Circuit module for a phased array radar
US6054948A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2213/13003
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A 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).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.