Multi-function shared aperture array

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9977122-B2
Application number	US-201514671479-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2015
Priority date	Mar 27, 2015
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

A multi-function radio frequency (RF) system may include a shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals. The system may also include an integrated electronics package configured for controlling operation of the shared phased array antenna subsystem. The integrated electronics package may include a modulator/demodulator subsystem. The modulator/demodulator subsystem may include a radar module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals. The radar module is configured to transmit and receive radar signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem. The modulator/demodulator subsystem may also include a communications module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving communications signals. The communications module is configured to transmit and receive communications signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-function radio frequency (RF) system, comprising:
a mission computer subsystem;
a shared phased array antenna subsystem configured for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals; and
an integrated electronics package configured for controlling operation of the shared phased array antenna subsystem, the integrated electronics package comprising a modulator/demodulator subsystem, the modulator/demodulator subsystem comprising:
a radar module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals, the radar module being configured to transmit and receive radar signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem,
a communications module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving communications signals, the communications module being configured to transmit and receive communications signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem, and
a switch, directly connected to the mission computer subsystem, for communicating data, control signals and information between the modulator/demodulator subsystem and the mission computer subsystem, the switch also being configured to receive at least beam steering control information from the mission computer subsystem.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the shared phased array antenna subsystem comprises:
a plurality of antenna tiles disposed adjacent one another, each antenna tile comprising an active phased array aperture for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals;
an interstitial region between adjacent tiles; and
a distribution network for at least one of electrical power, RF signals and data to the plurality of tiles, the distribution networks residing within the interstitial region between adjacent tiles.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the shared phased array antenna subsystem further comprises:
an upper circuit board;
a lower circuit board, wherein the lower circuit board is disposed at a distance from the upper circuit board to define an open space between the upper circuit board and the lower circuit board; and
a set of microstrip transmission lines provided on the upper circuit board within the interstitial regions between adjacent tiles and interconnecting the plurality of antenna tiles for power distribution,
wherein each antenna tile comprises:
a center pin of conductive material extending through the open space between the lower circuit board and the upper circuit board, an end of the center pin being exposed by a via in the upper circuit board;
a via cage extending through the open space between the lower circuit board and the upper circuit board about the center pin;
a feed line extending through the open space between the lower circuit board and the upper circuit board within the via cage; and
a radiator probe provided on the lower circuit board and connected to the feed line.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein each antenna tile comprises multiple sides and is configurable for scaling in any planar direction because of the distribution network for at least one of electrical power, RF communications and data residing within the interstitial region between adjacent tiles.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the shared phased array antenna subsystem is scalable by adding adjacent antenna tiles in any planar dimension.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein a spacing between a center of adjacent antenna tiles is about half a wavelength which provides a maximum scanning capability.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the shared phased array antenna subsystem comprises a configuration that is scalable by adding or removing antenna tiles to provide at least one of a predetermined range of operation, a predetermined rate of operation, a certain stealth detection probability, anti jamming capability and an adaptability to concurrent communication network links.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics package comprise a multilayered lattice structure adjacent to the shared phased array antenna subsystem.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein a radar operating frequency of the system is between about 15.7 GHz and about 17.3 GHz and the communications operating frequency of the system is between about 14.4 GHz and about 15.35 GHz.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an RF interface subsystem configured to selectively couple the radar module or the communications module to the shared phased array antenna subsystem.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the shared phased array antenna subsystem comprises between about 16 antenna elements and about 128 antenna elements.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mission computer subsystem comprises a command and control module for controlling operation of the system, an interface module and a data processing module.

13. A shared phased array antenna subsystem, comprising:
a plurality of antenna tiles disposed adjacent one another, each antenna tile comprising an active phased array aperture for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals;
an interstitial region between adjacent tiles; and
a distribution network for at least one of electrical power, radio frequency (RF) signals and data to the plurality of tiles, the distribution network residing within the interstitial region between adjacent tiles;
an upper circuit board; and
a lower circuit board, wherein the plurality of antenna tiles are formed using the upper circuit board and the lower circuit board, and wherein the lower circuit board is disposed at a distance from the upper circuit board to define an open space between the upper circuit board and the lower circuit board.

14. The subsystem of claim 13 , further comprising:
a set of microstrip transmission lines provided on the upper circuit board within the interstitial regions between adjacent tiles and interconnecting the plurality of antenna tiles for power distribution,
wherein each antenna tile comprises:
a center pin of conductive material extending between the lower circuit board and the upper circuit board, an end of the center pin being exposed by a via in the upper circuit board;
a via cage extending between the lower circuit board and the upper circuit board about the center pin;
a feed line extending between the lower circuit board and the upper circuit board within the via cage; and
a radiator probe provided on the lower circuit board and connected to the feed line.

15. The subsystem of claim 13 , wherein each antenna tile comprises multiple sides and is configurable for scaling in any planar direction because of the distribution network for at least one of electrical power, RF communications and data residing within the interstitial region between adjacent tiles.

16. The subsystem of claim 15 , wherein the shared phased array antenna subsystem is scalable by adding or removing adjacent antenna tiles in any planar dimension.

17. A method for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals, the method comprising:
providing a shared phased array antenna subsystem configured for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals; and
providing an integrated electronics package configured for controlling operation of the shared phased array antenna subsystem, the integrated electronics package comprising:
a mission computer subsystem;
a radar module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receivi

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Pitts Marty Allen
• Navarro Julio A
• Cai Lixin

Classifications

• H01Q21/064

  using horn or slot aerials (slotted waveguides arrays H01Q21/005) · CPC title

• G01S13/426

  Scanning radar, e.g. 3D radar (G01S13/66 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01S2013/0245

  Radar with phased array antenna · CPC title

• G01S13/86 Primary

  Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder · CPC title

• H01Q3/30

  varying the {relative} phase {between the radiating elements of an array (H01Q3/2605, H01Q3/2658, H01Q3/2682, H01Q3/44 take precedence)} · CPC title