Patent Abstract:
A reconfigurable array including: a plurality of imaging layer including an array of software addressable pixels; a conductive/non-conductive layer being positioned with respect to corresponding ones of the pixels such that addressing them causes corresponding portions of the conductive/non-conductive layer to be conductive; a radiator layer being positioned with respect to corresponding ones of the pixels such that addressing them defines at least one radiator array; a switching and summing layer positioned with respect to corresponding ones of the pixels such that the addressing them causes corresponding portions of switching and summing layer to switch and sum the signals; and, a plurality of inputs coupled to the imaging layers and being under software control to selectively activate the pixels.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to sensor systems, and more particularly, to a reconfigurable array of signal sensors. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many conventional techniques exist for transmitting or detecting electromagnetic radiation signals. However, changing operational requirements render many of them unsuitable for certain applications. For example, it is believed to be desirable to provide high altitude airships with sophisticated sensor arrays. These ships are desired to remain on station for substantial periods of time and at very high altitudes for upwards of one year, without refueling. 
   It is desirable to provide a reconfigurable radiator array suitable for extended service that is relatively lightweight and flexible, and having relatively reduced power requirements as compared to conventional arrays. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A reconfigurable array including: a plurality of imaging layers including an array of software addressable pixels; a conductive/non-conductive layer including a material that is selectively conductive and positioned with respect to corresponding ones of the pixels such that addressing of corresponding ones of the pixels causes corresponding portions of the conductive/non-conductive layer to be conductive; a radiator layer including a plurality of elements suitable for actively transmitting or receiving signals in a first mode and being passive in a second mode, the radiator layer being positioned with respect to corresponding ones of the pixels such that the addressing of the corresponding ones of the pixels causes the elements to define at least one radiator array; a switching and summing layer including a plurality of elements suitable for selectively switching and summing the signals, the switching and summing layer being positioned with respect to corresponding ones of the pixels such that the addressing of the corresponding ones of the pixels causes corresponding portions of switching and summing layer to switch and sum the signals; and, a plurality of inputs coupled to the imaging layers and being under software control to selectively activate the pixels. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, and: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a platform according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an array according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates various operational configurations of an array according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a conductive/non-conductive layer according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a pixel configuration for an imaging layer according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates variable tuning material layers according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an imaging layer according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates transmit, receive and summing layers according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an array according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates different operational modes of an array according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an inter-relation between conductive/non-conductive layer and pixels of an imaging layer according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a high power switch suitable for use with an array according to an aspect of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate a functional switch according to an aspect of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an array according to an aspect of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in typical sensor systems and methods of making and using the same. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and/or steps may be desirable in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, sensors and sensor arrays may be integrated into a platform structure itself. These arrays may be conformal and flexible in nature. These arrays may be well suited for sensing relatively low, slow, small and erratic targets of interest, such as people, rocket propelled grenade launchers, ground vehicles and ultra-lights, by way of non-limiting example. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, it may be desirable that such systems support real beam imaging, spherical coverage and VHF &amp; X-Band Radars. According to an aspect of the present invention, large area, low power density arrays may be provided. Such an array may be a reconfigurable array and/or support simultaneous sensor operations (e.g. high and low frequency radar, broadband ESM, Comm, etc.), and may have a range of about 600 km, all by way of non-limiting example only. 
   Arrays utilized according to an aspect of the present invention may be large as compared to traditional radar arrays. For example, the area of an array according to the present invention may be on the order of thousands of square meters (m 2 ), as opposed to tens of square meters, in size. In an exemplary embodiment, the array may be on the order of about 1600 m 2  in area. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a platform  10  suitable for use as a platform for an array according to the present invention. Platform  10  is shown as a high altitude air ship, by way of non-limiting example only. Platform  10  may be greater than about 150 m long and 50 m tall, also by way of non-limiting example. 
   Arrays according to the present invention may operate as multifunctional sensors by supporting two or more radars (e.g., AMTI/GMTI; ESM; Comms). They may be operable with a broadband electromagnetic radiation spectrum and provide interleaved/shared/reconfigurable/reprogrammable RF sensor apertures. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a hardware array that can be programmed and controlled by software during operations may be provided. Radiator type, including radiator shape, size, and placement within the array may be programmed. Electronic circuitry, such as DC supply circuitry and RF circuitry, like stripline, microstrip and MMIC components, may be programmed. According to an aspect of the present invention, a ground plane configuration may be programmed. Various layer material characteristics may be programmed to optimize/adapt array operational performance, as a function of frequency, space, time and/or power, for example. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, an array may be programmed for desired frequency coverage (narrow band or broadband; VHF to Ku or higher, for example). According to another aspect of the present invention, an array may be programmed for desired functionality (radar, electronic support measures, communications and/or electronic attack, for example). 
   The array performance may be controlled to adapt to changing environments and threats, and to improve array performance where traditional sensor performance may tend to degrade. According to an aspect of the present invention, material layers may be varied to tune array performance for changes in frequency, beam steer angle, temperature and array surface deflections, for example. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a controllable multi-layered approach may be used that includes antenna elements, and transmit and receive amplification functionality. Other circuit components may be added as well—for example, other RF components in both transmit and receive chains may be incorporated. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, the layers may be thin and flexible, so that the array can be made for 3-D conformal applications requiring the surface to be flexible during operation (e.g., airship  10  of  FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a diagrammatic representation of an array  100  according to an aspect of the present invention. Generally, array  100  includes one or more radiator array layers  110 , one or more variable tuning layers  120 , one or more ground plane layers  130 , one or more transmit power amplification layers  140 , one or more receive limiter layers  150 , one or more summing layers  160 , one or more imaging layers  170  and radiator input/outputs (I/O&#39;s)  180 . System  100  may be flexible and conformal in nature, and may be thin, such as on the order of 1 mm or less in thickness. In general, imaging layers  170  may be controllable, such that layers  110 – 160  may be controlled. Control may be effected by means of computer software, by way of non-limiting example only. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , radiator array layer(s)  110  may take the form of selectively conducting/non-conducting (CNC) layers as will be described. Layer(s)  110  may define a plurality of arrays. For example, layers  110  may provide for a variety of programmable array features, such as radiator shape, size, and spacing.  FIG. 3  illustrates a variety of radiator configurations. Configuration  110 A is illustrative of a low frequency radar array. Configuration  110 B is illustrative of a high frequency radar array. Configuration  110 C is illustrative of a low periodic broadband ESM (Electronic Surveillance Measures) array. And, configuration  110 D is illustrative of a dual band radar array having interleaved elements. As will be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the art, configurations  110 A– 110 D are periodic homogeneous arrays that represent non-limiting examples of possible configurations of layer(s)  110 ; other configurations are possible as well. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , according to an aspect of the present invention, where an electromagnetic field is applied to the layer  110 , corresponding portions  410  of layer  110  are conductive in nature. Where no field is applied, corresponding portions  420  of layer  110  act as an insulator or dielectric. According to an aspect of the present invention, conducting and non-conducting portions  410 ,  420  may be selectively arranged by selectively applying an electromagnetic field to layer  110  to selectively provide different functionality. That is, an array according to the present invention may be operated in different modes, each corresponding to a different functionality (e.g., configurations  110 A– 110 D) by selectively applying different electromagnetic fields to layer  110 . Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , the resolution of selectability may be based upon the smallest addressable radiator or circuit dimension. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , array  100  may include one or more variable tuning layers  120 . According to an aspect of the present invention, material properties may be varied across material layers (as is shown in illustration  610 ). According to an aspect of the present invention, material properties may be varied from layer to layer (as is shown in illustration  620 ). Properties that may be varied include the electrical and/or magnetic properties, such as conductivity, dielectric constant and magnetic permeability. Other properties that may be varied include physical properties, such as thickness and the introduction of deformities such as cavities. Other properties that may be varied include ferro-, magneto-, piezo- and optical properties. 
   As will be understood by one possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent arts, by varying materials in these manners, an array according to an aspect of the present invention may be suitable for providing tunability from around 100 MHz to around 18 GHz, by way of non-limiting example. It may further support operations up into the W-band, for example. The variation in properties may also provide controllable isolation, impedance matching, and frequency and thermal response tuning between individual radiating elements. 
   Referring now also to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , there are shown imaging layers  170 . Each imaging layer  170  is controllable. For example, each imaging layer  170  may be software controlled. This controllability may be used to form desired images that may be used to control the material properties of others of the layers of array  100 . Imaging layers  170  may create fields that impinge other layers, to control material properties thereof. For example, imaging layers  170  may define the antenna shape and spacing of layer  110 . Imaging layers  170  may define conductive areas, and/or areas having other properties, in ground plane layers  130 . Imaging layers  170  may define areas having desired material characteristics in material layers  120 , such as dielectric constant, permeability, E-field and H-field. Imaging layers  170  may selectively activate and/or deactivate functional transistors in layers  140 ,  150 . Imaging layers  170  may also control switching in summing layer  160 . 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, each layer  170  may be composed of an array of pixels, or areas. Each pixel may serve as a control switch to selectively provide material control functionality. Such a switch may be a simple two position switch or a variable switch, for example. Each pixel may be selectively activated under software control, for example. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, each pixel may include an array of nanowire transistors. In addition, nanowire edge electronics (not shown) can be used to control nanowire column, row and pixel transistors. Nanowire edge electronics can also be used to drive column, row and pixel transistors that are now made using nanowires. Nanowire edge electronics can include nanowire shift registers, nanowire level shifters and nanowire buffers, for example. Nanowire shift registers refer to a shift register implemented using nanowire transistors. Nanowire level shifters refer to level shifters implemented using nanowire transistors while nanowire buffers refer to a buffer implemented using nanowire shifters. Other types of edge electronics can be implemented using nanowire transistors. In one configuration, a voltage is applied to a nanowire column transistor for the column in which the pixel is located. The nanowire row transistor for the row in which the pixel is located will be turned on to allow current to flow to the nanowire pixel transistor. When the nanowire pixel transistor is on, current flows through the nanowire pixel transistor to make the voltage across the pixel, approximately the same as the voltage applied on the column to generate the desired signal being transmitted through the pixel. According to another aspect of the present invention, each pixel may include an array of quantum dots. According to an aspect of the present invention, each pixel may further include an array of light emitting devices or LEDs. Reference can be made to U.S. published Patent Application 20040135951 entitled “Integrated Displays Using Nanowire Transistors” published on Jul. 15, 2004 for illustration of exemplary switch circuitry and fabrication techniques useful in implementing the present invention, the teachings and subject matter thereof incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   Regardless of the specific configuration, each pixel may be fed by an array of nanowires to selectively supply power. The array of nanowires may be used to selectively activate pixels under software control, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, a configurable nanowire transistor array may be implemented to carry out the principles of the invention as comprising one or more pairs of crossed nanowires, wherein one set of nanowires include a semiconductor material having a first conductivity and the other set of nanowires include either a metal or a second semiconductor material, and (b) a dielectric or molecular species to trap and hold hot electrons. The nano-scale wire transistors either form a configurable transistor or a switch memory bit that is capable of being set by application of a voltage that is larger in absolute magnitude than any voltage at which the transistor operates. The pair of wires may cross at a closest distance of nanometer scale dimensions and at a non-zero angle. Reference can be made to U.S. published Patent Application 20040041617 entitled “Configurable Molecular Switch Array” published on Mar. 4, 2004 for illustration of exemplary switch circuitry and fabrication techniques useful in implementing the present invention, the teachings and subject matter thereof incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   The pixel density of a layer  170  may define the smallest radiator feature and hence the achievable image quality or resolution. 
   Referring now also to  FIGS. 2 and 8 , there are shown amplification, receive and summing layers  140 ,  150 ,  160  for providing transistor functionality. That is, they may be thought of as providing a plurality of transistors. In the case of layer  140 , these transistors may be used to amplify signals to handle high power levels to effectuate transmission from array  100 . In the case of layer  150 , they may be used to amplify signals with a low noise figure to effectuate receiving signals using array  100 . Layer  150  may also provide a limiting functionality to prevent burnout during reception, as will be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent arts. In the case of layer  160 , the transistors may be used as switches for combining or summing signals going to or coming from radiator element layer  110 . They may be used to form one signal input in a transmit mode and to form one signal output in a receive mode. According to an aspect of the present invention, each of layers  140 ,  150  and  160  may take the form of a physically separate layer to enable enhanced frequency coverage. 
   Referring now also to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown a diagrammatic view of a non-limiting example of an array  900  according to an aspect of the present invention. Consistently with array  100 , array  900  includes summing layers  160 , tuning layers  120 , ground layers  130  and radiator layer  110 . 
   Array layer  110  includes nanostructures  112 . In the illustrated case of  FIG. 9 , nanostructures  112  take the form of carbon nanotubes. As is understood in the pertinent arts, carbon nanotubes are a variant of crystalline carbon. Carbon nanotubes are structurally related to cagelike, hollow molecules composed of hexagonal and pentagonal groups of carbon atoms, or carbon fullerene “buckyballs”, or C60. Generally, there are three types of nanotubes: zigzag, armchair and chiral tubes of different diameters. Carbon nanotubes may generally be single or multi-walled. Single walled carbon nanotubes may have diameters on the order of about 1.2 to 1.4 nm. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes have diameters up to about 50 nanometers, by way of non-limiting example. Carbon nanotubes may have lengths that can be greater than 1 micron (μm), and even around 10 μm, for example. 
   Referring still to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , nanotubes  112  may be formed into an array using a patterned catalyst. For example, iron or nickel may be patterned using conventional methodologies to provide a patterned substrate for nanotube growth, such as by using plasma enhanced, high frequency chemical vapor deposition. The present invention, in many embodiments may be implemented to include nanoscopic wires, each of which can be any nanoscopic wire, including nanorods, nanowires, organic and inorganic conductive and semiconducting polymers, nanotubes, semiconductor components or pathways and the like. Other nanoscopic-scale conductive or semiconducting elements that may be used in some instances include, for example, inorganic structures such as Group IV, Group III/Group V, Group II/Group VI elements, transition group elements, or the like, as described below. For example, the nanoscale wires may be made of semiconducting materials such as silicon, indium phosphide, gallium nitride and others. The nanoscale wires may also include, for example, any organic, inorganic molecules that are polarizable or have multiple charge states. For example, nanoscopic-scale structures may include main group and metal atom-based wire-like silicon, transition metal-containing wires, gallium arsenide, gallium nitride, indium phosphide, germanium, or cadmium selenide structures. Reference can be made to U.S. published Patent Application 20030089899 entitled “Nanoscale Wires and Related Devices” published on May 15, 2003 for illustration of exemplary circuitry and fabrication techniques useful in implementing the present invention, the teachings and subject matter thereof incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   Referring still to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an array  114  may serve as an imaging layer (i.e., imaging layer  170  of  FIG. 2 ), and take the form of a matrix of quantum dots or nanotransistors and nanowires, and may provide for selective operability of nanotubes  112 . Nanotubes  112  may be semiconductive in nature. By activating select pixels of array  114 , corresponding portions of nanotubes  112  may be activated, or excited into an energy emitting/receiving state, while other portions  110  off remain inactivated. By energizing select pixels of array  114  via software control, such as by using a matrix addressing scheme, specific portions (i.e.,  110  on) may be selectively energized using a voltage to energize different radiator patterns. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 11 , different ground planes  130  may be selected for operation. According to an aspect of the present invention, a series of alternating imaging layers  170  and ground layers  130  may be provided. Hundreds of such layers may be provided. The imaging layer material property (e.g., dielectric constant) may be graded down the stack (e.g., a lower value at the top and increasing in value as one progresses down the stack). A ground layer may be selected, under software control, to become an active ground plane for enabling the desired electrical response from radiator array  110 . By alternating ground layers  130  with variable tuning layers  120 , a programmable tuner with incremental selection (e.g. bits) of both material property (e.g., dielectric constant or magnetic permeability) and thickness may be used to provide frequency and impedance tuning. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, ground layers  130  may be analogously configured of carbon nanotubes. By activating select pixels of corresponding imaging layers  170 , corresponding portions of ground layers  130  may be activated or excited into a conductive state, while other portions remain inactivated and hence non-conductive in nature. Referring now also to  FIG. 12 , there is shown an exploded view of a ground layer  130  and corresponding imaging layer  170 . In application, layers  130  and  170  may be very close to or in contact with one another. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, real-time electrical circuitry configuration may be effected through software control. Analog and digital circuit components associated with signal routing, such as signal and supply lines, may be effected by selectively activating portions of ground layers. RF circuitry (e.g., stripline, microstrip, MMIC components, and signal routing) may also be effected. 
   As set forth, imaging layer  170  may take the form of a lattice of quantum dots or nanotransistors, and may provide control voltages to ground layer  130  to form desired circuitry. As select areas of imaging layer  170  are activated, corresponding nanotubes of ground layer  130  become excited and transition from a non-conducting to a conducting state. That is, ground layer  130  becomes conducting where imaging layer  170  provides a control voltage and non-conducting where no control voltage is supplied. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 13 , there is shown an exemplary configuration of a high isolation/high power switch controlling selection of transmit or receive functionality in an array according to the present invention. Referring now also to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , there is shown an embodiment to the switch of  FIG. 13  using the re-programmability of conductive paths in individual layers  130  over time to eliminate the need for a physical switch. As will be understood by one possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent arts, this may serve to eliminate loss and isolation problems associated with the switch. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is shown an exploded representation of an array  1000  according to an aspect of the present invention. Array  1000  is well suited for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in the general directions  1005 . Array  1000  may provide for single or dual functionality. As shown in  FIG. 15 , a first portion  1010  may perform as a receiver, while a second portion  1015  performs as a transmitter. 
   Array  1000  may include one or more radiator layers  110 , a plurality of variable tuning layers  120 , a plurality of ground layers  130 , transmit, receive and summing layers  140 ,  150 ,  160 , and a plurality of imaging layers  170 . By selectively controlling the imaging layers  170  and material properties of variable tuning layers  120 , conducting and non-conducting regions of ground planes  130  may be selectively operated. Also by selectively controlling the imaging layers  170 , the shape and dimensions of radiator elements in array  110  may be defined. Also by selectively controlling imaging layers  170 , the operation of layers  140 ,  150 ,  160  may be controlled, such as to provide for the dual-functionality illustrated, for example. 
   Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many modifications and variations of the present invention may be implemented without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7