Two-dimensional planar and crossover-free beamforming network architecture

US11699862B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Julian A. Brown · Cambridge, US
• Benjamin F. Lane · Grafton, US
• Hannah A. Clevenson · Cambridge, US
• Lucas D. Benney · Watertown, US
• Michael G. Moebius · Somerville, US
• Robin Mark Adrian Dawson · Waltham, US
• Steven J. Spector · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 2021
• Grant date: Jul 11, 2023
• Expiry date: Oct 7, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B7/0617
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An antenna system has a two-dimensional field of view, yet can be implemented on a surface, such as on electronic or photonic integrated circuits. The antenna system includes an array of antennas disposed in a predetermined non-linear pattern and a two-dimensional beamforming network (BFN). The antenna system can be steered/selectively beamformed in two dimensions through beam port selection. The beamforming network is disposed entirely on a single first surface. The beamforming network has a one-dimensional array-side interface disposed on the first surface and a one-dimensional beam-side interface disposed on the first surface. The antennas of the array of antennas are individually communicably coupled to the array-side interface. Segments of the beam-side interface map to respective pixels in the two-dimensional field of view.