Patent ID: 6043779
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
An antenna apparatus, comprising:a beam forming system that includes:an array of feed elements including at least a first feed element for use in generating at least a first primary beam and a second primary beam, said array of feed elements also being used in generating at least a third primary beam and a fourth primary beam, said first primary beam being associated with a first azimuth position and a first amplitude;a control system in communication with said array of feed elements, said first feed element being energized and being used in generating said first primary beam and said second primary beam, wherein said control system includes phase adjusting circuitry for use in causing said third primary beam to be in a second azimuth position different from said first azimuth position, said control system also including a plurality of transmit/receive (T/R) modules having at least a first variable gain amplifier operatively connected to at least said first feed element for use in causing said fourth primary beam to have a second amplitude different from a first amplitude of said first primary beam, with said fourth primary beam being in a second elevation position different from a first elevation position of said first primary beam; anda beam collimating system including a collimating member for receiving said first primary beam and providing a first secondary beam, based on said received first primary beam, that is output from the antenna apparatus as a first transmit signal, said collimating member receiving said first primary beam substantially through space from said array of feed elements and in which, when said first transmit signal is output from the antenna apparatus, at least one of said T/R modules is used in energizing said first feed element to generate said first primary beam and then said first primary beam is applied to said collimating member through said space.