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Antenna couplers and method of production

a technology of antenna couplers and couplers, applied in the field of antenna couplers, can solve the problems of bulky test equipment, difficult to reach conveniently, and relatively expensive and bulky test equipment, and achieve the effects of reducing the size, complexity and cost of antenna couplers, and low cos

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-01-18
BAE SYST INFORMATION & ELECTRONICS SYST INTERGRATION INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a low-cost, compact antenna coupler that uses a novel near-field sensing probe to reduce the size, complexity, and cost of traditional antenna couplers. The coupler is made of lightweight, durable fiberglass material that conforms to the unique aircraft and radome profile and provides electromagnetic interference / electromagnetic compatibility shielding and effective bandwidth. It can be easily mounted on an aircraft and is a consumable end item that can be replaced due to its low cost and not repaired if damaged. The invention also avoids the need for numerous repair parts and complicated logistics.

Problems solved by technology

Also each aircraft generally will have a number of radar antennas protected by radomes, each of which heretofore had to be removed in order to perform the required tests requiring the use of relatively expensive and bulky test equipment.
Also the locations of the radar antennas vary and are at locations, sometimes difficult to reach conveniently with such prior art heavy and bulky test equipment.
Because of these design constraints existing antenna couplers are high cost items.
Thus, antenna couplers for these applications tend to be rather large, expensive to use and maintain, and bulky to transport and store.

Method used

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  • Antenna couplers and method of production
  • Antenna couplers and method of production
  • Antenna couplers and method of production

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second embodiment

[0024] the antenna coupler indicated at 5, is shown in detail in FIG. 3, and is similar in most respects to coupler 3 discussed above except that it includes a plurality or an array of individual probes 7 spaced from each other throughout a coupler shell 27. Shell 27 also is fabricated from laid-up sheets of fiberglass shaped so that it conforms to the shape of the aircraft, and in particular to the radome 29 thereof, so that probes 7 formed from coaxial cables 10, are located at the required distances from the apertures of the multiple AUT 19. Each of the coaxial cables 10 embedded in shell 27 have an RF connector 17 at the exposed ends thereof for connection to test equipment 23 as shown in FIG. 1.

third embodiment

[0025] A third embodiment is indicated generally at 35 (FIG. 4), and is similar to embodiments 3 and 5 discussed above with the exception that it includes a metallic screen 37 embedded within a dielectric shell 39 where it is separated from probe 7 by a layer of radar absorbent material (RAM) indicated at 41. Probe 7 will be embedded within an innermost layer 43 of the fiberglass so as to be at the correct spacing from the aperture of an AUT 19. Again, as shown in FIG. 4, dielectric shell 39 is placed over an aircraft radome 47 eliminating the need for removal of the same as required in prior tests. Also, a gel-coat layer (not shown) may be placed over the layers of fiberglass in forming the finalized dielectric shell 39.

[0026] As discussed above, probe 7 shown in the various embodiments will-have an exposed center conductor equal to or less than ¼ wavelength at the low end of the operating frequency range of the aperture of the AUT. As examples, a 500 MHz antenna signal will have a...

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Abstract

A method of producing an antenna coupler for placement on an antenna under test (AUT) having an aperture. This method includes the steps of constructing a probe from a section of RF hard-line stock having a center conductor and an outer conductor. The outer conductor is removed to expose a portion of the center conductor having a length equal to or less than ¼ wavelength of the AUT. The probe is embedded within a fiberglass shell and has an exposed RF connector for connection to equipment for performing tests on the AUT. The probe is then positioned across the aperture of the Antenna Under Test (AUT).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to antennas and more particularly to antenna couplers. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a quick check conformal antenna coupler which provides a reliable and repeatable RF interface between aircraft electronic countermeasure (ECM) system installations and flightline automated test equipment (ATE) without requiring the removal of aircraft radomes. [0003] 2. Background Information [0004] Antenna couplers are devices used to match the impedance of a transmitter IS and / or receiver to an antenna to provide maximum power transfer. One of their uses is to provide the RF interface between an aircraft electronic countermeasure system (ECM) installation and flightline Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). Unlike most radar and communications systems, ECM systems typically operate over a wide range of frequencies, an octave or more is not uncommon. The interface must provide for a predictable a...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01Q1/50G01R29/10
CPCG01R29/10H01Q1/28H01Q1/50
Inventor TOWN, GRAHAM
Owner BAE SYST INFORMATION & ELECTRONICS SYST INTERGRATION INC
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