Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna comprising: a multiplicity of two dimensioned parallel plate contrained cylindrical lens elements arranged in a vertical stack to effect a three dimensional cylindrical lens, each said two dimensional parallel plate constrained cylindrical lens elements including a linear array of n pickup elements disposed along the inner surface thereof, a liner array of n radiating elements disposed along the outer surface thereof, each radiating element having a corresponding substantially adjacent pick up element, and a transmission line connecting each radiating element with its corresponding pick up element, A plurality of discrete feeds positioned in spaced relationship in an arc having substantially the same radius as the focal arc of said three dimensional cylindrical lens, said plurality of discrete feeds being spaced from and oriented to illuminate the inner surface of said three dimensional cylindrical lens whereby pick up elements can be illuminated from different directions along the arc of feeds to effect beam radiation from said radiating elements in the same direction, an input for receiving the output of a microwave transmitter, and switch means for selectively connecting any one of said discrete feeds to said input whereby the sequential connecting of feeds effects scanning of a beam radiating from said radiating elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna comprising: a multiplicity of two dimensioned parallel plate contrained cylindrical lens elements arranged in a vertical stack to effect a three dimensional cylindrical lens, each said two dimensional parallel plate constrained cylindrical lens elements including a linear array of n pickup elements disposed along the inner surface thereof, a liner array of n radiating elements disposed along the outer surface thereof, each radiating element having a corresponding substantially adjacent pick up element, and a transmission line connecting each radiating element with its corresponding pick up element, A plurality of discrete feeds positioned in spaced relationship in an arc having substantially the same radius as the focal arc of said three dimensional cylindrical lens, said plurality of discrete feeds being spaced from and oriented to illuminate the inner surface of said three dimensional cylindrical lens whereby pick up elements can be illuminated from different directions along the arc of feeds to effect beam radiation from said radiating elements in the same direction, an input for receiving the output of a microwave transmitter, and switch means for selectively connecting any one of said discrete feeds to said input whereby the sequential connecting of feeds effects scanning of a beam radiating from said radiating elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna as defined in claim 1 including phase shift means in each said transmission line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna as defined in claim 2 wherein each said feed member comprises a line source feed oriented parallel to the cylindrical axis of said cylindrical lens means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna as defined in claim 3 wherein said transmission lines have lengths that effect elevational scanning in response to progressively phased operation of said feed members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna as defined in claim 4 wherein said transmission lines have lengths determined by the transfer equation W=(W-W o )=(W-W o ) cos β, where W is the general ray, W o is the central ray and β is the elevation scan angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A three dimensional space fed wideband scanning microwave antenna as defined in claim 5 wherein all said transmission lines are of equal length.