A temperature control based phased array radar antenna array

Abstract

The application discloses a temperature control-based phased array radar antenna array surface, which comprises an antenna array skeleton, radar unit function modules, radar component function modules and a temperature compensation control system, wherein the antenna array skeleton comprises a panel, a structural frame and a maintenance hatch; the temperature compensation control system comprises temperature detection sensors, an evaluation system of thermal deformation and electrical performance indexes and a temperature compensation electric heating network; the radar unit function modules and the radar component function modules are cooled through a cooling pipe network, the panel is uniformly provided with the temperature detection sensors, the radar unit function modules and the radar component function modules are provided with the temperature detection sensors, and the structural frame and the maintenance hatch are installed with heating strain gauges. The application realizes the requirement that the temperature uniformity difference of the array surface is not greater than 3 DEG C, greatly reduces the influence of temperature load on the deformation of the antenna array surface and realizes the development of high-performance and high-reliability radars.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microwave technology, and in particular to a phased array radar antenna array based on temperature control. Background Technology

[0002] The next generation of weapon platforms has an urgent need for radar power and long-range detection. When antenna aperture is severely limited, improving power requires a significant increase in the power density of T / R components. The weight and volume requirements of antenna arrays are becoming increasingly stringent. With limited structural resources, the boundary of structural resource utilization is also becoming smaller and smaller, and the impact of load on antenna array accuracy will become increasingly prominent.

[0003] As the carrier of electromagnetic waves, the antenna array structure is subject to deformation caused by loads. This deformation leads to changes in the array displacement field, directly affecting the electromagnetic field amplitude, beam pointing, phase distribution, and other electrical properties. This hinders the radar's power and performance, while significantly reducing device reliability and radar lifespan. Loads causing array deformation include gravitational loads, wind loads, and temperature loads.

[0004] Temperature loads include heat dissipation from the T / R module power modules and external environmental factors (solar radiation, Earth's infrared reflection, etc.). These temperature loads cause temperature differences in various areas of the antenna array, resulting in a temperature difference within the array. This leads to: 1) large temperature deformation of the antenna array; and 2) failure to meet the uniform temperature range requirements of the power devices. The main factors affecting the uniform temperature of the array are cold plate design, flow design, and thermal resistance. Cold plate design includes the design of the module cold plates and the array cooling pipes. While ensuring the flow velocity within the channels, increasing the channel area improves the uniform temperature performance of the cold plates. Simultaneously, adding a series flow channel design to the cold plate structure, although increasing the resistance of the cold plates, can improve the uniform temperature performance to some extent. Flow design increases the liquid supply flow rate of the modules, thereby reducing the design temperature rise of the subarray cold plates and improving the design temperature difference of the array. However, increasing the flow rate adds significant design complexity, not only complicating the cooling process and reducing the array's integration, but also increasing the design difficulty of the terminal units and the weight of the equipment due to increased pipe dimensions. For example, to reduce the temperature uniformity of a phased array radar array from 5℃ to 3℃, the pressure drop of the array needs to be increased from 0.35MPa to 0.8MPa, the flow area of ​​the collector-distributor water pressure chamber needs to be increased from 1736mm² to 4560mm², and the liquid supply pressure of its terminal unit also needs to be increased from 1.05MPa to 1.5MPa. Regarding the influence of relative thermal resistance, theoretically, the temperature uniformity performance of the antenna array is related to the cold plate design and flow design. In reality, the uniformity performance of the array is greatly related to the contact thermal resistance between the cold plate and the components, and the solder penetration rate of heat-generating devices such as chips. For example, the contact thermal resistance between the components and the cold plate has a discrete distribution, and there are differences between them, which can cause a temperature difference ≥5℃.

[0005] Regardless of whether it's cold plate design, flow rate design, or thermal resistance design, all require significant design and manufacturing costs. Ultimately, temperature differences still exist between different areas on the array surface, and these temperature differences introduce errors into the phase of the entire array. Especially for radar arrays with high mobility requirements, both weight and volume are strictly controlled and subject to strict design boundary conditions. Unlike fixed radar stations that use fixed spherical radomes to ensure ambient temperature and maintain a temperature difference within 3°C, radar arrays cannot achieve this.

[0006] Compared to stationary radars, mobile vehicle-mounted radars face limited cooling resources, making it impossible for traditional thermal control technologies to meet the requirements of component cooling and temperature consistency. This necessitates reduced duty cycles, making thermal control a major bottleneck restricting radar performance enhancement. Therefore, it is urgent to address the issue of array temperature consistency within existing cooling resources to meet the demands for improved radar power and structural performance, ultimately leading to the development of high-performance, high-reliability radars.

[0007] The main functional modules of the phased array radar are mounted on the array's cooling plate, which is cooled by water or air. The optimized cooling system uses a series or parallel connection to design the cooling plate channels for maximum temperature uniformity. On the one hand, given the lightweight design requirements and limited cooling resources, simply increasing flow rate, velocity, or designing highly complex microchannels would incur significant costs and resource consumption. On the other hand, the large size of the antenna array makes it difficult to balance temperature differences across elevations, leading to uneven array temperature.

[0008] Considering the factors mentioned above, a phased array radar antenna array based on temperature control is a solution for highly mobile radar equipment in modern warfare. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides a phased array radar antenna array based on temperature control. While meeting the mobility requirements of high-mobility mobile radar, it utilizes the temperature adjustment compensation of the array frame under existing cooling resources to achieve a uniform temperature difference of no more than 3°C, greatly reducing the impact of temperature load on antenna array deformation and realizing the development of high-performance and high-reliability radar.

[0010] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0011] A temperature-controlled phased array radar antenna array includes: an antenna array frame, radar unit functional modules, radar component functional modules, and a temperature compensation control system. The antenna array frame includes a panel, a structural frame, and a maintenance hatch. The temperature compensation control system includes temperature detection sensors, an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators, and a temperature compensation electric heating network. The radar unit functional modules are installed at the front end of the panel, and the radar component functional modules are installed at the rear end of the panel. The radar unit functional modules and radar component functional modules are cooled by a cooling pipe network. Temperature detection sensors are uniformly distributed on the panel, and temperature detection sensors are installed on the radar unit functional modules and radar component functional modules. Heated strain gauges are installed on the structural frame and the maintenance hatch.

[0012] The temperature detection sensors are distributed in a network on the antenna array.

[0013] The temperature detection sensor converts the temperature of the cold plate on the array surface and the chip temperature of the power module into digital signals and transmits them to the evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators. The evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators identifies the areas where the deformation exceeds the boundary and controls the heating strain gauges to be turned on or off to perform temperature compensation in the corresponding areas.

[0014] The temperature sensor is connected to an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators via optical fiber.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the present invention has the characteristics that the temperature of the antenna array can be adjusted, measured and monitored.

[0016] This invention can solve the problem of temperature differences in different areas of the antenna array caused by heat dissipation generated by the power module of the T / R component and temperature field loads from the external environment (solar radiation, Earth infrared reflection, etc.), reduce the array temperature difference, and make the array temperature difference meet the requirement that the uniform temperature range of the power device is no more than 3°C.

[0017] This invention satisfies the mobility requirements of high-mobility mobile radar, and under the current limited cooling resources, utilizes a temperature adjustment and compensation method for the array frame to achieve a uniform overall temperature of the antenna array, reduce thermal deformation of the antenna array, and improve the electrical performance such as radar beam pointing and phase distribution. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the basic components of a phased array radar antenna based on temperature control according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a temperature-controlled phased array radar antenna array layer relationship (front view).

[0020] Figure 3 This is a temperature-controlled phased array radar antenna array layer relationship (back side).

[0021] Figure 4 This is a temperature-compensated electric heating network distributed on the structural frame.

[0022] Figure 5 A temperature-compensated electric heating network distributed on the maintenance hatch.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Antenna array frame; 2. Radar antenna functional module; 3. Radar component functional module; 4. Temperature compensation control system; 1-1. Panel; 1-2. Structural frame; 1-3. Maintenance hatch; 4-1. Temperature detection sensor; 4-2. Evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators; 4-3. Temperature compensation electric heating network. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] A temperature-controlled phased array radar antenna array includes: an antenna array frame, radar unit functional modules, radar component functional modules, and a temperature compensation control system. The antenna array frame includes a panel, a structural frame, and a maintenance hatch. The temperature compensation control system includes temperature detection sensors, an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators, and a temperature compensation electric heating network. The radar unit functional modules are installed at the front end of the panel, and the radar component functional modules are installed at the rear end of the panel. The radar unit functional modules and radar component functional modules are cooled by a cooling pipe network. Temperature detection sensors are uniformly distributed on the panel, and temperature detection sensors are installed on the radar unit functional modules and radar component functional modules. Heated strain gauges are installed on the structural frame and the maintenance hatch.

[0026] The temperature detection sensors are distributed in a network on the antenna array.

[0027] The temperature detection sensor converts the temperature of the cold plate on the array surface and the chip temperature of the power module into digital signals and transmits them to the evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators. The evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators identifies the areas where the deformation exceeds the boundary and controls the heating strain gauges to be turned on or off to perform temperature compensation in the corresponding areas.

[0028] The temperature sensor is connected to an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators via optical fiber. Example

[0029] Combination Figure 1A temperature-compensated phased array antenna array consists of an antenna array frame 1, radar unit functional modules 2, radar component functional modules 3, and a temperature compensation control system 4. The array frame comprises a panel (integrated cold plate) 1-1, a structural frame 1-2, and a maintenance hatch 1-3. The temperature compensation control system comprises a temperature detection sensor 4-1, an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators 4-2, and a temperature compensation electric heating network 4-3. This temperature compensation control system comprehensively utilizes a grid-like temperature sensor, temperature field analysis methods, and an integrated temperature compensation strain structure to achieve temperature monitoring and compensation of the antenna array.

[0030] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 The phased array antenna frame consists of an integrated cold plate, frame structure, maintenance hatch, and other structural components. Large phased array antennas capable of temperature compensation require a vast number of power modules mounted on the antenna frame, which comprises a large cold plate, supporting frame, and other structural components. Generally, depending on the scale and maintenance requirements, the antenna array is divided into several maintenance hatches, each forming an independent space, sealed at the rear by a maintenance hatch door. The main power modules are typically mounted directly on the panel (integrated cold plate) and cooled by the cooling network of the large cold plate. Radar unit functional modules are installed at the front end, and radar component functional modules are typically installed at the rear end. Both the front and rear functional modules are power modules, constituting the thermal load of the antenna array. Temperature loads include heat dissipation generated by the T / R component power modules and external environmental factors (solar radiation, Earth's infrared reflection, etc.). These temperature loads cause temperature differences across various areas of the antenna array, creating temperature variations that cannot meet the 5°C uniform temperature range requirement for power devices, resulting in significant performance differences.

[0031] Temperature sensors are evenly distributed on the panel (integrated cold plate). Simultaneously, temperature detection signal control is installed on all power modules on the array, including antenna unit modules and component functional modules, converting the cold plate temperature and power module chip temperature into digital signals and transmitting them to the control system. The grid-like temperature sensors on the integrated cold plate use optical signal transmission, pre-embedded in the large panel (cold plate), and are controlled via fiber optic signals. Utilizing the grid-like temperature sensors on the antenna array, antenna thermal deformation parameters are quickly identified, a system for evaluating the relationship between thermal deformation and temperature is constructed, areas where deformation exceeds boundaries are located, and temperature compensation is performed in the corresponding areas.

[0032] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5A large phased array antenna with temperature compensation is constructed by effectively distributing and installing heated strain gauges on the antenna array frame and the inner wall of the maintenance hatch in the rear compartment. Control lines for sensors are pre-embedded in the frame. The heated strain gauges are turned on and off according to the evaluation system between thermal deformation and temperature. The large antenna array is controlled as a complete temperature-adjustable system, ensuring that the temperature difference across the entire array area does not exceed 3°C. This reduces changes in the array displacement field caused by temperature differences and minimizes the impact on electrical performance such as the amplitude of the electromagnetic field, beam pointing, and phase distribution.

[0033] This invention addresses the temperature uniformity control of highly mobile radar arrays, achieving consistent antenna array temperature and preserving structural shape.

Claims

1. A phased array radar antenna surface based on temperature control, characterized in that... include: The system comprises an antenna array frame, radar unit functional modules, radar component functional modules, and a temperature compensation control system. The antenna array frame includes a panel, a structural frame, and a maintenance hatch. The temperature compensation control system includes temperature sensors, an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators, and a temperature compensation electric heating network. The radar unit functional modules are installed at the front end of the panel, and the radar component functional modules are installed at the rear end of the panel. The radar unit functional modules and radar component functional modules are cooled by a cooling pipe network. Temperature sensors are evenly distributed on the panel, and temperature sensors are installed on the radar unit functional modules and radar component functional modules. Heated strain gauges are installed on the structural frame and the maintenance hatch. The temperature detection sensor converts the temperature of the cold plate on the array surface and the chip temperature of the power module into digital signals and transmits them to the evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators. The evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators identifies the areas where the deformation exceeds the boundary and controls the heating strain gauges to be turned on or off to perform temperature compensation in the corresponding areas.

2. The phased array radar antenna surface based on temperature control according to claim 1, characterized in that... The temperature detection sensors are distributed in a network on the antenna array.

3. The phased array radar antenna surface based on temperature control according to claim 1, characterized in that... The temperature sensor is connected to an evaluation system for thermal deformation and electrical performance indicators via optical fiber.

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