Antenna Array Power Tracking With Spatial Window Bias Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems using phased array antennas face challenges with power efficiency and non-uniform non-linear distortion across elements, leading to degraded system performance and increased power dissipation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adjusting the transmitted power of each power amplifier in an antenna array using a spatial window, and biasing the power amplifiers to handle a maximum power equal to or greater than the transmitted power, ensuring efficient power handling and reduced power dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If amplitude tapering is used to reduce side-lobe levels, then side-lobe suppression is improved, but total transmitted power and EIRP are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different power levels to different spatial regions of the antenna array by dividing it into multiple sub-arrays. Each sub-array transmits at a locally optimized power level, allowing side-lobe suppression in specific directions while maintaining high power transmission in main beam directions. This resolves the contradiction by making power distribution non-uniform and direction-dependent rather than applying uniform tapering across all elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the power transmission levels of different sub-arrays based on real-time channel conditions, interference patterns, and beamforming requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the trade-off between side-lobe suppression and total transmitted power on a per-sub-array basis, rather than using static amplitude tapering that reduces overall power.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If amplitude tapering is used to reduce side-lobe levels, then side-lobe suppression is improved, but main lobe gain is reduced due to broadening
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple independent sub-arrays that can be controlled separately. Each sub-array can apply different amplitude and phase weights, allowing independent optimization of side-lobe suppression and main lobe gain for different spatial regions. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of low side-lobes and high main-lobe gain by coordinating the radiation patterns of individual sub-arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sub-arrays apply different local radiation characteristics optimized for their specific spatial positions and coverage requirements. Edge sub-arrays may apply stronger tapering for side-lobe control, while central sub-arrays maintain higher gain, achieving overall system optimization without uniform compromise across all elements.
3Reliability
If power amplifiers operate as class B or class AB with fixed bias, then continuous operation is maintained, but power dissipation increases drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the bias points and power levels of individual power amplifiers based on real-time transmission requirements, channel conditions, and power efficiency targets. This allows PAs to operate at optimal efficiency points rather than fixed bias conditions, reducing power dissipation while maintaining reliable operation through adaptive control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of power amplifiers including bias voltage, current, and power level based on transmission needs. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed class B or class AB bias, the system achieves significant power dissipation reduction while maintaining continuous and reliable operation through adaptive parameter optimization.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If elements at array edges transmit less power than center elements, then side-lobe levels are reduced, but power amplifier efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The array is divided into sub-arrays where edge sub-arrays can transmit at optimized power levels independent of center sub-arrays. This allows edge elements to contribute effectively to side-lobe suppression without forcing their power amplifiers to operate inefficiently at very low power levels, as each sub-array's power level is optimized for its specific role in the overall beamforming pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sub-array, including edge sub-arrays, operates with locally optimized power levels and efficiency targets. Rather than uniformly reducing edge element power to minimize side-lobes, the system applies local quality principles where edge sub-arrays maintain appropriate power levels for their spatial contribution, achieving side-lobe control through coordinated phase and amplitude weighting rather than单纯 power reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices addressing power tracking of transmission systems using antenna arrays are disclosed. The disclosed teachings may be implemented on a channel element to channel element basis, are adaptive and can be implemented on short time durations such as time slots. Power efficiency can be improved when applying the described methods to the design of systems with antenna arrays.