Monolithic quad switch for reconfigurable antennas
First Claim
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1. A reconfigurable phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna unit cell devices arranged in an array, wherein at least one unit cell device comprises:
- a first floating switch;
a first radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the first floating switch;
a second floating switch;
a second radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the second floating switch;
a third floating switch;
a third radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the third floating switch;
a fourth floating switch;
a fourth radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the fourth floating switch; and
a common cross junction including at least one bias voltage return resistor, wherein the first floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, the second floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, the third floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, and the fourth floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction;
wherein the reconfigurable phased array antenna generates different antenna signal configurations by selectively interconnecting or disconnecting the first through fourth radiating metal conductors by respectively activating the first through fourth floating switches on the at least one unit cell device effectuating different electrical current flow patterns from an input voltage flowing into at least one floating switch.
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Abstract
A phased array antenna which can change the configuration of the phased array antenna by controllable quad switches on the phased array antenna is presented. The phased array antenna adapts monolithic microwave integrate circuit (MMIC) technology to have high isolation interconnection of the reconfigurable phased array antenna. The reconfigurable phased array antenna can be reusable and adaptable to different configurations so that the overall cost and lead time of the phased array antenna is reduced compared to the existing RF antennas in the market.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna unit cell devices arranged in an array, wherein at least one unit cell device comprises:
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a first floating switch; a first radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the first floating switch; a second floating switch; a second radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the second floating switch; a third floating switch; a third radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the third floating switch; a fourth floating switch; a fourth radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the fourth floating switch; and a common cross junction including at least one bias voltage return resistor, wherein the first floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, the second floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, the third floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, and the fourth floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction; wherein the reconfigurable phased array antenna generates different antenna signal configurations by selectively interconnecting or disconnecting the first through fourth radiating metal conductors by respectively activating the first through fourth floating switches on the at least one unit cell device effectuating different electrical current flow patterns from an input voltage flowing into at least one floating switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A reconfigurable phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna unit cell devices arranged in an array, wherein at least one unit cell device comprises:
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a first floating switch; a first RF connection port operatively connected with the first floating switch; a first radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the first floating switch; a first control voltage pad operatively connected to the first floating switch; a second floating switch; a second RF connection port operatively connected with the second floating switch; a second radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the second floating switch; a second control voltage pad operatively connected to the second floating switch; a third floating switch; a third RF connection port operatively connected with the third floating switch; a third radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the third floating switch; a third control voltage pad operatively connected to the third floating switch; a fourth floating switch; a fourth RF connection port operatively connected with the fourth floating switch; a fourth radiating metal conductor operatively connected to the fourth floating switch; a fourth control voltage pad operatively connected to the fourth floating switch; and a common cross junction including at least one bias voltage return resistor, wherein the first floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, the second floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, the third floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction, and the fourth floating switch is connected in series with the common cross junction; wherein the reconfigurable phased array antenna generates different antenna signal configurations by selectively interconnecting or disconnecting the first through fourth radiating metal conductors by respectively activating the first through fourth floating switches on the at least one unit cell device effectuating different electrical current flow patterns from an input voltage flowing into at least one floating switch.
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Specification