Conformal antenna device

Abstract

A conformal antenna device is provided, comprising a conformance panel, an antenna array, a combiner board, and a plurality of slats. The conformance panel has a radial inner surface and a radial outer surface, with a width extending between a first axial end and a second axial end, and a length extending between a first transverse end and a second transverse end. The conformance panel extends linearly in the width direction and arc-shaped in the length direction. The conformance panel includes a plurality of openings extending between the radial inner surface and the radial outer surface. The antenna array is mounted on the radial outer surface. The slats extend in a spoke arrangement between the combiner board and the conformance panel. Each slat includes a first plate and a second plate, each second plate including an electrical circuit and one or more components that signal and communicate with the antenna array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 126,142, filed on March 24, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field] This disclosure generally relates to conformal active electronic scanning arrays, and more particularly to the architecture of conformal active electronic scanning arrays.

Background Art

[0002] An active electronic scanning array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna that is a computer-controlled array antenna. In such an array antenna, the radio wave beam can be electronically controlled and directed in various directions without moving the antenna. In an AESA, each antenna element is connected to a solid-state transmit / receive module (TRM) that is controlled by a computer that performs the functions of the antenna's transmitter and / or receiver.

[0003] A planar ultra-wideband modular antenna (PUMA) array is a type of ultra-wideband (UWB) array that utilizes etched circuits and vias manufactured as multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs). A PUMA array can be said to have a power supply layer, a dipole layer, and a wide-angle impedance matching (WAIM) layer.

[0004] A slotted array architecture is an array architecture that includes a series of slots arranged perpendicular to the plane of the array in a normal manner. Each slot provides a large surface area to which a TRM module and support components can be attached.

[0005] A conformal antenna or conformal array can be a planar array antenna that conforms to a predetermined shape such as a curved surface. A plurality of individual antennas mounted on or within a curved surface cooperate as a single antenna to transmit or receive radio waves.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a conformal antenna device is provided comprising a conformance panel, an antenna array, a combiner board, and a plurality of slats. The conformance panel (CP) has a radial inner surface and a radial outer surface, with a width extending between a first axial end and a second axial end, and a length extending between a first transverse end and a second transverse end. The conformance panel extends linearly in the width direction and arc-shaped in the length direction. The conformance panel includes a plurality of openings extending between the radial inner surface and the radial outer surface. The antenna array is mounted on the radial outer surface of the conformance panel. The plurality of slats extend in a spoke arrangement between the combiner board and the conformance panel. Each slat includes a first plate and a second plate. Each second plate includes an electrical circuit and one or more components that signal and communicate with the antenna array.

[0007] In any of the embodiments or models described above and herein, the plurality of slats may be spaced apart from each other with a spacing between one or more CB slats adjacent to the combiner board, and the plurality of slats may be spaced apart from each other with a spacing between one or more CP slats adjacent to the combiner board, and each of the one or more CP slat spacings may be greater than each of the one or more CB slat spacings.

[0008] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the spacing between one or more CP slats may be uniform, and the spacing between one or more CB slats may be uniform.

[0009] In any embodiment or configuration described above and in this specification, the combiner board may include a radial outer surface of the combiner board extending in an arc shape between its longitudinal ends, and the radial outer surface of the combiner board may have a curved configuration.

[0010] In any aspect or embodiment described above and in this specification, the conformance panel extending in an arc shape in the longitudinal direction is a CP arc configuration, and the CB arc configuration may be nested with the CP arc configuration.

[0011] In any aspect or embodiment described above and in this specification, the CP arc configuration may be arranged at a first radius, and the CB arc configuration may be arranged at a second radius, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.

[0012] In any of the embodiments or models described above and herein, the conformance panel may include a plurality of slat tab rows extending outward from the radial inner surface of the CP, the slat tab rows may extend between the first axial end and the second axial end of the conformance panel, and each slat tab row may include a plurality of slat tabs.

[0013] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the antenna array may have a radially inward surface, a radially outward surface, and a plurality of finger interfaces extending outward from the radially inward surface. Each of the plurality of finger interfaces may extend outward from the radially inward surface of the conformance panel through a corresponding opening extending between the radially inward surface of the CP and the radially outward surface of the CP. The second plate of each slat may signal to one or more of the plurality of finger interfaces.

[0014] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the finger interfaces among the plurality of finger interfaces may be arranged in rows parallel to the slat tab rows, and each slat tab row may be spaced a certain distance from the corresponding finger interface row. Each slat among the plurality of slats may be positioned between the corresponding slat tab row and the finger interface row. Each finger interface may signal to the second plate of the slat positioned between the corresponding slat tab row and the finger interface row.

[0015] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the antenna array may be a planar ultra-wideband modular antenna (PUMA) array mounted on the radially outer surface of the conformance panel. The PUMA array may have radially inner, radially outer, first PA axial end, and second PA axial end.

[0016] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the PUMA array may include a plurality of finger interfaces extending radially inward to outward. Each finger interface may extend outward from the radial inner surface of the conformance panel through the corresponding opening extending between the radial inner surface of the CP and the radial outer surface of the CP. The second plate of each slat may signal to one or more of the plurality of finger interfaces.

[0017] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the PUMA array (PA) may include a row of PA openings extending through the PUMA array. The row of PA openings may extend between the first PA axial end and the second PA axial end.

[0018] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the PUMA array may include a laminate of a power supply layer, a dipole layer, and a wide-angle impedance matching (WAIM) layer, disposed between the radially inner and radially outer sides. The PUMA array may include a plurality of channels disposed within the power supply layer or the WAIM layer. The plurality of channels may extend between the first PA axial end and the second PA axial end, and the plurality of channels may be disposed in both the power supply layer and the dipole layer.

[0019] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the PUMA array may extend linearly in the width direction and arc-shaped in the length direction, and may be configured to fit with the conformance panel.

[0020] In any of the embodiments or models described above and herein, the second plate of each slat may be a printed circuit board or printed circuit.

[0021] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the first plate of each slat may be configured as a heat sink and may be configured to hold a ground connection between the conformance panel and the combiner board.

[0022] In any aspect or embodiment described above and herein, the conformance panel may be attached to each corresponding slat by one or more fasteners that engage with the first plate of the slat.

[0023] The above features and elements can be combined in various non-exclusive combinations unless explicitly shown separately. For example, aspects and / or embodiments of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features or elements disclosed above and / or below, either alone or in any combination. These features and elements, as well as their operations, will become clearer by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are essentially illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the AESA antenna device of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 2] It is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the AESA antenna device of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 3] It is a schematic view of an embodiment of the PUMA array.

[0027] [Figure 4] It is a schematic perspective view of a part of an embodiment of the conformal panel and the PUMA array of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 5] It is a schematic perspective view of a part of an embodiment of the conformal panel, the PUMA array, the slat, and the combiner board of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 6] It is a schematic perspective view of a part of an embodiment of the conformal panel, the PUMA array, the slat, and the combiner board of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 7] It is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the conformal panel of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 8] This diagram shows a portion of the conformance panel, a portion of the PUMA array embodiment, and a schematic diagram of the slats of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, this disclosure relates to a conformal broadband active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna device 20, which includes an antenna array such as a planar ultra-broadband modular antenna (PUMA) array 22, a plurality of slats 38, conformance panels 40, and a combiner board 80. This disclosure is not limited to use with a PUMA array 22. Alternative embodiments may include patch antenna arrays, etc. For the sake of clarity, this specification will describe antenna arrays in relation to the PUMA array 22.

[0033] The PUMA array 22 is an ultra-wideband (UWB) array composed of unit cells. Generally, the PUMA array 22 is described as having radially outer 24, radially inner 26, a first axial end 28, a second axial end 30, a first transverse end 32, and a second transverse end 34. Since the PUMA array 22 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is only a part of the array, the illustrated first axial end 28, second axial end 30, first transverse end 32, and second transverse end 34 may not be the respective axial and transverse ends of the complete PUMA array 22.

[0034] Each unit cell within the PUMA array 22 includes circuits and vias manufactured as a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and at least one signal connector (e.g., finger interface 36) for signal connection to the slats 38 as described herein. Each unit cell is described as having a power supply layer 22A, a dipole layer 22B, and a wide-angle impedance matching (WAIM) layer 22C. The aforementioned layers 22A-22C within each unit cell are arranged in a stacked configuration such that the dipole layer 22B is located between the power supply layer 22A and the WAIM layer 22C, the power supply layer 22A defines the radially inward 26 of the array 22, and the WAIM layer 22C defines the radially outward 24 of the array 22. The radome 23 is typically located outside the WAIM layer 22C. The first axial end 28 and the second axial end 30 of the PUMA array 22 are located at the opposite axial end (also called the widthwise end extending along the Y-axis), and the first transverse end 32 and the second transverse end 34 of the PUMA array 22 are located at the opposite transverse end (also called the lengthwise end extending along the X-axis). The radially inner side 26 of the PUMA array 22 is located adjacent to the conformance panel 40 and is attached to the conformance panel 40, for example, the PUMA array 22 may be bonded to the conformance panel 40. The power supply layer 22A, dipole layer 22B, and WAIM layer 22C of the unit cell are sometimes collectively referred to as the “radiators” of the PUMA array 22. The WAIM layer 22C is attached to the dipole layer 22B by bonding, adhesive or other means. The radome 23 may have a faceted inner surface to work in conjunction with the WAIM layer 22C of the PUMA array 22.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a non-limiting example of a PUMA array 22 including specific layers within the power supply layer 22A, dipole layer 22B, and WAIM layer 22C. This example of a PUMA array 22 is provided to illustrate a PUMA array 22, and this disclosure is not limited to a specific PUMA array configuration.

[0036] Referring to Figure 4, the conformance panel 40 is configured to have a width 42 that extends linearly between axial ends 54, 56 (i.e., along a straight line between two points along the Y-axis) and a length 44 that extends in an arc between longitudinal ends 58, 60. The arc-shaped longitudinal shape of the conformance panel 40 may also be described as an arc-shaped configuration in the XZ plane. The power supply layer 22A and the dipole layer 22B are configured so that the PUMA array 22 can have a linear configuration in the width direction and an arc-shaped configuration in the length direction within the XZ plane of the conformance panel 40.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the feeding layer 22A may include one or more laminate layers, one or more bond ply layers, one or more ground plane layers, etc. According to this disclosure, these layers may be arranged in an arc configuration in the XZ plane to form a conformal antenna. The aforementioned feeding layer 22A may be formed to have an arc configuration in the longitudinal direction in a desired XZ plane, or the aforementioned layers may be configured to be configurable (e.g., bendable) in an arc configuration in the longitudinal direction in a desired XZ plane. The dipole layer 22B may include one or more bond ply layers, an outer dipole layer, an inner dipole layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the inner dipole layer and the outer dipole layer. The inner dipole layer, the outer dipole layer and the dielectric layer may be formed to have an arc configuration in the longitudinal direction in the XZ plane, or the aforementioned layers may be configured to be configurable (e.g., bendable) in an arc configuration in the longitudinal direction in the aforementioned XZ plane. Regarding the latter, the layers (e.g., dielectric layers, dipole layers, etc.) may include a material that is flexible enough to allow the layers to be bent into a longitudinal arc configuration in the desired XZ plane. As an example, the dipole layer 22B may include a thin rolled copper layer that can be bent into an arc configuration in the desired XZ plane.

[0038] Referring to Figure 4, the PUMA array 22 includes a row of through-holes 46 that penetrate the feed layer 22A, the dipole layer 22B, and the WAIM layer 22C, i.e., extend through the radiators. The through-holes 46 are configured for adjustment and to facilitate the attachment of the conformance panel 40 (and the PUMA array 22 attached thereto) to the slats 38. The row of through-holes 46 may be described as being arranged in a widthwise row (i.e., a row extending between the first axial end 28 and the second axial end 30). In some embodiments, the PUMA array 22 may include a row of widthwise-extending channels 48 arranged within the feed layer 22A and the WAIM layer 22C. The widthwise-extending channels 48 may include a radially inner portion 48A and a radially outer portion 48B. The radially inner portion 48A and the radially outer portion 48B of the channels may be aligned with each other. The widthwise channels 48 facilitate a longitudinal arc configuration in the XZ plane, and are configured to provide flexibility in the power supply layer 22A and WAIM layer 22C in the XZ plane, for example. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, each through-hole 46 in a predetermined widthwise row communicates with a channel 48 extending in its respective widthwise direction.

[0039] The WAIM layer 22C has an inner surface and an outer surface on the opposite side. The inner surface of the WAIM layer 22C is adjacent to the dipole layer 22B and is attached to the dipole layer 22B. The aforementioned WAIM layer 22C may be manufactured to have a longitudinal arc configuration in a desired XZ plane, or the WAIM layer 22C may be configured to be configurable (e.g., bendable) in an arc configuration in a desired XZ plane.

[0040] The radome 23 is a protective structure that transmits electromagnetic / RF signals. As used here, the term "transmissive" means that the radome 23 is configured not to significantly attenuate electromagnetic / RF signals passing through it.

[0041] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, the conformance panel 40 includes a radial outer surface 50, a radial inner surface 52, a first axial end 54, a second axial end 56, a first transverse end 58, and a second transverse end 60. The conformance panel 40 extends in the width direction between the first axial end 54 and the second axial end 56, and in the length direction between the first transverse end 58 and the second transverse end 60. The conformance panel 40 extends linearly in the width direction between the axial ends 54 and 56 (i.e., along a straight line between two points along the Y axis) and in an arc between the longitudinal ends 58 and 60 (i.e., along an arc in the XZ plane). In some embodiments, the longitudinal arc configuration of the conformance panel 40 in the XZ plane may have a constant radius. In some embodiments, the longitudinal arc configuration of the conformance panel 40 in the XZ plane is not a constant radius, but may include, for example, multiple different radii.

[0042] The conformance panel 40 includes a plurality of slat tabs 62 extending outward from the radial inner surface 52. The slat tabs 62 may be arranged in rows extending between a first axial end 54 and a second axial end 56 of the conformance panel 40. The rows of slat tabs may be oriented perpendicular to the first axial end 54 and the second axial end 56. The slat tabs 62 in each row may be a single continuous slat tab 62 extending between the first axial end 54 and the second axial end 56, or a plurality of slat tabs 62 may be arranged in each row.

[0043] Each slat tab 62 has a length 64 extending from the radial inner surface 52 to the distal end 66. Each slat tab 62 has a first side surface 68 and a second side surface 70 on the opposite side. As disclosed herein, the second side surface 70 of each slat tab 62 is positioned adjacent to the slat 38. In some embodiments, the slat tab 62 may include a chamfered portion 72 extending between the second side surface 70 and the distal end 66.

[0044] The conformance panel 40 includes a row of openings 74 extending through the radial inner surface 52 and the radial outer surface 50. In some embodiments, the openings 74 may have a slot configuration (e.g., elliptical, rectangular, etc.) with a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis is greater than the minor axis. The disclosure is not limited to any particular shape of the openings 74. The row of openings 74 may extend parallel to the row of slat tabs 62.

[0045] The conformance panel 40 may include rows of fastener openings 76 extending through the radial inner surface 52 and the radial outer surface 50. Each row of fastener openings 76 extends between the first axial end 54 and the second axial end 56 and includes a plurality of fastener openings 76. Each row of fastener openings 76 may be oriented perpendicular to the first axial end 54 and the second axial end 56. Each fastener opening 76 is configured to receive fasteners 78 used to fasten the corresponding slats 38 to the conformance panel 40 and to make ground connections between them. In some applications, each fastener opening 76 is configured to be countersunk when the head of the fastener 78 is attached and not extend above the radial outer surface 50 of the conformance panel 40, for example, the opening is configured to receive a bevel-head fastener.

[0046] The slats 38 extend between the combiner board 80 and the conformance panel 40. Each slat 38 includes a first plate (which may be referred to as the "cold plate 82") and a second plate (which may be referred to as the "circuit board 84"). The cold plate 82 and circuit board 84 of each slat 38 may be mounted to each other. The circuit board 84 includes electrical circuits and components. The electrical circuits and components may be mounted on a board and may be integrated in the form of, for example, a printed wiring board (PWB) or printed circuit board (PCB). The circuit board 84 of each slat 38 is configured to communicate with the PUMA array 22 and external devices. The cold plate 82 provides an electrical grounding path between the PUMA array 22 and the combiner board 80. The cold plate 82 may function as a heat energy sink, receiving thermal energy transferred from the circuit board 84 (and / or components mounted thereon) and dissipating the thermal energy. The cold plate 82 may be configured to provide structural support to the circuit board 84. Each slat 38 has a height 86 extending between an outer end face 88 and an inner end face 90, and a width 92 extending between a first axial end 94 and a second axial end 96. Since different slat heights 86 may be used in embodiments of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited to a specific slat height 86. The circuit board 84 is configured to create a signal connection with the power supply layer of the PUMA array 22. For example, a finger interface 36 extending outward from each unit cell of the PUMA array 22 may engage with the circuit board 84 to enable signal communication between the circuit board 84 and the PUMA array 22. The finger interface 36 provides a desirable means for providing a signal connection, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Circuitry within the circuit board 84 may be configured to achieve impedance matching between the circuit board 84, the finger interface 36, and the PUMA array 22 (for example, it may be configured to include microstrip tapering).

[0047] The combiner board 80 may be a printed wiring board (PWB) or printed circuit board (PCB) configured to establish signal communication with the slats 38 and external components used in the operation of the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure. The combiner board 80 has an outer surface 98, an inner surface 100, a linearly extending width 102 (i.e., extending along a straight line between two points along the Y axis), and a length 104. The outer surface 98 extends in an arc between its longitudinal ends. The longitudinal arc configuration of the outer surface 98 may be described as an arc configuration in the XZ plane. Similar to the conformance panel 40, the outer surface 98 of the combiner board 80 may have a longitudinal arc configuration with a constant radius in the XZ plane, or it may have a longitudinal arc configuration with multiple different radii in the XZ plane. The longitudinal arc configuration of the outer surface may be described as being nested with the longitudinal arc configuration in the XZ plane of the conformance panel 40 and the PUMA array 22. For example, in some embodiments, the longitudinal arc configurations of the components of the AESA antenna device 20 of the present disclosure (e.g., the outer surface 98 of the combiner board 80, the conformance panel 40, and the PUMA array 22) in the XZ plane share an origin, and the longitudinal arc configurations of each component may have different radii. In other embodiments, the relative arc configurations of the outer surface 98 of the combiner board 80 and the conformance panel 40 are configured such that the distance between them is constant at any particular longitudinal position. In other words, the curvature of the outer surface 98 of the combiner board 80 does not have to be partially circular, and the curvature of the conformance panel 40 does not have to be partially circular, and the aforementioned curvatures coincide with each other. In yet another embodiment, the relative arc configurations of the outer surface 98 of the combiner board 80 and the conformance panel 40 do not coincide with each other, and the relative distance between them may vary.

[0048] In some embodiments, the combiner board 80 may be configured to be mechanically attached to each corresponding slat 38, for example, the combiner board 80 may include physical features (e.g., slots) or fastening elements (e.g., mechanical fasteners such as screws or adhesives) or any combination that facilitates attachment between the slat 38 and the combiner board 80.

[0049] In some embodiments, the AESA antenna device 20 of the present disclosure may include a base plate 106 (see, for example, Figures 1 and 2) mounted on a combiner board 80. The base plate 106 may be configured to facilitate mounting of the AESA antenna device 20, or to facilitate connection of the AESA antenna device 20 to external components of the AESA antenna device 20, or any combination thereof.

[0050] The slats 38 extend in a spoke-like manner between the combiner board 80 and the conformance panel 40. The spacing between spokes in the combiner board 80 is smaller than the spacing between spokes in the conformance panel 40. The slats 38 may be arranged at uniform intervals from one another. For example, in some embodiments, the spacing between spokes in the combiner board 80 may be uniform, and / or, in some embodiments, the spacing between spokes in the conformance panel 40 may be uniform. However, this disclosure is not limited to uniform spoke spacing in the combiner board 80 or uniform spoke spacing in the conformance panel 40. The spoke spacing may be uniform in width between the first axial end 94 and the second axial end 96 of the combiner board 80, and between the first axial end 54 and the second axial end 56 of the conformance panel 40, but does not need to be uniform.

[0051] The architecture of the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure facilitates the manufacture of the device 20, reduces the time and cost associated with the manufacture of the device 20, and allows the device 20 to be modular. The PUMA array 22 is mounted on the radial outer surface 50 of the conformance panel 40, and the finger interface 36 (or other connector) extends outward from the array 22 and passes through an opening 74 in the conformance panel 40, so that the finger interface 36 extends outward from the radial inner surface 52 of the conformance panel 40. The PUMA array 22 (i.e., the feeding layer 22A, the dipole layer 22B, and the WAIM layer 22C) is configured so that the PUMA array 22 can have an arc-shaped configuration in the XZ plane. As described herein, the inner dipole layer, outer dipole layer, and dielectric layer may be manufactured to have an arc-shaped configuration in the XZ plane that matches the curvature of the conformance panel 40, or the aforementioned layers may be configured to be configurable (e.g., bendable) in the aforementioned arc-shaped configuration in the XZ plane. In any of these configurations, some embodiments of the PUMA array 22 may include rows of widthwise-extending channels 48 located within the power supply layer 22A and the WAIM layer 22C to facilitate the arc-shaped configuration in the XZ plane.

[0052] Each slat 38 is inserted between a corresponding row of slat tabs 62 and a finger interface 36 associated with that row into a corresponding region located on the radial inner surface 52 of the conformance panel 40 (see, for example, Figure 8). Once the slats 38 are inserted, the finger interface 36 extending from the PUMA array 22, associated with the row of slat tabs 62, may be biased to the circuit board of the slat 38 to create a connection that enables signal communication between the circuit board of the slat 38 and the unit cells of the PUMA array 22 in that row. During or after the insertion of the slats 38, a fastener 78 may be positioned through a fastener opening 76 in the conformance panel 40 to engage with the cold plate 82 portion of the corresponding slat 38. In this way, each slat 38 is fixed to the conformance panel 40, the circuit board 84 portion of the slat 38 signals to the PUMA array 22 via the finger interface 36 (or other connector), and a ground connection is established through the cold plate 82 portion of the slat 38. As described above, the rows of through-holes 46 extending through the power supply layer 22A, the dipole layer 22B, and the WAIM layer 22C facilitate the attachment between the conformance panel 40 and the slats 38 by making readily available fastener openings 76 located within the conformance panel 40. Once the slats 38 are fixed to the conformance panel 40, the radome 23 may be positioned / attached to the outside of the PUMA array 22. Before or after the slats 38 are attached to the conformance panel 40, the slats 38 may be attached to the combiner board 80 and positioned to signal communicate with the combiner board 80.

[0053] The architecture of the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure is scalable to cover different frequencies and is therefore widely applicable across multiple platforms. For example, in a first embodiment, the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure may be configured to have a curvature of the PUMA array 22, a slat height 86 (i.e., the distance between the inner end face 88 and the outer end face 90), and a slat spacing related to a first frequency range. In a second embodiment, the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure may be configured to have a curvature of the PUMA array 22, a related slat height 86, and a slat spacing related to a second frequency range. As a specific example, the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure having a curvature of radius 4 inches (4 in.) may be configured for use in the V-band range (approximately 40 to 75 GHz). As another example, the AESA antenna device 20 of this disclosure having a curvature of radius 6 inches (6 in.) may be configured for use in the X-band range (approximately 8 to 12 GHz). As another example, the AESA antenna device 20 of the present disclosure having a curvature radius of 8 inches (8 in.) may be configured for use in the KA band range (approximately 27–40 GHz). These examples are intended to demonstrate that the architecture of the present disclosure is easily extensible. The architecture of the present disclosure also makes it possible to change the unit cell spacing (which may include the spacing between slats) to change the frequency characteristics of the antenna.

[0054] While the principles of this disclosure have been described above in relation to specific apparatuses and methods, it should be clearly understood that this description is provided only as an example and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Specific details are provided in the above description to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments. However, it should be understood that the embodiments can be carried out even without these specific details.

[0055] It should be noted that embodiments may be described as processes shown in flowcharts, flow diagrams, block diagrams, etc. While the operation of any one of these structures may be described as a sequential process, many operations can be performed in parallel or simultaneously. Furthermore, the order of operations may be reversed. A process may correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subprogram, etc.

[0056] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" refer to one or more unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the phrase "includes specimens" includes one or more specimens and is considered equivalent to the phrase "includes at least one specimen." The phrase "or" refers to a single element or a combination of two or more elements of the listed alternative elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, "comprises" means "includes." Therefore, "includes A or B" means "includes A or B, or A and B," without excluding any additional elements.

[0057] Note that the above description and drawings (their contents being included by reference in this disclosure) illustrate various connections between elements. Note that these connections are general in nature and may be direct or indirect unless otherwise specified, and this specification is not intended to be limited to these. Furthermore, any reference to mounting, fixing or connecting, etc., may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, complete, and / or any other possible mounting options.

[0058] The elements, components, or steps of the methods of this disclosure are not intended to be limited to those that are publicly disclosed, regardless of whether the elements, components, or steps of the methods are expressly enumerated in the claims. The elements of the claims herein should not be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the elements are expressly listed using the phrase "means for...". As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; therefore, a process, method, product, or apparatus containing a list of elements may include not only those elements but also other elements not expressly enumerated or other elements specific to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0059] Various aspects, concepts, and features of the inventions of this disclosure may be described and illustrated herein as being embodied in combination in exemplary embodiments, but these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used individually or in various combinations and partial combinations in many alternative embodiments. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and partial combinations are intended to be within the scope of this application. Furthermore, various alternative embodiments relating to various aspects, concepts, and features of this disclosure, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, may be described herein, but such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether currently known or to be developed later. Those skilled in the art will readily be able to adopt one or more aspects, concepts, or features of the invention in additional embodiments and uses within the scope of this application, even if such embodiments are not expressly described herein. For example, in the exemplary embodiments described above within portions of the detailed description herein, elements may be described as individual units and shown as independent of one another for the sake of clarity. In alternative embodiments, such elements may be configured as combined elements. It should be further noted that the steps of various methods or processes of embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. In the description, the steps of the methods and / or processes may be presented in a particular order. However, unless the method or process depends on the particular order of steps described herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular order of steps described herein. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other orders of steps may also be possible. Therefore, the particular order of steps described herein should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A conformal antenna device, A conformance panel (CP) having a radial inner surface and a radial outer surface, with a width extending between a first axial end and a second axial end, and a length extending between a first transverse end and a second transverse end, wherein the conformance panel includes a plurality of openings extending linearly in the width direction, extending arc-shaped in the length direction, and extending between the radial inner surface and the radial outer surface, An antenna array attached to the radially outer surface of the conformance panel, Combiner board (CB), A conformal antenna device comprising a plurality of slats extending in a spoke arrangement between the combiner board and the conformance panel, each slat comprising a first plate and a second plate, each second plate comprising an electrical circuit and one or more components, and communicating with the antenna array.

2. The conformal antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the slats among the plurality of slats are spaced apart from each other with a spacing between one or more CB slats that are close to the combiner board, the plurality of slats are spaced apart from each other with a spacing between one or more CP slats that are close to the combiner board, and each of the spacings between one or more CP slats is greater than each of the spacings between one or more CB slats.

3. The conformal antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the spacing between one or more CP slats is uniform.

4. The conformal antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the spacing between one or more CB slats is uniform.

5. The conformal antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the combiner board includes a CB radial outer surface extending in an arc shape between its longitudinal ends, and the CB radial outer surface has a CB arc shape.

6. The conformance panel, which extends in an arc shape in the longitudinal direction, has a CP arc shape configuration. The conformal antenna device according to claim 5, wherein the CB arc configuration is nested with the CP arc configuration.

7. The conformal antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the CP arc configuration is arranged at a first radius, and the CB arc configuration is arranged at a second radius, the second radius being smaller than the first radius.

8. The conformal antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the conformance panel includes a plurality of slat tab rows extending outward from the radial inner surface of the CP, and the slat tab rows extend between the first axial end and the second axial end of the conformance panel.

9. The conformal antenna apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each slat tab row includes a plurality of slat tabs.

10. The antenna array has a radially inward side, a radially outward side, and a plurality of finger interfaces extending outward from the radially inward side. Each of the plurality of finger interfaces extends outward from the CP radial inner surface of the conformance panel through the corresponding opening that extends between the CP radial inner surface and the CP radial outer surface, The conformal antenna device according to claim 8, wherein the second plate of each slat communicates with one or more of the plurality of finger interfaces.

11. The finger interfaces among the multiple finger interfaces are arranged in rows parallel to the slat tab rows, and each slat tab row is spaced a certain distance from the corresponding finger interface row. Each of the aforementioned multiple slats is positioned between the corresponding slat tab column and the finger interface column. The conformal antenna device according to claim 9, wherein each finger interface signals and communicates with the second plate of the slat, which is positioned between the corresponding slat tab row and the finger interface row.

12. The conformal antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna array is a planar ultra-wideband modular antenna (PUMA) array attached to the radially outer surface of the conformance panel, and the PUMA array has a radially inner end, a radially outer end, a first PA axial end, and a second PA axial end.

13. The PUMA array includes a plurality of finger interfaces extending radially inward and outward, Each of the plurality of finger interfaces extends outward from the CP radial inner surface of the conformance panel through the corresponding opening that extends between the CP radial inner surface and the CP radial outer surface, The conformal antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the second plate of each slat communicates with one or more of the plurality of finger interfaces.

14. The conformal antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the PUMA array (PA) includes a row of PA openings extending through the PUMA array, the row of PA openings extending between the first PA axial end and the second PA axial end.

15. The conformal antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the PUMA array includes a laminate of a feeding layer, a dipole layer, and a wide-angle impedance matching (WAIM) layer disposed between the radially inner and radially outer sides, and a plurality of channels disposed within the feeding layer or the WAIM layer, the plurality of channels extending between the first PA axial end and the second PA axial end.

16. The conformal antenna device according to claim 15, wherein the channels among the plurality of channels are arranged in both the feeding layer and the dipole layer.

17. The conformal antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the PUMA array extends linearly in the width direction and arc-shaped in the length direction and is configured to fit with the conformance panel.

18. The conformal antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the second plate of each of the plurality of slats is a printed circuit board or printed circuit.

19. The conformal antenna device according to claim 18, wherein the first plate of each of the plurality of slats is configured as a heat sink and is configured to hold a ground connection between the conformance panel and the combiner board.

20. The conformance panel is attached to each corresponding slat by one or more fasteners that engage with the first plate of the corresponding slat, as described in claim 11.

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