US5093667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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T/R module with error correction
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-16
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Granted: 1992-03-03
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Expires: 2009-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A C-band transmit-receive module for an active aperture radar is provided employing gallium arsenide chips preferably manufactured by the Multifunction Self-Aligned Gate process and employing both open and closed loop error correction for both phase and amplitude to correct for errors due to temperature, power supply variations, operating bandwidth and phase states. In a second embodiment a power output amplifier is provided employing predriver, driver and power amplifier stages wherein the power amplifier or the power amplifier and the driver may be switched out of the circuit if not needed. The bias on the amplifier may also be lowered if not needed. This is done to increase efficiency and reduce temperature. In both embodiments class B amplifier are preferred.
Inventors
- 👤 Constantine Andricos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/03; G01S7/032; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/0006; H01Q21/0025; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0211; H03F1/0244; H03F1/0261; H03F1/32; H03F1/3241; H03F1/3247; H03F1/3282; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/294; H03F2200/372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
In a phased array radar system wherein microwave power is separately amplified for each antenna aperture rather than being split from a common source a transmit-receive module for inclusion in each aperture channel comprising: a first set of terminals of a T/R switching means, a phase shifter, a programmable attenuator, a buffer amplifier, a second set of terminals on said switching means and a power output amplifier connected in series as recited between a transmitter input terminal and a circulator in a transmit position of said switching means; means connecting said circulator to an antenna aperture; a third set of terminals on said T/R switching means, a low noise amplifier, a second position of said first set of terminals, said phase shifter, said programmable attenuator, said buffer amplifier, and a second position of said second set of terminals connected in series as recited between said antenna aperture and a receiver output terminal in a receive position of said switching means, said third set of terminals being connected between said circulator and ground in the transmit position; controller means for providing both closed loop digital and analog phase correction factors to said phase shifter and a closed loop correction factor to said programmable attenuator in order to correct both transmitted and received signals for short term variations over phase states, attenuation range, frequency and temperature employing phase, frequency, temperature and amplitude correction inputs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a phased array radar system wherein microwave power is separately amplified for each antenna aperture rather than being split from a common source a transmit-receive module for inclusion in each aperture channel comprising: a first set of terminals of a T/R switching means, a phase shifter, a programmable attenuator, a buffer amplifier, a second set of terminals on said switching means and a power output amplifier connected in series as recited between a transmitter input terminal and a circulator in a transmit position of said switching means; means connecting said circulator to an antenna aperture; a third set of terminals on said T/R switching means, a low noise amplifier, a second position of said first set of terminals, said phase shifter, said programmable attenuator, said buffer amplifier, and a second position of said second set of terminals connected in series as recited between said antenna aperture and a receiver output terminal in a receive position of said switching means, said third set of terminals being connected between said circulator and ground in the transmit position; controller means for providing both closed loop digital and analog phase correction factors to said phase shifter and a closed loop correction factor to said programmable attenuator in order to correct both transmitted and received signals for short term variations over phase states, attenuation range, frequency and temperature employing phase, frequency, temperature and amplitude correction inputs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 1 employing means for open loop correction in said controller wherein an EEPROM stores all the open loop correction terms which are inputted during calibration of the module for long term corrections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 1 in which said first set of terminals is a double pole double throw switch which in said transmit position connects said transmitter input terminal to the input of said phase shifter and in said receive position connects the output of said low noise amplifier to the input of said phase shifter and the output of said buffer amplifier to the transmitter input terminal which in this mode functions as a receiver output terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 2 in which said first set of terminals is a double pole double throw switch which in said transmit position connects said transmitter input terminal to the input of said phase shifter and in said receive position connects the output of said low noise amplifier to the input of said phase shifter and the output of said buffer amplifier to the transmitter input terminal which in this mode functions as a receiver output terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 3 in which said programmable attenuator constitutes an analog attenuator for receipt of analog correction information from said controller and a digital attenuator in series therewith for receipt of digital correction information from said controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
173 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 5 in which said power output amplifier comprises a predriver amplifier, a driver amplifier and a power amplifier connected in series from a transmit terminal of said second set of terminals through a set of terminals on a fourth switching means to said circulator, said fourth switching means being on a single pole triple throw switch and having a fixed terminal connected to said circulator and three moveable terminals each connected to one of the outputs of said predriver, driver and power amplifiers with the connection to said power amplifier being direct and the connections to the driver and predriver amplifiers each being through an additional single pole double throw switch; and an EPROM in said controller for switching said additional single pole double throw switches and said fourth switching means in order to switch said power amplifier or said power amplifier and driver amplifier out of series if not needed in order to reduce power consumption and temperature caused by the large number of T/R modules employed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 6 in which a controller switch is connected on one side to the bias connections on said predriver, driver and power amplifiers and on the other side to at least two different power levels and means in said controller for switching said controller switch for changing the bias on said bias connections to reduce it when possible again to reduce power consumption and temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
An amplifier consisting of a plurality of amplifiers each having a bias connection connected in series with means for selectively switching one or more of said amplifiers out of said series if not needed, and switching means connected between a power source and said bias connections for reducing the bias when possible in order to reduce power consumption and temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
An amplifier consisting of a plurality of amplifiers each having a bias connection connected in series with means for selectively switching one or more of said amplifiers out of said series if not needed, and switching means connected between a power source and said bias connections for reducing the bias when possible in order to reduce power consumption and temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
An amplifier consisting of a predriver amplifier, a driver amplifier and a power amplifier connected in series with means for switching said power amplifier, or said driver amplifier and said power amplifier, out of said series if not needed; bias connections on said predriver, driver and power amplifiers; and switching means connected between a power source and said bias connections for reducing the bias when possible in order to reduce power consumption and temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
An amplifier consisting of a predriver amplifier, a driver amplifier and a power amplifier connected in series with means for switching said power amplifier, or said driver amplifier and said power amplifier, out of said series if not needed; bias connections on said predriver, driver and power amplifiers; and switching means connected between a power source and said bias connections for reducing the bias when possible in order to reduce power consumption and temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 1 in which said power output amplifier is class B to further increase the efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 6 in which said predriver, driver and power amplifiers are class B to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 7 in which said predriver, driver and power amplifiers are class B to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The amplifier of claim 8 in which said predriver, driver and power amplifiers are class B to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The amplifier of claim 9 in which said predriver, driver and power amplifiers are class B to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 10 in which said power output amplifier is made by the multifunction self-aligned gate process to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 10 in which said T/R switching means, said phase shifter, said programmable attenuator and said buffer amplifier are made by the multifunction self-aligned gate process to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 11 or 12 in which said predriver, driver and power amplifiers are made by the multifunction self-aligned gate process to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transmit-receive module of claim 11 or 12 in which said T/R switching means, said phase shifter, said analog attenuator, said digital attenuator and said buffer amplifier are made by the multifunction self-aligned gate process to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The amplifier of claim 13 or 14 in which said predriver, driver and power amplifier are made by the multifunction self-aligned gate process to further increase efficiency and reduce temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-03 | 1995-09-02 | 1996-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-03 | 1999-09-02 | 2000-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-03 | 2003-09-02 | 2004-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |