Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A cylindrically shaped printed airborne doppler radar antenna array for generating up to four beams symmetrical about its transverse axis comprising: a. a plurality of strip radiators symmetrically disposed about a cylindrical locus; b. a first Butler matrix having inputs adapted to be coupled to suitable radar circuitry for scanning said strip radiators; c. a first plurality of printed phase shifters coupled to outputs of said first Butler matrix for focusing a beam in one of a plurality of scan positions; d. a second Butler matrix having its inputs coupled to said printed phase shifters and having its output coupled to one end of said plurality of strip radiators for acting as a mode generating matrix; e. a third Butler matrix having inputs adapted to be coupled to said radar circuitry for scanning said strip radiators; f. a second plurality of printed fixed phase shifters coupled to outputs of said third Butler matrix for focusing a beam in one of a plurality of scan positions; and g. a fourth Butler matrix having its inputs coupled to said second plurality of printed fixed phase shifters and having its output coupled to the other end of said radiators for acting as a mode generating matrix, both said first and third Butler matrices having at least two inputs, whereby by selectively exciting the four inputs thereby provided, any one of four beams symmetrically disposed about the transverse axis of said antenna can be generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A cylindrically shaped printed airborne doppler radar antenna array for generating up to four beams symmetrical about its transverse axis comprising: a. a plurality of strip radiators symmetrically disposed about a cylindrical locus; b. a first Butler matrix having inputs adapted to be coupled to suitable radar circuitry for scanning said strip radiators; c. a first plurality of printed phase shifters coupled to outputs of said first Butler matrix for focusing a beam in one of a plurality of scan positions; d. a second Butler matrix having its inputs coupled to said printed phase shifters and having its output coupled to one end of said plurality of strip radiators for acting as a mode generating matrix; e. a third Butler matrix having inputs adapted to be coupled to said radar circuitry for scanning said strip radiators; f. a second plurality of printed fixed phase shifters coupled to outputs of said third Butler matrix for focusing a beam in one of a plurality of scan positions; and g. a fourth Butler matrix having its inputs coupled to said second plurality of printed fixed phase shifters and having its output coupled to the other end of said radiators for acting as a mode generating matrix, both said first and third Butler matrices having at least two inputs, whereby by selectively exciting the four inputs thereby provided, any one of four beams symmetrically disposed about the transverse axis of said antenna can be generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein the antenna is adapted to be mounted on the outside surface of an aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The antenna as recited in claim 1 further comprising a planar substrate, and wherein said Butler matrices and said strip radiators are affixed to said planar substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of pencil beams are generated, said beams being symmetrically located about a centerline orthogonal to the said strip radiators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said radiators are traveling wave arrays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip radiators and Butler matrices and phase shifters are photoetched in manner commonly known as Microstrip lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip radiators, Butler matrices and phase shifters are photoetched in manner commonly known as Stripline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The antenna as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip radiators, Butler matrices and phase shifters are photoetched and constructed partly in the manner known as stripline and partly in the manner known as Microstrips.