AIRBORNE MULTI-MODE RADIATING AND RECEIVING SYSTEM

• US 3,953,857 A
• Filed: 03/07/1972
• Issued: 04/27/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frederic A. Jenks
• Original Assignee: Frederic A. Jenks
• Inventors: Jenks, Frederic A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieberman, Eli
• Application Number:
  US05/232,366
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 343/705, 343/708, 343/765, 343/766, 343/778, 343/854
• US Class Current: 343/705
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/281 Nose antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/34 by electrical means active lenses or reflecting arrays H01Q3/46

Abstract

An improved directional antenna for use in an airborne vehicle is shown. The contemplated antenna includes a planar phased array of antenna elements mechanically rotatable about an axis of rotation, the plane of such array making an acute angle with such axis. The beam from such array may be electronically scanned, within wide limits, regardless of the orientation of the phased array. Also shown is an improved constrained centerfeed for the antenna elements in each row thereof in such array, the disclosed feed incorporating a double ladder arrangement, including wideband couplers, to permit the extensive use of stripline and at the same time to allow practically independent adjustment of azimuth and elevation difference patterns when the phased array is used as an element in a monopulse system.

Claims

1. In directional antenna apparatus for use in a streamlined radome on an aircraft, such radome being ogival in shape, the improvement comprising the combination of:

a. a plurality of antenna elements, such elements being disposed in a planar array within a substantially elliptical outline corresponding to a diagonal section of the radome;

b. phase shifting means, operative on radio frequency energy passing to and from each one of the antenna elements, for collimating such energy into a beam and for deflecting such beam; and

,

c. means for rotatably mounting the plurality of antenna elements and the phase shifting means within the radome.

2. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein the planar array of antenna elements is inclined at an angle of 45°

with respect to the longitudinal axis of the radome.

3. The improvement as in claim 2 having, additionally, back feed means for each one of the plurality of antenna elements.

4. The improvement as in claim 3 having, additionally, means for actuating the phase shifting means to scan the beam in steps, the dwell time of the beam at each angular position thereof being constant.

5. The improvement as in claim 4 wherein the mounting means includes:

a. a pedestal affixed to the aircraft;

b. a platform rotatably mounted on the pedestal;

c. means for rotating the platform around the longitudinal axis of the pedestal; and

d. means for conducting radio frequency energy and phase shifting control signals from the aircraft through the pedestal and the platform to the phase shifting means and to the antenna elements.

6. The improvement as in claim 5 wherein the longitudinal axis of the pedestal is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the radome.

7. The improvement as in claim 6 having, additionally, means cooperating between the pedestal and the platform for producing signals indicative of the rotational position of the planar array of antenna elements.

8. The improvement as in claim 7 having, additionally, means for passing a coolant over the phase shifting means associated with each one of the antenna elements, such coolant being introduced at the center of the elliptical outline.