3D-Shaped Reflector Antenna for Satellite Beam Reconfigurability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array antennas with reflectors on board satellites face challenges in achieving cost-effective, weight-efficient, and simple reconfigurability in orbit, as current solutions either require excessive control mechanisms and power amplification or result in complex beam forming architectures with high volume and mass.
Innovation Solution
An array antenna with a 3D-shaped reflector and multiple sources, where the central source's main lobe covers a primary area, and non-central sources' lobes cover parts of this area, allowing for beam control and amplification to define active coverage zones, reducing the number of sources and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an active array antenna with direct radiation (DRA) is used to achieve good double reconfigurability capacity, then reconfigurability is improved, but cost and weight become prohibitive due to large number of controls and amplifier dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into a limited number of radiating sources (e.g., 4-8 sources) distributed on the reflector surface, each controlling a specific beam. This segmentation reduces the total number of control channels compared to DRA while maintaining reconfigurability through selective source activation and beam forming.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflector with a specifically shaped reflective surface acts as an intermediary between the limited number of sources and the desired coverage areas. The reflector geometry enables each source to illuminate multiple zones, providing reconfigurability without requiring a control element for every coverage zone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an array of sources in the focal plane of a non-shaped parabolic reflector is used, then coverage area can be controlled, but beam forming architecture becomes complex with high volume and mass
Solution Approach 1:
Sources are positioned on the two-dimensional surface of the reflector rather than in the traditional focal plane, utilizing the reflector surface itself as the source location. This dimensional change simplifies the beam forming architecture by eliminating the need for complex focal plane arrangements while maintaining coverage control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector serves multiple functions: it provides the reflective surface for beam formation, defines the geometric positions of the sources, and shapes the radiation patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system volume by eliminating separate components for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each source is directly linked to a part of the coverage in FAFR solution, then coverage zones can be controlled, but redundancy and number of sources increase leading to complex architecture
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coverage zones are merged into the radiation pattern of each source through careful positioning and beam forming control. Each source contributes to multiple zones simultaneously, reducing the total number of sources needed and simplifying the architecture by eliminating one-to-one mapping between sources and zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves coverage zone control by changing the amplitude and phase parameters of the limited number of sources rather than by adding more sources. This parameter-based control simplifies the architecture while maintaining the ability to define arbitrary coverage zones through software control.
4Quantity of substance
If a reflector with shaped surface is used to widen elementary beams, then number of sources can be reduced, but manufacturing and positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on precise reflector geometry, the system uses adjustable amplitude and phase parameters of the sources to achieve the desired beam patterns. This parameter-based approach compensates for manufacturing tolerances and reduces the precision requirements for reflector surface fabrication while maintaining the ability to reduce the number of sources.
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
This configuration significantly reduces the size and weight of the antenna, enhances reconfigurability, and improves signal directivity while maintaining redundancy, addressing the limitations of existing solutions by combining the advantages of direct radiation arrays and focal array reflector systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more reflectors responsible for reflecting the beams delivered by the sources
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention concerns a network antenna with reflector(s) (AR) comprising i) a network (RS) of at least two sources (S1-S5), one of which a central source (S1), arranged and positioned so as to transmit and/or receive beams (F1-F5) in selected directions; ii) beam-forming means for controlling the amplitude and the phase of each of the sources based on amplitude/phase laws applied upon their access and for providing an appropriate amplifying level, so that each source (S1-S5) should transmit a selected radiated pattern (forming a beam and including a main lobe) designed to cover a selected zone (Z1-Z5), and iii) at least one reflector (RC) provided with a surface (SU) capable of reflecting the beams delivered by the sources and/or addressed thereto and configured in three dimensions so as to reflect the beam delivered by each source (S1-S5) by spreading its energy so that it covers the selected associated zone, and that the main lobe of the radiated pattern associated with the central source (S1) should define a primary coverage (CP) including integrally each active coverage zone (ZC1, ZC2) of the antenna, of selected shape and dimensions, and that the main lobe of the radiated pattern associated with each non-central source (S2-S5) should overlap at least partly the primary coverage (CP).