Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Brian T McMonagle

Carl D Wise

Peter A Stenger

Andrew Walters

David Krafcsik

Fred C Kuss

Robert Sisk

Kevin LaCour

Craig Heffner

Joseph Paquin

Tujuana Hinton

Steven D Block

Steven S Handley

Ronald G Freitag

John W Gipprich

Tapan K Gupta

Cynthia W Berry

Mike L Salib

Vincent G Karasack

Joseph A Faulkner

Michael J Lee

Benjamin R Myers

Gene A Digennaro

John P Vitamvas

Thomas M Walsh

Kerron R Duncan

Eric D Zirofsky

Harry V Guy, Iii

Eric V Miller

Dave M Krafcsik

Robert B Middleton

A multi-channel, dual-band, radio frequency (RF) transmit/receive (T/R) module, for an active electronically scanned array, is provided. The module includes a compact, RF manifold connector and at least four T/R channels. Each of the T/R channels includes a notch radiator, a diplexer coupled to the notch radiator, a power amplifier, including at least one dual-band gain stage, coupled to the notch radiator, a low noise amplifier, including at least one lower-band gain stage and at least one upper-band gain stage, coupled to the diplexer, and a T/R cell, including a phase shifter, a signal attenuator and at least one dual-band gain stage, coupled to the power amplifier, the low noise amplifier and the manifold connector.

Dual band quadpack transmit/receive module

A vertically integrated Ka-band active electronically scanned antenna including, among other things, a transitioning RF waveguide relocator panel located behind a radiator faceplate and an array of beam control tiles respectively coupled to one of a plurality of transceiver modules via an RF manifold. Each of the beam control tiles includes a respective plurality of high power transmit/receive (T/R) cells as well as dielectric waveguides, RF stripline and coaxial transmission line elements. The waveguide relocator panel is preferably fabricated by a diffusion bonded copper laminate stack up with dielectric filling. The beam control tiles are preferably fabricated by the use of multiple layers of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material laminated together. The waveguide relocator panel and the beam control tiles are designed to route RF signals to and from a respective transceiver module of four transceiver modules and a quadrature array of antenna radiators matched to free space formed in the faceplate. Planar type metal spring gaskets are provided between the interfacing layers so as to provide and ensure interconnection between mutually facing waveguide ports and to prevent RF leakage from around the perimeter of the waveguide ports. Cooling of the various components is achieved by a pair of planar forced air heat sink members which are located on either side of the array of beam control tiles. DC power and control of the T/R cells is provided by a printed circuit wiring board assembly located adjacent to the array of beam controlled tiles with solderless DC connections being provided by an arrangement of 'fuzz button' electrical connector elements.

Low profile active electronically scanned antenna (AESA) for Ka-band radar systems

Growing community of inventors

Woodstock, MD, United States of America

Brian T McMonagle