Patent ID: 6680698
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A ray-imaging, electronic beam-steering antenna comprising:a. at least one antenna segment, each said at least one antenna segment having at least one output and including a plurality of horizontally-polarized radiating column-array elements and an elevation beam-forming assembly, said plurality of radiating column-array elements disposed adjacently on a common line, and b. an electrically conductive ground reflector plane positioned perpendicular to said common line, said ground reflector plane allowing gain-enhanced, horizontal-polarization beam generation and steering in planes perpendicular to said ground reflector plane; wherein said elevation beam-forming assembly includesi. a microwave multiple-beam network having a first plurality of element ports and a second plurality of beam ports, ii. a set of two-way power dividers, each of said set having a pair of output ports, and incorporating an 180Â° phase shift between two ports of said pair of output ports, iii. a set of two-way power combiners, each of said set having a pair of input ports, and incorporating an 180Â° phase shift between two ports of said pair of input ports, and iv. a beam selection switching module connected to said set of power combiners.