24-GHz Phased Array Beam Steering Without High-Frequency Phase Shifters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array radar systems are expensive and inflexible due to the requirement of high-frequency phase shifters, especially at frequencies above 24 GHz, limiting their application in smart radar systems, and are bulky, making them difficult to mount on vehicles or medical equipment.
Innovation Solution
A 24-GHz horizontally placed 6-element phased array using a vector control array that eliminates the need for phase shifters by independently adjusting the phase and amplitude of each antenna element, allowing continuous beam steering on the H-plane and reducing system cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional phased array with high-frequency phase shifters is used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive high-frequency phase shifters from the system. Instead of using conventional phase shifters, the invention uses a different architecture with multiple antenna elements and time-delay units that can achieve beam steering without requiring expensive phase-shifting components at high frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-delay units and antenna elements serve multiple functions: they enable beam steering, provide phase control, and achieve amplitude control through switching networks. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive phase shifter components while maintaining beam steering capability.
2Ease of operation
If conventional phased array system is used, then beam steering is achieved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering systems with an electrical/phased array system. The beam steering is achieved through electronic control of multiple antenna elements using time-delay units and switching networks, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical moving parts while maintaining steering capability.
3Productivity
If digital beam forming with high-speed ADCs is used, then beam scanning capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a limited number of antenna elements (4 elements) with simple time-delay units and switching networks, rather than implementing full digital beam forming with multiple high-speed ADCs and complex digital processing. This partial implementation achieves the necessary beam scanning capability while keeping the system simple and cost-effective.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for a 24-GHz phased array for indoor smart radar comprising at least 6 horizontally placed antenna elements as a vertically placed 5-element series-fed microstrip patch array. The beam of the phased array can be continuously steered on the H-plane to different directions through a novel vector control array. Each element can adjust the phase and amplitude of the corresponding element of the horizontally placed linear array. The phased array system of the present invention may be fabricated on a single printed circuit board (PCB), and PIN diodes are used to realize beam steering by modulating the decomposed received signal. In order to compensate for the loss of the vector control array and reduce the noise figure, six low noise amplifiers (LNAs) are also used in the array. The present invention has the ability to continuously steer the beam on the H-plane.