Active Cancellation for Electronically Scanned Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) face challenges in implementing effective active cancellation due to high signal losses and limited frequency band applicability in full-duplex operations, particularly with printed circuit board (PCB) topologies, which are complex and unrealistic for realizing active cancellation systems.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a sniffer circuit, a radio frequency processor, and a beamforming radio frequency integrated circuit that identifies and subtracts interference signals from wideband signals received by multiple radiating elements, enabling effective beamforming operations and output signal production, thereby isolating transmit signals from receive signals to mitigate self-interference and external jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If full-duplex operations are implemented in AESA systems using conventional PCB topologies, then simultaneous transmit and receive capability is achieved, but signal losses increase and frequency band applicability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary active cancellation circuit is introduced between the radiating elements and the signal processing chain. This circuit actively generates cancellation signals to neutralize self-interference, thereby reducing signal losses and enabling broader frequency band applicability without being constrained by conventional PCB topology limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: radiating elements, active cancellation circuit, sniffer circuit, and beamforming RF integrated circuit. This segmentation allows the active cancellation function to be independently optimized and integrated, resolving the contradiction between full-duplex operation and signal loss by isolating the cancellation mechanism from the main signal path
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active cancellation is implemented to remove interference signals, then self-interference and jamming are mitigated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active cancellation function is merged with the existing beamforming RF integrated circuit architecture. The cancellation circuit integrates with the signal processing chain, sharing common components and control mechanisms, thereby mitigating self-interference and jamming while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If PCB topologies are used for full-duplex operations, then implementation is straightforward, but the system becomes unrealistic for active cancellation due to complexity and performance limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional PCB-based passive cancellation approach is replaced with an active electronic cancellation system. This substitution uses electronic signal processing instead of relying on PCB layout and passive components, achieving reliable active cancellation performance while maintaining ease of implementation through integrated circuit technology
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses include a sniffer circuit, a radio frequency processor, and a beamforming radio frequency integrated circuit. The sniffer circuit is structured to receive spurious signals from a sniffer antenna and self-jamming signals, and to produce an interference signal based on the spurious signals and the self-jamming signals. The radio frequency processor is structured to receive wideband signals from a plurality of radiating elements, receive the interference signals from the sniffer circuit, execute a subtraction from the wideband signals based on the interference signals, and produce desired signals. The beamforming radio frequency integrated circuit is structured to receive the desired signals from the radio frequency processor, execute beamforming operations, and produce an output signal.