Patent · US Expired

Layered electronically scanned antenna and method therefor

US6396449B1 · kind B1 · utility

38Cited by
15References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 2001
Grant dateMay 28, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 15, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01Q21/0087
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A layered, electronically scanned antenna. The antenna includes a plurality or array layers separated by dielectric spacers. Each array layer includes a transistor switched grid formed by a plurality of reflective/transmissive elements such as cross dipoles interconnected by a plurality of semiconductors, such as MOSFETs. When the switched grid is in an open state, its associated array layer is reflective. When it is in a closed condition, its associated layer is in a transmissive state. By controlling the state of each array layer, a desired degree of phase shift can be imparted to the signal reflected by the antenna. The antenna thus eliminates the need for costly MEMS/MMIC technology to achieve the desired degrees of phase shift of a signal reflected by the antenna.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.