Antenna array with printed circuit lens in coupling network
First Claim
1. Apparatus for phase coherently combining a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals, each RF signal exhibiting dissimilar first predetermined time delays, said apparatus comprising:
- time delay means adapted to receive and provide a second predetermined time delay to each RF signal, the second predetermined time delay compensating for the first predetermined time delay of each RF signal, said time delay means comprising a circuit panel having located thereon a series of metallized strips, each strip of predetermined dimension and adapted for receiving a selected one of said RF signals at an input portion, said strips providing said predetermined time delay to said signal and outputting said time delayed signals at an output portion;
combining means for combining the signals from the time delay means to provide a combined signal, said combining means introducing a predetermined timing distortion to at least some of the signals from the time delay means; and
coupling means for coupling the RF signals to said time delay means, the coupling means including means for predeterminedly time delaying the RF signals to compensate for the corresponding timing distortion introduced by the combining means.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A radiated signal, received by each one of a plurality of spatially separated antennas, forming a directive array, is coherently recovered by the lens. The lens is comprised of a plurality of vertically standing and circularly arranged printed circuit panels, each of which includes a conductive strip connected at one end to each antenna. A plurality of semi-elliptical circuit panels are affixed to the vertical panels at a predetermined angle with respect thereto. Plated on the semi-elliptical panels are metal strips of predetermined length to provide the desired time delay to the antenna signals. A combining strip couples to the time delay strips and provides a combined output signal at one end of the semi-elliptical panel. The angle at which the semi-elliptical boards are affixed to the vertical boards corrects for time delay distortion caused by the placement of the combining strip.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for phase coherently combining a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals, each RF signal exhibiting dissimilar first predetermined time delays, said apparatus comprising:
-
time delay means adapted to receive and provide a second predetermined time delay to each RF signal, the second predetermined time delay compensating for the first predetermined time delay of each RF signal, said time delay means comprising a circuit panel having located thereon a series of metallized strips, each strip of predetermined dimension and adapted for receiving a selected one of said RF signals at an input portion, said strips providing said predetermined time delay to said signal and outputting said time delayed signals at an output portion; combining means for combining the signals from the time delay means to provide a combined signal, said combining means introducing a predetermined timing distortion to at least some of the signals from the time delay means; and coupling means for coupling the RF signals to said time delay means, the coupling means including means for predeterminedly time delaying the RF signals to compensate for the corresponding timing distortion introduced by the combining means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A radio frequency (RF) lens assembly adapted for phase coherently combining RF signals received by an antenna array, wherein a RF signal received by each antenna has a predetermined time delay relationship with respect to other antenna array signals due to the spatial relationship between the antennas, the lens assembly comprising:
-
time delay means including means adapted to receive and predeterminedly time delay each one of the antenna array received signals to compensate for time delays caused by the spatial relationship of the antenna array, said time delay means comprising a circuit panel having located thereon a series of metallized time delay strips, each strip of predetermined dimension and adapted for receiving a selected one of said RF signals at an input portion, each strip providing said predetermined time delay to said signal and outputting said time delayed signal at an output portion; combining means for combining the signals from the time delay means to provide a combined signal, said combining means introducing a predetermined timing distortion to at least some of the signals from the time delay means; and coupling means for coupling each of the antenna array received signals to the time delay means, the coupling means including means for predeterminedly time delaying the RF signals to compensate for the corresponding timing distortion introduced by the combining means; whereby the combined signal from the combining means is phase coherent. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
Specification