Active electronically scanned array antenna for hemispherical scan coverage

摘要

An antenna architecture for hemispherically-scanning active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) (10). The antenna architecture utilizes variable diameter disks (14) of antenna elements (12) configured in a conical implementation. The antenna elements (12) are oriented such that the element boresight is normal to the surface of the conical structure. Beamforming takes place on each disk (14) first, and then separately in combining the signals from each disk (14), thereby reducing complexity. The antenna (10) optionally utilizes disks (14) of antenna elements (12) of the same diameter to form a cylindrical antenna, which when combined with a conical configuration create enhanced sectors while maintaining a hemispherical coverage capability. Further, use of two conical configurations can produce a fully spherical coverage capability.