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:
Mar. 11, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2001
Delmar L. Barker, Tuscon, AZ (US);
Harry A. Schmitt, Tucson, AZ (US);
David J. Knapp, Tucson, AZ (US);
Dennis C. Braunreiter, Oro Valley, AZ (US);
Alphonso A. Samuel, Tucson, AZ (US);
Steven Schultz, Tucson, AZ (US);
Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
A radar antenna for a guided missile is calibrated in flight using a point source of microwave radiation and a lens to emulate a far field source. The microwave source and lens fit behind a metal cap at the leading end of the radome and so do not adversely affect the radar. A variety of techniques to power the point source are disclosed, and a variety of lens arrangements are disclosed. The invention allows a radar antenna to be calibrated in flight, and so insures against mis-calibration due to aging components as well as the heat and mechanical forces associated with storage and/or launch of the missile.