Hybrid Phased Communication Array

This technology was the Army winner in the OSD Office of Technology Transition & DoD TechMatch Hot Technologies Contest. The present invention is a communication module provided with a Transmit/Receive (T/R) element fabricated from psuedomorphic HEMT, High Electron Mobility Transistor technology (PHEMT). The T/R element drives multiple Radio Frequency MEMS switch-based phasing elements. Each of the phasing elements connects to a corresponding radiation element. A large quantity of the communication elements can be placed on a single substrate chip so as to provide for a reliable and cost effective device. The device will continue to transmit and receive even if some elements fail. The invention has a wide-range of military and commercial communication applications from guided missile technology to cell phone communication. Benefits Redundancy; allows continued function of the system as a whole with one or more failed subsystems Lower cost Reliable and consistent transmission and reception of radio waves A communication device having a Transmit/Receive element fabricated from High Electron Mobility Transistor technology, which advantageously drives multiple radiating elements This technology allows for reliable and continuous transmission and reception of radio waves (for example, microwaves). The invention includes a communication array which is comprised of a plurality of communication modules formed on the same substrate. Each communication module has a transmit/receive module which drives a plurality of radiating elements. Each transmit/receive module is provided with transmitting and receiving components and a switch for alternately transferring from a receiving function to a transmitting function. The technology allows several radiating elements to be driven by a single transmit and receive module. Since numerous communication modules are present on a given substrate, reception and transmission will continue even if some of the modules fail. Each communication module is fabricated from pseudomorphic high electron mobility transfer (PHEMT) technology. The transmit/receive switch is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). The invention can be fabricated at low cost. The small size of the invention allows it to be placed on and at a desired location with reduced size constraints.