US3460144A - Antenna systems providing independent control in a plurality of modes of operation - Google Patents

Description

P. W. HANNAN Aug. 5, 1969 ANTENNA SYSTEMS PROVIDING INDEPENDENT CONTROL IN A PLURALITY OF MODES OF OPERATION Original Filed May 22, 1961 3 6 m 2 I wn. A 1 f r A lm o xw? R e wmvmwmmm 2 2 MAX m H x 1 m\m ufm R A A P A onwuo E mw nw ME mm 2 MR m TOIA A United States Patent US. Cl. 343-777 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An antenna system providing independent control in a plurality of modes of operation having a plurality of horns arranged symmetrically about horizontal and vertical axes. A group of hybrid junctions are coupled to the outputs of the horns to obtain preliminary sum and difference comparisons. The preliminary sum and difference comparison signals are coupled to a plurality of directional couplers in order to selectively combine portions of these preliminary signals to form each operating mode of the antenna in order to eifectively change the size of the array for each mode. For example, in a monopulse antenna a different efiective antenna size is provided for the sum mode and the elevation and azimuth difference modes. Alternative arrangements are also covered.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 545,324, filed Apr. 26, 1966, now Patent No. 3,392,395 which is a division of application 111,542 filed May 22, 1961, now Patent No. 3,308,468.

This invention relates to independent control of the modes of operation of an antenna system operating simultaneously in several modes. The invention is particularly applicable to antenna systems used with monopulse radar systems Where independent control of the sum and diiference modes is desirable but has not been available in the prior art. The invention will be described in the environment of a monopulse system although it is not limited to such applications.

For the purposes of this specification, the word antenna is defined as a structure for effecting the transition between a free-space electromagnetic wave and a guided electromagnetic wave and may, for example, take the form of a horn or dipole. An array of antennas, as defined, can be used, for example, as the feed in an antenna system including a focusing element, such as a reflector, or it can be used directly in an antenna system which does not include any focusing element. An antenna system is defined here as an antenna or array of antennas in combination with other components which may include a focusing element, comparator circuits, etc., as will be explained more fully.

In the design of monopulse antenna systems it has been customary to assume that some type of compromise is required between the several modes of operation. However, this is not necessary and the present invention makes it possible to optimize in all modes simultaneously. For an ordinary single mode antenna system the optimum design for maximum antenna system gain is well known. In the case of a monopulse antenna system, there are usually a sum and two difference modes and it has not been possible to design for simultaneous optimum performance in all these modes. The particular compromise made is dependent upon system requirements and the ice relative importance of the various modes. In all such designs the compromise causes substantial degradation of some of the important antenna system properties. For example, in an antenna system having a feed and a focusing element, degradation typically affects the difference mode properties, such as gain, sidelobe levels, spill-over rediation and criticalness of misalignment.

As is well known, antenna systems are reciprocal in nature, operating equally well in reception and transmission of energy. Monopulse radar systems of the type to be described utilize the present invention during reception only, and the following description relies mainly upon a reception viewpoint except where a transmission viewpoint is easier. Reliance on one or the other of these viewpoints at particular points in the description should not be allowed to obscure the fact that the invention is equally applicable to reception and transmission.

FIG. 1-prior art monopulse system While familiarity with prior art monopulse antenna systems is assumed, a simplified discussion of the problems in prior .art systems is desirable before pursuing the subject of an optimum monopulse antenna system. In one common type of monopulse radar, the antenna system consists of three elements: a comparator, a feed and a focusing element. The comparator is a circuit network which adds and subtracts voltages in such a way as to convert a signal in any of the three channels to the proper signals at the feed. Thus, referring to FIG. 1, which illustrates a prior art system, comparator 14 comprises an arrangement of transmission paths (which may be waveguide, for example) interconnected by hybrid junctions, such as junction 15. The feed in FIG. 1 comprises a cluster of four small antennas in the form of horns 10, 11, 12 and 13. The feed radiates a divergent beam toward the focusing system to provide the desired field at the main aperture of the antenna system. The focusing system may include a lens or reflecting dish which is large compared with the feed, and which converts the spherical wave front to a flat one, giving rise to a narrow beam of radiation. The focusing element 16 in FIG. 1 may be considered to be a reflecting dish.

There are three channels connected to the comparator and three modes of operation for the antenna system. These the called the sum (S), azimuth difference (A), and elevation difference (E) modes. When coupled to the transmitter, the sum mode provides illumination of a distance target. When coupled to a receiver, it provides range information and a reference signal. The azimuth and elevation difference modes are coupled to receivers whose signals, when combined with the reference sum signal, provide azimuth and elevation angle information, respectively. While it is true that during actual monopulse radar operation only the sum mode exists in transmission, it is common practice to consider all three modes in transmission when this eases the task of analysis (by reciprocity the antenna patterns are the same Whether obtained in transmission or reception).

Considering the illumination of the reflector during transmission, it is well known that in order to obtain maximum efficiency in the sum mode the feed sizeand reflector relationship should be such that the illumination is tapered down at the edge of the reflector by about 10 db. This is shown in FIG. 1 by curve S1 which represents the 10 db contour of the sum power density. (In FIG. 1, the power density represented by the various dashed contours would, of course, strike the side of the reflector which is hidden in the drawingit may aid in understanding the drawings to assume the reflectors to be transparent optically.) In the case of the difference mode, considerations of maximum efliciency and low sidelobes lead to a similar conclusion, that is, that the illumition should be appreciably tapered down at the edge of the reflector. In addition, some of the special problems of the difference mode, such as criticalness to feed tilt and edge asymmetries place a premium on low edge illumination. For simplicity, it may be assumed that the difference illumination should be tapered down by about the same amount as the sum illumination.

But, referring to FIG. 1 where the system has been optimized, for the sum mode, it will be seen that the difference illumination reaches a maximum close to the edge of the reflector, as shown by the contours A1, A2, B1, and E2. This is the result of using the four horns 1t 11, 12 and 13 substantially as one horn in the sum mode but substantially as two horns for each of the difference modes. Thus, in the elevation difference mode, horns and 11 are excited in one polarity and horns 12 and 13 are excited in the other polarity and the energy radiated has two main peaks of opposite polarity which are displaced equal amounts off the antenna system axis and which result in a width of useful power distribution in the vertical direction which is substantially twice as wide at the reflector as is the sum power distribution. In a horizontal direction this elevation mode power has substantially the same distribution as the sum power. In the azimuth difference mode, horns 10 and 12 are excited in one polarity, as are horns 11 and 13, and the result is a substantially double-width power distribution in a horizontal plane as compared to the sum mode (corresponding to the spread in the vertical direction for the elevation mode). In this system at least half of the power in the difference modes goes into spillover (i.e., misses the reflector) so that there is about a 3 db loss in the diiference signal compared with the optimum condition, and the difference peak gain would be about 6 db below the sum gain. The high illumination of the edge of the reflector creates high sidelobes in the difference pattern, and also makes the difference mode sensitive to antenna system misalignment and edge asymmetries; furthermore, the large amount of spillover permits spurious signals of both a coherent and incoherent nature to enter the difference channels.

If the feed size has been optimized for the difference modes, the sum illumination would be excessively narrow. The sum mode would utilize only about half of the reflector if performance were optimized for one difference mode, and a reduction of about 3 db in sum gain would result. Attempting to optimize the feed size for both difference modes would create additional losses. While it is true that a feed size might be utilized which strikes a compromise between the optimum sum mode and optimum difference mode performance, the defects mentioned above would still be present to a large degree.

The above discussion has been limited to problems in the beam width or size of the antenna pattern produced by an array of antennas. It is well known that the sidelobe suppression of an antenna array pattern is also very important and prior art monopulse systems have been rather inefiicient with respect to this and other considerations. This is true not only when the array comprises the feed of an antenna system having a focusing element, but also when the array itself constitutes the antenna system. Thus, it is evident that the ordinary mono ulse antenna design as described above imposes a limitation with degrades the antenna system performance in a number of ways, and some manner of optimizing performance in all modes simultaneously is extremely desirable.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide new and improved antenna system which avoid one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art arrangements.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an antenna system allowing operation in a plurality of modes with improved efiiciency.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an antenna system allowing any desired degree of independent control in a plurality of modes of operation.

In accordance with the invention an antenna system providing independent control in a plurality of modes of operation which comprises an array of antennas having a plurality of outputs, each output providing a distinct signal; comparison means coupled to the outputs for providing a plurality of preliminary signals representing sum and difference comparisons of the distinct signals; independent control means coupled to the comparison means for producing final mode signals by the selective summation of a portion of the preliminary signals available to form the final mode signals for effectively changing the size of the array, independently, for each of the modes produced; means for dissipating signals not usable in producing the final mode signals; and means for dissipating signals which are usuable in producing the final mode signals but which are not selected for inclusion in the final mode signals.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art monopulse antenna system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna capable of providing any desired degree of independent control in accordance with the invention;

The primary fault of the prior art monopulse antenna systems may be considered to be in inability to produce feed patterns of similar directivity in each mode. This is clearly shown by the power contours of FIG. 1 wherein large amounts of azimuth and elevation power are lost in spillover.

The present invention includes the realization that the way to get feed array patterns of similar directivity in each mode is to change the size of the feed array, either actually or efifectively, for each of the various modes involved.

As used in this specification, independent control is defined as the ability of an antenna system to provide patterns for each mode of a plurality of modes of operation without any limitation arising from the presence of the other modes. It will be noted that the operation of any focusing element is immaterial in considering independent control. Practically, independent control of an antenna array will usually take the form of the ability to provide patterns of substantially similar beam width in each mode for signals with different characteristics in each mode. These different characteristics are such that each mode requires a different antenna system capability to allow similar beam widths, as was brought out in the earlier discussion of the prior art, especially with reference to the power contours of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2-monopulse antenna system allowing complete independent control Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an example of an antenna system providing independent control in a plurality of modes of operation. This antenna system in cludes an array of antennas having a plurality of outputs. These antennas are shown as boxes 20-31, inclusive, each of which may represent a horn, dipole or other device and each of which is shown as having one output indicated schematically as the dot at the center of these boxes. The antenna system further includes comparison means coupled to these outputs. These comparison means are shown as hybrid junctions 40-51, inclusive. The antenna system also includes independent control means coupled to the comparison means. These independent control means are shown as directional couplers 60-68, inclusive. Many resistive terminations are used to terminate particular connections in the arrangements illustrated in the drawings; a representative termination is labeled 69 n FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 has been limited to an array of 12 antennas for purposes of illustration, but in observing FIG. 2, it will be apparent that this system can be utilized with any desired number of antennas. The interconnections between the antennas, the hybrid junctions and the directional couplers follow a logical pattern and may be readily expanded as the number of antennas desired increases. The antennas, hybrid junctions and directional couplers are shown in FIG. 2 as being interconnected by lines. These lines represent transmission paths which may be waveguide, coaxial transmission lines, etc.

In considering the operation of the antenna system of FIG. 2 it will be instructive to first examine the interconnections illustrated, from the following points of view:

(I) Each of the independent control means (directional couplers 60-68, inclusive) are arranged to selectively couple energy from one of the comparison means (hybrid junctions 46-51, inclusive) to one of the mode outputs S, A or E. Each directional coupler is designed to provide only the degree of coupling desired in each particular case (each hybrid junction provides a uniform degree of coupling).

(11) Each of the hybrid junctions 46-51, inclusive, is coupled (through certain of the hybrid junctions 40-45, inclusive) to four antennas which are symmetrically located with respect to the vertical and horizontal center lines of the antenna array. Thus, junction 49 is coupled to antennas 20 and 22 through junction 42 and to antennas 21 and 23 through junction 43.

(III) Each of the hybrid junctions 40-45, inclusive, is coupled to two antennas which are symmetrically located with respect to the vertical center line of the antenna array. Thus, junction 42 is coupled to antennas 20 and 22.

(IV) For the S mode, energy from all antennas is selectively added to form the final S mode signal.

For example, energy from antenna 20 is added to that from antenna 22 by junction 42 and appears at the 2 output of junction 42. Similarly, the sum of energy from antennas 21 and 23 appears at the 2 output of junction 43. These two 2 outputs are then added in junction 49 and the sum appears at the 2 output of junction 49. This 2 output is then coupled into the S channel with a desired degree of coupling by directional coupler 63. Similarly, outputs from the other two groups of four antennas (24- 27, inclusive, and 2831, inclusive) are coupled into the S channel with desired degrees of coupling by couplers 64 and 65.

(V) For the E mode, in each group of four antennas, energy from the two antennas above the horizontal center line is added, and this resultant is subtracted from the additive sum of the energy from the two antennas (of the particular group of four antennas) below the center line. This resultant is then selectively cou led to the E channel.

For example, energy from antennas 20 and 22 is added and appears at the 2 output of junction 42 and energy from antennas 21 and 23 is added and appears at the 2 output of junction 43. These two 2 outputs are then subtracted and the resultant appears at the A output of junction 49. This A output is coupled to the E channel by directional coupler 68.

(VI) For the A mode, in each group of tour antennas, energy from one of the two antennas above the horizontal center line is subtracted from the output from the other, and this resultant is added to the ditterence between the outputs of the two antennas (of the particular group of four antennas) below the center line. This resultant is then selectively coupled to the A channel.

For example, energy from antenna 20 is subtracted from energy from antenna 22 and the resultant appears at the A output of junction 42. Energy from antenna 21 is subtracted from energy from antenna 23 and this resultand appears at the A output of junction 43. These two A outputs are than added and appear at the 2 output of junction 48. This 2 output is coupled to the A channel by directional coupler 60.

To summarize, in the E mode, energy from two antennas is first added and this resultant subtracted from the additive sum of energy from two other antennas. In the A mode, energy from two antennas is first subtracted and this resultant added to the resultant of the diiterence of outputs of two other antennas. The order of adding and subtracting is of no import. The whole system could just as well have been designed so that the E outputs were formed by a subtraction and then an addition instead of by the reverse process as here. This is true of the A mode also. The addition and subtractions may, if desired, be intermixed.

With the above description of the invention in mind, the following statements may aid in a complete understanding of the invention. The operation of prior art monopulse systems can be summarily stated as follows: Sum mode, all outputs from the feed antennas have been added together; Azimuth mode, all outputs from the feed antennas to the left of center have been added together and this composite signal subtracted from the composite signal resulting from the addition of all outputs from feed to the right of the center of the antenna array; Elevation mode, all outputs from feed above center have been added together and this composite signal subtracted from the composite signal formed by the addition of all outputs from antennas below the center of the feed array. In practice, the prior art elevation and azimuth signals are actually formed by a series of intermixed additions and subtractions, but the result is the same as if the comparisons were carried out as stated above with just one subtraction in each difference mode.

The present invention includes the realization that the way to get patterns of similar directivity in each mode of operation of a monopulse feed array is to change the size of the array, either actually or eifectively for each of the various modes involved. The invention also includes the concept that independent control of a plurality of monopulse modes of operation can be achieved by carrying out all summations after comparison selectively according to the mode. In this selective process, in forming particular mode signals certain outputs are either completely ignored or are included only after being reduced in magnitude by a desired amount.

Although the invention has been described in the particular configuration of a monopulse radar system, it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to other types of antenna systems. For example, one method for obtaining a sequentially-lobing or conical-scanning antenna is to combine the sum and diiference signals of a monopulse antenna through switches or modulators. If a prior art monopulse antenna is employed for this purpose, the resulting sequential-lobing antenna displays poor performance characteristics. However, when independent control means, in accordance with this invention, are provided in the monopulse portion, the sequential-lobing characteristics can be substantially improved.

It should also be appreciated that with relation to monopulse systems, the invention is applicable to antenna arrays which may include any desired numbers of antennas of any applicable configuration. Also it may be desired in some applications to include multimode horns in combination with other types of antennas.

The invention is described with particular reference to a transmitting or receiving antenna system for convenience at various points, but it is to be clearly understood that it is equally applicable to both kinds.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore,

aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An antenna system providing independent control in a plurality of modes of operation comprising:

an array of antennas having at least five outputs, each output providing a distinct signal;

comparison means coupled to said outputs for providing a plurality of preliminary signals representing sum and diflerence comparisons of said distinct signals; independent control means coupled to said comparison means for producing final mode signals by the selective summation of a portion of the preliminary signals available to form each of said final mode signals for effectively changing the size of the array, independently, for each of the modes produced without any substantial influence on any of the other modes;

means for dissipating signals not usable in producing said final mode signals, said nonusable signals representing the difference between two preliminary signals, each of which represents the difference between two of said distinct output signals;

and means for dissipating preliminary signals which are usable in producing said final mode signals but which are not selected for inclusion in said final mode signal.

2. An antenna system as specified in claim 1 in which the comparison means consists of a plurality of hybrid junctions and the independent control means consists of directional coupler means coupled to said plurality of hybrid junctions.

3. An antenna system as specified in claim 1 which additionally includes a focusing system in spaced relationship to said array.

4. A monopulse antenna system providing independent control in a sum and two diiference modes of operation, comprising:

a plurality of antennas symmetrically arranged about a horizontal and vertical axis;

a first group of hybrid junctions individually combining pairs of signals from said antennas;

a second group of hybrid junctions combining the outputs of said first group of hybrid junctions to produce three groups of preliminary signals, the first group representing the sum of the outputs of all the antennas, the second group representing the difference between the outputs of the right and left side antennas and the third group representing the difference between outputs of the upper and lower antennas; and

three groups of directional couplers, the first group selectively combining portions of the first group of preliminary signals to form a sum mode signal, the second group selectively combining portions of the second group of preliminary signals to form an azimuth difference mode signal and the third group selectively combining portions of the third group of preliminary signals to form an elevation difference mode signal for effectively changing the size of the array independently, for each of the modes produced.

5. A monopulse antenna system as specified in claim 4 which additionally includes means for dissipating the outputs of said hybrid junctions which are not usable in forming said final mode signals and means for dissipating the outputs of said directional couplers which are usable in forming said final mode signals but which are not selected to be combined into said final mode signals by the directional couplers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,239,836 3/1966 Chubb et al. 34316 3,341,850 9/1967 Kings et al. 343l6 3,308,457 3/1967 Winn 343-16 ELI LIEBERMAN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 343-779, 853

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