Multi-Aperture Electronically Scanned Arrays and Methods of Use

• US 20120319901A1
• Filed: 06/15/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Pruett, James A., Toplicar, James R., Ball, Brian L., Emery, Paul R., Carpenter, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,653,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/372
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/0254 Active array antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/005 providing two patterns of opposite direction; back to back antennas H01Q25/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0426 Power distribution

Abstract

An electronically scanned array (ESA) system comprises a first ESA assembly including a first antenna system coupled to a first plurality of transmit/receive modules and a second ESA assembly including a second antenna system coupled to a second plurality of transmit/receive modules. The ESA system also includes a manifold system coupled to the first and second ESA assemblies. The manifold system including an RF signal processing system for processing signals received from the first and second ESA assemblies.

Claims

1. An electronically scanned array (ESA) system comprising:

a first ESA assembly including a first antenna system coupled to a first plurality of transmit/receive modules;

a second ESA assembly including a second antenna system coupled to a second plurality of transmit/receive modules; and

a manifold system coupled to the first and second ESA assemblies, the manifold system including an RF signal processing system for processing signals received from the first and second ESA assemblies.

2. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a power supply system to supply power to the first and second ESA assemblies.

3. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a cooling system for cooling the first and second ESA assemblies.

4. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a beam forming controller for use with the first and second ESA assemblies.

5. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a processor for processing data received from the first and second ESA assemblies.

6. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes digital pre-processor firmware.

7. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes an intertial measurement unit.

8. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a shock mounting assembly.

9. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a modulator.

10. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the manifold system includes a frequency converter.

11. The ESA system of claim 1 further comprising an RF switch matrix coupled between first and second ESA assemblies and the RF signal processing system.

12. The ESA system of claim 1 comprising a first radome sized to enclose the first ESA assembly and a second radome sized to enclose the second ESA assembly.

13. The ESA system of claim 1 comprising a radome sized to enclose the first and second ESA assemblies.

14. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the first and second ESA assemblies include first and second RF collectors, respectively.

15. The ESA system of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of transmit/receive modules are transmit/receive integrated microwave modules.

16. A method of operating an electronically scanned array (ESA) system comprising:

providing a first ESA assembly including a first antenna system coupled to a first plurality of transmit/receive modules;

providing a second ESA assembly including a second antenna system coupled to a second plurality of transmit/receive modules; and

processing information received from the first and second ESA assemblies with a common signal processing system supported by a manifold housing.

17. The method of operating an ESA system of claim 16 further comprising:

switching between a first setting in which information from the first ESA assembly is directed to the signal processing system and a second setting in which information from the second ESA assembly is directed to the signal processing system.

18. The method of operating an ESA system of claim 16 further comprising:

providing power to the first and second ESA assemblies from a power assembly supported by the manifold housing.

19. The method of operating an ESA system of claim 16 further comprising:

controlling beam formation for the first and second ESA assembly with a controller supported by the manifold housing.

20. The method of operating an ESA system of claim 16 further comprising:

cooling the manifold housing with fluid.