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Microwave receiving antenna array having adjustable null direction

  • US 4,791,428 A
  • Filed: 05/15/1987
  • Issued: 12/13/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A microwave receiving antenna array for providing maximum response to incident microwave radiation arriving from a primary receiving direction while rejecting incident microwave radiation arriving from a null-reception direction which differs from said primary receiving direction by only a small angle, comprising:

  • a plurality of directional antenna elements individually directed in said primary receiving direction and collectively distributed in a symmetrical pattern having a geometric center, said plurality of directional antenna elements disposed in a plane perpendicular to said primary receiving direction, each of said plurality of directional antenna elements providing an electrical output signal representative of a component of said incident microwave radiation;

    a plurality of phase-shifting transmission line means having input ends and output ends, said input ends individually operably connected to a respective one of said antenna elements to accept one of said electrical output signals for presenting phase-shifted output signals at said output ends, the phase shifts introduced to said respective electrical output signals by their associated transmission line means being equal;

    means for additively combining the phase-shifted output signals at the output ends of said plurality of phase-shifting transmission line means to produce a composite output signal therefrom and for delivering said composite output signal to an output transmission line means, said means for additively combining said phase-shifted output signals including impedance-matching means operably interposed between said plurality of phase-shifting transmission line means and said output transmission line means to effect an impedance match therebetween; and

    means for collectively rotating said plurality of directional antenna elements about an axis through said geometric center of said symmetrical pattern and parallel to said primary receiving direction thereby adjustably varying said null-reception direction.

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