The Boeing Company

Steven J Peters

David C Vacanti

Bernard J Lamberty

Kenneth G Voyce

A microwave transceiver using a reflection pumped mixer includes an electromagnetic signal generator, a subreflector, a reflector of electromagnetic signals from the subreflector, a mixer, circulator, and processing circuitry to relate electromagnetic signal frequency differences to the range of a target from the transceiver. Such frequency differences are detected by the mixer from the captured electromagnetic signals reflected distant targets and reflected electromagnetic signals from the subreflector.

Microwave transceiver using a reflection pumped mixer

A coaxial multiple-mode antenna system (10) is disclosed, including a coaxial input section (14) for coaxially collecting, for example, MMW and IR electromagnetic radiation. The IR radiation is focused to a point at the input section's focal plane, while the MMW beam has a relatively large width in this plane. An interface section (16) includes an IR section (18) and MMW section (20) that allow the two beams to be separately processed with a minimum of losses. In that regard, the MMW section includes a lens (42), having an incident surface, the center of which is positioned at the focal plane. An optical fiber (46) extends axially through the lens and has an incident end that is aligned with the incident surface of the lens. The lens quasi-optically transmits the MMW beam to a detection circuit (26), while the optical fiber transmits the IR beam to detection circuit (22). Because the optical fiber receives the IR beam before it is processed by the lens, IR losses are limited. Further, the small diameter of the optical fiber and its axial alignment in the lens cause minimal disruption of the MMW beam.

Coaxial multiple-mode antenna system

An electronically tunable phased array antenna element compensates for the variation of input impedance as the scan angle of the array changes. A microstrip feed is used which allows monolithic microwave integrated circuits to easily be incorporated in the radiating element housing. The element improves transmit or receive sensitivity. In addition, this electronic tuning will counteract detuning of the element caused by external influences such as electromagnetic field coupling from other nearby antennas.

Electronically tunable phased array element

A nearly square waveguide below cutoff has a microstrip substrate disposed diagonally therein. A first shunt capacitance is provided by either a conductor formed on the microstrip substrate or a conductor disposed in the waveguide perpendicular to the microstrip substrate. A dielectric window is disposed in the end to provide a shunt capacitance at the opposite end of the waveguide.

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Renton, WA, United States of America

Steven J Peters