Antenna Array Angle of Arrival Measurement Using Segmented Pairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the angle of arrival (AoA) of radio-frequency waves using antenna arrays are limited in accuracy and require large, directional antennas or complex rotations, which increase size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using four antenna elements with different spacings and orientations to compute difference signals from pairs of antenna elements, allowing for high accuracy AoA determination in both horizontal and vertical planes by calculating ratios of sum and difference signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large directional antennas or complex rotations are used to improve AoA measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into multiple pairs of antenna elements with different spacings and orientations. Each pair independently processes signals to determine AoA in specific planes, segmenting the complex measurement task into simpler sub-tasks that can be handled with smaller, less complex antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using large directional antennas requiring mechanical rotation to a multi-dimensional antenna element arrangement in fixed positions. By utilizing multiple spatial dimensions (different spacings D1, D2 and orientations) simultaneously, the system achieves accurate AoA measurement without mechanical movement or large single-element antennas.
2Measurement precision
If the distance between antennas is increased to improve directionality and reduce beam width, then measurement precision improves, but the size of the antenna array increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large antenna array, the patent segments the array into multiple pairs of smaller antenna elements with different spacings. This allows the system to achieve narrow beam width and high directionality through signal processing of multiple smaller units rather than requiring a single large array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the measurements from multiple antenna pairs with different spacings and orientations to achieve the directional precision that would otherwise require a much larger single array. By merging the information from multiple smaller elements, the system achieves high beam width precision without proportionally increasing overall array size.
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 approach provides accurate AoA measurements with smaller antennas and reduced complexity, achieving high precision in determining directional angles of radio-frequency waves with improved accuracy and reduced size requirements.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a first output signal E from a first antenna element, receiving a second output signal F from a second antenna element
Data Source
AI summary
A method and receiver for determination of angle of arrival in one or two planes of a beam received at an antenna array comprising at least two pairs of antenna elements are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes computing a pair of difference signals, each difference signal being computed from signals from a different one of the at least two pairs of antenna elements. The method further includes determining a directional angle of arrival of the beam in one plane based on the pair of difference signals.