×

Active reflectarray antenna for communication satellite frequency re-use

  • US 5,280,297 A
  • Filed: 04/06/1992
  • Issued: 01/18/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An antenna system, comprising:

  • a first plurality of first transducer antenna element means, each of said first transducer antenna element means including an active portion and also including a connection port at which signals are generated in response to reception of electromagnetic radiation of a first polarization by said active portion of said first transducer antenna element means, and which first transducer antenna element means radiates electromagnetic energy of said first polarization from said active portion in response to signals applied to said connection port;

    a second plurality, of second transducer antenna element means, each of said second transducer antenna element means including an active portion and also including a connection port at which signals are generated in response to reception by said active portion of electromagnetic radiation of a second polarization, orthogonal to said first polarization, and which second transducer antenna element means radiates electromagnetic energy of said second polarization in response to signals applied to said connection port;

    arraying means coupled to said first and second antenna element means for arraying said active portions of said first and second antenna element means in at least an array direction to define an array surface, with each of said transducer antenna element means oriented for transducing radiation of its polarization;

    first feed antenna means mounted at a first location offset from said array surface, for transducing electromagnetic radiation of said first polarization flowing in (a) a converging manner from said array surface toward said first feed antenna means, and (b) flowing in a diverging manner from said first feed antenna means toward said array surface;

    second feed antenna means mounted at a second location offset from said array surface, different from said first location, for transducing electromagnetic radiation of said second polarization flowing in (a) a converging manner from said array surface toward said second feed antenna means, and (b) flowing in a diverging manner from said second feed antenna means toward said array surface;

    a plurality, equal to said first plurality, of first processing means, each of said first processing means being coupled to said connection port of an associated one of said first transducer antenna element means, for receiving signals from said associated one of said first transducer antenna element means in response to said electromagnetic radiation flowing in said diverging manner from said first feed antenna means to produce first received signals, and for at least amplifying said first received signals, and for phase controlling said first received signals in accordance with the location within said first antenna array of said associated one of said first transducer antenna element means for generating first processed signals, and for applying said first processed signals to said connection port of said associated on of said first transducer antenna element means, for causing said first antenna array to generate an amplified, collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation in response to said diverging beam of electromagnetic radiation flowing from said first feed antenna means to said array surface, and for causing said first array to generate an amplified beam of electromagnetic energy converging toward said first feed antenna means in response to receipt of a collimated beam of electromagnetic energy of said first polarization;

    a plurality, equal to said second plurality, of second processing means, each of said second processing means being coupled to said connection port of an associated one of said second transducer antenna element means, for receiving signals from said associated one of said second transducer antenna element means in response to said electromagnetic radiation flowing in said diverging manner from said second feed antenna means to produce second received signals, and for at least amplifying said second received signals, and for phase controlling said second received signals in accordance with the location within said second antenna array of said associated one of said second transducer antenna element means for generating second processed signals, and for applying said second processed signals to said connection port of said associated one of said second transducer antenna element means, with phase selected for causing said second antenna array to generate an amplified, collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation in response to said diverging beam of electromagnetic radiation flowing from said second feed antenna means to said array surface, and for causing said second array to generate an amplified beam of electromagnetic energy converging toward said second feed antenna means in response to receipt of a collimated beam of electromagnetic energy of said second polarization.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×