US3713158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital feed system for electronic antenna array
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A scanning antenna array having plural antenna units and a digital feed system for reversibly energizing plural ones of said units in unison with groups of different fixed amplitude signals. The feed system includes fixed power dividers for generating (or receiving) the plural signals, and a multiple tier switching system for applying said different groups of signals to preselected groups of said units in a preselected or desired order.
Inventors
- 👤 F Burnham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:56
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/30; H01Q3/34; H01Q3/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A digital switching system for scanning antenna arrays comprising: a plurality of fixed power dividers arranged in given order, each having plural output lines interconnected in differing preset power division ratio to a common input, a plurality of lower tier switching means for simultaneously selecting the plural outputs of any of the fixed power dividers and applying the selected outputs to a like number of lower tier terminals in the same order, a plurality of upper tier switching matrices, equal in number to the lower tier matrices, for selectively connecting plural antenna elements of an array to a like number of upper terminals, each upper tier switching matrices having a plurality of outputs connected to different antenna elements than other matrices, and a common input selectively connectable to any one of the outputs, the adjoining outputs of each upper tier matrix being connected to nonadjoining antenna elements of the array in arithmetical progression, with each upper tier matrix staggered in order of connection with a preceeding upper tier matrix, and a plurality of intermediate tier matrices, equal in number to the upper tier matrices, for interconnecting the lower tier terminals and upper tier terminals and selectively interconnecting each lower terminal to any one of the upper terminals, thereby to interconnect the antenna elements of any selected group with the lower terminals in a desired order.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A digital switching system for scanning antenna arrays comprising: a plurality of fixed power dividers arranged in given order, each having plural output lines interconnected in differing preset power division ratio to a common input, a plurality of lower tier switching means for simultaneously selecting the plural outputs of any of the fixed power dividers and applying the selected outputs to a like number of lower tier terminals in the same order, a plurality of upper tier switching matrices, equal in number to the lower tier matrices, for selectively connecting plural antenna elements of an array to a like number of upper terminals, each upper tier switching matrices having a plurality of outputs connected to different antenna elements than other matrices, and a common input selectively connectable to any one of the outputs, the adjoining outputs of each upper tier matrix being connected to nonadjoining antenna elements of the array in arithmetical progression, with each upper tier matrix staggered in order of connection with a preceeding upper tier matrix, and a plurality of intermediate tier matrices, equal in number to the upper tier matrices, for interconnecting the lower tier terminals and upper tier terminals and selectively interconnecting each lower terminal to any one of the upper terminals, thereby to interconnect the antenna elements of any selected group with the lower terminals in a desired order.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
In the switching system of claim 1, at leAst two power dividers each having at least two outputs, at least two lower tier matrices, at least two upper tier matrices and at least two intermediate tier matrices; said antenna array having at least three elements and said multiple tier matrices being actuable to sequentially interconnect the two outputs of each power divider to each adjoining pair of antenna elements in regular order.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the switching system of claim 1, eight power dividers, each having four outputs, four lower tier matrices, four upper tier matrices, and said antenna array having 256 elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the switching system of claim 1, said lower tier switching matrices being interconnected for operation in unison and said intermediate tier matrices being interconnected for operation in unison.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A digital feed system for interconnecting groups of antenna elements of an array in unison successively with plural groups of power dividers comprising: a plurality of power dividers each having plural output lines providing different ratios of power division, switching means for selectively interconnecting to the output lines of any divider, and antenna element selecting switches for selecting any group of a plurality of adjoining elements and applying these to the plural output lines of the selected power divider in regular order.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A digital feed system for interconnecting groups of antenna elements of an array in unison successively with plural groups of power dividers comprising: a plurality of power dividers each having plural output lines providing different ratios of power division, switching means for selectively interconnecting to the output lines of any divider, and antenna element selecting switches for selecting any group of a plurality of adjoining elements and applying these to the plural output lines of the selected power divider in regular order.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |