Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Joseph A Faulkner

Gregory K Sinon

Francis W Hopwood

Andrew J Piloto

Scott K Suko

Gary L Ferrell

Thomas R Turlington

Patrick G Farrell

Gerald K Kane

Ronald G Freitag

John W Gipprich

Tapan K Gupta

Cynthia W Berry

Mike L Salib

Vincent G Karasack

Brian T McMonagle

Michael J Lee

Benjamin R Myers

Gene A Digennaro

Eric V Miller

Harry V Guy, Iii

Eric D Zirofsky

Dave M Krafcsik

Robert B Middleton

Brian J Misek

John Clarke

Kerron R Duncan

John E Kositz

John P Vitamvas

Thomas M Walsh

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 T/R module including a multilevel, multichip microwave package having a plurality of gallium arsenide monolithic microwave integrated circuit chips (MMICs) implementing RF switching elements, a variable phase shifter, a plurality of RF amplifiers, and gain trim attenuators and which are located on a planar RF assembly. The module's architecture includes shared or common MMIC circuit elements during both transmit and receive operation modes thus reducing the number of MMICs required while at the same time preloading the supply voltage regulator-modulator which supplies DC power to all the MMIC circuits without degrading T/R module efficiency.

Transmit/receive module for planar active apertures

A solid state radar transmitter for use in airborne applications has a modular design which extends into the transmitter. The transmitter is formed of a plurality of power modules the number of which is selected based on the power required for a particular application. For example, two 75 to 100 watt modules may be used for weather radar, while 30 to 60 or more modules may be used for fire control in a military fighter. A radio frequency signal from a stabilized local oscillator is distributed by a splitter to the power modules and a combiner is used to combine the output from the power modules to produce the transmitter output signal. Each power module is formed of parallel connected power amplifiers, preferably formed by GaAs FETs and a power conditioning and control unit. The power conditioning and control unit produces a DC bias across the FETs as desired to produce a particular signal. The transmitter output signals which can be produced in this manner include rectangular, Gaussian on a pedestal and one amplifier at a time for testing purposes.

Modular solid state radar transmitter

Growing community of inventors

Ellicott City, MD, United States of America

Joseph A Faulkner