US3670336A

US3670336A - Electronic technique for an all-electronic cylindrical array beacon antenna

Info

Publication number: US3670336A
Application number: US36050A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory G Charlton; Robert J Hanratty; Hiram H Ohta
Original assignee: Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Current assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH; ITT Inc
Priority date: 1970-05-11
Filing date: 1970-05-11
Publication date: 1972-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-13
Also published as: CA928416A; DE2122698A1; DE2122698C3; FR2088493B1; FR2088493A1; DE2122698B2; JPS5110955B1; ES391050A1; GB1327121A

Abstract

A system for generating the amplitude modulation functions to apply to the individual columns of radiating elements in a cylindrical array antenna for the TACAN system. Two harmonically related low frequency modulation waveforms are contemplated, and means are provided for adjusting the radio-frequency phase of the higher of these two aperture excitation components relative to the RF phase of the carrier component. The result is broadening of the ''''operating lobe'''' of the modulation pattern, permitting operation over a broader band of frequencies and a wider range of elevation angles in a cylindrical array of moderate size.

Description

United States Patent Charlton et al.

[54] ELECTRONIC TECHNIQUE FOR AN ALL-ELECTRONIC CYLINDRICAL ARRAY BEACON ANTENNA [72] Inventors: Gregory C. Charlton, Caiabasas; Robert J. Hanratty, Northridge; Hiram H. Ohta, Venice, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: International Telephone and Teleg'aph Corporation, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: May 11,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 36,050

[451 June 13, 1972 Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant xaminerR. Kinberg Attorney-C. Cornell Remsen, .lr., Walter J. Baum, Paul W. Hemminger, Charles L, Johnson, Jr. and Thomas E. Kristoffeison 57] ABSTRACT A system for generating the amplitude modulation functions v to apply to the individual columns of radiating elements in a cylindrical array antenna for the TACAN system; Two harmonically related low frequency modulation waveforms are contemplated, and means are provided for adjusting the radiofrequency phase of the higher of these two aperture excitation components relative to the RF phase of the 'carrier component The result is broadening of the operating lobe of 52 us. Cl. "343/106, 343/100 SA the modulau'on pattern, permitting operation over a broader [5 1] Int. Cl. ..G0ls 1/44 band f frequencies and a wider range f elevation angles in a [5 8] Field of Search ..343/106, 100 SA cylindrical array of moderate size.

5 References Cited 10 Claim, 12 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,474,446 10/1969 Shestag et a]. ..343/100 SA CO5 w s 4 O 5 6: I 4: :05 e(w ccos (q: e) X MODULATOR Z OUIPUT GENRHTOR x D/FFERGNT/AL MODULATOR pygsg' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to modulation systems and techniques for providing electronic scanning from a cylindrical array. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved electronic modulation technique and apparatus for an all electronic beacon antenna system such as for the so called TACAN system.

2. Description of The Prior Art In the prior art there have been a number of systems for radiating prescribed patterns similar to those of which the present invention is capable. The particular system instrumentation described herein was developed in contemplation of a rotating gear shaped pattern as required by the so-called TACAN system, a navigational guidance system for aircrafi use. This system is described in detail in Chapter 12 of Electronic Avigation Engineering" by Peter C. Sandretto, a reference handbook published in 1958 by International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, New York. In that reference, a typical prior art antenna system for the TACAN ground transmitter is described. In that prior art instrumentation, as well as in some other prior art techniques for scanning the radiation pattern from a cylindrical array, mechanical means are used to obtain the desired pattern rotation (scanning).

Of most particular relationship to the present invention is the system described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,474,446, entitled Cylindrical Array Antenna System With Electronic Scanning. The present invention is, in fact, an improved modulation technique and apparatus applicable to the system of that reference.

In the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,474,446, the modulation pattern presented is that required in TACAN beacon antennas. Those patterns are typically formed by exciting a cylindrical antenna aperture circumferentially with appropriate amplitude modulation functions; in particular, three modulation components, consisting of a carrier of uniform amplitude and phase, and 15 and 135 Hz sinusoidal waves superimposed thereon. Each column of radiating elements around the circumference of the array is individually excited, the modulation phase varying progressively over the said columns about the circumference of the array, so that time rotation of the net pattern is effected. Simple amplitude modulation of the excitation to each of these columns is then possible.

The shortcomings of the aforementioned modulation technique are two, as follows: 1) an inability to develop, in a practical-sized antenna, the required 135 Hz modulation of the bearing signal over the full TACAN frequency band of 960 to 1,215 MHz and simultaneously over an elevation angle extending from the horizon up to at least 50; and (2) an inability to develop the 135 z modulation in a manner that is insensitive to the parameters of the antenna. These shortcomings will be more clearly understood as this specification proceeds and description is undertaken in respect to the drawings presented. Also, the manner in which the present invention solves these prior art problems will be understood as this specification proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the description to follow, the invention will be described in connection with the TACAN system, since it is in that connection that it is particularly useful. Hz

It may be said that the general objective of the present invention was the provision of a cylindrical array modulation technique and apparatus providing broad frequency band and extended elevation angle coverage in an antenna of moderate size. In essence, the improved aperture modulation technique that is the basis of this invention overcomes the aforemen tioned shortcomings by broadening the desired operating -lobe" of the modulation pattern. The specific result in one embodiment was the achievement of the required Hz modulation of the bearing signal in a cylindrical array used with a TACAN system over the full frequency band of 960 to 1,215 MHz, and simultaneously over an elevation angle extending upward from the horizon to at least 50. The socall'ed operating lobe" will be defined in more detail later in this description; however, for the moment, it maybe considered to be an expression relating the radius of a given cylindrical array, the elevation angle and the frequency.

As described in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,474,446, the desired TACAN radiated signal is a gear shaped rotating pattern which is decodeable in an airborne receiver to obtain a demodulated signal of significance described in the aforementioned reference entitled "Electronic Avigation Engineering", by P. C. Sandretto.

Basically, broadening of the desirable operating lobe" in a cylindrical array according to the present invention is achieved by shifting the radio-frequency phase of the energy which is modulated by the 135 Hz component of modulation. Stated otherwise, it may be said that the RF phase of the 135 Hz component of the aperture excitation is shified relative to the RF phase of the remaining components, resulting in a complex audio amplitude and phase modulation of the anten-,

na aperture excitation. This is in contrast to the prior art technique in which the RF phases of the 135 Hz and other components are identical, resulting in simple audio amplitude modulation of the antenna aperture excitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 depicts the physical significance of the generation of required azimuthal radiation patterns by amplitude modulation of the aperture excitation, a concept pertinent to the present invention.

FIG. 4 represents a graph of a typical modulation .pattern of a cylindrical array antenna, especially for operation of the present invention in a TACAN system. 7

FIG. 5 is a phasor representation of 135 Hz modulation of the bearing signal for in-phase aperture excitation.

FIG. 6 is a phasor representation of 135 Hz modulation of the bearing signal for 45 phase aperture excitation.

FIG. 7 is a phasor representation of 135 Hz modulation of the bearing signal for quadrature phase aperture excitation.

FIG. 8 graphs typical modulation patterns of a cylindrical array antenna with a phase aperture excitation. I

FIG. 9 illustrates the form of an amplitude modulator for a phase aperture excitation.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a typical strip-line PIN diode modulator for a phase aperture excitation.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial drawing of a cylindrical array of known type to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a known column feed arrangement for the cylindrical array of FIG. 11 used with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As indicated previously, the principal use of the present invention is in connection with the so-called TACAN system, the present antenna and scanning system constituting a ground beacon station therefor. In that connection, the utility of the present invention is essentially the same as that provided by the device of the said US. Pat. No. 3,474,446, the present invention constituting an improvement thereover.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the enparameter is employed as the abscissa of a curve of a typical velope of the composite bearing signal required to be modulation pattern. For convenience, unity amplitude has generated in space by a TACAN beacon antenna system is ilbeen assumed for the aperture modulation coeflicient of the lustrated in FIG. 1. This instantaneous bearing signal is ex- 135 Hz component, A, (equation 11). Superimposed on the pressed mathematically as follows: graph of FIG. 4 are "boxes" illustrating the extent of accepta- [1 M1 (w li AZ) Mg Q (w t; z)] w t i l l l l CARRIIIII 15-IIZ CONIPONENT 135-IIZ COMPONENT AUDIO MODULATION 01 RF CARRIER R1 CARRIER l'lq. I

Where: 5 ble modulation indices established by MlL-STD-291B for a M,=Modulation Index of l5l-Iz Component standard TACAN signal; the extent of the horizontal axis M Modulation Index of 135-Hz Component parameter corresponds to operation from 960 to 1,215 MHz mm Radian Modulation Frequency 2 17 X 15 and from 0 to 50 elevation. m Radian Carrier Frequency 20 From FIG. 4 it will be perceived that a very large antenna 1 Time (approximately 18 feet in diameter) is required if the specified =Azimuthal Space Angle index of 135 Hz modulation is to be obtained over the fre- From FIG. 1 and the above equation I, it will be een that quency band and range of elevation angles simultaneously using the prior art modulation technique. A smaller more the bearing signal required consists of three distinct compractical sized antenna of the type described lll U.S. Pat. No.

ponents; namely, a bias or carrier level, a 15 Hz component of audio modulation and a 135 Hz component of audio modula- 3,474,446 Satisfactory only If a reduced frequency band tion. As indicated previously, such a bearing signal has been and/or coverage of elevation angles is acceptable, or if a typically generated by rotati a ltil b d i h l di greater variation in modulation index is considered acceptation pattern from the beacon antenna. FIG. 2 further illustrates these three components of the composite azimuthal pat- AS has been Previously indicated, Such a Smaller antenna tern, corresponding to the three components of the bearing utilizing the Prioranapenure excitation technique is extreme signal. In the context of space, the three components are: an 3! sensitive to Variation of antenna parameters- For example, a

omnidirectional carrier" pattern, a dual-lobed 15 Hz pat- Small change in electrical radius of the nn m h tern and an l8-lobed 135 Hz" pattern, all with relative radioever cause. can reduce the 135 Hz component of the ring fre n phases a i di ated b d ki on FIG, 2 signal to zero at particular elevation angles and frequencies, or Time rotation of the latter two components at an effective rate it can cause 3 audio Phase Shift of the 135 HZ component. of 15 revolutions per second develops the 15 and 135 Hz giving rise toanintolerable bearing errordi components of h b i i l. as h id b i The variation of the said parameter (which is the abscissa of signal would be received byan airborne receiving station. FIG Over acceptable modulatiOfl indeX limits may be Basically, in order to effect the azimuthal radiation patterns ermed the operating lobe" of the modulation pattern. It has illustrated in FIG. 2, the cylindrical antenna aperture is been determined that, in accordance With the tec n que n excited circumferentially with imilarri li d instrumentation of the present invention as herein described, functions. broadening of the so-called operating lobe" of the modula- FIG. 3 illustrates, and equationll expresses mathematically, i n pattern is achieved at the expense of only a very modest the three components of circumferential aperture excitation increase in antenna size. It has also been determined that the corresponding to the three radiation patterns of FIG. 2. These technique of the present invention makes the entire antenna are a uniform amplitude and phase carrier excitation, a sinm 1 Sensitive to iationof an nna parameters. gle cycle 15 Hz excitation, and a nine y le 135 Hz" ex- Broadening of the desirable operating lobe" is achieved in citation. Time rotation of the latter two components is again 0 accordance with the present invention by shifting the radioimplied. frequency phase of the 135 Hz component of the aperture ex- It will be noted from the expression of equation II that the citation relative to the RF phase of the carrier component. RF phase is identical for all three components and simple The result isacomplex audio amplitude and phase modulation audio amplitude modulation of the antenna aperture therefore of the antenna aperture excitation. As also indicated previresults. Such a system of excitation could be said to describe ously, this technique is in contrast with the in-phase modulathe prior art, particularly that represented in US. Pat. No. tion technique of the prior art. Mathematical expressions for 3,474,446. The disadvantages of the aforementioned modulathe circumferential aperture excitation and resulting bearing tion technique have already been set forth. signal for three different RF phase shifts of the 135 Hz modu- F or purposes of reference to the prior art and description of lated component of the aperture excitation relative to the RF the invention, the term modulation pattern" means variation phase of the carrier component have been written. These in the modulation index of the 135 Hz component of the bearvalues are zero, 45 and respectively, the zero value coring signal, M (equation I), graphed against a numerical responding to simple audio amplitude modulation as parameter including the radius of the cylindrical antenna, the described previously in connection with the prior art analysis. elevation angle from the horizon to the observation point, and For the zero phase shift situation, equation ll represents the the wavelength of operation. 65 aperture excitation and equation III the resulting bearing Referring now to FIG. 4, the above mentioned numerical signal,asfollows:

[ 1 COS ni APER) e COS 9 rnAPER)l COS e T l l CARRIER 15 H COMPONENT H, COMPONENT l l 1 AUDIO MODULATION OF AZIMUTHAL APERTURE RF CARRIER Eq. II

EXCITATION Where:

.4, Aperture Modulation Coefficient of l5-Hz Component A Aperture Modulation Coefficient of 135-Hz Component (b Circumferential Aperture Coordinate BEARING SIGNAL l M; COS (co t -i M COS 9 (w t COS w t APERTURE EXCITATION l COS rn APER)] COS o +l il COS 9 m APER)] COS e d- BEARIN G SIGNAL by the I Hz signal at 44 and then re-injected through a directional coupler 26 into the primary line to output 27. The required differential RF phase shift between the carrier and the 135 Hz components of the aperture excitation is provided by the differential phase device 38. Actually, the transmission line length differential around the loop, including 28, modula- Eq. III

tor

44 and 39, vis-a-vis the

path

3, 40, 19 can be designed to provide the necessary differential phase shift. In that case, the element 38 is symbolic only.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 9, the essential elements of an amplitude modulator and their operation providing the a phase aperture excitation required will be described.

The radio-frequency power for a single column is applied at input 1 and then separated between

lines

3 and 28 by means of a directional coupler 2. A 15 Hz generator 4] provides a Eq. 1v

Eq. V

Finally, equations VI and VII will be seen to represent the 35 modulation signal, hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first aperture excitation and resulting bearing signal for the 90 phase shift condition, as follows:

modulation signal, to the modulator 40. The output of the modulator automatically contains the carrier component il- APERTURE EXCITATION BEARIN G SIGNAL I l Mw+jMu FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are self explanatory phasor representations of the signal components contributing to the 135 Hz modulation of the bearing signal, corresponding respectively to the three discrete values of RF phase shift. Introduction of the indicated RF phase shifts changes the phase relationship of the real and imaginary components of the 135 Hz modulation index, M (equation I), relative to the carrier component.

FIG. 8 illustrates the effect of the indicated RF phase shifts on the operating lobe" of the modulation pattern. As already noted, the efiect of the indicated RF phase shifts is a broadening of the operating lobe, and the shift of that lobe to the right. The superimposed box on FIG. 8 indicates the extent of specified operating parameter variations, as was the case with FIG. 4. The said parameter limit box is centered about the curve for for illustration. The parameters included in the abscissa of FIG. 8 include the full frequency band of 960 to 1,215 MHz (the full TACAN frequency band), an elevation angle up to over the horizon, and a relatively modest circular array diameter of about 7 feet, the foregoing applying for the said 45 RF phase shift situation as illustrated.

The practical instrumentation of the improved aperture modulation technique of the present invention preferably is achieved through use of a modulator within the RF path behind the radiating elements of the antenna in the general form illustrated in FIG. 9. In that instrumentation, a fraction of the carrier input signal power at input terminal 1 is coupled off by means of a directional coupler 2, modulated separately Eq. v1

Eq. v11

lustrated along with the 15 Hz modulation. Accordingly, a separate injection of unmodulated carrier is unnecessary, the said line modulator output 19 being substantially less than percent modulated and therefore having an appropriate carrier level to afford the same effect.

A frequency tripler 42 acts as a 45 Hz generator operating from 41 to produce a third harmonic component to be impressed on the carrier along with the 15 Hz signal. In a practical instrumentation, it is convenient to use square wave modulation signals, and the 45 Hz component adds to the 15 Hz signal in such a way as to make the net 15 Hz modulation approximate a sine wave. This will be further explained later in this specification in connection with the circuit details of FIG. 10.

A synchronously generated ninth harmonic of the 15 Hz signal is produced by 43, controlled by 41. This ninth harmonic is at Hz, which, like the 15 Hz, is a standard TACAN modulation frequency. Neither of these frequency values or the exact harmonic relationship between them is an I the present invention wherein the RF energy in the 135 Hz 7 v modulated path is phase shifted. As has been pointed out, the phase shift of 45 depicted in FIG. 8 has been found to be near optimum in the aforementioned TACAN antenna application.

Modulation of the energy in the 28 to 39 path is accomplished in modulator 44 and the aforesaid 45 phase shift is introduced by the arbitrary phase shifter 38. At the radio frequencies involved (middle of the band somewhat in excess of 1,000 MHz) it will be apparent that only a relatively minor differential in the length of the RF path 28 through 39, as compared to that of 3 through 19, would provide the 45 shift desired. Thus 38, though illustrated following 44, may equally well be placed ahead of 44, and is not necessarily a discrete component. Rather, 38 is illustrated to represent the required slightly different transmission line path.

The net signal of output 27 is the combination, in directional coupler 26, of the 15 Hz modulated component at 19 with the 135 Hz modulated and RF phase shifted component at 39.

Referring now to FIG. 10, details of a typical modulator arrangement according to FIG. 9 are shown. Input 1 and output 27 will be recognized, as will the input and output

directional couplers

2 and 26.

The 15 Hz modulator components include the PIN diodes 10 and 14. Two diodes are used in this modulator to achieve a balanced effect, since it is desirable to minimize RF reflections which could interfere with the proper operation of the device. The inputs 9 introduce the 15 Hz modulation signal from 41 (not shown on FIG. 10) and the components associated with the 15 Hz modulator include inductances 6, l2, l3 and 16, resistances 11 and 15 and the internal 3db directional coupler 7. The capacitances 4 and 18 are of a value so that they readily pass the RF energy passing from lead 3 to lead 5 and from 17 to 19 respectively, but represent substantially open-circuit impedances to the modulation signal frequencies. The converse is true of the inductors 6 and 13. Accordingly, the IS Hz modulation signals are applied from input 9 through inductor 6 to PIN diode 14. There is conductivity between leads 5 and 8 through the directional coupler 7. Inductor 16 provides a ground for the PIN diode 14 at modulation frequencies, but substantially only the resistance 15 carries the RF passing through diode 14. The value of 15 is selected to regulate the percentage modulation imposed on the RF signal passing through 7 as a result of switch-on" of diode 14.

The modulation operation of PIN diode (the other side of the balanced modulator) is controlled by the Hz modulation signal introduced at 9a. This signal passes through inductor l3 and the conductive path through 7 to control diode 10 in the same manner as 14 was controlled. The resistance 11 and the inductor 12 function the same as 15 and 16, respectively.

It will be recalled that the use of square wave modulating signals was said to be most appropriate, since the PIN diodes are operated only as switches. The RF energy modulated by the 15 Hz modulation signal is extant at 17 and is passed by blocking capacitor 18 to lead 19, where it is further modulated by a single ended shunt type line modulator, comprising the PIN diode 20, resistor 21 and

inductors

22 and 46. The operation is comparable to one side of the 15 Hz balanced modulator, i.e., resistor 21, inductor 22 and inductor 46 function in the same manner as hereinabove described for resistor 1 1, inductor l2 and inductor 13, respectively. A 45 (third harmonic of 15 Hz) modulation signal derived by 42 (FIG. 9) is added to the signal already modulated by the 15 Hz signal. Capacitors l8 and 25 provide the required RF paths with modulation (diode switching) signal isolation. Inspection of the insert waveform at B on FIG. 10 depicts the resulting modulation envelope. It will be understood that the sine wave approximation thus effected significantly reduces harmonic content at the output 27.

Considering now the path 28 through 39, it will first be observed that 2 and 26 are both approximately 6db couplers, appropriate for the RF energy apportionment between the basic 15 Hz and the 135 Hz modulation paths beginning at leads 3 and 28, respectively. Having considered the basic 15 Hz modulation process, the 135 Hz channel remains to be studied. The said

couplers

2 and 26 provide the RF energy source for the path 28 through 39, and the means for recombining the 15 and Hz modulated energies, respectively.

It will be evident that the modulator components in the aforementioned 28 through 39 path constitute a balanced modulator similar to those of the balanced 15 Hz modulator with the exception that the cathodes of

PIN diodes

33 and 34 are directly ground returned and do not have the RL components found associated with 10 and 14. Accordingly, currents flowing in 33 and 34 as a result of the square-wave 135 Hz signals applied at 45 and 450, are limited substantially only by the diode forward resistance and the resistance and induc tive reactance of 31 and 36. As previously understood, however, the inductors 31 and 36 operate primarily as barriers to the RF potentials at 30 and 35. Accordingly, this circuit is essentially a phase shifter and produces the modulation envelope depicted in the insert waveform at C" on FIG. 10. Directional coupler 32 provides modulation signal continuity from terminal 45 to diode 34 and from 45a to 33. Blocking capacitors 29 and 37 operate analogously to capacitors 4, l8 and 25, i.e., they pass the RF signals but not the audio frequencies.

As indicated in connection with discussion of FIG. 9, the so called a phase aperture excitation is obtained by introduction of an RF phase shift (of 45 near-optimum value in the particular embodiment which is the subject of this discussion) between the 15 and I35 Hz modulated energies. In FIG. 10, the element 38 represents a relatively small change of the transmission-line path length sufficient to provide the required phase shift by virtue of this path length differential. The element 38 is represented as a functional block on FIG. 9; however, this is to be understood to be the same element as indicated on FIG. 10 It is further possible, in the particular TACAN embodiment, to automatically maintain an optimum value of the RF phase shift over the frequency band, by selecting the proper pathlength differential 38. For example, a value of 0 at 960.MHz and a value of 45 at 1,215 MHz may be automatically achieved, without the need for additional circuitry.

The output 27 is appropriate for use as the excitation of a discrete column excitation signal in a cylindrical array, such as contemplated in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,474,446. Actually, the modular circuit identified as 309 on FIG. 3 of that reference may be replaced by the circuit of FIG. 10 herewith, the connection being obvious from a study of both structures and their respective descriptions.

FIG. 11 illustrates a known form of cylindrical array of radius R, having n columns each with m elements vertically. The elements of adjacent columns are staggered vertically as shown to permit closer effective azimuthal spacing when the open waveguide radiator elements illustrated are used. Elevation and azimuth coordinate angles, 0 and (1) respectively, are identified.

FIG. 12 summarizes the application of the elements of the combination as the description in relation to the prior art depicts them. One column from FIG. 11 is shown with its distribution network 47 fed at 27 from the modulator block 40 and 44 (see also FIG. 9). The

modulator control elements

41, 42 and 43 from FIG. 9 may be packaged together as shown, since these are duplicated for each such column and associated modulator. The lead 49 comprises the leads 9 from each of the

blocks

41, 42 and 43 as shown in more detail on FIG. 9. The feed line I for this column will be recognized from FIG. 9. The microwave energy source 50 and distributor 48 provides for all columns as does the block marked 41, 42 and 43.

A modulator circuit such as the present FIG. 10 is required for each radiator column in the cylindrical array. The modulation frequencies applied to each column modulator are phase shifted with respect to each other to provide the rotating pattern efiect. Accordingly, the same preparation of the modulation tones, as contemplated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of U. S. Pat. No. 3,474,446, is still required, except that the I5 and 135 Hz modulation signals are not mixed as they are at point 606 on FIG. 6 of that reference, but rather in the present invention they are mixed as described in connection with F 16$. 9 and 10 herewith.

Various modifications are possible within the spirit of the present invention, and these will suggest themselves to those skilled in this art.

Although the modulation circuit of FIG. 10 is more or less typical of PIN diode circuitry, other configurations providing the required function are obviously possible.

The cylindrical array with which this invention is used may contain columns of dipoles or other radiators, as well as the staggered open-waveguide radiators used in U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,446.

Transmission lines of the coaxial or waveguide types may be utilized in the RF transmission circuits.

The materials from which the elements of the present invention may be constructed will be obvious to those skilled in this art. The

microwave couplers

2, 7, 26 and 32 may be constructed according to well known waveguide component techniques, or may be quite satisfactorily constructed in stripline according to well understood methods.

It is not intended that the present description and drawings should limit the scope of the invention. The drawings and description are illustrative and typical only.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for generating composite modulated radiofrequency signals for energizing each column of radiators in a cylindrical antenna array, comprising:

a first modulator for modulating a first fraction of the power from a source of radio-frequency energy with a first modulation frequency;

a second modulator for modulating a second fraction of the power from a source of radio-frequency energy with a second modulation frequency which is an integral multiple of said first modulation frequency;

phase shift means responsive to the energy modulated by said second modulator for shifting the phase of the radiofrequency power therefrom;

and means for combining the outputs of said first modulator and said phase shifted output of said second modulator for producing a discrete composite excitation signal for a corresponding one of said columns of radiators.

2. In an inertialess antenna scanning system including a I cylindrical array and a plurality f radiating elements arranged in columns distributed in juxtaposition around at least a portion of the circumference of said cylindrical array, said columns being arranged to be individually excited with radiofrequency energy modulated by a plurality of predetermined modulation signals at predetermined modulation signal phase for each of said columns to produce a radiation pattern equivalent to that which would result from rotation of said cylindrical array about its axis, the combination associated with each of said columns comprising:

means for producing said plurality of modulation signals in the form of at least first and second synchronously generated modulating signals, said second modulation signal having a frequency equal to the product of said first modulation signal frequency and a constant greater than unity;

means for dividing said radio-frequency energy into a plurality of paths;

first modulating means within a first one of said radiofrequency energy paths for modulating the energy therein with said first modulation signal;

second modulating means connected within a second one of said radio-frequency paths for modulating the energy therein with said second modulation signal; phase shift means connected within said second radiofrequency path for introducing a predetermined phase shift of said radio-frequency energy in said second path;

and means for combining the output energies from said paths, thereby to provide a composite column excitation signal.

3. The invention set forth in claim 2 in which said cylindrical array is oriented such that its axis is substantially vertical.

4. The invention set forth in claim 2 in which said second modulation signal frequency is defined as being an odd multiple greater than unity of the frequency of said first modulation signal.

5. The invention set forth in claim 2 in which said first modulation signal frequency is in the low sub-audio region, and said second modulation signal frequency is the ninth harmonic of said first signal.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 further defined in that said modulation signals are predetermined to amplitudes such that said composite column excitation signal is modulated less than percent at all times.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6 further defined in that said phase shift means in said second path is inserted after said second modulation means within the circuit of said second path.

8. The invention defined in claim 5 in which said means for dividing said radio-frequency energy comprises a separate directional coupler for coupling. from a radio-frequency source into said first and second paths, and said means for combining the output energies from said paths comprises an additional separate directional coupler from the output of each of said first and second paths to form an output for said composite column excitation signal.

9. The invention defined in claim 8 in which said first and second modulation signals are 15 and Hz, respectively.

10. The invention set forth in claim 7 in which said phase shift means in said second path introduces 45 of carrier phase shift measured at a predetermined radio frequency within the operating range of said antenna scanning system.

l l i

Claims

1. Apparatus for generating composite modulAted radio-frequency signals for energizing each column of radiators in a cylindrical antenna array, comprising: a first modulator for modulating a first fraction of the power from a source of radio-frequency energy with a first modulation frequency; a second modulator for modulating a second fraction of the power from a source of radio-frequency energy with a second modulation frequency which is an integral multiple of said first modulation frequency; phase shift means responsive to the energy modulated by said second modulator for shifting the phase of the radio-frequency power therefrom; and means for combining the outputs of said first modulator and said phase shifted output of said second modulator for producing a discrete composite excitation signal for a corresponding one of said columns of radiators.

2. In an inertialess antenna scanning system including a cylindrical array and a plurality f radiating elements arranged in columns distributed in juxtaposition around at least a portion of the circumference of said cylindrical array, said columns being arranged to be individually excited with radio-frequency energy modulated by a plurality of predetermined modulation signals at predetermined modulation signal phase for each of said columns to produce a radiation pattern equivalent to that which would result from rotation of said cylindrical array about its axis, the combination associated with each of said columns comprising: means for producing said plurality of modulation signals in the form of at least first and second synchronously generated modulating signals, said second modulation signal having a frequency equal to the product of said first modulation signal frequency and a constant greater than unity; means for dividing said radio-frequency energy into a plurality of paths; first modulating means within a first one of said radio-frequency energy paths for modulating the energy therein with said first modulation signal; second modulating means connected within a second one of said radio-frequency paths for modulating the energy therein with said second modulation signal; phase shift means connected within said second radio-frequency path for introducing a predetermined phase shift of said radio-frequency energy in said second path; and means for combining the output energies from said paths, thereby to provide a composite column excitation signal.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 further defined in that said modulation signals are predetermined to amplitudes such that said composite column excitation signal is modulated less than 100 percent at all times.

8. The invention defined in claim 5 in which said means for dividing said radio-frequency energy comprises a separate directional coupler for coupling from a radio-frequency source into said first and second paths, and said means for combining the output energies from said paths comprises an additional separate directional coupler from the output of each of said first and second paths to form an output for said composite column excitation signal.

9. The invention defined in claim 8 in which said first and second modulation signals are 15 and 135 Hz, respectively.

10. The invention set forth in claim 7 in which said phase shift means in said second path introduces 45* of carrier phase shift measured at a predetermined radio frequency within the operating range of said antenna scanning system.