US5262796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna
Assignee: Thales SA
•
Filing: 1992-06-12
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2012-06-12
Abstract
Abstract The antenna is provided with an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors with phase-shifters. The array of elementary reflectors comprises a substrate made of a dielectrical material with low microwave losses, transparent to light, the substrate being coated, on the side exposed to the microwaves, with a layer of photoconductive elements distributed in an array and, on the opposite side, with a conductive electrode transparent to light. An optical system for the selective illumination of the photoconductive elements are used to make these elements go from an electrically insulating state to a conductive state and vice versa to modify the path of the microwave within the reflectors and enable the formation of the beam. The array of photoconductive elements forms a lattice of smaller meshes sub-dividing the lattice of the array of elementary reflectors. Thus, each elementary reflector brings together several photoconductor elements, a varyingly large proportion of which may be illuminated, thus giving it different possible phase states.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard Cachier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/44; H01Q3/46; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/2676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna including an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors comprising: a substrate made of dielectric material with low microwave losses and transparent to light; the substrate coated, on a side exposed to an incident microwave beam, with a layer of photocontuctive elements distributed in an array, the elements spaced apart by λ/2; the opposite side of the substrate mounting a transparent conductive electrode; each of the elements having a matrix of photoconductive cells; the antenna further including-- means located in spaced relation to the reflector array and opposite the incident microwave beam, for illuminating preselected cells of the photoconductive matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna including an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors comprising: a substrate made of dielectric material with low microwave losses and transparent to light; the substrate coated, on a side exposed to an incident microwave beam, with a layer of photocontuctive elements distributed in an array, the elements spaced apart by λ/2; the opposite side of the substrate mounting a transparent conductive electrode; each of the elements having a matrix of photoconductive cells; the antenna further including-- means located in spaced relation to the reflector array and opposite the incident microwave beam, for illuminating preselected cells of the photoconductive matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The antenna set forth in claim 1 wherein each photoconductive matrix comprises 4 rows and 4 columns of cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The antenna set forth in claim 1 wherein the preselected illumination of the photoconductive matrix cells form configurations of conductive cells and electrically insulating cells that remain the same when the matrix cells are rotated π/2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
An optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna including an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors comprising: a substrate made of dielectric material with low microwave losses and transparent to light; the substrate coated, on a side exposed to an incident microwave beam, with a layer of photoconductive elements distributed in an array; the opposite side of the substrate mounting a transparent conductive electrode; each of the elements having a matrix of 4 rows and 4 columns of photoconductive cells; the antenna further including-- means located in spaced relation to the reflector array and opposite the incident microwave beam, for illuminating preselected cells of the photo conductive matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
An optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna including an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors comprising: a substrate made of dielectric material with low microwave losses and transparent to light; the substrate coated, on a side exposed to an incident microwave beam, with a layer of photoconductive elements distributed in an array; the opposite side of the substrate mounting a transparent conductive electrode; each of the elements having a matrix of 4 rows and 4 columns of photoconductive cells; the antenna further including-- means located in spaced relation to the reflector array and opposite the incident microwave beam, for illuminating preselected cells of the photo conductive matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
An optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna including an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors, comprising: a substrate made of dielectric material with low microwave losses and transparent to light; the substrate coated, on a side exposed to an incident microwave beam, with a layer of photoconductive elements distributed in an array; the opposite side of the substrate mounting a transparent conductive electrode; each of the elements having a matrix of photoconductive cells; the antenna further including-- means located in spaced relation to the reflector array layer, and opposite the incident microwave beam, for illuminating preselected cells of the photoconductive matrix; the preselected illumination of the photoconductive matrix cells forming configurations of conductive cells and electrically insulating cells remain the same when the matrix cells are rotates π/2.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
An optoelectronic scanning microwave antenna including an array of optically controlled elementary reflectors, comprising: a substrate made of dielectric material with low microwave losses and transparent to light; the substrate coated, on a side exposed to an incident microwave beam, with a layer of photoconductive elements distributed in an array; the opposite side of the substrate mounting a transparent conductive electrode; each of the elements having a matrix of photoconductive cells; the antenna further including-- means located in spaced relation to the reflector array layer, and opposite the incident microwave beam, for illuminating preselected cells of the photoconductive matrix; the preselected illumination of the photoconductive matrix cells forming configurations of conductive cells and electrically insulating cells remain the same when the matrix cells are rotates π/2.
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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) | 1996-11-15 | 1997-05-17 | 1997-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |