Echodyne Corp.

William F Graves, Jr

Tom Driscoll

Nathan Ingle Landy

John Desmond Hunt

Robert Tilman Worl

Charles A Renneberg

Benjamin Sikes

Felix D Yuen

Christopher L Lambrecht

Nicholas K Brune

Yianni Tzanidis

Milton Perque

Jason E Jerauld

An embodiment an antenna unit of an antenna array includes a signal coupler, a phase-shifting modulator, and an antenna element. The signal coupler has a first input-output port, a second input-output port, and a coupled port. The phase-shifting modulator is coupled to the coupled port of the signal coupler, and the antenna element is coupled to the phase-shifting modulator via a connection remote from the signal coupler, or via an isolated port of the signal coupler. The phase-shifting modulator is configured for both relatively low signal loss and relatively low power consumption such that the antenna array can have significantly lower C-SWAP metrics than a conventional phased array while retaining the higher performance metrics of a conventional phased array.

Antenna unit with phase-shifting modulator, and related antenna, subsystem, system, and method

An embodiment of an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in groups of antenna elements adjustably coupled to respective reference waves. A multiplicity of patterns of antenna coupling settings are defined, each of which gives rise to a main lobe which points the antenna in a particular direction, each pattern also giving rise to respective side lobes. First and second such patterns may point the antenna in the same direction but with non-identical side lobes. In this way the clutter level from the side lobes relative to the main lobe is much smaller than would be the case if one of the patterns were employed both for transmitting and receiving. Alternatively, the first and second patterns may be used in quick succession both for transmitting, or used in quick succession both for receiving. The antenna may also switch rapidly between patterns where the main lobe points in a different direction in each pattern, allowing dithering of the beam or rapid switching between scanning and tracking.

Fast beam patterns

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

William F Graves, Jr