The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 1990
Filed:
Jan. 03, 1989
Harvey C Nathanson, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Michael C Driver, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Michael W Cresswell, Plum Borough, PA (US);
Ronald G Freitag, Baltimore, MD (US);
Donald K Alexander, Ellicott City, MD (US);
Daniel F Yaw, Ellicott City, MD (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
An improved phased-array active antenna transmit-receive means utilizing a multiplicity of individual transmit-receive cells positioned in an array format upon a common wafer of semiconductor material. Each transmit-receiver cell, comprises a multiplicity of redundant, integrated circuit, electronic devices implanted upon the common semiconductor substrate. The transmit-receive cells utilize novel mitered mechanical switches to permanently interconnect individual electronic devices into either transmit or receive circuits during the fabrication and test of the transmit-receive cells. Radio frequency and direct current input and output vias formed from a novel metal evaporation technique connect the devices upon the surface of the common semiconductor wafer to underlying, insulated direct current distribution circuits and a radio frequency manifold. This array of improved phased-array active antenna transmit-receive means comprised of transmit-receive cells sharing common central processing means, logic control and heat dissipation means results in a significant reduction in the size and weight of the standard phased-array active antenna system. This significant reduction in antenna system size and weight is very important in broad band electronic countermeasure systems or narrow band phased array active antenna radar systems as used in advanced tactical fighters, or space applications.