US6351240B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circularly polarized reflect array using 2-bit phase shifter having initial phase perturbation
Assignee: DirecTV LLC
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Filing: 2000-09-19
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Granted: 2002-02-26
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Expires: 2020-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An approach for electronically performing beam steering is disclosed. For electronic scanning, an n-bit quantized phase shifting approach is employed at each array element of a phased array antenna. By applying an initial phase bias, either deterministically or randomly, in each of the array elements, the performance of a phased array with n-bit quantization (even with n=2) approaches the performance of a system with no quantization. This approach can be used with linearly polarized or circularly polarized waves. For circularly polarized waves, the 2n phase shifts required of n-bit quantization are achieved in a manner that provides a simple, low-loss construction, which allows production of a low-cost reflectarray or a flat-plate lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Khalid Karimullah
- 👤 Jian Song
- 👤 Lin-nan Lee
- 👤 Stanley E. Kay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407; H01Q9/0428; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26; H01Q3/30; H01Q3/34; H01Q3/36; H01Q3/38; H01Q3/44; H01Q3/46; H01Q9/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of performing electronic beam steering using a circular patch having a plurality of taps coupled to a plurality of switches, the method comprising: controlling the plurality of switches to short an orthogonal pair of the plurality of taps to provide a phase shift, the taps being arranged on the circular patch to provide identical boundary conditions; and selectively performing at least one of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of performing electronic beam steering using a circular patch having a plurality of taps coupled to a plurality of switches, the method comprising: controlling the plurality of switches to short an orthogonal pair of the plurality of taps to provide a phase shift, the taps being arranged on the circular patch to provide identical boundary conditions; and selectively performing at least one of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: applying a fixed phase bias based upon geometric positioning of the circular patch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signal in the step of selectively performing is circularly polarized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signal in the step of selectively performing is linearly polarized.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of performing electronic beam steering using a circular patch having a plurality of taps coupled to a plurality of switches, the method comprising: controlling the plurality of switches to short an orthogonal pair of the plurality of taps, the taps being arranged on the circular patch to provide identical boundary conditions; selectively performing at least one of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal; and applying a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution to the signal, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of performing electronic beam steering using a circular patch having a plurality of taps coupled to a plurality of switches, the method comprising: controlling the plurality of switches to short an orthogonal pair of the plurality of taps, the taps being arranged on the circular patch to provide identical boundary conditions; selectively performing at least one of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal; and applying a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution to the signal, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
An antenna apparatus comprising: a circular patch having a plurality of orthogonal tap pairs arranged on the patch; a plurality of switches corresponding to the taps, each of the switches being coupled to ground; and a controller configured to control the switches to short one of the orthogonal tap pairs corresponding to a phase shift of a signal having orthogonal EM (electromagnetic) modes, wherein the patch as controlled by the controller provides identical boundary conditions for the orthogonal EM modes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
An antenna apparatus comprising: a circular patch having a plurality of orthogonal tap pairs arranged on the patch; a plurality of switches corresponding to the taps, each of the switches being coupled to ground; and a controller configured to control the switches to short one of the orthogonal tap pairs corresponding to a phase shift of a signal having orthogonal EM (electromagnetic) modes, wherein the patch as controlled by the controller provides identical boundary conditions for the orthogonal EM modes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the circular patch is configured to provide n-bit phase quantization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the circular patch is configured to provide 2-bit phase quantization.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of switches are PIN diodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of switches is at least one of a single-pole-single-throw switch and a single-pole-double-throw switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the signal is circularly polarized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the signal is linearly polarized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
An antenna apparatus comprising: a circular patch having a plurality of orthogonal tap pairs arranged on the patch; a plurality of switches corresponding to the taps, each of the switches being coupled to ground; a controller configured to control the switches to short one of the orthogonal tap pairs corresponding to orthogonal EM (electromagnetic) modes; and a plurality of phase perturbing sources coupled to the taps to apply a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution, wherein the patch as controlled by the controller provides identical boundary conditions for the orthogonal EM modes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
An antenna apparatus comprising: a circular patch having a plurality of orthogonal tap pairs arranged on the patch; a plurality of switches corresponding to the taps, each of the switches being coupled to ground; a controller configured to control the switches to short one of the orthogonal tap pairs corresponding to orthogonal EM (electromagnetic) modes; and a plurality of phase perturbing sources coupled to the taps to apply a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution, wherein the patch as controlled by the controller provides identical boundary conditions for the orthogonal EM modes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
158 words
An antenna system for beam steering, comprising: a plurality of antenna elements being spaced according to a predetermined distance value, each of the plurality of antenna elements comprising, a circular patch having a plurality of orthogonal tap pairs arranged on the patch, a plurality of switches corresponding to the taps, each of the switches being coupled to ground, and a plurality of phase perturbing sources coupled to the taps to apply a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution; and a controller configured to control individually the plurality of antenna elements, the controller controlling the switches of one of the plurality of antenna elements to short one of the orthogonal tap pairs corresponding to a phase shift of a signal having orthogonal EM (electromagnetic) modes, wherein the circular patch as controlled by the controller provides identical boundary conditions for the orthogonal EM modes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
158 words
An antenna system for beam steering, comprising: a plurality of antenna elements being spaced according to a predetermined distance value, each of the plurality of antenna elements comprising, a circular patch having a plurality of orthogonal tap pairs arranged on the patch, a plurality of switches corresponding to the taps, each of the switches being coupled to ground, and a plurality of phase perturbing sources coupled to the taps to apply a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution; and a controller configured to control individually the plurality of antenna elements, the controller controlling the switches of one of the plurality of antenna elements to short one of the orthogonal tap pairs corresponding to a phase shift of a signal having orthogonal EM (electromagnetic) modes, wherein the circular patch as controlled by the controller provides identical boundary conditions for the orthogonal EM modes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the antenna elements are spaced according to a predetermined value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 15 , wherein the predetermined value is 0.5λ.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the number of antenna elements is greater than about 4,000.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the circular patch is configured to provide n-bit phase quantization.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the circular patch is configured to provide 2-bit phase quantization.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the plurality of switches are PIN diodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of switches is at least one of a single-pole-single-throw switch and a single-pole-double-throw switch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the signal is circularly polarized.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the signal is linearly polarized.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for performing electronic beam steering using a circular patch having a plurality of taps coupled to a plurality of switches, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: controlling the plurality of switches to short an orthogonal pair of the plurality of taps to provide a phase shift, the taps being arranged on the circular patch to provide identical boundary conditions; and selectively performing at least one of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for performing electronic beam steering using a circular patch having a plurality of taps coupled to a plurality of switches, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: controlling the plurality of switches to short an orthogonal pair of the plurality of taps to provide a phase shift, the taps being arranged on the circular patch to provide identical boundary conditions; and selectively performing at least one of receiving a signal and transmitting the signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable medium according to claim 24 , wherein the signal in the step of selectively performing is circularly polarized.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable medium according to claim 24 , wherein the signal in the step of selectively performing is linearly polarized.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer-readable medium according to claim 24 , wherein the one or more processors further perform the step of: applying a fixed phase bias of a predetermined distribution to the signal, the predetermined distribution being at least one of a deterministic distribution and a random distribution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-08-27 | 2006-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-25 | 2009-08-27 | 2010-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-25 | 2013-08-27 | 2014-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |