Wolfgang H Kummer

US Patent:

42765510, Jun 30, 1981

Filed:

Jun 1, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/044618

Inventors:

Frederick C. Williams - Topanga CA
Wolfgang H. Kummer - Santa Monica CA

Assignee:

Hughes Aircraft Company - Culver City CA

International Classification:

H04B 700

US Classification:

343100SA

Abstract:

The herein disclosed electronically scanned antennas comprise a plurality of frequency scanned antenna sections each of which have a plurality of radiating elements and a plurality of phase shifters individually coupled to the antenna sections. Spatial steering of the beam over a predetermined angular subtense is provided in response to a change in frequency of the applied electromagnetic energy. The phase shifters are programmed to adjust the relative phase of the energy processed by each of the antenna sections so as to provide an energy beam having a coherent phase front. A first embodiment incorporates a plurality of serpentine feedlines disposed in a linear arrangement along with a plurality of phase shifters coupled thereto, which cause the plurality of feedlines to have the electrical characteristics of a single continuous feedline. A second embodiment incorporates the plurality of phase shifters as adapted to a thinned array antenna configuration.