Patent ID: 8284109
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G01S,H01Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising a telescoping radar array, wherein the telescoping radar array comprises: a plurality of coaxial, axially-deployable, radially-spaced apart, ring-shaped support stages, wherein the support stages comprise a non-conductive composite material; a plurality of mechanical coupling elements, wherein the coupling elements depend from the support stages, and wherein the coupling elements that depend from radially-adjacent support stages are dimensioned and arranged with respect to one another to cause the radially-adjacent support stages to mechanically couple to one another during deployment; an actuator for deploying the support stages; a plurality of radiating elements, wherein multiple radiating elements of the plurality thereof depend from each support stage, and wherein the multiple radiating elements on each support stage are arranged to provide radar coverage over 360 degrees of azimuth; and radar processing electronics for data acquisition and processing, wherein the plurality of radiating elements are electrically connected to the radar processing electronics.