US5132694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-beam array antenna
Assignee: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-19
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2011-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An antenna capable of transmitting and or receiving multiple beams and particularly adapted for use with satellites. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna includes a plurality of transmit channels interconnected with a first beamforming matrix. The first beamforming matrix communicates with channel preamplifiers such that two or more transmit signals can be inputted to the first beamforming matrix. The first beamforming matrix communicates with an array of transmit elements, which is preferably divided into two or more transmit subarrays. In one example of operation, two or more beams can be contemporaneously transmitted from the transmit subarrays with the at least one of the transmit subarrays contributing to the formation of at least two of the beams. In the same preferred embodiment, as described immediately above, the antenna includes a plurality of receive channels interconnected with a second beamforming matrix such that two or more receive signals can be outputted from the second beamforming matrix to the channel receivers. The second beamforming matrix communicates with an array of receive antenna elements which is preferably divided into two or more receive subarrays. In one example of operation, two or more beams can be contemporaneously received by the receive subarrays with at least one of the receive subarrays contributing to the reception of at least two of the beams. In another embodiment, circulators and/or diplexers can be utilized so that common antenna elements and a common beamforming matrix can be employed for both transmission and reception. Consequently, two or more beams can be contemporaneously transmitted from and/or received at the transmit/receive antenna elements, with at least one of the subarrays contributing to the formation and/or reception of at least two of the beams.
Inventors
- 👤 Ajay Sreenivas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q25/00; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/1851; H04B7/18515; H04B7/204; H04B7/2041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A multiple-beam antenna for use on a satellite, comprising: beamformer means for receiving two or more input transmission signals and providing two or more beamformer transmission signals, said beamformer means comprising : dividing means for dividing said input tansmission signals into transmission subsignals; phasing means for establishing the relative phases of said transmission subsignals; weighting means for establishing the relative power ofsaid transmission subsignals; and combining means for comging said transmission subsignals to provide said two or more beamformer transmission signals; whrerein said dividing means, phasing means, weighting means and combining means are arranged in a matris configuration; amplifier means coupled to said beamformer means for amplifying said two or more beamformer transmission signals; and antenna means coupled to said amplifier means for transmitting two or more beams, said antenna means comprising a plurality of antenna arrays, each of said arrays having a plurality of antenna elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A multiple-beam antenna for use on a satellite, comprising: beamformer means for receiving two or more input transmission signals and providing two or more beamformer transmission signals, said beamformer means comprising : dividing means for dividing said input tansmission signals into transmission subsignals; phasing means for establishing the relative phases of said transmission subsignals; weighting means for establishing the relative power ofsaid transmission subsignals; and combining means for comging said transmission subsignals to provide said two or more beamformer transmission signals; whrerein said dividing means, phasing means, weighting means and combining means are arranged in a matris configuration; amplifier means coupled to said beamformer means for amplifying said two or more beamformer transmission signals; and antenna means coupled to said amplifier means for transmitting two or more beams, said antenna means comprising a plurality of antenna arrays, each of said arrays having a plurality of antenna elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein: said dividing means is disposed on a plurality of sustantially parallel first planes; and said conbining means is disposed on a plurality of substantially parallel second planes; said first and said second planes being interconnected to define said matrix configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 2, wherein: said phasing means is disposed on one of said first planes and said second planes; and said weighting means is disposed on one of said first planes and said second planes. said weighting means is disposed on one of said first planes and said second planes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 2, wherein the number of said first planes equals the number of said two or more input transmission signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 2, wehrein the number of said second planes equals the number of said plurality of antenna arrays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 1, wherein said weighting means includes passive elements for establishing the relative power of said transmission subsignals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 1, wehrein said weighting means includes a plurality of microstrip lines of preselected widths for establishing the relative poer of said transmission subsignals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 1, wehrein said phasing means includes time delay means for establishing the relative phases of said transmission subsignals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 1, whrein said amplifier means includes a plurality of amplifiers in a one-to-one corrresponding relationship with said plurality of antenna arrays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 1, and further including linearizer means coupled between said antenna means and said amplifier means for maintaining the operation of the multiple-beam antenna in a linear range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 8, wherein said linearizer means includes a plurality of linearizers in a one-to-one corresponding relationship with said plurality of antenna arrays.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
135 words
A multiple-beam antenna for use on a satellite, comprising: antenna means for receiving two or more beams and providing two or more input reception signals, said antenna means comprising a plurality of antenna arrays, each of said arrays having a plurality of antenna elements; and beamformer means for receiving said two or more input reception signals and providing two or more beamformer reception signals, said beamformer means comprising: dividing means for dividing said input rectption signals into reception subsignals; phasing means for establishing the relative phases of said reception subsignals; weighting means for establishing the relative power of said reception subsignals; and combining means for combining said reception subsignals to provide said two or more beamformer reception signals; wherein said dividing means, phasing means, weighting means and combining means are arranged in a matrix configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
A multiple-beam antenna for use on a satellite, comprising: antenna means for receiving two or more beams and providing two or more input reception signals, said antenna means comprising a plurality of antenna arrays, each of said arrays having a plurality of antenna elements; and beamformer means for receiving said two or more input reception signals and providing two or more beamformer reception signals, said beamformer means comprising: dividing means for dividing said input rectption signals into reception subsignals; phasing means for establishing the relative phases of said reception subsignals; weighting means for establishing the relative power of said reception subsignals; and combining means for combining said reception subsignals to provide said two or more beamformer reception signals; wherein said dividing means, phasing means, weighting means and combining means are arranged in a matrix configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, wherein: said dividing means is disposed on a plurality of substantially parallel first planes; and said conbining means is disposed on a plurality of sustantially parallel second planes; said first and said second planes being interconnected to define said amtrix configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 13, wherein: said phasing means is disposed on one of said first planes and said second planes; and said weighting means is disposed on one of said first planes and said second planes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, wherein the number of said first planes equals the number of said two or more input reception signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, wherein the number of said second planes equals the number of said plurality of antenna arrays.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, wherein said weighting means includs passive elements for establishing the relative power of said reception subsignals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, wherein said weighting means includes a plurality of microstrip lines of preselected widths for establishing the relative power of said reception subsignals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, wherein said phasing means includes time dalay means for establishing the relative phases of said reception subsignals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, and further includign amplifier means coupled to said beamformer means for amplifying said two or more reception signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 20, wherein said amplifier meaans includes a plurality of amplifiers in a one-to-one corresponding relationship with said plurality of antenna arrays.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 12, and further including linearizer means coupled between said antenna means and said beamformer means for maintaining the oepration of the multiple-beam antenna in a linear range.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multiple-beam antenna, as recited in claim 22, wherein said linearizer means includes a plurality of linearizers in a one-to-one corresponding relationship with said plurality of antenna arrays.
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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) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |