676results about "Modular arrays" patented technology

Circuit modules and methods of construction thereof that contain composite meta-material dielectric bodies that have high effective values of real permittivity but which minimize reflective losses, through the use of host dielectric (organic or ceramic), materials having relative permittivities substantially less than ceramic dielectric inclusions embedded therein. The composite meta-material bodies permit reductions in physical lengths of electrically conducting elements such as antenna element(s) without adversely impacting radiation efficiency. The meta-material structure may additionally provide frequency band filtering functions that would normally be provided by other components typically found in an RF front-end.

A radiator includes a waveguide having an aperture and a patch antenna disposed in the aperture. In one embodiment, an antenna includes an array of waveguide antenna elements, each element having a cavity, and an array of patch antenna elements including an upper patch element and a lower patch element disposed in the cavity.

A mixed-signal, multilayer printed wiring board fabricated in a single lamination step is described. The PWB includes one or more radio frequency (RF) interconnects between different circuit layers on different circuit boards which make up the PWB. The PWB includes a number of unit cells with radiating elements and an RF cage disposed around each unit cell to isolate the unit cell. A plurality of flip-chip circuits are disposed on an external surface of the PWB and a heat sink can be disposed over the flip chip components.

A structural grid is provided with continuous and discontinuous beam members coupled by splices, a front structure coupled to the structural grid, the front structure including a walkway and cables, a radome coupled to the front structure. The structural grid is coupled to a plurality of antenna subassemblies. The antenna subassemblies have a forward housing including an RF manifold coupled to a circulator, an aft housing coupled to the forward housing, containing a line replaceable unit that is serviceable or maintainable through the aft housing.

A multilayered antenna package including: a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) interface layer that is configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal; a first dielectric layer that is disposed on the RFIC interface layer; a coplanar waveguide layer that is disposed on the first dielectric layer and is configured to receive the RF signal transmitted by RFIC layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on the coplanar waveguide layer; and an antenna portion that is disposed on the second dielectric layer and is configured to irradiate a signal that is transmitted from the coplanar waveguide layer.

A partitioned aperture array antenna. The novel antenna includes a first subarray having a first number of antenna elements equipped with transmit functionality and a second subarray having a second number of antenna elements equipped with receive functionality, wherein the first and second numbers are not equal and the first and second subarrays have at least one common antenna element. In an illustrative embodiment, the first subarray includes a transmit circuit coupled to each antenna element in the first subarray for controlling a relative transmit phase of the antenna element to steer an overall antenna transmit beam, and the second subarray includes a receive circuit coupled to each antenna element in the second subarray for controlling a relative receive phase of the antenna element to steer an overall antenna receive beam.

A vertically stacked array antenna structure is described. The structure comprises a radiating layer, a passive layer disposed under said radiating layer, an active layer disposed under said passive layer, and an interface assembly. The radiating layer comprises an array of radiating elements. The passive layer has only passive components. At least a part of the passive components includes an array of RF duplexers corresponding to the array of radiating elements. The active layer comprises RF amplifiers. The interface assembly comprises at least one metallic frame which is in direct thermal coupling with the RF amplifiers. The interface assembly is configured for providing thermal communication of the active layer with a heat exchanger.

A individually formed radiating unit, an antenna array, and an antenna assembly are provided. The individually formed radiating unit includes a reflector, at least one radiating element integrated into a first side of the reflector, and a housing disposed on a second side of the reflector. The housing forms a chamber for housing a feed network.

An apparatus and method for automatically matching a frequency of an antenna in a wireless terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a duplexer for classifying frequencies transmitted / received through the antenna of the wireless terminal, transmitting the reception frequency received in the antenna to an automatic matching module, and transmitting a transmission frequency, which is received from the automatic matching module, to the antenna; the automatic matching module for automatically matching impedance for the reception frequency received from the duplexer, transmitting the impedance-matched reception frequency to an amplifier, automatically matching impedance for the transmission frequency received from the amplifier, and transmitting the impedance-matched transmission frequency to the duplexer; and a controller for controlling the automatic matching module to automatically match the impedance for the transmission / reception frequencies.

Circuit modules and methods of construction thereof that contain composite meta-material dielectric bodies that have high effective values of real permittivity but which minimize reflective losses, through the use of host dielectric (organic or ceramic), materials having relative permittivities substantially less than ceramic dielectric inclusions embedded therein. The composite meta-material bodies permit reductions in physical lengths of electrically conducting elements such as antenna element(s) without adversely impacting radiation efficiency. The meta-material structure may additionally provide frequency band filtering functions that would normally be provided by other components typically found in an RF front-end.

A receiver for a digital beamforming radar system includes a plurality of antenna elements, low-noise block converters, one or more analog-to-digital converters, and a processor. The antenna elements receive a radar signal and output a received signal. The low-noise block converters are modified commercially available components used in satellite television systems, respond to the received signal from a corresponding antenna element, and output an intermediate frequency signal. The low-noise block converters include at least one amplifier, a mixer, and a local oscillator input. The local oscillator input enables an external local oscillator signal to be inputted to the mixer. The analog-to-digital converters are responsive to the intermediate frequency signal of a corresponding low-noise block converter. The processor is responsive to the digital signals output by the analog-to-digital converters.

A modular electronic architecture is provided. In particular, one or more unit sub-arrays providing at least a portion of the antenna radiator elements and supporting circuitry comprising at least part of a phased array antenna are provided. Each unit sub-array includes a first area comprising a rigid circuit board on which one or more antenna radiator elements are formed. In addition, a second area of rigid circuit board material for supporting circuitry is provided. The first and second areas are interconnected to one another by a region of flexible circuit board material having connective traces. Methods for forming unit sub-arrays providing antenna radiator elements and supporting circuitry are also provided. More particularly, a completed unit sub-array may be formed while the associated circuit boards are in a flat or planar condition. Following any desired verification of the operating status of the circuit board, supporting structure can be machined away, allowing the unit sub-array to be folded for inclusion in a phased array antenna assembly.

A smart antenna system includes a plurality of antennas, a plurality of Transmit—Receive Modules (TRMs) coupled respectively to the plurality of antennas, and a beam steering module coupled to the plurality of TRMs and providing radiation beam steering for the plurality of TRMs. The beam steering module includes a pilot generator for generating a pilot signal and providing it to the TRMs to calibrate a receive (RX) reference plane. The pilot signal is injected at a first location before the receiver section into the RX path, and the pilot signal is sampled at a second location after the receiver section. The TRMs and the beam steering module can also be used to calibrate a transmit (TX) reference plane by sampling output signals from the TRMs. The output signals have a pilot signal component, and are sampled at the first location in the TX path after the transmitter section.

This invention relates to a transmit / receive module for a high power Active Phased Array Antenna system operating in L-band based upon a combination of Hybrid Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) as well as Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology. The transmit / receive module includes a power monitoring means, transmitter protector means, and a receiver protector means. The module comprises a signal transmit chain incorporating power conditioner and a signal receive chain incorporating control electronics and bias- sequencer modulator. The transmit chain has switching means for switching the module to transmit mode which is connected to the transmit amplifier chain through a shared digital phase shifter. The amplified signals from the transmit amplifier chain are conveyed to a duplexer means. In receive mode, the receive chain receives signal through drop-in circulator and high power switch and comprises of high power limiter, low noise amplifier means, and a digital attenuator means connected to the shared digital phase shifter through T / R switch means. Electronic means are connected through integrated control electronic., bias sequencer modulator and power conditioner for controlling the operation of the device.

A radiator includes a waveguide having an aperture and a patch antenna disposed in the aperture. In one embodiment, an antenna includes an array of waveguide antenna elements, each element having a cavity, and an array of patch antenna elements including an upper patch element and a lower patch element disposed in the cavity.

A feed network for an antenna subarray includes a first feed arrangement having an sum output, a second feed arrangement having an delta output, a fixed attenuator having a first port and a second port, the first port connected to the delta output of the second feed arrangement, a first power divider / combiner having a first and second port and a third port; the first port connected to the second port of the fixed attenuator, a variable phase shifter having a first port and a second port, the first port connected to the second port of the power divider / combiner, a variable attenuator having a first port and a second port, the first port connected to the second port of the variable phase shifter, a second power divider / combiner having a first and second port and a third port; the first port connected to the second port of the fixed attenuator, a first circulator having a first port, a second port and a third port, the first port connected to the sum output of the first feed arrangement, and a third power divider / combiner having a first and second port and a third port; the third port connected to the second port of the circulator and the second port connected to the second port of the variable attenuator.

An antenna system that includes a plurality of lens sets. Each lens set includes a lens and at least one feed element. At least one feed element is aligned with the lens and configured to direct a signal through the lens at a desired direction.

A wireless communication device including an antenna-integrated module which realizes a high-end antenna having an improved antenna efficiency includes a mounting board having a through hole whose cross-sectional shape is rectangular; and an antenna-integrated module mounted on the mounting board so as to cover over the through hole, a patch antenna, which radiates radiation wave, being provided on a surface of the antenna-integrated module, which surface is exposed in the through hole, an annular grounding sheet being provided between the antenna-integrated module and the mounting board so as to surround the patch antenna, and the through hole having a longer side whose length satisfies λ / 2≦a≦λ, where λ is a wavelength of the radiation wave.

An antenna includes a flexible sheet that includes a first main surface including a first coil electrode located thereon and a second main surface including a second coil electrode located thereon. The first and second coil electrodes are wound in opposite directions when viewed from different directions. A first end of the first coil electrode faces a first end of the second coil electrode through the flexible sheet. Similarly, a second end of the first coil electrode faces a second end of the second coil electrode through the flexible sheet. The first and second coil electrodes define an inductor, the first ends of the first and second coil electrodes define a capacitor, and the second ends of the first and second coil electrodes define a capacitor whereby a resonant antenna is provided.

A front end circuit for selectively coupling a first antenna and a second antenna to a transmit chain and a receive chain of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver is disclosed. There is a first power amplifier having an input connectible to the transmit chain of the RF transceiver, a first low noise amplifier having an output connectible to the receive chain of the RF transceiver, and a second low noise amplifier with an input connectible to the second antenna, as well as an output connectible to the receive chain of the RF transceiver. A first matching and switch network is connected to the first antenna, the output of the first power amplifier, and the input of the first low noise amplifier. Transmit signals from the first power amplifier and receive signals from the first antenna are selectively passed to the first antenna and the first low noise amplifier.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for phased array antenna communications. A phased array antenna tile includes a plurality of antenna elements. A beamformer module is integrated into the phased array antenna tile. The beamformer module is electrically coupled to each antenna element to process directional signals for the plurality of antenna elements. A plurality of cascadable connection points are disposed along a perimeter of the phased array antenna tile for connecting the phased array antenna tile to one or more additional phased array antenna tiles.

A modular feed network is provided with a segment base provided with a feed aperture, a corner cavity at each corner and a tap cavity at a mid-section of each of two opposite sides. A segment top is provided with a plurality of output ports. The segment top is dimensioned to seat upon the segment base to form a segment pair. the segment base provided with a plurality of waveguides between cavities of the segment base. The modular feed network is configurable via a range of feed, bypass and / or power divider taps seated in the apertures and / or cavities to form a waveguide network of varied numbers of output ports by routing across one or more of the segment tops. For example, the modular feed network may comprise 1, 4 or 16 of the segment bases retained side to side.

A phased array antenna includes a semiconductor wafer, with radio frequency (RF) circuitry fabricated on top side of the semiconductor wafer. There is an array of antenna elements above the top side of the semiconductor wafer, and a coaxial coupling arrangement coupling the RF circuitry and the array of antenna elements. The coaxial coupling arrangement may include a plurality of coaxial connections, each having an outer conductor, an inner conductor, and a dielectric material therebetween. The dielectric material may be air.

The invention provides an integrated millimeter wave active phased-array antenna. The integrated millimeter wave active phased-array antenna is reliable in performance, ensures that the number of chips can be reduced, and reduces cost. According to the technical scheme, an antenna bearing layer is integrally connected to a feed network through an antenna array surface and a TR assembly; micro-strip patches of the antenna array surface are arranged below the antenna bearing layer according to a rectangular grid array and are connected with power amplifier chips of the TR assembly according to a 8*8 array scale, and every four power amplifier chips are connected with a four-channel integrated phase shifter to constitute a 2*2 sub-array circuit to be integrally connected with the feed network downwards; a radio frequency signal is input to a power dividing network through the feed network and is disseminated into four paths of radio frequency signals through a plurality of four-channel integrated phase shifters, and the radio frequency signals are input into corresponding power amplifier chips, are transmitted to the micro-strip patches and are transmitted; sixteen four-channel integrated phase shifters and sixty-four power amplifier chips are controlled by control signals through a low-frequency signal network to finish radio frequency signal space power synthesis and beam scanning.

A structural grid is provided with continuous and discontinuous beam members coupled by splices, a front structure coupled to the structural grid, the front structure including a walkway and cables, a radome coupled to the front structure. The structural grid is coupled to a plurality of antenna subassemblies. The antenna subassemblies have a forward housing including an RF manifold coupled to a circulator, an aft housing coupled to the forward housing, containing a line replaceable unit that is serviceable or maintainable through the aft housing.

An antenna array is assembled by direct attaching a flip chip transmit / receive (T / R) module to an antenna circuit board. A fillet bond is applied to the circuit board and the flip chip T / R module around at least a portion of the periphery of the flip chip T / R module.

A lightweight millimeter wave outdoor unit includes a lightweight housing with a heat sink and mounting member configured for mounting on the antenna to form a wireless link. A millimeter wave transceiver board is formed of ceramic material and mounted within the housing. It includes a millimeter wave transceiver circuit that has microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) chips and operable with the transmit and receive boards. An intermediate frequency (IF) board has components forming an intermediate frequency circuit operable with the millimeter wave transceiver circuit. A frequency synthesizer board has a signal generating circuit for generating local oscillator signals to the transceiver circuit. A controller board has surface mounted DC and low frequency discrete devices thereon forming power and control circuits that supply respective power and control signals to other circuits on other boards. A quick connect / disconnect assembly is operative with the housing for allowing the housing to be rapidly connected and disconnected to the antenna circuit contact members interconnect circuits between boards.

There are provided a magnetic core member for an antenna module capable of improving a communication distance without thickening the module, an antenna module, and a portable information terminal equipped with the antenna module. A magnetic core member 18 for an antenna module 10 of the present invention has a ring groove 18c as a recess portion formed on the surface on the side stacking an antenna coil 15 in an area facing a loop portion of the antenna coil 15. An eddy current generated in the magnetic core member 18 in a high frequency magnetic field is concentrated on the surface of the magnetic core member 18 on the side stacking the antenna coil 15 in the area facing the loop portion of the antenna coil 15. According to the present invention, a ring groove 18c is provided in the area to reduce an amount of eddy currents to be generated and improve the communication distance characteristics of the antenna module.

PCT No. PCT / GB95 / 01607 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 10, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 10, 1997 PCT Filed Jul. 7, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 03367 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 30, 1997A circuit module for a phased array radar (10) incorporates radar frequency (RF) mixers (54a, 54b) connected to an RF splitter / combiner (52) and to in-phase and quadrature RF reference signals. The RF mixers (54a, 54b) are also connected to intermediate frequency (IF) processing circuitry (60 to 68) providing for phase control of RF signals and IF reference signals. In transmission mode, the RF mixer (54a, 54b) receive phase-controlled, digitally synthesised IF signals from clock-activated generators (68a, 68b). Their outputs are combined at the RF splitter / combiner (52) to provide single sideband upconversion of the phase-controlled IF signals. In reception mode, the RF splitter / combiner (52) and the RF mixers (54a, 54b) act as an image rejection mixer circuit in which the phase-controlled IF signals are local oscillator signals. Beamforming is carried out by computer control of the IF phase together with, in the case of reception, analogue or digital summation of output signals from an array of modules (12).

This invention relates to a transmit and receive module for active phased array antenna system based upon a combination of hybrid microwave integrated circuit (MIC) as well as monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology. The module comprises a signal transmit chain having switching means (03) for switching the module to transmittance mode. Means are provided for applying pulsed RF signal to the said module from array manifold. A phase shifter (01) is connected to a digital attenuator (02) and the output of the attenuator (02) is connected to a power amplifier (04). The amplified signals from amplifier (04) are conveyed to a duplexer means (05) connected to said power amplifier (04) and for routing back the received signal through a receiver protector (06) and low noise amplifier means (07). Electronic means are connected to a power conditioner for controlling the operation of the device.