Chao Chen

US Patent:

51628031, Nov 10, 1992

Filed:

May 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/702470

Inventors:

Chao C. Chen - Torrance CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

H01Q 322
H01Q 324
H01Q 326

US Classification:

342372

Abstract:

A combination of doubly folded parallel plate beam combiners or dividers, configured to produce a desired composite beam for use in arrays of antenna elements. The doubly folded combiner or divider functions to expand a transmitted beam, or contract a received beam, in one selected plane. In a transmit mode, a single beam can be expanded first in one direction by a first divider, then expanded in a perpendicular direction by a stack of additional dividers coupled to the first. Optional phase shifting circuits provide beam steering as desired. Second and other additional beams can be processed in the same manner, to produce a composite output of multiple beams for transmission by an antenna array. Another aspect of the invention involves the use of a beam forming structure of this type in conjunction with an array of transmit/receive microwave modules providing amplification and phase shifting functions, and an array of printed circuit antenna elements. With appropriate phase shifting controls, a composite beam transmitted or received by the array or antenna elements can be steered independently in azimuth and elevation, using much less complex control circuitry than a conventional phased array antenna system.

US Patent:

49757121, Dec 4, 1990

Filed:

Jan 23, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/299481

Inventors:

Chao C. Chen - Torrance CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

H01Q 19060
H01Q 15040

US Classification:

343754

Abstract:

A two-dimensionally scannable antenna system for transmission or receiving a microwave beam over a wide angular region, using multiple parallel plate lenses for focusing and to provide, in conjunction with a like number of phase shifters, scanning of the beam in one transverse direction, such as in azimuth. The multiple parallel plate lenses provide output signals for processing by a single diode grid lens, which provides for deflection of the beam about the other transverse axis, to scan the beam in elevation. The diode grid lens includes parallel conductive plates with a thickness tapered from a minimum value near the input and output of the diode grid lens, to a maximum value over most of the length of the diode grid lens. This increased thickness of the plates reduces the required number of switchable diodes in the diode grid lens. The device of the invention has fewer components, lower power consumption and corresponding lower cost than similar configurations available prior to the present invention.