Deployable phased array antenna assembly
US10062951B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q23/00
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lightweight deployable antenna assembly for, e.g., microsatellites including multifilar (e.g., quadrifilar) antenna (MHA) structures rigidly maintained in an array pattern by a lightweight linkage and collectively controlled by a central antenna feed circuit and local antenna feed circuits to perform phased array antenna operations. The linkage is preferably an expandable (e.g., flexural-scissor-grid) linkage capable of collapsing into a retracted/stowage state in which the MHA elements are maintained in a closely-spaced (e.g., hexagonal lattice close-packed) configuration optimized for payload storage. To deploy the antenna for operation, the linkage unfolds (expands) such that the MHA elements are moved away from each other and into an evenly spaced (e.g., wide-spaced hexagonal) pattern optimized for phased array operations. The MHA structures utilize modified helical filar elements including metal plated/printed on polymer/plastic beams/ribbons, or thin-walled metal tubes. The helical filar elements are radially offset (e.g., by 90°) and wound around a central axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.