Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Other

Jonathan P Doane

Lee M Paulsen

Jeremiah Damien Wolf

Brian J Herting

James B West

Dana J Jensen

Mark M Mulbrook

Wajih A ElSallal

David W Cripe

Nathan P Lower

Robert J Frank

Matilda Gabriela Livadaru

Michael J Buckley

Bryan S McCoy

Michael N Newhouse

Kubilay Sertel

Wajih A El Sallal

A phased array antenna comprising a dielectric superstrate material, a ground plane material, a plurality of dipole structures located between the superstrate and ground plane materials, and a plurality of balun and matching networks in electrical communication with the plurality of dipole structures, wherein the phased array antenna is adapted to achieve a bandwidth of at least about 7:1.

Ultra-wideband extremely low profile wide angle scanning phased array with compact balun and feed structure

The present disclosure is directed to a stacked parasitic array. The stacked parasitic array may include a stack of multiple parasitic antenna arrays (ex.&#x2014;layers). Each of the parasitic antenna arrays (ex.&#x2014;layers) may be independently tuned for multiband operation or, alternatively, the parasitic antenna arrays (ex.&#x2014;layers) may be designed for common band and fed coherently as a collinear array for promoting increased gain and elevation beam steering.

Stacked parasitic array

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-ring switched parasitic array for improved antenna gain. The array includes multiple rings of parasitic elements configured around a central monopole element. Each parasitic element may be connected to a corresponding load circuit. Variable impedances may be applied to the parasitic elements via the variable impedance loads for causing the antenna array to produce a desired radiation pattern and/or for increasing gain of directional beams radiated by the parasitic antenna array.

Multi-ring switched parasitic array for improved antenna gain

An integrated antenna system is disclosed which may include a first antenna sub-system. The integrated antenna system may further include a second antenna sub-system. The first antenna sub-system may be a Ku-band antenna sub-system. The second antenna sub-system may be one of: an L-band antenna sub-system or a C-band antenna sub-system. The second antenna sub-system may be tightly/seamlessly integrated with the first antenna sub-system, thereby providing a system with integrated antenna bands which provides omni-directional coverage.

Integrated L/C/Ku band antenna with omni-directional coverage

The present invention is an integrated antenna assembly which allows for integration of a first radio system and a second radio system with the integrated antenna assembly. The integrated antenna assembly may include a coupler for providing sufficient isolation between the first radio system (ex.&#x2014;a vertical polarization system) and the second radio system (ex.&#x2014;a horizontal polarization system). The integrated antenna assembly may further include a common mode choke connected between a first antenna element and a second antenna element of the integrated antenna assembly. The coupler may produce a common mode based on signals received from the vertical polarization system and may also produce a differential mode based on signals received from the horizontal polarization system. The common mode choke may be configured for: preventing transmission of common mode currents from the first antenna element to the second antenna element; and being transparent to differential mode current flow.

Dual polarization antenna with high port isolation

The present invention is load circuit for a parasitic antenna element of a parasitic antenna array. The load circuit may include a DC bias current source, a resistor connected to the DC bias current source, one or more capacitors connected to the resistor, and multiple (ex. &#x2014;two) diodes connected to the parasitic antenna element. The first diode may be configured for directly connecting the parasitic element to a ground plane of the parasitic antenna array. The second diode may be configured for connecting the parasitic element to the ground plane via the one or more capacitors. The load circuit may be configured for providing a variable (ex. &#x2014;adjustable) impedance to the parasitic antenna array.

Parasitic antenna array design for microwave frequencies

A device occupying a volumetric space definable within the bounds of a substantially spherical volume for realizing isotropic radiation may include a support for supporting a plurality of multi-polarization capable antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements may include a first antenna element oriented in a first direction, a second antenna element oriented in a second direction, and a third antenna element oriented in a third direction. The support may support the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element in an arrangement such that the second direction is at least substantially different than the first direction, and the third direction is at least substantially different than the first direction and the second direction. The plurality of antenna elements generally occupies a volumetric space definable within the bounds of a substantially spherical volume.

Omni-directional ultra wide band miniature doubly curved antenna array

An antenna structure including a ground plane is capable of producing an EM interference pattern to produce signal gains at a zenith of the antenna. The slots in the ground plane are positioned at a predetermined distance from a radiator and extend a predetermined distance from the axis of the antenna. The slots generate an interference pattern relative to the radiated signal to create a circular polarization thereby producing a signal gain at the zenith of the antenna. The slots may be provided during the manufacturing process of the ground plane or added later to existing antennas.

Slotted ground plane antenna

The present invention is directed to an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly may include multiple sets of radiators (ex.&#x2014;antenna elements) with each set of radiators being fed by its own RF feed network. The multiple sets of radiators may be arranged in a stackable configuration for providing a low profile antenna assembly which concurrently supports multiple frequency bands (exs.&#x2014;L band, C band, Kband).

Stackable antenna concept for multiband operation

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for providing directional spectral awareness via an antenna system which includes a single parasitic antenna and a processor, the processor being communicatively coupled with the parasitic antenna. The antenna system allows for quick scanning of all sectors included in a plurality of sectors of an RF environment being monitored by the antenna system. The antenna system also allows for monitoring sectors of interest. The directionality of the parasitic antenna of the antenna system may reduce interference and multipath along with providing improved SNR due to antenna gain, thereby allowing for collection of signals of interest in a more favorable environment, thereby enabling analysis such as frequency and spatial use, signal detection, signal identification, and source geolocation to succeed when it may have failed if an omni-directional antenna were used.

Directional spectral awareness with single antenna radio

The present invention is an electronically scannable antenna. The antenna includes a Radio Frequency (RF) element. The antenna also includes a screen which is configured at least substantially around the RF element. The screen includes a plurality of integrated switches which may be configured to allow the operating mode of the screen to be selectively and automatically switched between a transmissive mode and a reflective mode. When the screen is operating in the transmissive mode, the antenna is configured to provide an omni-directional beam. When the screen is operating in the reflective mode, the antenna is configured to provide a directional beam.

Reconfigurable surface reflector antenna

The present invention is a Radio Frequency (RF) apparatus. The RF apparatus may include a layer of photoconductive material. The RF apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive patches which are disposed within the layer of photoconductive material. The RF apparatus may further include a generating layer. The generating layer may be operatively coupled to the layer of photoconductive material and may be configured for generating light. The generating layer may further be configured for providing the generated light to the layer of photoconductive material. The generated light may be configurable for being provided at a selectable intensity and in a selectable pattern for causing the layer of photoconductive material to be a dynamically controllable optical switch. The dynamically controllable optical switch may be configured for providing a connection between conductive patches included in the plurality of conductive patches.

Reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) surface with optical bias for RF antenna and RF circuit applications

The present disclosure is directed to a method, apparatus, and system for dividing power. An N-way power divider comprises a power input, a switched transformer, a switched power divider, and plurality of power outputs. The switched power divider is configurable to take input power and provide the power to any of the power outputs (matching the impedance utilizing the switched transformer). An antenna system comprises an input, a reconfigurable switched network operably coupled to the input, and a plurality of antenna elements. The reconfigurable switched network is configurable to provide power from input to any of the plurality of antenna elements. Each element can be provided power, or not provided power with the reconfigurable switch. The reconfigurable switched network is configurable to take in power and transform the impedance of the power to match the impedance of the active antenna elements.

N-way reconfigurable power divider

The present invention is a system including a first transmission line oriented in a first plane and a second transmission line oriented in a second plane. Both the first transmission line and the second transmission line include a pair of rigid substrate layers, a pair of flexible substrate layers and a trace portion, the trace portion being located between the pair of flexible substrate layers, the pair of flexible substrate layers being located between the pair of rigid substrate layers. The system further includes a transition transmission line which is connected between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The transition transmission line includes a pair of flexible substrate layers and a trace portion, the trace portion of the transition transmission line being located between the pair of flexible substrate layers of the transition transmission line. The transition transmission line is configured for delivering energy from the first transmission line to the second transmission line and from the second transmission line to the first transmission line.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Jonathan P Doane