公开(公告)号：US20180026365A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

申请号：US15655505

申请日：2017-07-20

Applicant: Echodyne Corp

Inventor： Tom Driscoll ,  William F. Graves, Jr. ,  John Desmond Hunt ,  Nathan Ingle Landy ,  Christopher L. Lambrecht ,  Milton Perque ,  Robert Tilman Worl

IPC: H01Q3/24 ,  H01Q25/00

CPC classification number: H01Q3/24 ,  G01S7/2813 ,  G01S13/4463 ,  H01Q3/26 ,  H01Q9/0442 ,  H01Q21/005 ,  H01Q21/065 ,  H01Q25/007

Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in groups of antenna elements adjustably coupled to respective reference waves. A multiplicity of patterns of antenna coupling settings are defined, each of which gives rise to a main lobe which points the antenna in a particular direction, each pattern also giving rise to respective side lobes. First and second such patterns may point the antenna in the same direction but with non-identical side lobes. In this way the clutter level from the side lobes relative to the main lobe is much smaller than would be the case if one of the patterns were employed both for transmitting and receiving. Alternatively, the first and second patterns may be used in quick succession both for transmitting, or used in quick succession both for receiving. The antenna may also switch rapidly between patterns where the main lobe points in a different direction in each pattern, allowing dithering of the beam or rapid switching between scanning and tracking.