Transmit-receive module for a radar

• US 7,205,934 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Astrium Limited (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Astrium Limited (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Hall, Charles David
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor; John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/478,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20040145515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,798 Days
• Field of Search: 342/175, 342/165, 342/173, 342/174
• US Class Current: 342/175
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/032 Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46

Abstract

A transmit-receive module has a battery energy store with associated circuitry for generating power (RF power) over periods ranging, as desired, from periods as short as small fractions of one second to continuous emissions over prolonged periods. The arrangement bears a definite cost advantage over known arrangements and retains utility for various applications, radar and space-based applications for example.

Claims

1. An RF transmit-receive module for energising an antenna, the module comprising:

battery-energy storing means for providing a supply of energy to the module over a predetermined duration of time; and

circuitry associated with the battery-energy storing means, the circuitry including;

generating means for generating RF power in dependence upon the supply of energy from said battery-energy storing means; and

transmitting means for transmitting the generated RF power to the antenna so that the antenna is energised by operation of the module.

2. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery-energy storing means comprises a lithium ion battery device.

3. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery-energy storing means is connected at its output end to the circuitry via power control switching means.

4. A module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising battery control means for monitoring the condition of the battery-energy storing means, the control means being arranged to controllably recharge the battery-energy storing means when there is an indication that said battery-energy storing means requires recharging.

5. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery-energy storing means is connected at its input end to a DC power supply via an electrical power interface.

6. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery-energy storing means is selected such that the supply of energy of said battery-energy storing means matches the energy requirement of the module when in use.

7. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuitry is controllably activated by the supply of one or more pre-determined control signals via a control interface.

8. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a combination of amplifiers and switches enabling RF power, to be output by the module in response to the supply of energy of said battery-energy storing means.

9. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuitry is adapted and arranged to route signals to the antenna via a signal port and/or route signals between the respective circuit elements.

10. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power generated by the module comprises a pulsed emission of RF power.

11. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power generated by the module comprises a continuous emission of RF power.

12. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supply of energy of the battery-energy storing means is provided to the module for a duration of time during the time of operation of the module.

13. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supply of energy of the battery-energy storing means is provided to the module for a duration of time before the time of operation of the module.

14. A radar communications system comprising one or more modules as claimed in claim 1.

15. A spacecraft incorporating one or more modules as claimed in claim 1.

16. A satellite incorporating one or more modules as claimed in claim 1.

17. A combination of modules as claimed in claim 1 including means for combining the power generated by each of the modules to provide a single pulsed emission of power.

18. A method of operating an RF transmit-receive module for energising an antenna, the method comprising:

storing energy in a battery-energy store of the module;

providing a supply of the stored energy to the module over a predetermined duration of time;

generating RF power in the module in dependence upon the supply of energy from said battery-energy store; and

transmitting the generated RF power to the antenna so that the antenna is energised by operation of the module.