AAS Subarray Splitter with Upper Sidelobe Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced antenna systems face challenges in reducing upper sidelobe levels when tilting beams, leading to energy waste and interference, particularly due to the increase in sidelobe levels above specification requirements within a certain angular range, and existing amplitude taper solutions result in significant reductions in effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and antenna efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an advanced upper sidelobe suppression (AUSS) system using subarray splitters with phase and amplitude taper functions, where fixed phase and amplitude values are configured to minimize sidelobe levels across multiple electrical tilt angles and frequencies, optimizing the phases and amplitudes delivered by subarray splitters to achieve desired sidelobe performance without applying amplitude taper at subarray inputs, thus maintaining EIRP and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If amplitude taper is applied at subarray inputs to reduce sidelobe levels, then sidelobe suppression is improved, but effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and antenna efficiency are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces subarray splitters as intermediary devices between the input signals and antenna elements. These splitters apply phase and amplitude taper functions to control sidelobe levels without requiring amplitude taper at the subarray inputs, thereby avoiding EIRP loss while achieving sidelobe suppression through the intermediary splitting and phase control mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from modifying amplitude parameters at subarray inputs to modifying phase parameters through subarray splitters. By using phase taper functions in the subarray splitters instead of amplitude taper at inputs, the system achieves sidelobe control while preserving the amplitude and EIRP characteristics of the transmitted signals
2Object-generated harmful factors
If amplitude taper is applied at subarray inputs to reduce sidelobe levels, then sidelobe suppression is improved, but antenna efficiency is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The subarray splitters serve as intermediary devices that perform the sidelobe control function through phase manipulation rather than amplitude reduction at the input stage. This intermediary approach maintains antenna efficiency by avoiding the energy loss associated with amplitude taper application at subarray inputs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from amplitude-based sidelobe control to phase-based sidelobe control. By changing the control parameter from amplitude to phase in the subarray splitters, the system achieves sidelobe suppression while maintaining the efficiency and energy utilization of the antenna system
3Object-generated harmful factors
If fixed phase and amplitude values are configured in subarray splitters to suppress sidelobes across multiple tilt angles, then sidelobe suppression performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring fixed phase and amplitude values in the subarray splitters during system setup or manufacturing. These predetermined values are optimized to suppress sidelobes across multiple electrical tilt angles and frequencies, eliminating the need for real-time adjustment and reducing operational complexity despite the initial configuration effort
Solution Approach 2:
The subarray splitters are designed with universal fixed phase and amplitude values that function across multiple electrical tilt angles and frequency ranges. This multi-functionality allows a single configuration to achieve sidelobe suppression for various operating conditions, reducing the need for multiple specialized components or complex adaptive systems
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are provided for advanced antenna system subarray splitter having advanced upper sidelobe suppression. An antenna system includes a plurality of antenna subarrays. Each of the plurality of antenna subarrays having a subarray input; and at least one subarray splitter in communication with the subarray input. Each of the at least one subarray splitter splits a subarray into a plurality of branches, at least one of the branches including a phase taper function and an amplitude taper function. For each of the plurality of antenna subarrays, the phase taper function and the amplitude taper function includes a plurality of fixed phase values and a plurality of fixed amplitude values, respectively, that are configured to not exceed a predetermined sidelobe suppression target for a plurality of electrical tilt angles across a predetermined angular range for the antenna subarray of the plurality of antenna subarrays.