Patent ID: 6590531
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A beamformer comprising:an input port configured to receive an input electromagnetic signal; output ports configured to provide output electromagnetic signals; and controllable time delay elements disposed between the input port and the output ports, a number of control signals that control the time delay elements different from a number of time delay elements; wherein the time delay elements are distributed within a feed network that includes a fractal tree which contains an initiator pattern connected with the input port and a plurality of generator patterns, the initiator pattern includes a first set of the time delay elements, each generator pattern includes a second set of the time delay elements and is connected with two of: the initiator pattern, at least one of the output ports, and at least one other generator pattern, and wherein at least one time delay element of each of the first and second set of the time delay elements are connected with each other such that the at least one time delay element of each of the first and second set of the time delay elements are controllable by a single control signal.