SCALEABLE ANTENNA ARRAY ARCHITECTURE USING STANDARD RADIATING SUBARRAYS AND AMPLIFYING/BEAMFORMING ASSEMBLIES

• US 20030189515A1
• Filed: 11/21/2001
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Lier, Erik, Jacomb-Hood, Anthony W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,703,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/373
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/288 Satellite antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0025 Modular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/005 Slotted waveguides arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/064 using horn or slot aerials slotted waveguides arrays H01Q21/005
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00

Abstract

A phased array antenna design that is modular and scaleable in terms of beam quantity, coverage area, and receive sensitivity/transmit EIRP. A modular array building block for an antenna array comprises: a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to receive and output an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other, a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies; each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the received signal to an amplifier, and a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising: a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a received signal from an antenna element, and a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an output of an amplifier, wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module.

Claims

1. A modular array building block for an antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to receive and output an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;

a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the received signal to an amplifier; and

a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising;

a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a received signal from an antenna element, and

a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an output of an amplifier;

wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a grid pattern.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the antenna elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a triangular grid pattern.

4. The module of claim 2, wherein the antenna elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a rectangular grid pattern.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein at least some of the circuit boards are populated with fewer amplifiers and beamformers than could be accommodated.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented oppositely in adjacent rows.

7. The module of claim 6, wherein the circuit boards have non-uniform spacing within the module.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

9. The module of claim 1, wherein the antenna elements are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interface assemblies are oriented similarly in adjacent rows.

10. The module of claim 9, wherein the circuit boards have uniform spacing within the module.

11. The module of claim 10, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein each antenna element interface assembly comprises a waveguide assembly.

13. The module of claim 12, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a waveguide filter.

14. The module of claim 12, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a signal probe operable to convert an electromagnetic wave signal from the antenna to a corresponding electrical signal and output the electrical signal to the amplifier.

15. The module of claim 1, comprising larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of circuit board assemblies.

16. The module of claim 1, comprising larger antenna elements and correspondingly less populated circuit board assemblies.

17. The module of claim 1, comprising larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of less populated circuit board assemblies.

18. The module of claim 1, comprising smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of circuit board assemblies.

19. The module of claim 1, comprising smaller antenna elements and correspondingly more populated circuit board assemblies.

20. The module of claim 1, comprising smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of more populated circuit board assemblies.

21. The module of claim 1, wherein the beamformers are radio frequency beamformers.

22. The module of claim 1, wherein the beamformers are intermediate frequency beamformers.

23. The module of claim 1, wherein connections between the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of beamformers are interleaved so that if a number of amplifiers are omitted from a circuit board assembly, at least one beamformer can be omitted from the circuit board assembly.

24. An antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna array modules interlocking so as to form a contiguous antenna array structure, wherein each antenna array module comprises;

a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to receive and output an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;

a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the received signal to an amplifier; and

a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising;

a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a received signal from an antenna element, and

a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an output of an amplifier;

wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module; and

signal frequency, control, and DC power harnesses to electrically connect the plurality of antenna array modules so as to form the antenna array.

25. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a grid pattern.

26. The antenna array of claim 25, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a triangular grid pattern.

27. The antenna array of claim 25, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a rectangular grid pattern.

28. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein at least some of the circuit boards are populated with fewer amplifiers and beamformers than could be accommodated.

29. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented oppositely in adjacent rows.

30. The antenna array of claim 29, wherein the circuit boards of each module have non-uniform spacing within the module.

31. The antenna array of claim 30, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

32. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented similarly in adjacent rows.

33. The antenna array of claim 32, wherein the circuit boards of each module have uniform spacing within the module.

34. The antenna array of claim 33, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

35. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna element interface assembly further comprises a waveguide assembly.

36. The antenna array of claim 35, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a waveguide filter.

37. The antenna array of claim 35, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a signal probe operable to convert an electromagnetic wave signal from the antenna to a corresponding electrical signal and output the electrical signal to the amplifier.

38. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of circuit board assemblies.

39. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and correspondingly less populated circuit board assemblies.

40. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of less populated circuit board assemblies.

41. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of circuit board assemblies.

42. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and correspondingly more populated circuit board assemblies.

43. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of more populated circuit board assemblies.

44. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein the beamformers are radio frequency beamformers and the signal harness is a radio frequency power combiner.

45. The antenna array of claim 24, wherein the beamformers are intermediate frequency beamformers and the signal harness is an intermediate frequency power combiner.

46. The module of claim 24, wherein connections between the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of beamformers are interleaved so that if a number of amplifiers are omitted from a circuit board assembly, at least one beamformer can be omitted from the circuit board assembly.

47. A modular array building block for an antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;

a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the signal from an amplifier; and

a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising;

a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a signal coupled to an antenna element, and

a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an input to an amplifier;

wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module.

48. The module of claim 47, wherein the antenna elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a grid pattern.

49. The module of claim 48, wherein the antenna elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a triangular grid pattern.

50. The module of claim 48, wherein the antenna elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a rectangular grid pattern.

51. The module of claim 47, wherein at least some of the circuit boards are populated with fewer amplifiers and beamformers than could be accommodated.

52. The module of claim 47, wherein the antenna elements are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented oppositely in adjacent rows.

53. The module of claim 52, wherein the circuit boards have non-uniform spacing within the module.

54. The module of claim 53, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

55. The module of claim 47, wherein the antenna elements are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interface assemblies are oriented similarly in adjacent rows.

56. The module of claim 55, wherein the circuit boards have uniform spacing within the module.

57. The module of claim 56, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

58. The module of claim 47, wherein each antenna element interface assembly further comprises a waveguide assembly.

59. The module of claim 58, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a waveguide filter.

60. The module of claim 58, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a signal probe operable to convert an electrical signal at the output of the amplifier to a corresponding electromagnetic wave signal in the waveguide.

61. The module of claim 47, comprising larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of circuit board assemblies.

62. The module of claim 47, comprising larger antenna elements and correspondingly less populated circuit board assemblies.

63. The module of claim 47, comprising larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of less populated circuit board assemblies.

64. The module of claim 47, comprising smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of circuit board assemblies.

65. The module of claim 47, comprising smaller antenna elements and correspondingly more populated circuit board assemblies.

66. The module of claim 47, comprising smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of more populated circuit board assemblies.

67. The module of claim 47, wherein the beamformers are radio frequency beamformers.

68. The module of claim 47, wherein the beamformers are intermediate frequency beamformers.

69. The module of claim 47, wherein connections between the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of beamformers are interleaved so that if a number of amplifiers are omitted from a circuit board assembly, at least one beamformer can be omitted from the circuit board assembly.

70. An antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna array modules interlocking so as to form a contiguous antenna array structure, wherein each antenna array module comprises;

a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;

a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the signal from an amplifier; and

a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising;

a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a signal coupled to an antenna element, and

a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an input to an amplifier;

wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module; and

signal frequency, control, and DC power harnesses to electrically connect the plurality of antenna array modules so as to form the antenna array.

71. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a grid pattern.

72. The antenna array of claim 71, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a triangular grid pattern.

73. The antenna array of claim 71, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a rectangular grid pattern.

74. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein at least some of the circuit boards are populated with fewer amplifiers and beamformers than could be accommodated.

75. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented oppositely in adjacent rows.

76. The antenna array of claim 75, wherein the circuit boards of each module have non-uniform spacing within the module.

77. The antenna array of claim 76, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

78. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented similarly in adjacent rows.

79. The antenna array of claim 78, wherein the circuit boards of each module have uniform spacing within the module.

80. The antenna array of claim 79, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

81. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna element interface assembly further comprises a waveguide assembly.

82. The antenna array of claim 81, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a waveguide filter.

83. The antenna array of claim 81, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a signal probe operable to convert an electrical signal at the output of the amplifier to a corresponding electromagnetic wave signal in the waveguide.

84. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of circuit board assemblies.

85. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and correspondingly less populated circuit board assemblies.

86. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of less populated circuit board assemblies.

87. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of circuit board assemblies.

88. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and correspondingly more populated circuit board assemblies.

89. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of more populated circuit board assemblies,

90. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein the beamformers are radio frequency beamformers and the signal harness is a radio frequency power divider.

91. The antenna array of claim 70, wherein the beamformers are intermediate frequency beamformers and the signal harness is an intermediate frequency power divider.

92. The module of claim 70, wherein connections between the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of beamformers are interleaved so that if a number of amplifiers are omitted from a circuit board assembly, at least one beamformer can be omitted from the circuit board assembly.

93. An antenna array comprising:

a plurality of antenna array modules interlocking so as to form a contiguous antenna array structure, wherein each antenna array module comprises;

a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element operable to receive and output an electromagnetic wave signal and to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal, the antenna elements arranged adjacent to each other;

a plurality of antenna element interface assemblies, each antenna element interface assembly coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements and coupling the received signal to a receive amplifier and coupling the signal to be transmitted from a transmit amplifier; and

a plurality of circuit board assemblies, the circuit board assemblies arranged substantially parallel to each other, each circuit board assembly comprising;

a plurality of receive amplifiers, each receive amplifier operable to amplify a received signal from an antenna element,

a plurality of transmit amplifiers, each amplifier operable to amplify a signal coupled to an antenna element,

a plurality of beamformers, each beamformer coupled to an input to a transmit amplifier and coupled to an output of a receive amplifier,

a plurality of duplexing devices coupling a transmit amplifier output and a receive amplifier input to an antenna element interface assembly,

a plurality of duplexing devices coupling each beamformer to a transmit amplifier input and to a receive amplifier output;

wherein the circuit board assemblies, antenna element interface assemblies and antenna elements are arranged so as to form a module; and

signal frequency, control, and DC power harnesses to electrically connect the plurality of antenna array modules so as to form the antenna array.

94. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a grid pattern.

95. The antenna array of claim 94, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a triangular grid pattern.

96. The antenna array of claim 94, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form a rectangular grid pattern.

97. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein at least some of the circuit boards are populated with fewer amplifiers and beamformers than could be accommodated.

98. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented oppositely in adjacent rows.

99. The antenna array of claim 98, wherein the circuit boards of each module have non-uniform spacing within the module.

100. The antenna array of claim 99, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

101. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein the antenna elements of each module are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows and the antenna elements and antenna element interfaces are oriented similarly in adjacent rows.

102. The antenna array of claim 101, wherein the circuit boards of each module have uniform spacing within the module.

103. The antenna array of claim 102, wherein the antenna element interface assemblies comprise waveguide assemblies.

104. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna element interface assembly further comprises a waveguide assembly.

105. The antenna array of claim 104, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a waveguide filter.

106. The antenna array of claim 104, wherein each waveguide assembly further comprises a signal probe operable to convert an electromagnetic wave signal from the antenna to a corresponding electrical signal and output the electrical signal to the amplifier, or an electrical signal at the output of the amplifier to a corresponding electromagnetic wave signal in the waveguide.

107. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of circuit board assemblies.

108. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and correspondingly less populated circuit board assemblies.

109. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna array module comprises larger antenna elements and a correspondingly smaller number of less populated circuit board assemblies.

110. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of circuit board assemblies.

111. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and correspondingly more populated circuit board assemblies.

112. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein each antenna array module comprises smaller antenna elements and a correspondingly larger number of more populated circuit board assemblies.

113. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein the beamformers are radio frequency beamformers and the signal harness is a radio frequency power divider/combiner.

114. The antenna array of claim 93, wherein the beamformers are intermediate frequency beamformers and the signal harness is an intermediate frequency power divider/combiner.

115. The module of claim 93, wherein connections between the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of beamformers are interleaved so that if a number of amplifiers are omitted from a circuit board assembly, at least one beamformer can be omitted from the circuit board assembly.