The Boeing Company

Richard Neal Bostwick

Julio A Navarro

Andrew Michael Robb

Jason Philip Bommer

Peter Timothy Heisen

John Byam O'Connell

Arun Ayyagari

David N Rasmussen

David William Minteer

Gary E Miller

Stephen Lee Fahley

Mark Richard Davis

Richard J Nesting

Mark S Bolster

Robert Tilman Worl

Jimmy Susumu Takeuchi

Paul R Norris

Andrew George Laquer

Bruce Larry Blaser

Scott A Raby

Henry Zhenhua Zhang

Harold Peter Soares, Jr

Omer C Helfer

Mark T Chisa

James Blair

Kerri Scott

A method for generating sensor data is presented. A number of wireless power signals is sent to a group of sensor units. A number of wireless data collection signals is sent to the group of sensor units after the number of wireless power signals have been sent to the group of sensor units. Sensor data in a number of wireless response signals is received from the group of sensor units.

Wireless fuel sensor system

A sensor device includes a capacitive probe including a first conductor and a second conductor. The sensor device also includes a radio to generate a signal based on a measurement associated with the capacitive probe and to provide the signal to the first conductor for transmission using the capacitive probe as a transmission antenna.

Structure and method for an aperture plate for use in a phased array antenna is disclosed. The aperture plate includes a plurality of waveguide transitions, each with a radiating end, a coupling end and a body portion extending from the radiating end to the coupling end. The waveguide transitions are spaced apart from each other wherein at least a pair of waveguide transitions are spaced apart closer to each other at the radiating end than at the coupling end. The method of manufacturing an aperture plate for a phased array antenna includes sizing a plurality of waveguide transitions based upon certain operating requirements, determining a radiating lattice spacing and configuration based upon the operating requirements, determining a coupling lattice spacing and configuration based upon antenna electronics packaging, optimizing an aperture plate thickness to achieve the radiating lattice and the coupling lattice spacing and configuration, and forming the aperture plate.

Phased array antenna with lattice transformation

Method and structure for a microwave antenna module is provided. The method includes, creating a laminate structure by laminating a plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; creating a plurality of layers within the laminate structure to interconnect the plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; laminating a base plate to a bottom of the laminate structure; wherein the baseplate operates as a heat sink; and laminating a seal ring to a top periphery of the laminate structure.

Method and structure for RF antenna module

An antenna array core comprising a plurality of microwave modules, a control layer, a mounting layer, and a signal distribution layer. The control layer is capable of distributing control signals to the plurality of microwave modules. The plurality of microwave modules are attached to an upper surface of the mounting layer and the mounting layer is made from a heat conductive material capable of cooling the plurality of microwave modules. The signal distribution layer is located below the mounting layer, wherein the signal distribution layer is capable of transmitting microwave signals to the plurality of microwave modules and wherein the arrangement of the plurality of microwave modules on the mounting layer, the control layer, and the wave distribution network form a layered architecture for the antenna core. The architecture is a balance between, size, thermal control, manufacturability, cost, and performance so as to be a unique solution.

Phased array antenna architecture

A ballistic resistant antenna for use with a ballistic resistant communications system having a first plate fabricated from a ballistic material. The first plate has at least one opening configured to allow transmission of electromagnetic energy at a predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths. The antenna also has at least one plug having a geometry that is capable of insertion into the at least one opening. The at least one plug is made up of a material that is substantially transparent to the predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths.

Ballistic resistant antenna assembly

A method and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of verifying on site the health, calibration and integrity of individual phased array modules of a phased array antenna system and, in certain cases, enabling the phased array antenna system to overcome element failures by use of a beam-steering computer. The present disclosure provides a test probe or RF radiator in or adjacent the antenna array for supplying and receiving test and calibration signals.

Method for accurate auto-calibration of phased array antennas

A system and method of constructing a phased array antenna system that incorporates a printed wiring board assembly with a metallic waveguide plate is provided. The system uses a metallic waveguide plate to dissipate heat toward and through the waveguide portion of the system.

Advanced antenna integrated printed wiring board with metallic waveguide plate

An antenna aperture for mounting on the outside mast structure of a submarine is disclosed. The antenna aperture is designed to withstand hydrostatic pressure cycles as would be experienced by a submarine. The antenna is constructed of a highly corrosion resistant housing upon which a wide angle impedance (WAIM) cover designed to meet antenna RF requirements is integrated.

Submarine qualified antenna aperture

A phased array antenna system including a mandrel having compliant portions and an internally formed cooling passageway. The compliant portions are formed by removing portions of material along one end of the mandrel to form a plurality of pairs of generally U-shaped, leaf spring-like connecting areas. The connecting areas allow a degree of movement of a lower portion of the mandrel relative to the remainder of the mandrel, when the mandrel is fixedly secured to a printed wiring board (PWB). This enables flexible electrical interconnects, positioned over the compliant portions, to make electrical contact with circuit traces on the PWB, even if the PWB has a curved or undulating surface.

Compliant, internally cooled antenna apparatus and method

An apparatus and method for forming and bonding of flexible circuits to metal structures includes a clamping frame having a removable frame portion. At least one flexible roller fixture provides opposed flexible rollers. A clearance aperture in the roller fixture is sized to slidably receive the clamping frame. As the clamping frame is inserted through the clearance aperture of the roller fixture the opposed flexible rollers apply a continuous pressure to deflect the flexible circuit. A curing clamp is then connected to the clamping frame having at least one engagement face defining a flexible circuit finished shape. The flexible circuit is then heat cured to adhesively bond to the metal structure.

Forming and bonding of flex circuits to structures

A phased array antenna system having a corporate waveguide distribution network stripline printed circuit board. The stripline printed circuit board receives electromagnetic (EM) wave energy from a 1&#xd7;4 waveguide distribution network input plate and distributes the EM wave energy to 524 radiating elements. The stripline circuit board enables extremely tight spacing of independent antenna radiating elements that would not be possible with a rectangular air filled waveguide. The antenna system enables operation at millimeter wave frequencies, and particularly at 44 GHz, and without requiring the use of a plurality of look-up tables for various phase and amplitude delays, that would otherwise be required with a rectangular, air-filled waveguide distribution structure. The antenna system can be used at millimeter wave frequencies, and in connection with the MILSTAR communications protocol, without the requirement of knowing, in advance, the next beam hopping frequency employed by the MILSTAR protocol.

Method and apparatus for forming millimeter wave phased array antenna

A conformal phased array antenna and associated method of repairing the antenna are provided. The antenna has individual subassemblies or line replaceable units such that the antenna can be repaired without completely removing the entire antenna. The antenna generally includes a planar antenna subassembly including an array of RF modules disposed in a reference plane. The antenna also typically has a contoured waveguide subassembly including a contoured aperture honeycomb structure. The contoured aperture honeycomb structure defines a number of passages that are in communication with respective RF modules. The exterior surface of the contoured aperture honeycomb structure that faces away from the planar antenna subassembly is contoured such that at least portions of this surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane. This contoured surface may advantageously be shaped to match the contour of the surface of the structure to which the antenna is mounted.

Growing community of inventors

North Bend, WA, United States of America

Richard Neal Bostwick