Mbda UK Limited

Adam Armitage

Alan David Hart

Christopher Ralph Carter

Duncan Christopher Frederick Levett

Thomas James Heaton

John Michael Cliss

Bernard Paul Gilhespy

A circuit assembly () is disclosed comprising a substrate () and conducting layers () on opposing sides of the substrate (), there being at least one via () through the substrate (), which via () forms a conductive path between the conducting layers, wherein the substrate () is a foam substrate, and wherein the via () is provided with a solid dielectric lining () plated with a conducting material ().

Circuit assembly

A sensor () for detecting an incident RF signal having a carrier frequency, and for estimating said carrier frequency, comprises a plurality of filters (-), each allowing passage of signals over a different band of frequencies from the band of frequencies over which passage of signals is allowed by the others of the plurality of filters (-), and a plurality of detectors (-). Each filter (-) is associated with at least one of the plurality of detectors (-), and said at least one detector (-) is arranged in use to generate an output signal if the incident RF signal results in a signal in the band of frequencies passed by the filter (-) with which the detector (-) is associated. Generation of the output signal by the detector (-) indicates in which of the frequency bands the incident RF signal has been detected. Between arrival of the incident RF signal at the sensor () and generation of the output signal indicating in which of the frequency bands the incident RF signal has been detected, there is a delay of not more than 1 microsecond.

High speed frequency detector

The invention comprises a feed horn () illuminating a circular flat panel () formed from a high impedance surface structure. By controlling the resonant frequencies of the individual elements of the array, a controlled phase shift profile is applied across the surface of the panel to an incident phase front spherically spreading from the feed antenna so as to reflect that wavefront in a particular direction or impose a certain desired beam shape. The principles are reciprocal so a receiving system can also be achieved or indeed a simultaneous transmit and receive operation can be supported. The phase controlled reflecting plate advantageously performs focussing to the feed and beam scanning or beam shaping. This concept of feed to a phased reflector plate allows the power distribution to be implemented in free space. In addition, the active component at each array element affecting the resonant frequency is a single varactor tuning diode per element with negligible power dissipation since it operates in reverse bias or a MeMs switch network. A further embodiment is described comprising a transmissive panel with phase shifting elements implemented in MeMs technology coupled to each element of the array. Calibration techniques are described that correct for non-systematic errors in the phase shifts on reflection which would corrupt the beam shape and pointing direction in a practical environment. These can be performed repeatedly, interleaved with the radar or communications waveforms passing through the antenna.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

Adam Armitage