Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Rockwell International Corporation

Other

B/e Aerospace, Inc.

James B West

Lee M Paulsen

Jiwon L Moran

Jeremiah Damien Wolf

Daniel L Woodell

Russell David Wyse

Michael L Hageman

John C Mather

Jacob G Teague

Matilda Gabriela Livadaru

Brian J Herting

Joseph T Graf

Venkata A Sishtla

Wajih A ElSallal

Jeffery A Finley

Daniel N Chen

Modhwajih A Elsallal

Kevin Michael Kronfeld

Ross Keith Wilcoxon

Nathan P Lower

Michael J Buckley

Jonathan P Doane

Roger A Dana

Christopher G Olson

Aimee M Matland

David W Cripe

Anders P Walker

William C Jennings

Scott L Patten

Connor C McBryde

Ted J Hoffmann

Christina M Conway

Mohamed Wajih A Elsallal

Bryan L Hauck

Bret W Spars

Sasha N Oster

Chenggang Xie

James H Doty

Richard D Jinkins

Richard Marcel Rademaker

Gregory J Koenigs

Brandon C Hamilton

Dana J Jensen

Martin J Steffensmeier

Joel Michael Wichgers

Mark M Mulbrook

Don L Landt

John L Meier

Theodore Jay Hoffmann

Orion D Davies

Alexander B Kozyrev

Vadim Olen

Adrian A Hill

Michael C Meholensky

Gary Willenbring

Richard A Freeman

Jason A Fuemmeler

Robert D Pond

Mark A Willi

Gary E Lehtola

Wajih A El Sallal

Eric Itcia

Gary W Sampson

Roger D Anderson

Guy Squillace

Peter M Sahayda

Joseph M Bohl

James C Cozzie

Scott J Sellner

Yoel Sonera

Andrew J Yarne

M Wajih ElSallal

Shahbaz M Chaudhry

Modhwajih A ElSallal

James P Meinecke

M Wajih A Elsallal

Eric D Baldwin

Larry J Gatewood

Amy E Charron

Kenneth R Stinson

Keagan Peters

Richard Elliott

Eric A Casto

Nathan O Jensen

Stephen J Wright

Anna C Kern

Kendra L Kumley

Daniel B Roggendorf

Connor Mcbryde

A microstrip patch log periodic antenna (MSPLPA) may include a ground plane, a dielectric material, a printed circuit board comprising a microstrip patches. Each of the microstrip patches may be configured to transmit and/or receive signals. The dielectric material may be disposed between the ground plane and the printed circuit board. Each of the microstrip patches may be frequency scaled.

Microstrip patch log periodic antenna (MSPLPA) scaling methodology using non-planar antenna geometries and additive manufacturing

A conformal interposer assembly for an electronically scanned array (ESA) includes a set of antenna-side conductive pads connected to an antenna element set into a printed circuit board (PCB) and conforming to a shared interconnection geometry, e.g., defining a single-axis, double-axis, or otherwise curved. Feed-side conductive pads are connected to a radio frequency (RF) feed board and likewise conform to a shared interconnection geometry, which may or may not conform to that of the antenna-side pads. Conductive vias conveys energy between the RF feed board and the antenna elements set into the PCB; for example, each conductive via may connect an antenna-side conductive pad and a counterpart feed-side conductive pad. Rigid dielectric interposers are disposed between the PCB and the feed board, providing insulation and physical bridging to the conductive vias and structural rigidity throughout the conformal assembly.

Non-planar printed circuit board (PCB) interposer for doubly curved conformal antenna array

A rapid-deployment satellite communications (satcom) terminal apparatus includes a base capable of rotation relative to a platform (e.g., a mobile platform or trailer to which the apparatus may be mounted or from which it may be detached), and a passive planar array panel comprising an array of antenna elements or apertures, the passive planar array panel pivotably and slidably attached to the base. The passive planar array panel includes a feed arm and feed antenna, the arm articulable relative to the panel and the antenna articulable relative to the arm. The feed antenna transmits and/or receives EM energy focused by the antenna elements in a beam direction adjustable by an array controller to a desired azimuth and elevation via electromechanical adjustment of, respectively, the rotational orientation of the base and the slant angle of the passive planar array panel relative to the platform.

Rapid-deployment reflectarray architecture for mobile satellite communication (satcom) operations

An integrated imaging and passive directional finding (DF) system for a guided munition or weapons platform includes an electro-optical infrared (EOIR) imager within a nosecone of the weapons platform and configured for imaging of a detected target. The passive DF system includes an array of long periodic array (LPA) antenna elements, each element disposed on a face of a tapered conical ground chassis having a polygonal cross section, the LPA antenna elements self-shielded from the EOIR imager and other electronic components by the ground chassis. Each LPA antenna element scans for signals of interest (SoI) within the ultra-wide band (UWB) frequency range. Geolocation or passive direction finding (DF) based on detected signals of interest may be performed to guide the weapons platform into imaging range of one or more targets of interest, where EOIR imaging may take over for target discrimination and aimpoint refinement.

Integrated infrared imaging and passive seeker system for small munitions application

An AESA may include a point-to-point serial interface between RFIC that implements positional addressing and is extensible to an unlimited amount of RFIC. A controller of the AESA may access registers of one or more RFIC and sends control and synchronization signals using a low-latency serial interface. The AESA may include primary and secondary interfaces which form a mesh network allowing communications around defective devices or interconnects and reduced area overhead resulting in array size reduction. The AESA may include health monitoring to determine location of data network faults providing improved array mean-time between failure (MTBF) and fault recovery. The AESA may allow faster antenna array configuration and beam steering rates for improved uptime and optimized scan modes. The AESA may experience improvements in manufacturability and reliability due to redundancy and fault isolation. The AESA may include more RFIC per serial interface allows scaling into larger arrays.

High speed, extensible and self-healing data network for AESA RFIC arrays

Disclosed are embodiments of antenna assemblies for integration with aircraft lighting systems. The antenna assemblies in some embodiments include a ground plane, a patch antenna positioned on the ground plane, and a radome covering the patch antenna. The patch antenna and radome are configured as an annular ring for positioning around a light fixture received through a center opening through each of the ground plane, patch antenna, and radome such that the antenna assembly can mount and connect to the aircraft utilizing the light fixture aperture without the need for a separate antenna aperture.

Aircraft antenna array and lighting system integrations

A radar system including an AESA illuminates a target with a first pulse for a desired beam pointing angle (azimuth and elevation). The AESA then illuminates the target with a second pulse for the desired pointing angle, the second pulse defining a radiation pattern with a main beam in phase with the first pulse, but side lobes that are out of phase. The radar system receives return signals and combines the return signals to null the side lobes by the principle of superposition. The radar processing unit is time synced such that the pulse-pair is interpreted as a single ultra-low level side lobe return radiation pattern.

AESA TX pulse pair radiation pattern phase conjugation for low side lobe/maximum EIRP radiation pattern

An ESA includes radiating elements having a normal mode radiating element and a superimposed end-fire mode radiating element. The combined normal mode radiating element and and-fire mode radiating element attenuators or variable gain amplifiers for amplitude adjustment, phase shifting, and time delay circuitry and algorithms to drive the normal mode radiating element and end-fire mode radiating element simultaneously to produce radiation patterns that constructively interfere. Alternatively, the radiating elements are fed by a radio frequency (RF) feed and switching integrated circuitry timed to drive the normal mode radiating element and end-fire mode radiating element to effectively produce hemispherical radiation patterns as a function or time/scan angle.

Wide-scan planar array radiating element

An antenna includes multiple pillbox antenna structures arranged in a circle to cover the horizon. Each pillbox antenna structures includes a reflector configured to widen the resulting beam so that neighboring pillbox antenna structures produce beams that interact to more fully cover the horizon. A feed layer may include transmit/receive modules that are configured to apply amplitude and phase modulations to input signals for each pillbox antenna structure. Amplitude and phase modulations enable constructive and destructive interference between neighboring pillbox antenna structures to enhance the resulting beam or create nulls to exclude interfering signals. Sets of pillbox antenna structures may be stacked and angularly offset to correct crossover sectors. Alternatively, or in addition, sets of pillbox antenna structures may be adapted to operate in different, distinct frequency bands.

Dual mode omni / directional sectored array

A folded slot structurally integrated antenna is defined within the structure of the vertical stabilizer. The folded slot structurally integrated antenna comprises a first terminal with a flared portion, a substantially constant slot width potion, and a second terminal with a flared portion. The substantially constant slot width potion may include one or more curvatures to extend the length of the folded slot structurally integrated antenna within the vertical stabilizer. The antenna system may utilize reactive loading or dynamic slot length switching. A platform may include folded slot structurally integrated antennas in both a vertical stabilizer and horizontal wings or winglets. Horizontal and vertical folded slot structurally integrated antennas may be utilized to produce various polarization profiles.

VHF folded structurally integrated antenna for vertical lift aircraft

An electronically scanned array is comprised of a plurality of radiating horns embedded in a nose cone. The radiating horns are configured as an electronically scanned array. The nose cone comprises a dielectric material with a known thickness in front of the radiating horn opening. Each radiating horn is driven by a phase shifter. The phase shifters are configured to produce a radiation pattern with attenuated side lobes.

Missile seeker limited scan array radar antenna

A system for calibrating ESAs calculates a taper based on ESA element coordinates, and stores the taper as a vector matrix of gain values. The gain values are normalized by accounting for known losses by measuring a central element at minimum attenuation. The normalized gain is then a reference for every other element in the array. The other elements are then measured at various attenuations to identify an attenuation to produce the desired gain. The measurements are performed according to a bisection algorithm. Attenuation may be embodied in a set of digital register values.

Low SLL AESA taper calibration

A radar system and method for sharing threat data is configured to communicate with other radar systems in surrounding aircraft and share threat specific data. Each radar system may be configured to a specific task according to the priorities of the aircraft and the capabilities of the surrounding aircraft; the gathered data is then shared with the surrounding aircraft such that each aircraft may commit longer dwell time to individual tasks while still receiving data for all of the potential tasks. The radar system may identify a fault and send a request for radar threat data to nearby aircraft. The radar system may receive such data within the operating band of the radar and allow continued operation.

Airborne sensor to sensor information sharing technique

A system and method for a multi-panel multi-function active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operation receives radar commands from individual aircraft systems and segments a plurality of AESA panels fixed (at variable azimuth/elevation about the aircraft) into a plurality of subarrays to carry out each individual function commanded by the individual aircraft system. Dependent on aircraft status and phase of flight, the and individual AESA are designated for use and the subarrays are sized based on desired radar function at the specific phase of flight and specific threat associated with the phase. The system dynamically shifts the designated AESA, subarray size, beam characteristics, power settings, and function to enable multiple simultaneous function of the suite of AESA panels.

Multi-panel multi-function AESA system

A system and method for a multi-beam multi-function active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operation receives radar commands from individual aircraft systems and segments a single AESA fixed panel into a plurality of subarrays to carry out each individual function commanded by the individual aircraft system. Dependent on aircraft status and phase of flight, the subarrays are sized based on desired radar function at the specific phase of flight and specific threat associated with the phase. The system dynamically shifts the subarray size, beam characteristics, power settings, and function to enable multiple function of a cost effective single AESA panel.

Multi-beam multi-function AESA system

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

James B West