Deployable antenna array and method for deploying antenna array

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9735474-B2
Application number	US-201113810517-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2011
Priority date	Jul 21, 2010
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

A deployable antenna array is provided having at least one boresight axis, and including a first plurality of first antenna array elements and a second plurality of second antenna array elements separate from the first plurality of first antenna array elements, the antenna array being configured for being selectively deployable at least from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. A radar system including an antenna array, a telecommunication system including an antenna array, and a method for deploying an antenna array are also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A deployable antenna array having at least one boresight axis, comprising:
a first plurality of first antenna array elements, each said first antenna array element comprising antenna radiator elements and supporting/conditioning circuitry;
a second plurality of second antenna array elements separate from first plurality of first antenna array elements, each said second antenna array element being configured as a ground plane for, and being associated with, at least one respective said first antenna array element, said second antenna array elements being devoid of any electrical feedlines, electronic components, or electrical components that are in electrical communication with any electronic or electrical components of adjacent first antenna array elements;
wherein said antenna array is configured for being selectively deployable at least from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, wherein a relative spatial relationship between said first antenna array elements and said second antenna array elements is changed between said stowed configuration and said deployed configuration;
wherein said antenna radiator elements and supporting/conditioning circuitry of each said first antenna array element are configured, in operation of the antenna array with said antenna array in said deployed configuration, for at least one of radiating and receiving RF energy in a direction parallel to said at least one boresight axis in cooperation with a respective said ground plane provided by at least one respective said second antenna array element;
each said first antenna array element being of general planar construction in the form of a substantially rigid first panel, and each said second antenna array element being of general planar construction in the form of a substantially rigid second panel; and
each said panel pivotably mounted to a respective adjacent pair of said first panels, each said second panel having a first lateral end pivotably mounted to one said first panel of said respective adjacent pair of said first panels, and a second lateral end pivotably mounted to the other said first panel of said respective adjacent pair of said first panels.

2. The antenna array according to claim 1 , wherein:
said first antenna array elements are generally aligned with said at least one boresight axis at least in said deployed configuration;
said second antenna array elements are pivotably connected to said first antenna array elements for enabling said antenna array to be selectively deployed at least from said stowed configuration to said deployed configuration, wherein said relative spatial relationship between said first antenna array elements and said second antenna array elements is changed between said stowed configuration and said deployed configuration by relative pivoting therebetween; and
the antenna array has an absence of electrical conductors configured for providing electrical communication between said second antenna array elements and said antenna radiator elements and supporting/conditioning circuitry.

3. The antenna array according to claim 1 , wherein:
said first antenna array elements are in lateral spaced adjacent relationship and configured for being generally aligned with said boresight axis at least in said deployed configuration;
each said second antenna array element configured for pivoting with respect to the respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements between said stowed configuration and said deployed configuration, to provide a first spacing therebetween in said stowed configuration and a second spacing, greater than said first spacing, in said deployed configuration; and
in said stowed configuration, said first array elements of each said adjacent pair are in staggered parallel relationship.

4. A deployable antenna array having at least one boresight axis and configured for being selectively deployable at least from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, comprising:
a first plurality of first antenna array elements, each said first antenna array element supporting/conditioning circuitry, wherein said first antenna array elements are generally aligned with said at least one boresight axis at least in said deployed configuration;
a second plurality of second antenna array elements separate from said first plurality of first antenna array elements;
each said first antenna array element being of general planar construction in the form of a substantially rigid first panel, and each said second antenna array element being of general planar construction in the form of a substantially rigid second panel;
wherein said second antenna array elements are pivotably connected to said first antenna array elements for enabling said antenna array to be selectively deployed at least from said stowed configuration to said deployed configuration, wherein a relative spatial relationship between said first antenna array elements and said second antenna array elements is changed between said stowed configuration and said deployed configuration by relative pivoting therebetween;
each said second antenna array element being pivotably connected to a respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements, each said second antenna array element having a first lateral end pivotably mounted to one said first antenna array element of said respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements, and a second lateral end pivotably mounted to the other said first antenna array element of said respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements;
wherein said second plurality of second antenna array elements serving as ground planes for the first plurality of first antenna array elements, said second antenna array elements excluding being devoid of any electrical feedlines, electronic components, or electrical components that are in electrical communication with any electronic or electrical components of the first antenna array elements.

5. A deployable antenna array having at least one boresight axis and configured for being selectively deployable at least from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, comprising:
a first plurality of first antenna array elements, and a second plurality of second antenna array elements separate from first plurality of first antenna array elements,
wherein said first antenna array elements are in lateral spaced adjacent relationship and configured for being generally aligned with said boresight axis at least in said deployed configuration,
each said first antenna array element being of general planar construction in the form of a substantially rigid first panel, and each said second antenna array element being of general planar construction in the form of a substantially rigid second panel;
wherein each said second antenna array element is pivotably mounted to a respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements, each said second antenna array element having a first lateral end pivotably mounted to one said first antenna array element of said respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements, and a second lateral end pivotably mounted to the other said first antenna array element of said respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements;
and each said second antenna array elements being configured for pivoting with respect to the respective adjacent pair of said first antenna array elements between said stowed configuration and said deployed configuration, to provide a first spacing therebetween in said stowed configuration and a second spacing, greater than said first spacing, in said deployed configuration;
wherein said second plurality of second antenna array elements serve as ground planes for the first plurality of first antenna array elements, said se

Assignees

• Shmuel Amir
• Elta Systems Ltd

Inventors

• Shmuel Amir

Classifications

• H01Q21/062

  using dipole aerials; (H01Q21/067, H01Q21/068 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01Q1/088 Primary

  Quick-releasable antenna elements · CPC title

• H01Q9/285

  Planar dipole (H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407) · CPC title

• H01Q21/00 Primary

  Antenna arrays or systems (arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00) · CPC title

• H01Q1/1235

  Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna · CPC title