US5166690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Array beamformer using unequal power couplers for plural beams
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1991-12-23
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Granted: 1992-11-24
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Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A multibeam phased array radar includes identical N:1 equal-split combiners and overlay hybrid couplers which form multiple tapered and weighted beams. The radar is configured with a single transmit/receive (T/R) module for each antenna element. The T/R modules contain a high power amplifier for transmit, low noise amplifier for receive, phase shifter for beam steering and attenuator for overall weighting. Each T/R module is connected to an unequal-split coupler which divides the received signal into signals of different amplitudes. Each of these signals are fed into a separate N:1 equal-split combiner, thereby forming separate beams. The illumination taper of each beam is determined by the coupling values of the couplers and the setting of the T/R module attenuator. There is disclosed a first embodiment including two beamformers and a second embodiment extending the concept to more than two beamformers.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Carlson
- 👤 Alan J. Glickman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/03; G01S7/034; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/0006; H01Q21/0025; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for use in a phased array radar system, said apparatus comprising: N radiating elements, N attenuators coupled individually to said N radiating elements, N power couplers coupled individually to said N attenuators, at least one of said N power couplers being an unequal-split power coupler, each of said power couplers splitting the power received by the corresponding radiating element into first and second components; and first and second identical N:1 combiners responsive, respectively, to said N first and second power components, said first and second combiners shaping first and second distinct beams simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for use in a phased array radar system, said apparatus comprising: N radiating elements, N attenuators coupled individually to said N radiating elements, N power couplers coupled individually to said N attenuators, at least one of said N power couplers being an unequal-split power coupler, each of said power couplers splitting the power received by the corresponding radiating element into first and second components; and first and second identical N:1 combiners responsive, respectively, to said N first and second power components, said first and second combiners shaping first and second distinct beams simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said N power couplers comprise overlay hybrid couplers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second N:1 combiners comprise equal-split combiners.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said N:1 equal-split combiners comprises a corporate feed structure of 2:1 equal-split power combiners.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including N phase shifters coupled individually to said N radiating elements, said N phase shifters and said N attenuators comprising N individual transmit/receive modules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the attenuations of each of said N attenuators are selectable between first levels on transmit and second levels on receive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said N radiating elements are disposed in a linear configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said N radiating elements are disposed so as to form a single column of a phased array antenna.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A phased array radar system comprising: an antenna including N radiating elements, N transmit/receive (T/R) modules coupled individually to said N radiating elements, each of said T/R modules including a phase shifter and an attenuator; N power couplers coupled individually to said N T/R modules, at least one of said N power couplers being an unequal-split power coupler, each of said power couplers splitting the power received by the corresponding radiating element into first and second power components; and first and second identical N:1 combiners responsive, respectively, to said N first and second power components, said first and second combiners shaping first and second distinct beams simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A phased array radar system comprising: an antenna including N radiating elements, N transmit/receive (T/R) modules coupled individually to said N radiating elements, each of said T/R modules including a phase shifter and an attenuator; N power couplers coupled individually to said N T/R modules, at least one of said N power couplers being an unequal-split power coupler, each of said power couplers splitting the power received by the corresponding radiating element into first and second power components; and first and second identical N:1 combiners responsive, respectively, to said N first and second power components, said first and second combiners shaping first and second distinct beams simultaneously.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said N power couplers comprise overlay hybrid couplers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first and second N:1 combiners comprise equal-split combiners.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said N:1 equal-split combiners comprises a corporate feed structure of 2:1 equal-split power combiners.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of said N T/R modules includes high power amplifiers on transmit and low noise amplifiers on receive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the attenuations of each of said N attenuators are selectable between first levels on transmit and second levels on receive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said N radiating elements are disposed in a linear configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said N radiating elements are disposed so as to form a single column of said antenna.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4792805A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-24 | 1996-05-25 | 1996-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-24 | 2000-05-25 | 2000-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-05-25 | 2004-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |