1D Phased Array Antenna with Parabolic Trough for RSO Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for detecting small resident space objects (RSOs) and communicating with satellite constellations are costly and inefficient, as they require large numbers of expensive 2D arrays, limiting the detection of objects smaller than 10 cm and hindering simultaneous communication with multiple satellites.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost 1D phased array antenna system with a parabolic trough reflector and a hybrid analog-digital architecture, which reduces the number of elements needed and allows for electronic steering, enabling cost-effective detection and tracking of smaller RSOs and simultaneous communication with multiple satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 2D arrays are used to detect small RSOs and communicate with satellite constellations, then detection accuracy and communication capability are improved, but system cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D planar arrays to a 1D linear array configuration combined with a parabolic reflector. This dimensional reduction maintains the essential phased array functionality for beam steering and focusing while dramatically reducing the number of elements required, thereby lowering system cost and complexity while preserving detection accuracy for small RSOs and communication capability with satellite constellations
2Reliability
If 2D arrays are used to fill the aperture, then radar cross-section detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a 1D linear array positioned at the focus of a parabolic reflector, utilizing the reflector's geometry to achieve the necessary aperture utilization. This approach maintains reliable detection capability for small RSOs by properly focusing radar energy while significantly reducing the number of expensive array elements required compared to a full 2D aperture-filling design
Solution Approach 2:
The parabolic reflector serves as an intermediary component that compensates for the reduced number of array elements. By using the reflector's focusing property, the system achieves adequate aperture utilization and detection reliability without requiring a dense 2D distribution of expensive radar elements across the entire aperture
3Productivity
If traditional steerable dishes are used for satellite constellation communication, then communication bandwidth is improved, but system cost and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical steerable dishes with a single 1D phased array system that uses electronic beam steering. This allows simultaneous communication with multiple satellites in a constellation by electronically directing beams to different spatial locations without requiring physical repositioning of multiple large dish structures, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high communication bandwidth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering capability through electronic phase control of the phased array elements. This allows the system to rapidly and flexibly redirect communication beams to track multiple moving satellites in orbit, providing the same adaptive functionality as mechanical steerable dishes but with faster response times and reduced mechanical complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The 1D phased array system provides a cost-effective solution for detecting objects as small as 2 cm and enables simultaneous communication with multiple satellites, reducing the number of required elements and operational costs while maintaining high detection accuracy and communication efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A low-cost 1D phased array antenna system with a parabolic trough reflector
Implementation Method 2
allows for electronic steering, enabling cost-effective detection and tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A phased array antenna system has at least one trough reflector, each trough reflector having at least one phased array located at a feed point of the reflector, and an array of elements located near to a point equal to one half of a center transmission wavelength. A method of decoding a receive signal includes propagating a transmit signal through a transmit and a receive path of a phased array to generate a coupled signal, digitizing the coupled signal, storing the digitized coupled signal, receiving a signal from a target, and using the digitized coupled signal to decode the signal from the target. A method of modeling the ionosphere includes transmitting measuring pulses from an incoherent scattering radar transmitter, receiving incoherent scatter from the transmitting, and analyzing the incoherent scatter to determine pulse and amplitude of the incoherent scatter to profile electron number density of the ionosphere.