Wideband 2-D electronically scanned array with compact CTS feed and MEMS phase shifters
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna, comprising:
- a wide band feedthrough lens including first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements, and an array of MEMS phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements; and
, a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements for providing a planar wave front in the near field;
wherein the MEMS phase shifter modules steer a beam radiated from the CTS feed array in two dimensions.
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Abstract
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna and method of frequency scanning are disclosed. The MEMS ESA antenna includes a wide band feedthrough lens and a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array. The wide band feedthrough lens includes first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements and an array of MEMS phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements. The continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array is disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements for providing a planar wave front in the near field. The MEMS phase shifter modules steer a beam radiated from the CTS feed array in two dimensions.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) steerable electronically scanned lens array (ESA) antenna, comprising:
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a wide band feedthrough lens including first and second arrays of wide band radiating elements, and an array of MEMS phase shifter modules disposed between the first and second arrays of radiating elements; and
,a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array disposed adjacent the first array of radiating elements for providing a planar wave front in the near field;
wherein the MEMS phase shifter modules steer a beam radiated from the CTS feed array in two dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of frequency scanning radio frequency energy, comprising the steps of.
inputting radio frequency (RF) energy into a continuous transverse stub (CTS) feed array; -
radiating the RF energy through a plurality of CTS radiating elements in the form of a plane wave in the near field;
emitting the RF plane wave into an input aperture of a wide band feedthrough lens including a plurality of MEMS phase shifter modules;
converting the RF plane wave into discreet RF signals;
using the MEMS phase shifter modules to process the RF signals;
radiating the RF signals through a radiating aperture of the wide band feedthrough lens, thereby recombining the RF signals and forming an antenna beam; and
,varying the frequency of the RF signal inputted into the CTS feed array thereby to change the angular position of the antenna beam in two dimensions and to effect frequency scanning by the antenna beam. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification