Interlocking modular beamformer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11145977-B2
Application number	US-201916441837-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 14, 2019
Priority date	Jun 14, 2019
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

An array includes a support structure configured to support columns of beamformer assemblies, and a plurality of beamformer assemblies supported by the support structure. Each beamformer assembly includes at least one beamformer having at least one first beamformer segment and at least one second beamformer segment configured to interconnect with the first beamformer segment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An array comprising:
a support structure configured to support columns of beamformer assemblies; and
a plurality of beamformer assemblies supported by the support structure, each beamformer assembly including at least one beamformer having at least one first beamformer segment and at least one second beamformer segment configured to interconnect with the first beamformer segment,
wherein each beamformer segment of the first beamformer segment and the second beamformer segment is secured to one another by an RF connector or by a SNAP-RF edge interface, and
wherein, for each beamformer segment of the first beamformer segment and the second beamformer segment, the edge interface is provided along each side edge of the segment to enable adjacently placed segments to be snap-fit connected to one another.

2. The array of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of beamformer assemblies include a randomized assortment of beamformers with varying numbers of inputs from 3 to 8.

3. The array of claim 1 , wherein the first beamformer segment functions as a TX line and the second beamformer segment functions as a combiner.

4. The array of claim 1 , wherein each beamformer further includes terminal segments provided at ends of the beamformer.

5. The array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one beamformer further includes between two and eight ports.

6. The array of claim 5 , wherein each first beamformer segment includes a first input provided on a side of the segment and a second input provided on an opposite side of the segment.

7. The array of claim 6 , wherein each second beamformer segment includes a first input provided on a side of the segment and a second input provided on an opposite side of the segment.

8. The array of claim 7 , wherein each second beamformer segment further includes an output provided on one side of the segment.

9. The array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one beamformer further includes at least one of a vertical launch and a Faraday wall.

10. A beamformer comprising:
at least one first beamformer segment; and
at least one second beamformer segment configured to interconnect with the first beamformer segment,
wherein each beamformer segment of the first beamformer segment and the second beamformer segment is secured to one another by an RF connector or a SNAP-RF edge interface, and
wherein, for each beamformer segment of the first beamformer segment and the second beamformer segment, the edge interface is provided along each side edge of the segment to enable adjacently placed segments to be snap-fit connected to one another.

11. The beamformer of claim 10 , wherein the beamformer includes one of a 3:1 beamformer, a 5:1 beamformer, and a 8:1 beamformer.

12. The beamformer of claim 10 , wherein the first beamformer segment functions as a TX line and the second beamformer segment functions as a combiner.

13. The beamformer of claim 12 , wherein a number of inputs of the beamformer can be expanded between 2 and 8 inputs by attaching additional TX line boards.

14. The beamformer of claim 10 , further comprising terminal segments provided at ends of the beamformer.

15. The beamformer of claim 10 , wherein each first beamformer segment includes a first input provided on a side of the segment and a second input provided on an opposite side of the segment, each second beamformer segment includes a first input provided on a side of the segment and a second input provided on an opposite side of the segment, and each second beamformer segment further includes an output provided on one side of the segment.

16. The beamformer of claim 10 , wherein each second beamformer segment further includes an output provided on one side of the segment, each second beamformer segment being configured to provide signal crossover to connect adjacent segments to support dual polarization.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Wilder Kevin
• Nufio-Molina Jonathan E
• Thiessen Phillip W
• Sikina Thomas V
• Benedict James E
• Southworth Andrew R
• Klek Erika

Classifications

• H05K3/4664

  Adding a circuit layer by thick film methods, e.g. printing techniques or by other techniques for making conductive patterns by using pastes, inks or powders (H05K3/4647 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H05K3/1241

  by ink-jet printing or drawing by dispensing · CPC title

• H05K1/14

  Structural association of two or more printed circuits (providing electric connection to or between printed circuits H05K1/11, H01R12/00) · CPC title

• H05K1/0243

  Printed circuits associated with mounted high frequency components · CPC title

• H01Q25/00

  Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns (arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00) · CPC title