US 12,255,407 B2
Low cost electronically scanning antenna array architecture
Alec Adams, Seattle, WA (US); Mark Gregory Bedson, Federal Way, WA (US); Lixin Cai, Ravensdale, WA (US); Ming Chen, Bellevue, WA (US); Peter Timothy Heisen, Kent, WA (US); and Korey Martin Holmstrom, Kent, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/588,172.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/251,582, filed on Oct. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0106696 A1, Apr. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. H01Q 3/28 (2006.01); H01Q 3/34 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 3/28 (2013.01) [H01Q 3/34 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a distribution block configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and split the RF signal a plurality of ways;
a beamformer block configured to receive and amplify the split RF signal; and
a radiator block configured to transmit the RF signal, wherein the radiator block comprises at least one ring cell comprising:
a plurality of dielectric layers comprising a top dielectric layer, a middle dielectric layer, and a bottom dielectric layer;
a ring patch positioned in the top dielectric layer;
a foam layer between the top dielectric layer and the middle dielectric layer;
a ring slot positioned between the foam layer and the middle dielectric layer;
an electrically conductive fence positioned below and supporting the ring slot, the electrically conductive fence spanning through the bottom dielectric layer; and
electrical feed lines supplying electrical feed to generate electrical resonance in the ring slot for producing the RF signal in the ring patch.