Raytheon Company

Frederick C Rupp

Patrick J Fitzgerald

Steven G Buczek

Clifton Quan

Grace M Christopher

A space-fed active array lens antenna system has an active array lens with a first array of radiating elements defining a front antenna aperture which transmits and receives RF energy from free space, a second array of radiating elements defining a rear antenna aperture which transmits and receives RF energy from a feed aperture, and an array of transmit/receive (T/R) modules sandwiched between the front aperture and rear aperture. The T/R modules include a phase control circuit and an amplitude control circuit which provide phase and amplitude control for RF signals passing through the modules. The feed aperture includes a wide band CTS aperture which produces a plane wave in the near field.

Active array lens antenna using CTS space feed for reduced antenna depth

A radar system and method of cooling same. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes a radar array comprising a circuit board; a plurality of radiating elements printed on the circuit board; and a plurality of transmit and receive modules disposed on the circuit board in communication with the radiating elements. In a specific implementation, the invention further includes means for cooling the T/R modules. In the preferred embodiment, the modules are spray cooled. A particularly novel aspect of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for physically, electrically and hydraulically interconnecting the T/R modules or modules. The physical interconnect is achieved by rails mounted on the top bottom covers and sides of the circuit boards. The rails allow for the modules to be dovetailed together and thereby secured against vertical and lateral stresses.

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Redondo Beach, CA, United States of America

Frederick C Rupp