Flat panel array antenna
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An antenna array comprising:
- a. a multi-beam forming network disposed on a circuit board in a network board plane; and
b. a plurality of radiator boards, each radiator board disposed in one of at least one radiator board plane, each radiator board plane being perpendicular to the network board plane, the radiator boards forming successive rows and characterized by a width; and
c. a plurality of radiator elements, a subset of the radiator elements disposed on each radiator board, each radiator element coupled to the multi-beam forming network such that the plurality of radiator elements create at least two beams, each beam directed in an independently specified direction.
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Abstract
A flat panel antenna array for generating multiple beams across a wide frequency band. Radiating elements and feeds are supported on radiator boards disposed in parallel planes, all perpendicular to a network board that supports a time delay structure, such as a Rotman lens, to phase the signal fed to respective radiating elements in order to form beams pointing in specified directions. Ground sheets, parallel to the network board and back structure of the antenna, interlock with a narrowed region of the radiator boards and with cross braces, providing mechanical support and overlap to reducing cross-polarized radiation otherwise coupled by slots in the ground sheets.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An antenna array comprising:
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a. a multi-beam forming network disposed on a circuit board in a network board plane; and
b. a plurality of radiator boards, each radiator board disposed in one of at least one radiator board plane, each radiator board plane being perpendicular to the network board plane, the radiator boards forming successive rows and characterized by a width; and
c. a plurality of radiator elements, a subset of the radiator elements disposed on each radiator board, each radiator element coupled to the multi-beam forming network such that the plurality of radiator elements create at least two beams, each beam directed in an independently specified direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for generating multiple antenna beams, the method comprising:
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a. fabricating a radiator element on each of a plurality of radiator boards;
b. supporting the plurality of radiator boards at right angles to a network board; and
c. exciting each radiator element with a signal phased by means of a multi-beam forming network disposed on the network board and the radiator boards, so as to generate the multiple antenna beams, each beam directed in an independently specified direction.
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Specification