Partitioned phased array fed reflector antenna system
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for partitioned phased array fed (PAFR) antennas are disclosed. The phased array in a PPAFR antenna is partitioned into multiple partitions of antenna elements that can be operated by corresponding beam forming networks configured to independently and simultaneously generate angularly offset static and dynamic spot beams patterns. The generated spot beam patterns can include transmission and receiving spot beams for establishing a number of pathways.
1. A phased array fed reflector antenna comprising:
a reflector;
an array of antenna elements arranged relative to the reflector; and
a plurality of beam forming networks coupled to the array of antenna elements, the plurality of beam forming networks including:
a first beam forming network coupled to only a first partition of antenna elements in the array of antenna elements, wherein the first partition includes a first subset of antenna elements that are exclusive to the first partition, and further includes a second subset of antenna elements that are non-exclusive to the first partition, the first beam forming network having a first port for a first beam signal that is communicated only between the first beam forming network and the first partition and having a first beam weight circuit to generate a first spot beam associated with the first beam signal using the first partition of antenna elements, wherein the first subset of antenna elements that is exclusive to the first partition has more antennas elements than in the second subset of antenna elements that is non-exclusive to the first partition; and
a second beam forming network coupled to only a second partition of antenna elements in the array of antenna elements, wherein the second partition includes a third subset of antenna elements that are exclusive to the second partition, and further includes the second subset of antenna elements, the second beam forming network having a second port for a second beam signal, different from the first beam signal, that is communicated only between the second beam forming network and the second partition and having a second beam weight circuit to generate a second spot beam associated with the second beam signal using the second partition of antenna elements, wherein the third subset of antenna elements that is exclusive to the second partition has more antennas elements than in the second subset of antenna elements.
2. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of antenna elements are separated from the third subset of antenna elements by the second subset of antenna elements.
3. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , further comprising a third beam forming network coupled to only a third partition of antenna elements in the array of antenna elements, wherein the third partition includes a fourth subset of antenna elements that are exclusive to the third partition, and a fifth subset of antenna elements that are non-exclusive to the third partition.
4. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 3 , wherein the first partition of antenna elements are adjacent to the second partition of antenna elements, and the second partition of antenna elements are adjacent to the third partition of antenna elements.
5. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 3 , wherein the second partition of antenna elements is arranged along a perimeter of the first partition of antenna elements and a perimeter of the third partition of antenna elements.
6. The phased array reflector antenna of claim 3 , wherein the second partition of antenna elements and the third partition of antenna elements each partially surround a perimeter of the first partition of antenna elements.
7. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first spot beam utilizes a frequency spectrum, and wherein the second spot beam utilizes at least a portion of the frequency spectrum.
8. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein all of the antenna elements in first partition of antenna elements are contiguous.
9. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first spot beam and the second spot beam are angularly offset from one another.
10. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of antenna elements and the third subset of antenna elements are on opposing sides of a central axis of the reflector.
11. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first partition of antenna elements partially surrounds a perimeter of the second partition of antenna elements.
12. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of the first partition of antenna elements is completely surrounded by other partitions of antenna elements.
13. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first partition of antenna elements and the second partition of antenna elements are arranged symmetrically about a division line defined between the two antenna elements of the array of antenna elements.
14. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second subset of antenna elements is arranged along a central axis of the array of antenna elements.
15. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second subset of antenna elements lies along a line defined between the first partition of antenna elements and the second partition of antenna elements.
16. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of antenna elements is adjacent to the second subset of antenna elements, and the second subset of antenna elements is adjacent to the third subset of antenna elements.
17. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first partition overlaps the second partition, wherein an overlap region between the first and second partition comprises the second subset of antenna elements.
18. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the second subset of antenna elements is adjacent the first subset of antenna elements and a second portion of the second subset of antenna elements is adjacent the third subset of antenna elements.
19. The phased array fed reflector antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of antenna elements, the second subset of antenna elements, and the third subset of antenna elements constitute the array of antenna elements.