Wide Band Antenna Array Platform Azimuth Elevation Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide band antenna arrays face challenges in accurately estimating direction in two dimensions due to the ambiguity problem and the requirement for closely spaced antenna elements, which is not feasible given the size constraints of the elements, and existing solutions do not provide high accuracy in both azimuth and elevation angles across a wide frequency band.
Innovation Solution
An antenna array platform with a bottom plate, magnet for attachment, a box with angling holes and screws for adjustable positioning, and antenna slots allowing for accurate estimation of azimuth and elevation angles without mechanical adaptations, enabling antenna placement at distances greater than half the wavelength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna elements are placed at intervals of half wavelength to avoid ambiguity, then direction finding accuracy is improved, but the antenna array size becomes excessively large requiring too many antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple sub-arrays with different spacing configurations. Each sub-array processes signals independently and results are combined through coherent integration, allowing accurate direction finding without requiring all elements to be spaced at half-wavelength intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear array analysis to two-dimensional spatial spectrum analysis. By examining the spatial frequency domain in multiple dimensions, the system resolves ambiguities that would otherwise require excessive physical spacing between elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If antenna elements are placed at intervals greater than half wavelength due to element size constraints, then ease of manufacture is improved, but direction finding accuracy deteriorates due to ambiguity problem
Solution Approach 1:
Signal processing algorithms act as intermediaries between the physically constrained antenna elements and the direction finding objective. The algorithms compensate for the suboptimal spacing by applying ambiguity resolution techniques and spatial spectrum analysis to recover accurate direction information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the processing parameters rather than physical parameters. By adjusting signal processing techniques such as beamforming weights, spatial filtering, and spectral estimation methods, the system achieves accurate direction finding despite fixed antenna spacing that cannot be optimized to half-wavelength intervals.
3Measurement precision
If more antennas are used to achieve required accuracy with half-wavelength spacing, then direction finding accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each antenna element is designed to serve multiple functions: it participates in multiple sub-arrays, contributes to multiple direction finding operations across different frequency bands, and supports both azimuth and elevation angle estimation. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of elements needed compared to dedicated single-purpose elements.
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
The platform achieves high accuracy in direction estimation in two dimensions across a wide frequency band without ambiguity, accommodating larger antenna element sizes and reducing the need for numerous antennas, while allowing for flexible positioning through a magnetic attachment and adjustable lifting mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnet (3) preferably located on the bottom side of the bottom plate (2), which provides the bottom plate (2) to be attached to suitable platforms made of a material that can be attracted by magnetic field force
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an antenna array platform (1) which provides performing the estimation of the direction in a wide frequency band without ambiguity in azimuth and elevation angles, using an antenna array having different antenna distances which are longer than the half of the wavelength, essentially comprising, at least one bottom plate (2), at least one magnet (3) preferably located on the bottom side of the bottom plate (2), which provides the bottom plate (2) to be attached to suitable platforms made of a material that can be attracted by magnetic field force without the need for any mechanical adaptations, at least one box (4) located on the bottom plate (2),at least one lid (5) covering the upper part of the box (4), a number of antenna hubs (6) equal to the number of antennas to be used, made in the lid (5),at least one plate (8) that provides support so that the box (4) stays at a required position, at least one screw (9) positioned on at least one side of the plate (8) and entering the angling hole (7) that corresponds to the required angle, providing the plate (8) stays fixed.