Patent ID: 6791507
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A feed network apparatus for use with a rotationally symmetric array antenna having a plurality of circumferentially spaced array antenna elements, comprising:a feed network including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said feed network responsive to a signal received at any one of said inputs for generating a plurality of output excitations respectively at said outputs, said output excitations respectively corresponding to circumferentially spaced radial directions respectively defined by the array antenna elements of the rotationally symmetric antenna array, said output excitations having approximately uniform amplitude, and said output excitations having respectively associated phase values that exhibit an approximately linear phase progression when considered in an order corresponding to a circumferential progression through said radial directions; and a power divider having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said power divider outputs respectively coupled to said feed network inputs, said power divider responsive to a plurality of input signals respectively received at said power divider inputs for simultaneously distributing each of a plurality of signal powers respectively associated with said power divider input signals approximately equally among said power divider outputs.