Patent US6587069B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6587069B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Distributed power amplifier architecture for TCAS transmitter
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 2001-04-13
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Granted: 2003-07-01
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Expires: 2021-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A transmitter and method for transmitting transponder or TCAS signals uses linear amplification to save on circuit component weight, cost and size while enabling precise amplification and control of the transmitted signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Rand Ringwald
- 👤 Ruy L. Brandao
- 👤 Ruy C. Brandao
- 👤 James B. Jones
- 👤 Dang Pham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/74; G01S13/76; G01S13/767; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/933; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/28; G01S7/282; G01S7/40; G01S7/4052; G01S7/406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for amplifying one of a transponder or TCAS signals for subsequent transmission through a phased-array antenna, the method comprising the steps of: receiving one of a transponder or TCAS signal to be transmitted; splitting the signal into a plurality of signals, each on a distinct signal line; passing each signal through a plurality of amplifiers arranged in series on the signal line; phase delaying each of the signals suitably to energize an element of a phased-array antenna; and using a control signal to control a power level of said plurality of amplifiers whereby a total amplification of said signal is determined.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for amplifying one of a transponder or TCAS signals for subsequent transmission through a phased-array antenna, the method comprising the steps of: receiving one of a transponder or TCAS signal to be transmitted; splitting the signal into a plurality of signals, each on a distinct signal line; passing each signal through a plurality of amplifiers arranged in series on the signal line; phase delaying each of the signals suitably to energize an element of a phased-array antenna; and using a control signal to control a power level of said plurality of amplifiers whereby a total amplification of said signal is determined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of passing said signal through a plurality of amplifiers comprises the step of passing said signal through a plurality of Class A/B amplifiers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
An amplifier stage for a TCAS transmitter comprising: an input for receiving a TCAS signal to be transmitted; a signal splitter configured to split the TCAS signal received at the input into a plurality of split signals, each of the split signals having a phase; a phase shifter configured to shift the phase of each of the split signals such that the split signals have a suitable phase to energize a phased-array antenna; a plurality of amplifiers arranged in series for amplifying said TCAS signal; and a controller coupled to at least one of said plurality of amplifiers for controlling a power level of said amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An amplifier stage for a TCAS transmitter comprising: an input for receiving a TCAS signal to be transmitted; a signal splitter configured to split the TCAS signal received at the input into a plurality of split signals, each of the split signals having a phase; a phase shifter configured to shift the phase of each of the split signals such that the split signals have a suitable phase to energize a phased-array antenna; a plurality of amplifiers arranged in series for amplifying said TCAS signal; and a controller coupled to at least one of said plurality of amplifiers for controlling a power level of said amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier stage of claim 3 wherein said plurality of amplifiers comprise linear Class A/B amplifiers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier stage of claim 3 wherein said controller comprises a programmable logic device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The amplifier stage of claim 3 further comprising a whisper/shout attenuator disposed between said input and said plurality of amplifiers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier of stage of claim 6 wherein said whisper/shout attenuator comprises a programmable integrated circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
An amplifier stage for a transponder transmitter comprising: an input for receiving a signal to be transmitted; a signal splitter configured to split the signal received at the input into a plurality of split signals, each of the split signals having a phase; a phase shifter configured to shift the phase of each of the split signals such that the split signals have a suitable phase to energize a phased-array antenna; a plurality of amplifiers arranged in series for amplifying said signal; and a controller coupled to at least one of said plurality of amplifiers for controlling a power level of said amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
An amplifier stage for a transponder transmitter comprising: an input for receiving a signal to be transmitted; a signal splitter configured to split the signal received at the input into a plurality of split signals, each of the split signals having a phase; a phase shifter configured to shift the phase of each of the split signals such that the split signals have a suitable phase to energize a phased-array antenna; a plurality of amplifiers arranged in series for amplifying said signal; and a controller coupled to at least one of said plurality of amplifiers for controlling a power level of said amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier stage of claim 8 wherein said plurality of amplifiers comprise linear Class A/B amplifiers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The amplifier stage of claim 8 wherein said controller comprises a programmable logic device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A TCAS transmitter for transmitting a TCAS signal from an airborne phased-array antenna comprising: an input for receiving a TCAS signal to be transmitted; a power splitter for splitting said TCAS signal onto a plurality of signal lines; a phase shifter on each signal line introducing a distinct phase-delay; a plurality of linear amplifiers arranged in series on each of said signal lines; a controller coupled to at least one said plurality of amplifiers for controlling a power level of said amplifier; and an output wherein said signal lines are coupled to the antenna.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
A TCAS transmitter for transmitting a TCAS signal from an airborne phased-array antenna comprising: an input for receiving a TCAS signal to be transmitted; a power splitter for splitting said TCAS signal onto a plurality of signal lines; a phase shifter on each signal line introducing a distinct phase-delay; a plurality of linear amplifiers arranged in series on each of said signal lines; a controller coupled to at least one said plurality of amplifiers for controlling a power level of said amplifier; and an output wherein said signal lines are coupled to the antenna.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 1 , where the phase shifter, further shifts the signal phase suitably to energize a distinct element of the phased-array antenna corresponding to the signal line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 11 wherein said controller comprises a programmable logic device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 11 wherein said power splitter comprises an integrated circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 11 further comprising at least one whisper/shout attenuator located on at least one of said signal lines and disposed between said plurality of amplifiers and said power splitter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 15 wherein said whisper/shout attenuator further comprises an integrated circuit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 15 wherein said whisper/shout attenuator is programmable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 17 wherein in said whisper/shout attenuator is coupled to receive an attenuator control signal from said controller.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 12 wherein said phase shifter comprises an integrated circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 12 wherein said phase shifter comprises an IQ modulator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 12 wherein said phase shifter is disposed between said power splitter and said plurality of amplifiers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 12 wherein a phase shifter is located on each of said plurality of signal lines.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 22 wherein said phase shifters operate to perform DPSK modulation of said TCAS signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The TCAS transmitter of claim 11 wherein said plurality of amplifiers comprise Class A/B amplifiers.
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