Low cost polarization twist space-fed E-scan planar phased array antenna
US6351247B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q19/195
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A polarization twist, space-fed, E-scan planar phased array antenna. The phased array antenna incorporates a polarization twist, space-fed architecture. A plurality of unit cells are formed wherein each cell incorporates a large plurality of phased array elements and associated phase shifters. The space-feed architecture enables 2-bit phase shifters to be employed while still producing low antenna sidelobes. The phased array elements, phase shifters, and associated control circuits for controlling the phase shifters are all preferably formed on one surface of a MMIC substrate. This further simplifies significantly the cost and complexity of manufacturing and testing the E-scan phased array antenna. The antenna can therefore be used in applications where an E-scan phased array antenna would have been too costly to employ. The antenna of the present invention is expected to find particular utility in various radar systems, and more particularly missile defense radar systems where E-scan antennas have traditionally been too expensive to employ.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.