Phased Array Antenna System with Two Dimensional Scanning
First Claim
1. A phased array antenna system having a two dimensional array of antenna elements and a plurality of corporate feed networks, and wherein:
- a) the corporate feed networks are grouped in first and second ranks and are arranged to convert network input signals of variable phase relative to one another into network output signals phased appropriately for antenna elements of a phased array, the network output signals being in relatively greater numbers than the network input signals for corporate feed networks in at least one of the first and second ranks;
b) first rank corporate feed networks are arranged to provide network output signals as input signals to respective lines of antenna elements; and
c) second rank corporate feed networks are arranged to provide network output signals as input signals to respective lines of inputs of first rank corporate feed networks; and
d) the system includes phase difference control means for varying network input signal phasing for second rank corporate feed networks to provide control of antenna beam direction in two dimensions.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A phased array antenna system with two dimensional scanning includes a two dimensional array A of antenna elements A1,1 to A12,12 arranged in lines; each line is associated with a respective first rank corporate feed network 161 to 1612 having outputs 171,1 to 1712,12 connected to respective antenna elements A1,1 to A12,12 and inputs for variable relative phase input signals. These corporate feed networks each have first and second inputs A1/B1 to A12/B12 connected respectively to outputs 171 CD/1712CD to 171EF/1712EF of different second rank corporate feed networks 16CD and 16EF. The corporate feed networks 161 to 16EF convert input signals of variable relative phase into relatively greater numbers of output signals for a phased array. The system (30) includes a phase varying circuit 40 for varying phase differences between input signals to each second rank corporate feed network 16CD or 16EF and between input signals to different second rank corporate feed networks 16CD and 16EF to provide control of antenna beam direction in two dimensions.
28 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A phased array antenna system having a two dimensional array of antenna elements and a plurality of corporate feed networks, and wherein:
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a) the corporate feed networks are grouped in first and second ranks and are arranged to convert network input signals of variable phase relative to one another into network output signals phased appropriately for antenna elements of a phased array, the network output signals being in relatively greater numbers than the network input signals for corporate feed networks in at least one of the first and second ranks; b) first rank corporate feed networks are arranged to provide network output signals as input signals to respective lines of antenna elements; and c) second rank corporate feed networks are arranged to provide network output signals as input signals to respective lines of inputs of first rank corporate feed networks; and d) the system includes phase difference control means for varying network input signal phasing for second rank corporate feed networks to provide control of antenna beam direction in two dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A phased array antenna system including a two dimensional array of antenna elements arranged in lines, and wherein:
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a) each line of antenna elements is associated with a respective first rank corporate feed network having outputs for providing signals to respective antenna elements and inputs for receiving signals of variable phase relative to one another; b) the first rank corporate feed networks have; i) first inputs connected to outputs of one second rank corporate feed network; ii) second inputs connected to outputs of another second rank corporate feed network; c) the corporate feed networks provide a means for converting input signals of variable phase relative to one another into multiple output signals for phased array antenna elements, the number of output signals being relatively greater than the number of input signals; and d) the system includes phase difference varying means for; i) varying the phase difference between each input signal to one second rank corporate feed network and input signals to another second rank corporate feed network to provide control of antenna beam direction in a first dimension; and ii) varying both the phase difference between input signals to one second rank corporate feed network and the phase difference between input signals to another second rank corporate feed network to provide control of antenna beam direction in a second dimension. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 15, 16)
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8. A method of scanning a phased array antenna system having a two dimensional array of antenna elements and a plurality of corporate feed networks, and wherein:
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a) the corporate feed networks are grouped in first and second ranks and are arranged to convert network input signals of variable phase relative to one another into network output signals phased appropriately for antenna elements of a phased array, the network output signals being in relatively greater numbers than the network input signals for corporate feed networks in at least one of the first and second ranks; b) first rank corporate feed networks are arranged to provide network output signals as input signals to respective lines of antenna elements; and c) second rank corporate feed networks are arranged to provide network output signals as input signals to respective lines of inputs of first rank corporate feed networks; and d) the method includes varying network input signal phasing for second rank corporate feed networks to provide control of antenna beam direction in two dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of scanning a phased array antenna system having a two dimensional array of antenna elements arranged in lines, and wherein:
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a) each line of antenna elements is associated with a respective first rank corporate feed network having outputs for providing signals to respective antenna elements and inputs for receiving signals of variable phase relative to one another; b) the first rank corporate feed networks have; i) first inputs connected to outputs of one second rank corporate feed network; ii) second inputs connected to outputs of another second rank corporate feed network; c) the corporate feed networks provide a means for converting input signals of variable phase relative to one another into multiple output signals for phased array antenna elements the output signals being in relatively greater in number compared to the input signals; and the method includes; d) varying the phase difference between each input signal to one second rank corporate feed network and input signals to another second rank corporate feed network to provide control of antenna beam direction in a first dimension; and e) varying both the phase difference between input signals to one second rank corporate feed network and the phase difference between input signals to another second rank corporate feed network to provide control of antenna beam direction in a second dimension. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification