Wideband cylindrical UHF array
First Claim
1. A wideband electronically scanned cylindrical array, comprising:
- an array of end-fire radiating elements, the elements arranged in a first plurality of columns, the columns arranged radially about a center axis of the array;
a beamforming network connected to the array of radiating elements, the beamforming network including;
a power divider circuit for dividing an input RF drive signal into a second plurality of drive signals;
a matrix of electronically controlled transfer switches;
a true time delay network, comprising a third plurality of delay lines coupling respective ones of said drive signals to said matrix of transfer switches;
a fourth plurality of transmit amplifiers coupled to said matrix of transfer switches, each amplifier for amplifying a respective one of the drive signals;
apparatus for coupling said amplified drive signals to selected ones of said columns of radiating elements, said selected columns forming a fifth plurality of columns; and
a beamforming controller connected to the coupling apparatus and the matrix of transfer switches for selecting sectors of said columns of radiating elements to be driven by said drive signals to form a desired beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wideband electronically scanned cylindrical array includes an array of end-fire radiating elements, the elements arranged in a first plurality of columns, the columns arranged radially about a center axis of the array. A beamforming network is connected to the array of radiating elements. The beamforming network includes a power divider circuit for dividing an input RF drive signal into a second plurality of drive signals, and a matrix of electronically controlled transfer switches. A true time delay network comprising a third plurality of delay lines couples respective ones of the drive signals to the matrix of transfer switches. A third plurality of transmit amplifiers is coupled to the matrix of transfer switches, each amplifier for amplifying a respective one of the drive signals. The beamforming network further includes apparatus for coupling the amplified drive signals to selected ones of the columns of radiating elements. A beamforming controller is connected to the coupling apparatus and the matrix of transfer switches for selecting sectors of the columns of radiating elements to be driven by the drive signals to form a desired beam. The columns of radiating elements are arranged in a circularly symmetric fashion about the axis in the disclosed embodiment.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A wideband electronically scanned cylindrical array, comprising:
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an array of end-fire radiating elements, the elements arranged in a first plurality of columns, the columns arranged radially about a center axis of the array; a beamforming network connected to the array of radiating elements, the beamforming network including; a power divider circuit for dividing an input RF drive signal into a second plurality of drive signals; a matrix of electronically controlled transfer switches; a true time delay network, comprising a third plurality of delay lines coupling respective ones of said drive signals to said matrix of transfer switches; a fourth plurality of transmit amplifiers coupled to said matrix of transfer switches, each amplifier for amplifying a respective one of the drive signals; apparatus for coupling said amplified drive signals to selected ones of said columns of radiating elements, said selected columns forming a fifth plurality of columns; and a beamforming controller connected to the coupling apparatus and the matrix of transfer switches for selecting sectors of said columns of radiating elements to be driven by said drive signals to form a desired beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A wideband electronically scanned cylindrical array, comprising:
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a first array of end-fire radiating elements, the elements arranged in a first plurality of columns arranged radially about a center axis of the array; a second array of end-fire radiating elements, the elements arranged in a second plurality of columns arranged radially about said center axis; the first array and second arrays disposed as upper and lower decks of an antenna system; a beamforming network connected to the first and second arrays of radiating elements, the beamforming network including; a power divider circuit for dividing an input RF drive signal into a third plurality of drive signals; a matrix of electronically controlled transfer switches; a true time delay network, comprising a fourth plurality of delay lines coupling respective ones of said drive signals to said matrix of transfer switches; a fifth plurality of transmit amplifiers coupled to said matrix of transfer switches, each amplifier for amplifying a respective one of the drive signals; apparatus for coupling said amplified drive signals to selected ones of said first and said second pluralities of columns of radiating elements, said selected columns forming a fifth plurality of columns; and a beamforming controller connected to the coupling apparatus and the matrix of transfer switches for selecting sectors of said columns of radiating elements to be driven by said drive signals to form a desired beam. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification