Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.

Michael L Hageman

Russell David Wyse

James B West

Robert Michael Fisher

David Steven Ripley

Paul Raymond Andrys

Lee M Paulsen

Jeremiah Damien Wolf

Theodore Jay Hoffmann

Kerry Brent Phillips

Terry J Shie

Grant Small

Daniel L Woodell

David W Cripe

Tj T Kwon

Philip Howard Thompson

Mark M Mulbrook

Jiwon L Moran

Robert Andrew Kertis

Michael Lynn Gerard

Andre G Metzger

Bryan S McCoy

Michael C Meholensky

Adrian A Hill

Mark A Willi

Steve F Russell

Ted J Hoffmann

Keith Nellis

Max S Hawkins, Jr

Paul S Corwin

Dale R Brandt

Kerry Burger

Ronald Zozaya

Robert M Fisher

Small Grant

Michael L Gerard

A system and method for tactical routing of directional communications identifies directional communications links from a transmitting (Tx) node to a receiving (Rx) node of a multi-node network. Within the network environment, the Tx node identifies deadzones, or areas wherein directional communications links between the Tx and Rx nodes may be constrained. The Tx node assigns each identified directional communications link a link cost; constrained links are assigned a higher cost than unconstrained links. Based on the assigned link costs (and other link cost information received from other network nodes), the Tx node constructs an optimal transmission route to the desired Rx node, the transmission route comprising a sequence one of more directional links selected to optimally fulfill mission objectives (e.g., minimal aggregate link cost).

System and method for deadzone routing of directional communications

Systems and methods provide an antenna array with separately fed subarrays. The systems and methods provide optimized or improved physical embodiments of each sub-banded subarray in terms of radiating element type and physical implementation, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) technology choice, RFIC packaging and interconnect implementation, and/or intra-subarray feed typology choice and implementation. The antenna array can include first elements within a first distance range from a point in a surface associated with the antenna array and configured for first signals in a first frequency range, and second elements within a second distance range from the point and configured for second signals in a second frequency range. The antenna system also can include an interconnect system comprising a first multichip module and a second multichip module region.

Active electronically scanned array system and method with optimized subarrays

A system and method for multimode graphic visualization of wireless link parameters is disclosed. In embodiments, the system receives sensed or simulated network performance data relevant to wireless link connections (e.g., communications, navigation, ranging) between network nodes or platforms. The system derives from the network performance data link performance parameters for each wireless link between a first platform or node and other platforms of the network, e.g., bandwidths, waveform types, success/failure indicators, link non-reception or jamming statuses, low probability of intercept (LPI) signal detection/interception statuses, and negative link margins. The system generates graphic visualizations of the network nodes, the wireless links therebetween, and selected performance parameters for each link in one or more selectable performance modes for presentation to a user/operator via a display system; the user/operator may control the presentation mode or displayed elements via control input.

System and method for multi-mode graphic visualization of wireless link parameters

An ESA system includes first antennas, second antennas, a power supply, a transmit module and/or receive module, and a controller. The first antennas operate over a first frequency bandwidth from a first frequency to a second frequency greater than the first frequency. The second antennas operate over a second frequency bandwidth from the first frequency to a third frequency less than the second frequency. The transmit module receives DC power from the power supply and provides RF power corresponding to at least one first control point to the antennas. The controller adjusts the at least one first control point based on a predetermined ratio of a first RF signal strength associated with the first antennas to a second RF signal strength associated with the second antennas, a first passive antenna gain of the first antennas, and a second passive antenna gain of the second antennas.

Systems and methods for wavelength scaled optimal elemental power allocation

An antenna system and method use an electronically-scanned antenna array and a hybrid beam former architecture. The antenna system includes a matrix of antenna elements and a feeder network. The feeder network includes a first layer including phase shifters. Each of the phase shifters is for a respective antenna element of the antenna elements. The feeder network also includes a second layer and a third layer. Each of the first set of the first time delay units in the second layer is for a respective first subarray of the first subarrays of the antenna elements. Each of the second set of the second time delay units in the third layer is for a respective second subarray of the second subarrays of the first subarrays.

Antenna system and method with a hybrid beamformer architecture

A system and method for operating a system including at least one active electronically scanned array (AESA) element incorporates drain voltage amplifier control (DRAVAC) to maintain the power amplifiers of the AESA elements at a constant gain compression level. A processor of the AESA system may dynamically program, monitor, or adjust each individual array element or component thereof. As the RF output power of the power amplifiers varies, constant gain compression is achieved by dynamically adjusting the RF input power and drain voltage to the power amplifiers. An AESA element may incorporate built-in self-test circuitry for detecting faults in the power supply to the power amplifiers as well as calibrating and calculating RF output power for a given input power by controlling the bias of a pass device serving as the amplifier current source.

Active electronically scanned array with power amplifier drain bias tapering for optimal power added efficiency

Systems and methods of controlling signal polarization for an antenna system are provided herein. The antenna system includes an ultra wide band or greater array of dual linear polarization elements. The antenna system also includes polarization synthesis networks. Each of the polarization synthesis networks is coupled to the first differential interface of the first element of a respective dual linear polarization element of the dual linear polarization elements and the second differential interface of the second element of the respective the dual linear polarization element of the dual orthogonal linear polarization elements. Each of the polarization synthesis networks has a flat response for phase shift and amplitude over the ultra wide bandwidth.

Element level polarization synthesis network for electronically scanned arrays

Systems and apparatuses include a radiating element, a radio frequency integrated circuit and a feed manifold. The radio frequency integrated circuit includes a splitter/combiner in communication with the radiating element, a transmit beam gain control block in communication with the splitter/combiner and structured to apply a Taylor weighting distribution, a receive beam gain control block in communication with the splitter/combiner and structured to apply a Bayliss weighting distribution, a transmit beam steering control block in communication with the transmit beam gain control block, and a receive beam steering control block in communication with the receive beam gain control block. The feed manifold is in communication with the transmit beam steering control block and the receive beam steering control block.

Radio frequency integrated circuit feed manifold for active electronically scanned array

Systems and apparatuses include a sniffer circuit, a radio frequency processor, and a beamforming radio frequency integrated circuit. The sniffer circuit is structured to receive spurious signals from a sniffer antenna and self-jamming signals, and to produce an interference signal based on the spurious signals and the self-jamming signals. The radio frequency processor is structured to receive wideband signals from a plurality of radiating elements, receive the interference signals from the sniffer circuit, execute a subtraction from the wideband signals based on the interference signals, and produce desired signals. The beamforming radio frequency integrated circuit is structured to receive the desired signals from the radio frequency processor, execute beamforming operations, and produce an output signal.

Active canceller for electronically scanned array

A transistor cell can be modeled as a transistor with a collector, a base, and an emitter operating with a current at the collector to produce a minimum transconductance in the transistor cell that increases a current gain and improves at least one operating characteristic of the transistor cell. The operating characteristics include bandwidth, gain, and output power.

Frequency enhanced active transistor

A system and method verifies phase shifter operation in an antenna array system. The system can include and the method can use a number of antenna elements, and a number of phase shifters. Each of the phase shifters is associated with the respective antenna element of the antenna elements and may include a power amplifier circuit. The system also can include and the method can also use a number of power sensors in communication with the phase shifters. Each of the phase shifters can be associated with a respective power sensor and the power sensor can be configured to detect power associated with the power amplifier circuit.

Phase position verification system and method for an array antenna

A system and method provides time delays for an antenna array such as an electronically-scanned antenna array in a wide band range. The system and method can utilize time delay units including a radio frequency integrated circuit time delay unit portion provided on a radio frequency integrated circuit and an interposer time delay unit portion. The interposer time delay portion is provided on an interposer associated with the radio frequency integrated circuit.

Integrated time delay unit system and method for a feed manifold

A multiple input, multiple function, multiple output (MIMFMO) radiofrequency (RF) processor including a MIMFMO RF processor element. The MIMFMO RF processor element is configured to receive multiple RF input signals, perform multiple RF operations on the multiple RF input signals, and output processed RF output signals to multiple output circuits.

Radiofrequency processor

A system and method compensates for temperature in a signal path of an antenna array. The signal path includes an antenna element, a first phase shifter or a time delay unit, and a first variable gain power amplifier. The system and method can provide at least one of a local temperature signal, a remote temperature signal, and both the local temperature signal and the remote temperature signal to a slope control circuit, and provide a phase control signal or a gain control signal using the slope control circuit at least partially in response to the at least one of the local temperature signal, the remote temperature signal, and both the local temperature signal and the remote temperature signal.

Growing community of inventors

Mount Vernon, IA, United States of America

Michael L Hageman