US3906502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bilateral series feed for array antennas
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-03-08
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A bidirectional array antenna system is disclosed, of series feed type, which provides two differently directed arrays each capable of forming and steering transmit and receive beams through an angular sector, and which requires but a single set of elemental phase shifters and drivers for forming and steering the two beams. This is accomplished by bilateral use of the elemental phase shifters in the beamforming operations of both arrays while maintaining isolation between arrays by use of the characteristic orthogonality of series feeds to wave energy with phase gradients unmatched to the feed. The two beams may be thus formed and steered either simultaneously or in time alternation, through the angular sectors for which the respective arrays are oriented.
Inventors
- 👤 Terrence E Connolly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/0006; H01Q21/0037; H01Q21/0043; H01Q21/005; H01Q25/00; H01Q25/005; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/30; H01Q3/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
In combination in a phased array radiator system providing bidirectional first and second wave energy beams, a. a plurality of radiation elements arranged in paired relation with the first elements of said pairs together constituting a first ordered array for forming said first beam and with the second elements of said pairs constituting a second ordered array for forming said second beam, b. a plurality of branch feed lines one being connected between the two elements of each of said radiation element pairs, c. a plurality of phase shift means one being interposed in each of said branch feed lines to control independently the phase of wave energy passed therethrough, d. first and second transmission lines, e. a plurality of directional coupling means spaced along each of said transmission lines, with the coupling means associated with said first transmission line intercoupling that line with each of said branch feed lines at points therein between said phase shift means and said second radiation elements, and with the coupling means associated with said second transmission line intercoupling that line and each of said branch feed lines at points therein between said phase shift means and said first radiation elements, and f. transmit-receive means and means for coupling said transmission lines thereto for providing thereto or therefrom signals representative of the two wave energy beams respectively formed by said first and said second ordered arrays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
In combination in a phased array radiator system providing bidirectional first and second wave energy beams, a. a plurality of radiation elements arranged in paired relation with the first elements of said pairs together constituting a first ordered array for forming said first beam and with the second elements of said pairs constituting a second ordered array for forming said second beam, b. a plurality of branch feed lines one being connected between the two elements of each of said radiation element pairs, c. a plurality of phase shift means one being interposed in each of said branch feed lines to control independently the phase of wave energy passed therethrough, d. first and second transmission lines, e. a plurality of directional coupling means spaced along each of said transmission lines, with the coupling means associated with said first transmission line intercoupling that line with each of said branch feed lines at points therein between said phase shift means and said second radiation elements, and with the coupling means associated with said second transmission line intercoupling that line and each of said branch feed lines at points therein between said phase shift means and said first radiation elements, and f. transmit-receive means and means for coupling said transmission lines thereto for providing thereto or therefrom signals representative of the two wave energy beams respectively formed by said first and said second ordered arrays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A phased array radiator system as defined in claim 1 wherein said phase shift means are adjustable to variably control the phase of wave energy passed therethrough, to thereby provide control of the direction of each of said first and second wave energy beams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A phased array radiator system as defined in claim 2 wherein the spacing of said directional coupling means along their respective transmission lines is such that wave energy applied through one of said transmission lines is orthogonally phased with respect to the other of said transmission lines, whereby said first and second beams may be steered through a sector of substantial angular width with relatively small coupling between the two transmission lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A phased array radiator system as defined in claim 2 wherein said phase shift means are reciprocal in operation whereby said first and second beams may be formed simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A phased array radiator system as defined in claim 2 wherein said phase shift means are non-reciprocal in operation and said first and second beams are formed in time alternation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A phased array radiator system as defined in claim 1 further including third and fourth transmission lines and directional coupling means intercoupling said third and fourth transmission lines with at least some of said branch feed lines at points between said phase shift means and said first and second transmission lines, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
For providing 360* coverage, an assemblage of three of the phased array radiator systems of claim 1 oriented at angles of 120* with respect to each other so as to place the projected aperture of each of the six beams formed thereby outside those of the others within their respective 60* sectors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3295134A
Cited
US3509577A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |