Thinned multiple beam phased array antenna

• US 6,169,513 B1
• Filed: 11/08/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Space Systems/Loral Incorporated (Loral Space and Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Space Systems/Loral Incorporated (Loral Space and Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cohen, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US09/435,516
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 342/81, 342/154, 342/157, 342/368, 342/354, 342/372, 342/373
• US Class Current: 342/354
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/288 Satellite antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/064 using horn or slot aerials slotted waveguides arrays H01Q21/005
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/22 Antenna units of the array energised non-uniformly in amplitude or phase, e.g. tapered array or binomial array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2041 Spot beam multiple access

Abstract

A thinned multiple beam phased array antenna which includes, in a sending array configuration, an antenna element, beam forming network, feeding circuits, a phase and gain controller, and a phase control algorithm storage unit. A feeding circuit is coupled to an associated antenna element and the beam forming network, and passes a beam forming signal between the antenna element and the beam forming network. The antenna element preferably includes a plurality of radiators and a plurality of band pass filters, wherein a band pass filter is dedicated to each radiator. The beam forming network preferably includes a stripline power divider and a power distributor. The feeding circuits preferably include a plurality of impedance-matching isolators, a plurality of solid state power amplifiers, a plurality of n:1 signal combiners, a plurality of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), and a plurality of phase shifters. This configuration is integrated into a single system which provides flexibility of beam placement, narrow beam width, simultaneous, independent multiple beams and reduces the overall system weight and cost.

Claims

1. A circuit package comprising more than one signal input, a control bus control input for coupling to a control bus and a phased array element output for coupling to an element of a phased array antenna, wherein said circuit package controllably amplifies and phase shifts, in response to a control signal received at said control bus control input, a signal received at each of said more than one signal input to produce, at said phased array element output, a portion of a beam to be transmitted.

2. A circuit package comprising a phased array element input for coupling to an element of a phased array antenna, a control bus control input for coupling to a control bus and more than one output, wherein said circuit package controllably amplifies and phase shifts, in response to a control signal received at said control bus control input, a beam received at said phased array element input to produce, at each of said more than one output, a portion of said received beam.