Antenna Array Phase Shifter Controller for Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antenna arrays with densely packed elements face performance issues due to high side lobes and anomalies in radiation patterns caused by periodic phase modulation, leading to discrete beam positions and residual errors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-periodic phase modulation across an antenna array with a phase shifter controller and delay lines to provide a progressive phase delay to each radiating element, preventing the production of undesirable lobes in the radiation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If periodic phase modulation is applied to densely packed antenna elements, then beam steering capability is achieved, but high side lobes and grating lobes appear in radiation patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies non-periodic phase modulation instead of periodic phase modulation to break the symmetry that causes grating lobes. By using asymmetric phase distribution across the antenna elements, the radiation pattern achieves continuous beam positioning without discrete beam positions, eliminating high side lobes and grating lobes while maintaining beam steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase modulation parameter from periodic to non-periodic. This parameter change transforms the phase distribution across antenna elements, enabling continuous beam positioning control and eliminating the accumulation of residual errors that cause harmful lobes in periodic modulation schemes.
2Ease of operation
If periodic phase modulation with discrete beam positions is used, then beam steering is achieved, but residual errors accumulate causing inferior performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses non-periodic phase modulation to create asymmetric phase distribution across the antenna array. This asymmetric approach prevents the periodic repetition of phase patterns that cause residual errors to accumulate, thereby improving reliability and eliminating performance degradation while maintaining beam steering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using periodic phase modulation that creates discrete beam positions, the patent inverts the approach by using non-periodic phase modulation. This inversion eliminates the periodicity that causes residual error accumulation, achieving continuous beam positioning and superior performance without the harmful effects of periodic modulation.
3Ease of operation
If densely packed antenna elements are used, then beam steering capability is improved, but discrete beam positions and high side lobes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies non-periodic phase modulation to densely packed antenna elements to break the symmetry that causes discrete beam positions and high side lobes. By using asymmetric phase distribution, the system achieves continuous beam positioning control while maintaining the beam steering capability enabled by dense element packing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase modulation parameter from periodic to non-periodic, which transforms the radiation pattern characteristics. This parameter change eliminates discrete beam positions and high side lobes while preserving the enhanced beam steering capability provided by densely packed antenna 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 solution effectively steers the antenna beam in a desired direction while minimizing grating and high side lobes, resulting in improved radiation patterns with continuous beam positioning control.
Implementation Method 1
a phase shifter controller and algorithm to apply a non-periodic phase modulation to an excitation of each radiating element
Implementation Method 2
A delay line or other component to provide a progressive phase delay to each radiating element
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna system may include an antenna array which includes a plurality of radiating elements. The system may also include a phase shifter controller and algorithm to apply a non-periodic modulation to an excitation of each radiating element.