Raytheon Company

Mark E Kusbel

Gary M Salvail

Mike Mehen

Chad Wangsvick

Michael S Mehen

Gary Salvall

A signal divider/combiner ( ) and method combines first and second frequency signals received by microstrip patch antennas ( ). A first transmission line stub ( ) blocks the second frequency signals on the first signal receiving path, and a second transmission line stub ( ) blocks the first frequency signals on the second signal receiving path providing increased signal levels at a receiver input ( ). In one embodiment, the transmission line stubs are open-circuit stubs and are positioned a quarter-wavelength from a combining junction ( ) formed from stripline transmission lines ( ). The transmission line stubs ( ) also reduce radiation of the first frequency signal by the second antenna as well as radiation of the second frequency signal by the first antenna. In one embodiment, the first and second frequency signals are the L and L signals provided by the Global Positioning System.

Isolating signal divider/combiner and method of combining signals of first and second frequencies

A hood is provided for verifying the performance of the missile. The hood includes one or more sense antennas having the same polarization as the antennas within the missile to be tested. The hood further includes one or more elliptic-to-circular polarization converters designed to reduce the axial ratio of the signal received from the missile. The elliptic-to-circular polarization converters convert the signal from the missile to a substantially pure circular polarized signal which is then sensed by the sense antennas.

Elliptic to circular polarization converter and test apparatus incorporating the same for accommodating large axial ratio

A super thin, cavity free spiral antenna includes a radiating element having a first spiral arm and a second spiral arm formed on a front surface of a first dielectric substrate. In addition, the antenna includes a resonant ground plane formed on a back surface of the first dielectric substrate. From the perspective of the radiating element, the resonant ground plane appears as a back ground plane which is further away from the radiating element than in actuality. As a result, operation in the microstrip mode is provided even without a cavity.

Super thin, cavity free spiral antenna

An antenna is described which includes a plurality of antennas stacked on top of each other in a compact cavity. Input match and radiation gain can be enhanced by the application of a capacitor and inductor in the feed of the spiral lowest in the cavity. The antenna can fit into a very compact space while providing circular polarization over the desired bands of the antennas that are isolated.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Mark E Kusbel