Title: Radar randome antenna with switchable R.F. transparency/reflectivity

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Claims: What is claimed is:

1. An antenna system comprising:

a plurality of antenna segments arranged in a predetermined configuration, the lengths and spacings between the elements being predetermined also;

a plurality of switches, each connected between adjacent ends of at least two antenna segments, the normal condition of said switches being the open condition, said switches comprising light-responsive diodes;

remotely controlled means comprising light-generating means for selecting and closing a predetermined number of switches, the selection of switches determining at least one of the following characteristics of the antenna- tuning, reflectivity, directivity, and transparency,

said selecting and closing means being isolated from the R.F. working frequencies of the antenna system.

2. A radar antenna comprising:

a curved section of R.F. transparent material, said curved section covering up to 360.degree. in extent;

a plurality of grid segments carried by said transparent material and arranged in a predetermined configuration;

a plurality of switches, each connected between adjacent ends of at least two grid segments, the normal condition of said switches being the open condition; and

remotely controlled means for selecting and closing the switches within a predetermined area so that said area becomes a reflector of radar energy, said selecting and closing means being isolated from the R.F. working frequencies of the antenna.

3. A radar antenna as in claim 2, wherein said curved section is part of a radome.

4. A radar antenna as in claim 2, said switches comprising solid-state switches controllable by electric signals and said remotely controlled means comprising means for supplying said electric signals.

5. A radar antenna as in claim 2, said switches comprising light-responsive diodes and said remotely controlled means comprising light-generating means.

6. A radar antenna as in claim 2, wherein said means for selecting and closing switches is operable to select and close different groups of switches in sequence to scan the antenna beam.

7. A radar antenna as in claim 6, wherein the scanning angle covers a full 360.degree. in azimuth.

Other info:

Inventors: Crump, Lloyd R. (Silver Spring, MD, US)

Application Number: 492664
Filing Date: 1974-07-29
Publication_date: 1976-05-04
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 343/701 342/374, 343/837, 343/872
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1860123	May, 1932	Yagi	343/833.
2210666	Aug, 1940	Herzog	343/701.
2703363	Mar, 1955	Rines et al.	343/701.
3276023	Sep, 1966	Dorne et al.	343/754.
3392393	Jul, 1968	Spitz	343/754.
3623109	Nov, 1971	Neumann	343/819.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Lieberman, Eli
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Sciascia; R., Beers; R., Scheinbein; S.