Active Radiating Feed Structure for Millimeter Wave Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless systems and radar technologies face challenges in achieving the required scan speed, scan angle, long-range capabilities, and phase shifting at millimeter wave frequencies, particularly in advanced sensing and detection applications such as autonomous vehicles and 5G communications.
Innovation Solution
An active radiating and feed structure with a dynamically controllable, highly-directive RF beam capability, utilizing a feed coupling structure, transmission array structure, and radiating array structure with impedance matching and phase control elements, enabling smart beam steering and beam forming, and incorporating a reactance control mechanism for phase shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional antenna systems are used for millimeter wave applications, then the system structure is simple, but the scan speed and phase shifting capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independently controllable radiating elements arranged in an array configuration. Each element can be individually phase-controlled through feed networks, enabling parallel beam steering operations that achieve fast scan speeds while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable phase shifters and amplitude controllers in the feed network that can rapidly change beam directions and focal points. This dynamic control capability enables real-time beam steering without mechanical movement, achieving high scan speeds through electronic phase modulation of individual radiating elements
2Measurement precision
If conventional radar systems are used for long-range detection, then the system is reliable, but the directivity and beam forming capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The feed network provides localized amplitude and phase control to specific radiating elements based on their positional requirements for desired beam patterns. Impedance matching elements are strategically placed at individual element feeds to optimize local radiation efficiency, while phase shifters provide localized phase adjustment for precise beam direction control without requiring complex global system modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The radiating element array structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides omnidirectional coverage when elements are uniformly excited, enables highly directional beam forming through phase-controlled excitation, and supports electronic scanning by dynamically adjusting phase distributions. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision for beam direction while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems
3Reliability
If millimeter wave frequencies are used for advanced sensing, then the detection capability is improved, but the phase shifting and scan angle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a three-dimensional array configuration of radiating elements with controlled spacing and geometric arrangements. This spatial dimensionality enables independent control of elevation and azimuth beam directions through distinct phase progression patterns across different element subsets, achieving wide scan angle coverage and adaptive beam steering capabilities at millimeter wave frequencies through multi-dimensional phase control
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 solution enhances the speed and flexibility of antenna systems, expands performance, and provides a 360° Field-of-View for long-range target detection, even in challenging conditions like thick fog, while reducing complexity and processing time.
Implementation Method 1
a radiating array structure positioned proximate the superelements. The radiating array structure includes a lattice of unit cell radiating elements
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to a radiating structure. The radiating structure has a transmission array structure having a plurality of transmission paths with each transmission path having a plurality of slots and a pair of adjacent transmission paths forming a superelement. Each superelement has a phase control module to control a phase of a transmission signal. The radiating structure also includes a radiating array structure having a plurality of radiating elements configured in a lattice, with each radiating element corresponding to at least one slot from the plurality of slots and the radiating array structure positioned proximate the transmission array structure. A feed coupling structure is coupled to the transmission array structure and adapted for propagation of a transmission signal to the transmission array structure. The transmission signal is radiated through at least one superelement and at least one of the plurality of radiating elements and has a phase controlled by the phase control module in the at least one superelement.