Ming G Chen

US Patent:

7187342, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

May 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/140758

Inventors:

Peter T Heisen - Kent WA, US
Julio A Navarro - Kent WA, US
Ming Chen - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 21/00

US Classification:

343853, 343700 MS, 343776

Abstract:

A phased array antenna module for use in the gigahertz bandwidth. The module includes a metallic core with a pair of chip carrier assemblies secured to opposite sides of the core. The core has an internal waveguide with a signal splitter for directing electromagnetic wave energy evenly to the two chip carrier assemblies. A flexible, cylindrical connector assembly electrically couples the chip carrier assemblies to an aperture board. The aperture board includes a plurality of dipole antenna radiating elements. The module core is coupled directly to a cold plate. A direct thermal path is created between the chip carrier assemblies, the module core and the cold plate for highly efficient cooling of the electronic components on the chip carrier assemblies.

US Patent:

7256661, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Apr 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/102923

Inventors:

Ming Chen - Kent WA, US
Jimmy S Takeuchi - Mercer Island WA, US
Douglas A Pietila - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01P 1/387

US Classification:

333 11, 333 242

Abstract:

A multi-channel circulator or isolator well suited for use in phased array antennas or other RF devices where space and packaging constraints make the implementation of a conventional circular or isolator difficult or impossible. The multi-channel circulator/isolator can be configured as an isolator by the inclusion of one or more load resistors at one of its ports. In various configurations two or more ferrite substrates are provided that each provide a plurality of transmission ports. One or more permanent magnets are used to simultaneously provide the magnetic flux field through both of the substrates. The substrates can be configured such that they are spaced apart by a small distance, or positioned face to face in contact with one another. One or a plurality of magnets can be used depending upon RF requirements. Each substrate forms an independent electromagnetic wave propagation channel that limits the propagation of RF energy between its ports in one direction only.

US Patent:

7450068, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Nov 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/602015

Inventors:

Ming Chen - Bellevue WA, US
Mark A. Curry - Lynnwood WA, US
Kenneth G. Voyce - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01S 5/02
G01S 13/00
G01S 13/08
G01S 3/16
H04B 7/00

US Classification:

342427, 342 78, 342 79, 342 90, 342133, 342139, 342140, 342383, 4552761

Abstract:

A system and method for using a phased array antenna to concurrently receive an RF signal transmitted by a remote transmitter, to determine the angular location of the remote transmitter using the transmitted signal, and to use that angular location to direct a transmit antenna to transmit information in the direction of the transmitter is disclosed.

US Patent:

7495521, Feb 24, 2009

Filed:

Jun 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/769272

Inventors:

Ming Chen - Kent WA, US
Jimmy S Takeuchi - Mercer Island WA, US
Douglas A Pietila - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01P 1/387

US Classification:

333 11, 333 242

Abstract:

A multi-channel circulator or isolator well suited for use in phased array antennas or other RF devices where space and packaging constraints make the implementation of a conventional circular or isolator difficult or impossible. The multi-channel circulator/isolator can be configured as an isolator by the inclusion of one or more load resistors at one of its ports. In various configurations two or more ferrite substrates are provided that each provide a plurality of transmission ports. One or more permanent magnets are used to simultaneously provide the magnetic flux field through both of the substrates. The substrates can be configured such that they are spaced apart by a small distance, or positioned face to face in contact with one another. One or a plurality of magnets can be used depending upon RF requirements. Each substrate forms an independent electromagnetic wave propagation channel that limits the propagation of RF energy between its ports in one direction only.

US Patent:

7570209, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Apr 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/739741

Inventors:

Fong Shi - Bellevue WA, US
Lixin Cai - Ravensdale WA, US
Ming Chen - Bellevue WA, US
Mike Bemes - Kenmore WA, US
Victor Starkovich - Maple Valley WA, US
Mark Davis - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 3/24

US Classification:

342372, 342374

Abstract:

An antenna system may include a reconfigurable array antenna system including a plurality of elements each capable of radiating and receiving electromagnetic energy. The antenna system may also include an electronically reconfigurable power management and control system to selectively power each of the plurality of elements to generate a desired beam pattern.

US Patent:

7609210, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Jun 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/767129

Inventors:

Ming Chen - Bellevue WA, US
Robert L. Wightman - Seattle WA, US
Dan R. Miller - Seattle WA, US
Chris D. McKinley - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 1/38
H01Q 19/06

US Classification:

343700MS, 343754, 343853

Abstract:

In accordance with an embodiment, a phased array antenna system includes a printed wiring board formed in rhombic shape that accommodates requirements for low observability and a beam forming network located within the printed wiring board. The beam forming network is located over substantially the entire printed wiring board. The embodiment includes connectors located on the backside of the printed wiring board. The back side connectors allow the array architecture to expand to include more subarrays and therefore allowing for more beam forming elements in a full size array than conventional phased arrays.

US Patent:

7884768, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Nov 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/594388

Inventors:

Julio A. Navarro - Kent WA, US
Peter T. Heisen - Kent WA, US
Scott A. Raby - Redmond WA, US
Ming Chen - Bellevue WA, US
Lixin Cai - Ravensdale WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 1/24

US Classification:

343702, 343853

Abstract:

A dual beam electronically scanned phased array antenna architecture including a plurality of antenna modules orthogonally connected to a signal distribution board. Each module includes a radiator board orthogonally connected to a first end of a support mandrel. Each radiator board includes RF radiators and a pair of chip carriers mounted to opposing sides of the respective mandrel and interconnected to the respective radiator board. Each module includes a signal transfer board formed to fit around a second end of the mandrel such that it is compressed between the mandrel and the signal distribution board, and a pair of signal distribution bridges mounted to the opposing sides of the mandrel. Each signal distribution bridge interconnects respective chip carriers with the signal transfer board and distributes digital, DC and/or RE signals received from the signal transfer board to a plurality of beam scanning circuits included in the respective chip carrier.

US Patent:

8154469, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Jun 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/767170

Inventors:

Chris D. McKinley - Seattle WA, US
Ming Chen - Bellevue WA, US
John B. O'Connell - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 1/50

US Classification:

343850, 343700 MS, 343702, 343905, 343906

Abstract:

In accordance with an embodiment, a radio frequency transition system includes a stripline trace section with openings in ground planes and forms a quarter wavelength resonator and an electromagnetic mechanism to couple the RF energy from the stripline trace section to a connector, wherein the RF signal energy is transferred from inside a beam forming network printed wiring board to an a back side of a phased array antenna system with minimal RF losses. An RF transition system is disclosed. The RF transition system comprises a stripline trace section with openings in ground planes and forms a quarter-wavelength resonator. The RF transition system further includes an electromagnetic mechanism to couple the RF energy from the stripline trace section to a connector. The RF signal energy is transferred from inside a beam forming network printed wiring board to an a back side of a phased array antenna system with minimal RF losses.