at the output port of the orthomode transducer; d. a member spaced from the input port and symmetrical about a central axis, said member including: e. a plurality of flat circular portions coaxial with the central axis and each of a predetermined height in the direction of the central axis, each of said portions having a group of substantially equally spaced output ports provided therein in accordance with a ring pattern, the radii of the rings of output ports being different, the total number of output ports being equal to n, each of the groups of output ports being spaced in the direction of the central axis a different distance from the input port; f. a plurality of flat spacer rings coaxial with the central axis and each of a different thickness, each of said spacer rings being secured to the surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of portions in a region adjacent to the ring of output ports provided in the portion, the thicknesses of the spacer rings increasing with increasing radii of the rings of output ports, an upper surface of each spacer ring being flush with the surface of the adjacent portion; g. a plurality of flat contact rings each coaxial with the central axis and each secured both to the upper surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of spacer rings and to the surface of the portion adjacent to and flush with the spacer ring, each of the contact rings being adapted to receive power from the input port; h. n probes disposed within the n output ports and in direct contact with the plurality of contact rings and operable in response to the contact rings receiving power from the input port to sense the power received by the contact rings and to couple out n signals from the n output ports; and i. means for coupling the input signal from the input port to the rings of output ports; the number of rings of output ports and the number and spacing of the output ports of each ring being selected whereby in the transmit mode of operation the input signal is divided into n output signals of reduced power level at the n output ports, the percentage of the power of the input signal distributed to each ring of output ports increasing with increasing radii of the rings of output ports; a stripline power divider including a plurality of individual power dividers coupled to the n probes and capable of providing different amounts of power division, said individual power dividers being operative in the transmit mode of operation to receive the n output signals from the n output ports of the radial line power divider and to provide m output signals of varying power levels at m output connections, m being greater than n; m transitions connected to the m output connections of the stripline power divider for transferring the m output signals of varying power level from the m output connections; m latching, analog, nonreciprocal phase shifters connected to the m transitions and adapted to receive the m output signals of varying power levels from the m output connections and in response to steering command signals from an electronic beam-steering control unit to phase shift each of the signals received thereby by a predetermined amount; an array of m antenna elements coupled to the m phase shifters; and an electronic beam-steering control unit operative in the transmit mode of operation to apply individual steering command signals to the phase shifters to cause the signals received thereby to be shifted by controlled amounts whereby a desired phase front is established across the antenna array; said array of m antenna elements being operative in a receive mode of operation to receive monopulse signals from a target, said signals being combined by the stripline power divider and the radial line power divider to form a sum signal, an elevation difference signal, and an azimuth difference signal at the output port of the orthomode transducer, said sum signal, elevation difference signal, and azimuth difference signal being applied by the orthomode transducer to the sum port, elevation difference port, and azimuth difference port, respectively, of the multimode hybrid launcher.