Simultaneous multiple beam antenna array matrix and method thereof

Claim 2

In a simultaneous multiple beam antenna array matrix including a Butler matrix having 3 m ·2 n input ports and 3 m ·2 n output ports, where m and n are any whole positive integer either of which may include zero, a method of maximizing the power output for a predetermined side lobe level comprising the steps of: (a) shifting the phases of signals at the 3 m ·2 n output ports in a fixed phase progression of approximately 180° divided by the number of output ports to locate one multiple beam approximately along the array axis; and (b) combining portions of the one beam with each adjacent beam to produce resultant adjacent beams with an amplitude taper providing a predetermined amplitude of side lobe and approximately maximizing the efficiency.

Claim 3

In a simultaneous multiple beam antenna array matrix including a Butler matrix having eight input ports and eight output ports, a method of maximizing the efficiency for a side lobe level at least 15 dB down comprising the steps of: (a) shifting the phases of signals at the eight output ports in a fixed phase progression of approximately 22.5° to provide phase progressions of approximately 0°, ±45°, ±90°, ±135° and 180° at the eight output ports; and (b) combining inputs to alter the phase progressions to approximately ±35° and ±105°.

Claim 4

In a simultaneous multiple beam antenna array matrix including a Butler matrix having eight input ports and eight output ports, a method of maximizing the efficiency for a side lobe level at least 15 dB down comprising the steps of: (a) shifting the phases of signals at the eight output ports in a fixed phase progression of approximately 22.5° to provide phase progressions of approximately 0°, ±45°, ±90°, ±135° and 180° at the eight output ports; and (b) combining inputs to alter the phase progressions to approximately ±35° and ±105°.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the combining step includes supplying approximately twice as much power to the 90° beam as is applied to the 135° beam to provide a resultant phase progression of 105°, supplying approximately twice as much power to the -90° beam as is supplied to the -135° beam to provide a resultant phase progression of -105°, supplying approximately nine times as much power to the 45° beam as is supplied to the 0° beam to provide a resultant phase progression of 35°, and supplying approximately nine times as much power to the -45° beam as is supplied to the 0° beam to provide a resultant phase progression of -35°.

Claim 6

An antenna array matrix for simultaneously providing multiple beams, said matrix comprising: (a) a Butler matrix having 3 m ·2 n input ports and 3 m ·2 n output ports, where m and n are any whole positive integer either of which may include zero; (b) phase shifting means connected to the 3 m ·2 n output ports of said Butler matrix for introducing a phase shift in a fixed phase progression of approximately 180° divided by the number of output ports; (c) means for combining the 3 m ·2 n input ports for providing resultant output beams that have an amplitude taper resulting in a predetermined amplitude of sidelobes with approximately a maximization of efficiency.

Claim 7

An antenna array matrix for simultaneously providing multiple beams, said matrix comprising: (a) a Butler matrix having 3 m ·2 n input ports and 3 m ·2 n output ports, where m and n are any whole positive integer either of which may include zero; (b) phase shifting means connected to the 3 m ·2 n output ports of said Butler matrix for introducing a phase shift in a fixed phase progression of approximately 180° divided by the number of output ports; (c) means for combining the 3 m ·2 n input ports for providing resultant output beams that have an amplitude taper resulting in a predetermined amplitude of sidelobes with approximately a maximization of efficiency.

Claim 8

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 4 wherein the matrix includes at least 8 input and output ports, the sidelobe level is at least 15 dB down and the input ports are combined to produce beams positioned at approximately ±11.25° and ±33.75° with antenna elements spaced λ/2 apart.

Claim 9

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 4 wherein the Butler matrix and the combining means include 4 port quadrature couplers.

Claim 10

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 4 wherein the combining means includes an additional row of couplers combining adjacent beams with unequal amounts of power.

Claim 11

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 7 wherein the antenna array matrix is formed as a four layer strip line assembly.

Claim 12

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 8 wherein the phase shifting means includes a differential line length between quadrature couplers for providing the required phase shift.

Claim 13

An antenna array matrix for simultaneously providing multiple beams, said matrix comprising a Butler matrix having at least 3 input ports and a similar number of output ports, said Butler matrix including at least one six port junction with first and second 3 dB quadrature couplers, a 4.78 dB quadrature coupler, and fixed 90° phase shift means, one output port of said first 3 dB coupler being coupled to an input port of said second 3 dB coupler through said 90° phase shift means, one output port of said first 3 dB coupler being coupled to an input port of said 4.78 dB coupler, one output port of said 4.78 dB coupler being coupled to a second input port of said second 3 dB coupler, one output port of said second 3 db coupler forming an output port of said six port junction, a second output port of said second 3 dB coupler forming a second output port of said six port junction, and a second output port of said 4.78 dB coupler forming the third output port of said six port junction.

Claim 14

An antenna array matrix for simultaneously providing multiple beams, said matrix comprising a Butler matrix having at least 3 input ports and a similar number of output ports, said Butler matrix including at least one six port junction with first and second 3 dB quadrature couplers, a 4.78 dB quadrature coupler, and fixed 90° phase shift means, one output port of said first 3 dB coupler being coupled to an input port of said second 3 dB coupler through said 90° phase shift means, one output port of said first 3 dB coupler being coupled to an input port of said 4.78 dB coupler, one output port of said 4.78 dB coupler being coupled to a second input port of said second 3 dB coupler, one output port of said second 3 db coupler forming an output port of said six port junction, a second output port of said second 3 dB coupler forming a second output port of said six port junction, and a second output port of said 4.78 dB coupler forming the third output port of said six port junction.

Claim 15

An antenna array matrix comprising a two dimensional six port junction including first and second 3 dB quadrature couplers and a 4.78 db quadrature coupler connected by means of phase shifting lines to provide a 120° phase progression and equal power division.

Claim 16

An antenna array matrix comprising a two dimensional six port junction including first and second 3 dB quadrature couplers and a 4.78 db quadrature coupler connected by means of phase shifting lines to provide a 120° phase progression and equal power division.

Claim 17

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 11 wherein the six port junction is bilateral and the phase shifting lines include a 45° line connected between a port of each of the 3 dB couplers and two ports of the 4.78 dB coupler, and two 105° lines and two 75° lines connected one each to two different ports of each of the 3 dB couplers, respectively.

Claim 18

An antenna array matrix as claimed in claim 11 wherein the couplers are parallel line couplers and the phase shifting lines include a 90° line connected between a port of each of the 3 dB couplers and two ports of the 4.78 dB coupler, a 30° line connected to a port of each of the 3 dB couplers and two -30° lines connected one each to two ports of the 4.78 dB coupler.