IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,316,034
Granted Patent B2
US 12,316,034 · App. 18/341,413 · Granted May 27, 2025

Antenna array for passively modulating radio frequency signals

Inventors: Frederick Joseph Verd (Santee, CA); John Meloling (San Diego, CA); Hoa Phan (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
H01Q9/0435H04L27/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,316,034
App. No.
18/341,413
Granted
May 27, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Antenna Array for passively modulating radio frequency signals. Specifically, an antenna array or system comprising a plurality of retroreflective antennas configured to passively receive a radiofrequency (RF) signal from a source, and configured to reflect the RF signal; and a passive modulation circuit, electrically connected to the plurality of retroreflective antennas, configured to modulate the RF signal to represent a code, wherein the code comprises information, and further comprising: a plurality of RF switches. Additionally, a method for passively reflecting modulated signals, comprising generating a radiofrequency (RF) signal at a source; receiving the a RF signal with a plurality of retroreflective antennas; passively modulating the signal's amplitude to create a modulated RF signal, wherein the modulated RF signal comprises a code, and wherein the code further comprises a unique identifier associated with the plurality of retroreflective antennas; and passively reflecting a modulated signal back to the source.

Claims (13)

1. An antenna array, comprising:

a plurality of retroreflective antennas configured to passively receive a radiofrequency (RF) signal from a source, and configured to reflect the RF signal; and

a passive modulation circuit, electrically connected to the plurality of retroreflective antennas, configured to modulate the RF signal to represent a code, wherein the code comprises information, and further comprising:

a plurality of RF switches, each RF switch further comprising an inductor, a plurality of diodes having a coupling loop, and a resistor.

2. The antenna array of claim 1 , further comprising:

a diode detector.

3. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the RF signal is a microwave signal.

4. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the RF signal is a narrow-beam circularly polarized radar signal.

5. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of retroreflective antennas is coupled to a satellite.

6. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the source is a ground station.

7. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the code comprises a unique identifier associated with the antenna array.

8. The antenna array of claim 7 , wherein the unique identifier comprises a sequence of either “on” or “off” states.

9. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the code comprises function codes and information codes.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2023
From: VERD, FREDERICK JOSEPH; MELOLING, JOHN; PHAN, HOA
To: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Reel/Frame 064061/0562 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240429613A1 · Dec 26, 2024
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