RF puck

摘要

An RF module including transmitting, receiving, and processing elements, capable of operating in a standalone mode or as part of an array of similar or identical modules. The RF module includes a radiator (205), transmit-receive circuitry (165), a digital receiver-exciter (160), a processor (100), and a data interface (150). The processor is configured to exchange in-phase and quadrature data with other processors in an array, so that, when configured as an array, digital transmit beam forming and receive beam forming are possible.

主权项

1. A radio-frequency (RF) module for use individually or in an integrated system with at least one other RF module, the RF module comprising:
an aperture comprising an antenna element for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation; a transmit-receive circuit coupled to the antenna element; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the transmit-receive circuit; a synchronization interface for transmitting or receiving a synchronization signal; a digital receiver-exciter coupled to the transmit-receive circuit, and coupled to the synchronization interface, the digital receiver-exciter configured to obtain digital samples of a received signal, the received signal corresponding to electromagnetic radiation received by the antenna element; a processor coupled to the digital receiver-exciter; and a data interface coupled to the processor; wherein the processor is configured:
to form, from the digital samples of the received signal, in-phase and quadrature data representing the received signal; andto output the in-phase and quadrature data through the data interface, wherein the module is configured to operate in an integrated system with a second module, the second module being identical to the module except for a switch setting, the module being configured
to receive in-phase and quadrature data, through the data interface, from the second module, andto combine:
the in-phase and quadrature data formed from the digital samples of the received signal, andthe in-phase and quadrature data received from the second module, to perform digital beam-forming.