Active Phased Array Antenna with Independent Polarization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phased array antennas are limited by high costs, complexity, and inefficiencies due to the use of expensive GaAs components, which are frequency-sensitive, physically large, and result in significant RF losses, making them unsuitable for commercial applications, especially in mobile and satellite communication systems that require multiple frequency bands and polarization agility.

Innovation Solution

An active phased array architecture replaces traditional distributed and GaAs components with monolithic active vector generators, power splitters, and RF hybrids, enabling electronically steerable beams with independent polarization control and operation over multiple frequency bands, using silicon germanium (SiGe) or other materials to reduce size, cost, and RF losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional GaAs components are used in phased array antennas, then polarization control and beam steering capability are achieved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization control capabilityVSAvoidcomponent integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple GaAs components (phase shifters, power splitters, power combiners, quadrature hybrids) into a single integrated active phased array module. This merging reduces the number of discrete components, simplifies the overall architecture, and maintains full polarization control capability while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated active phased array module performs multiple functions simultaneously: beam steering, polarization control, signal amplification, and phase adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If GaAs components are used for full electronic steering capability, then beam steering and polarization tracking are achieved, but RF losses increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic steering capabilityVSAvoidRF signal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical or distributed RF components with active electronic components that can be integrated on a single chip. This substitution enables full electronic steering without the RF losses associated with traditional distributed GaAs components, as the active components can amplify signals rather than merely pass them through.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If distributed GaAs components are used at every element, then beam forming and steering are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases prohibitively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam forming capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple GaAs components into a single integrated module that can be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication processes. This approach eliminates the need for costly assembly of multiple discrete GaAs components at each antenna element, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining beam forming capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing approach from assembling discrete high-cost GaAs components to fabricating integrated active phased array modules using standard semiconductor processes. This parameter change in the manufacturing method dramatically reduces cost while preserving the reliability of beam forming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional phased array architecture is used, then polarization control is achieved, but physical size and profile increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization agilityVSAvoidantenna profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines all polarization control components (phase shifters, power splitters, combiners, hybrids) into a single integrated module at each antenna element. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components that would increase the antenna's physical profile, while maintaining full polarization control capability for tracking satellite position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10305199B2Multi-beam active phased array architecture with independent polarization control

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 VIASAT INC

AI summary

In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.