Raytheon Company

Douglas Mills

Glafkos K Stratis

David James Knapp

Michael S Smith

Raymond A Graffam

Mark A Owens

Kevin R Hopkins

Jerry Dean Robichaux

Wayne Lee Sunne

Jim Hicks

Jeffrey Wadsworth

An ultra-wide band (UWB) radio frequency (RF)/optical aperture includes a substrate having a plurality of regions. The plurality of regions may have varying characteristics and properties. In some embodiments, the plurality of regions includes a first region having a first relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a first frequency range, a second region contained in the first region and having a second relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a second frequency range, and a third region contained within the second region and having a third relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a third frequency range.

Ultra-wideband RF/optical aperture

A radome structure of an antenna system is provided having a plurality of switchable antenna elements disposed around a perimeter of the radome structure that can simultaneously track multiple targets and be implemented in a variety of different applications. Each of the switchable antenna elements can be individually switched between different radiation patterns to support different applications. The antenna system may include an infrared (IR) sensor pedestal, an IR sensor disposed on the IR pedestal and a plurality of switchable radio frequency (RF) antenna elements disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of switchable RF antenna elements can be switched from a first radiation pattern to a second radiation pattern to change an array radiation pattern of the antenna.

Systems and techniques for radome-antenna configuration

A compact, wideband antenna system includes first and second monopole radiating elements positioned near an edge of a common ground plane. The first and second monopole radiating elements may be located on opposite sides of the ground plane. Additional monopole elements may also be provided. In some embodiments, the ground plane includes an opening in a central region thereof to accommodate an optical system. In some embodiments, an additional antenna (e.g., an array antenna) may be provided over the same ground plane in a region between the monopole elements.

Compact wideband radio frequency antenna systems and associated methods

A compact transducer system includes both an antenna subsystem and an optical transducer subsystem. The antenna subsystem may include multiple radio frequency (RF) radiating elements disposed adjacent to a ground plane. The ground plane may also serve as an optical reflector within an optical path of the optical transducer subsystem. A secondary reflector may also be provided within the optical path of the optical transducer subsystem. The secondary reflector may be formed of dielectric material (e.g., meta-material) in some embodiments to prevent undesired coupling with RF circuitry.

Wideband antenna structure with optics reflector as ground plane and associated methods

A radio frequency (RF) module having a plurality of channels includes a heat sink having at least one tapered edge; a substrate disposed over a surface of the heat sink such that the tapered edge of the heat sink extends past a boundary of the substrate. RF, logic and power circuitry is disposed on the substrate and one or more RF signal ports are formed on an edge of the substrate to allow the RF module to be used in an array antenna having a brick architecture. The tapered edge heat sink provides both a ground plane for RF signal components and a thermal path for heat generating circuits disposed in the substrate.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Douglas Mills