Modular array and phased array antenna system
First Claim
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1. A modular beamformer for providing millimeter-wave signals to a plurality of radiating elements of a phased array antenna, the beamformer comprising:
- a plurality of substantially identical beamformer modules arranged in a stacked configuration, each beamformer module being in a primary plane; and
a plurality of feeder lines extending through each beamformer module of the plurality, each feeder line coupled to one of the radiating elements,wherein each beamformer module comprises;
a plurality of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) phase shifter elements for providing phase-shifted signals to more than one of the feeder lines; and
an input signal path interconnecting each one of the plurality of phase shifter elements,wherein each feeder line is arranged in a secondary plane substantially perpendicular the primary plane, each one of the feeder lines comprising a dielectrically loaded wave guide.
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Abstract
A modular phased array antenna for the formation of simultaneous independently steerable multiple beams, the modular phased array antenna comprising a modular array including a plurality of sub-array modules combined together in close proximity, each one of the plurality of sub-array modules including a plurality of input modules, a layer of a plurality of radiating antenna elements, a plurality of stacked beamformers arranged in series and each connected to one of the plurality of input modules and to the plurality of radiating antenna elements in beam communication.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A modular beamformer for providing millimeter-wave signals to a plurality of radiating elements of a phased array antenna, the beamformer comprising:
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a plurality of substantially identical beamformer modules arranged in a stacked configuration, each beamformer module being in a primary plane; and a plurality of feeder lines extending through each beamformer module of the plurality, each feeder line coupled to one of the radiating elements, wherein each beamformer module comprises; a plurality of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) phase shifter elements for providing phase-shifted signals to more than one of the feeder lines; and an input signal path interconnecting each one of the plurality of phase shifter elements, wherein each feeder line is arranged in a secondary plane substantially perpendicular the primary plane, each one of the feeder lines comprising a dielectrically loaded wave guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A modular phased array antenna for the formation of simultaneous independently steerable multiple beams, the modular phased array antenna comprising:
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a plurality of sub-array modules combined together in close proximity, each one of the plurality of sub-array modules including, a plurality of input modules, a layer of a plurality of radiating antenna elements, a plurality of beamformer modules arranged in a stacked configuration and each connected to one of the plurality of input modules in beam communication, each one of the plurality of beamformer modules including a plurality of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) phase shifter elements arranged in a primary plane, wherein the plurality of phase shifter elements corresponds to a predetermined number of the plurality of radiating antenna elements, and a waveguide coupler interconnecting each one of the plurality of GaAs MMIC phase shifters to a corresponding one of the plurality of input modules in beam communication; and a plurality of feeder lines arranged in a secondary plane substantially perpendicular to the primary plane, each one of the plurality of feeder lines coupled to one of the plurality of radiating antenna elements and to one of the plurality of GaAs MMIC phase shifters of each one of the plurality of beamformers, each feeder line comprised of a circular dielectrically loaded waveguide extending through each beamformer of the plurality. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification