Lens-fed multiple beam arrays
Abstract
The lens-fed type of phased array, wherein an entire set of contiguous beams is formed simultaneously, with each beam processing the full gain of the projected array aperture, is described. In this type of phased array, true time delay is used in the beam formation, so the beam-pointing directions in space remain invariant with frequency. Lens-fed multiple beam arrays provide continuous spatial surveillance with high antenna gain and good angular resolution, which makes them attractive for ESM receive applications. When these arrays are not used for ECM transmit applications, relatively low power amplifiers are placed in each of the array element feed lines. Such a distributed amplifier array can be sized to generate any desired level of effective radiated power from a few kilowatts to tens of megawatts. These radiated power levels are available at 100 percent duty cycle over operating bandwidths of 3:1 and can be controlled by direct optimized ECM techniques discretely at multiple threat emitters.
- Publication:
-
Microwave Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984MiJo...27..171A
- Keywords:
-
- Antenna Design;
- Antenna Feeds;
- Lens Antennas;
- Microwave Antennas;
- Multibeam Antennas;
- Phased Arrays;
- Angular Resolution;
- Distributed Amplifiers;
- Electronic Countermeasures;
- High Gain;
- High Resolution;
- Linear Arrays;
- Pointing Control Systems;
- Surveillance;
- Communications and Radar