Distributed exciter in phased array

• US 20060125687A1
• Filed: 12/09/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc), Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
• Inventors: Greeley, John S.
• Application Number:
  US11/008,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125687A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/368
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0006 Particular feeding systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence

Abstract

A wideband multi-signal distributed exciter system for use with a phased antenna array is disclosed. The system includes a multi-signal generator that is configured with a dual direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDS) core, and is capable of generating multi-polarization signals over a given frequency range (e.g., 50 to 500 MHz) for each of N signals associated with a corresponding antenna element. An RF converter is adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from the multi-signal generator, and to convert those signals to a transmission frequency (e.g., 100 MHz to 10 GHz). A 2N signal summing module can be used to receive multi-polarization signals from each of the N dual DDS functions, and to generate an overall multi-polarization output signal that is provided for RF conversion. An identical set of multi-signal generator and RF converter modules can be associated with each element, thereby providing a high degree of modularity and interchangeability.

Claims

1. A wideband multi-signal distributed exciter system for use with a phased antenna array, comprising:

a multi-signal generator configured with a dual direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDS) core, and capable of generating multi-polarization signals over a given frequency range for each of N signals associated with a corresponding antenna element; and

an RF converter adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from the multi-signal generator, and to convert those signals to a transmission frequency.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the multi-signal generator includes a dual DDS function for each of the N signals, the system further comprising:

a 2 N signal summing module adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from each of the N dual DDS functions, and to generate an overall multi-polarization output signal.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the overall multi-polarization output signal represents a sum of N vertical signals and a sum of N horizontal signals.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the multi-polarization signals generated by the multi-signal generator are based on amplitude, frequency, and phase information provided to the multi-signal generator by a frequency selective phase and amplitude detector.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein functions performed by the multi-signal generator include signal generation, modulation, phase and amplitude control, and signal summing functions.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the phased antenna array includes multiple antenna elements, and there is an identical multi-signal generator and RF converter set associated with each element.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the given frequency range of multi-polarization signals generated by the multi-signal generator is about 160 MHz to 300 MHz, and the transmission frequency is in the range of 100 MHz to 7000 MHz.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the RF converter includes a first stage configured as a frequency up-converter, and a second frequency converter stage configured with a filter bank of preselectors that covers a wideband of transmission frequencies ranging from about 100 MHz to 7 GHz.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the RF converter is configured with a switched filter bank that covers a wideband of transmission frequencies ranging from about 100 MHz to 10 GHz.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an amplifier adapted to amplify the signals converted to transmission frequencies prior to transmission.

11. A wideband multi-signal distributed exciter system for use with a phased antenna array including multiple antenna elements, comprising:

a multi-signal generator configured with a dual direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDS) core, and capable of generating multi-polarization signals over a given frequency range for each of N signals associated with a corresponding antenna element;

an RF converter adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from the multi-signal generator, and to convert those signals to a transmission frequency; and

an amplifier adapted to amplify converted signals output by the RF converter prior to transmission;

wherein there is an identical multi-signal generator, RF converter, and amplifier set associated with each antenna element.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the multi-signal generator includes a dual DDS function for each of the N signals, the system further comprising:

a 2 N signal summing module adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from each of the N dual DDS functions, and to generate an overall multi-polarization output signal.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the multi-polarization signals generated by the multi-signal generator are based on amplitude, frequency, and phase information provided to the multi-signal generator by a frequency selective phase and amplitude detector.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein functions performed by the multi-signal generator include signal generation, modulation, phase and amplitude control, and signal summing functions.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the RF converter includes a first stage configured as a frequency up-converter, and a second frequency converter stage configured with a filter bank of preselectors that covers a wideband of transmission frequencies ranging from about 100 MHz to 7 GHz.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the RF converter is configured with a switched filter bank that covers a wideband of transmission frequencies ranging from about 100 MHz to 10 GHz.

17. An antenna array system comprising:

multiple antenna elements;

a multi-signal generator configured with a dual direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDS) core, and capable of generating multi-polarization signals over a given frequency range for each of N signals associated with a corresponding one of the antenna elements;

an RF converter adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from the multi-signal generator, and to convert those signals to a wideband of transmission frequencies ranging from about 100 MHz to 10 GHz; and

an amplifier adapted to amplify converted signals output by the RF converter prior to transmission;

wherein there is an identical multi-signal generator, RF converter, and amplifier set associated with each of the antenna elements.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the multi-signal generator includes a dual DDS function for each of the N signals, the system further comprising:

a 2 N signal summing module adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from each of the N dual DDS functions, and to generate an overall multi-polarization output signal.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the multi-polarization signals generated by the multi-signal generator are based on amplitude, frequency, and phase information provided to the multi-signal generator by a frequency selective phase and amplitude detector.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein functions performed by the multi-signal generator include signal generation, modulation, phase and amplitude control, and signal summing functions.