Dual-polarized, dual-band, compact beam forming network
US10033099B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q25/001
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A spacecraft communications payload includes a beam forming network (BFN), wherein the BFN includes a first feed waveguide and a first set of branch waveguides, each branch waveguide in the first set operating in a frequency band having a characteristic waveguide wavelength λg1. A proximal portion of the first set of branch waveguides is communicatively coupled with the first feed waveguide. A distal portion of the first set of branch waveguides is communicatively coupled by way of an array of slots with a plurality of radiating elements. A separation distance between adjacent slots in the array is approximately equal to λg, and the array of slots is configured as a honeycomb-like triaxial lattice. In some implementations, a compact BFN may be configured to simultaneously operate at two different polarizations (“dual-polarized”) and/or frequency bands (“dual-band”).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.