Multifunctional Expandable Antenna Array

Abstract

The modular radio frequency (RF) device includes N base units, each including a differentially segmented array (DSA) tile having a support substrate and a two-dimensional (2D) array of conductive tapered protrusions disposed on the support substrate. Neighboring pairs of the conductive tapered protrusions form RF pixels. The N DSA tiles are arranged to form RF apertures. The N base units are programmed to switch the RF apertures between a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the N base units are operated as at least two independent subsets, each subset operating as an RF transmitter or receiver independently of the other subsets. In the second operating mode, all N base units are coherently combined as a single phased array RF transmitter or receiver.

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