Honeywell International Inc.

Nigel Wang

David C Vacanti

Orville Nyhus

Rajesh Chivukula

Weihong Zhao

A radar system to detect and track objects in three dimensions. The radar system including antennae, transmit, receive and processing electronics is all in a small, lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The radar system uses a wide azimuth, narrow elevation radar pattern to detect objects and a Wi-Fi radio to communicate to one or more receiving and display units. One application may include mounting the radar system in an existing radome on an aircraft to detect and avoid objects during ground operations. Objects may include other moving aircraft, ground vehicles, buildings or other structures that may be in the area. The system may transmit information to both pilot and ground crew.

Integrated digital active phased array antenna and wingtip collision avoidance system

This disclosure is directed to techniques to improve the mechanical reliability and strength of slot array antennae created using printed circuit board (PCB) technology. In some examples, a multi-layer PCB may have a limit on the length and width dimensions. Therefore, a larger slot array antenna may require two or more PCBs to create the full size of the antenna. This disclosure describes techniques to securely connect the two or more PCBs to withstand environments where the slot array antenna may be placed under mechanical stress, such as vibration. A PCB based antenna may define the walls of radiating waveguides with vias between the layers of the PCB. Mechanical fasteners may pass through some of the existing vias to secure the PCB to a support structure, such as a feeding waveguide, as well as to secure one PCB to other PCBs.

Fixing structure to enhance the mechanical reliability of plate slot array antenna based on SIW technology

A slot antenna with the low-cost, light weight features of an SIW antenna combined with the efficiency of a metallic antenna. The antenna of this disclosure may use printed circuit board manufacturing (PCB) processes to form the radiating portion to create slots and waveguide features with accurate dimensions and accurate positions. Like a metallic antenna, radio frequency (RF) energy passes through air in the radiating waveguides instead of a substrate, which means low insertion loss and high efficiency. Examples of the antenna of this disclosure may include a metallic coupling waveguide to carry the RF energy from the RF generating components of the radar system to the radiated branch waveguides. The metallic coupling waveguide may be configured to provide structural support to the PCB radiating portion as well as backwards compatibility to retrofit existing radar systems with the antenna assembly of this disclosure.

Slot radar antenna with gas-filled waveguide and PCB radiating slots

An integrated slot waveguide antenna array for a radar system. The antenna array may include substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) elements, transmit, receive and processing electronics in a lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The combination of antenna layout, specific dimensions of SIW features, including vias, terminal edges and slot placement may allow an efficient transmit and receive radar pattern as well as consistent, reliable and low cost manufacturing.

A method of fabricating components for a three-dimensional circuit structure includes providing a printed circuit board (PCB) having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and an end section. A first angled channel is formed in the top surface at the end section, with the first angled channel extending to an edge of the end section and dividing the end section into a first end portion and a second end portion. The PCB material is removed from the top surface at the first end portion to form a first support member having an upper surface at a preselected distance below the top surface. A second angled channel is formed in the bottom surface at the end section of the first PCB, with the second angled channel extending to the edge of the end section and being adjacent to the first support member. The PCB material is removed from the bottom surface at the second end portion to form a second support member having an upper surface that is contiguous with the top surface of the PCB. A ramp portion extends between the first support member and the second support member.

Growing community of inventors

Shanghai, China

Nigel Wang