Patent · US Expired

Spatially orthogonal signal distribution and support architecture for multi-beam phased array antenna

US6429816B1 · kind B1 · utility

29Cited by
22References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 4, 2001
Grant dateAug 6, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 4, 2021

Classification

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

Abstract

A multi-beam phased array antenna architecture includes a plurality of antenna modules, stacked together in a side-by-side relationship. Mutually adjacent edges of the modules have antenna elements that form a two-dimensional antenna array as a result of the stacking of the antenna modules. Opposite sides of an antenna module are tray-configured and contain amplifier modules coupled to the antenna elements, and to ‘vertical’ microstrip layers on undersides of double-sided printed wiring boards. Outersides of the double-sided printed wiring boards contain ‘horizontal’ microstrip layers, one for each beam, to which multiple beam-associated phase shift circuit elements for each antenna element on the module are ported. The phase shift circuit elements are also coupled by conductive vias to the first microstrip layers. The second microstrip layers are coupled to connectors along second edges of the modules for engagement with beam signal network modules.

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