Patent ID: 6636177
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A volumetric phased array antenna system comprising a number of antenna elements spatially arranged in three dimensions, and wherein each antenna element is connected to a T/R (transmitter/receiver) module, which is under the control of a beam steering computer (BSC), to which T/R module a transmitting signal is fed for forming a transmitting beam, and via which T/R modules RF signals are received and via a radar receiver arc fed to a signal processing unit connected thereto, wherein the antenna elements are arranged on a plurality of virtual surfaces which are defined by mutually-spaced, concentric shells with each combination of antenna elements in one or more surfaces forming a volumetric phased array antenna, wherein the antenna elements, located on a same virtual surface, are connected via respective T/R modules to a single combination unit, such that a single combination unit exists for each virtual surface, and wherein the combination units are further controllably combined in a further combination unit to provide different beam patterns.