Patent ID: 6784837
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: G01S,H01Q

Abstract:
A transmit/receive module for a high power active phased array antenna system operating in L-band based upon a combination of hybrid microwave integrated circuit (MIC) and monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology and having power monitoring means (22-25) for on line diagnostic purposes, a transmitter protector means and a receiver protector means, the said transmit/receive module comprising:signal transmit chain (10) incorporating power conditioner (38), and signal receive chain (11) incorporating control electronics (37) and bias sequencer-modulator (39); wherein the said signal transmit chain (10) comprises of: TP switching means (35) for switching means (35), for switching the module to the transmit mode, connected to the transmit amplifier chain (12-20) through shared 6-bit digital phase shifter (36); duplexer means (21) receiving the amplified signal from the transmit amplifier chain (12-20) and forming the said transmitter protector means of the said transmit chain (10); a high power switch (28) having a drop in circulator (27) connected to its input end which together with a high power limiter (29) of the said receive chain (11) form the said receiver protector means of the said receive chain (11); on-line power monitoring means (22-25); a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) switch (26) for on line sampling of transit power; Tx/Rx interface PCBs (40, 41) for interconnections between the said transmit chain (10) and the said receive chain (11); wherein, the said receive chain (11) receives signal from drop-in circulator (27) and high power switch (28) in receive mode and comprises of: high power limiter (29); RF pre-selection filter (30) connected to the said high power limiter (29); low noise amplifier means (31-33); 6-bit digital attenuator means (34) connected to shared digital phase shifter (36) through T/R switching means (35); all connected through control electronics (37), bias sequencer-modulator (39) and power conditioner means (38).