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Reconfiguration of passive elements in an array antenna for controlling antenna performance

  • US 5,293,172 A
  • Filed: 09/28/1992
  • Issued: 03/08/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An optically reconfigurable array antenna, comprising:

  • (a) a driven element that is couplable to a transmission line;

    (b) first and second passive elements positioned on opposite sides of the driven element, the first passive element including at least two co-axially arranged antenna segments and an optoelectronic switch that couples the antenna segments together, the optoelectronic switch having a first, substantially conducting impedance state and a second, substantially non-conducting impedance state, the optoelectronic switch being responsive to an optical activation signal such that the strength of the activation signal determines the impedance state of the optoelectronic switch; and

    (c) non-metallic means for providing an optical activation signal to the optoelectronic switch.

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