Antenna Device Lens Array Feeder Beamforming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna devices for high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) lack the ability to improve the degree of freedom in designing wavefronts, particularly in combinations of lens antennas and array feeders or receivers, which limits their efficiency and flexibility in beamforming.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an array feeder or receiver with a lens or reflector, where antenna elements are excited or weighted with complex amplitudes to refract or reflect electromagnetic waves as plane waves in desired directions, enabling beam shaping and improved aperture efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If an aperture antenna is used to form a large aperture plane for high gain, then antenna gain is improved, but mechanical driving is required to change direction which increases power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna gainVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical driving system of aperture antennas with an electronic beamforming system. An array feeder with multiple antenna elements electronically controls beam direction through phase and amplitude adjustment, eliminating the need for mechanical movement while maintaining high gain capabilities through coherent signal combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the aperture into multiple discrete antenna elements arranged in an array. Each element is fed with independently controllable signals, allowing the aperture to be segmented into functional units that can be electronically steered without mechanical movement of the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If a phased array antenna is used to control beam direction electronically, then mechanical driving is eliminated reducing power consumption, but many antenna elements are required to form a high gain antenna which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnumber of antenna elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges a lens antenna system with an array feeder system to achieve both electronic beam control and high gain. The lens provides signal focusing and amplification, reducing the number of antenna elements needed compared to a pure phased array, while the array feeder maintains electronic steering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a hybrid system that combines the high-gain focusing capability of lens antennas with the electronic beam steering capability of phased arrays. This multi-functional system achieves both functions with fewer elements than a pure phased array would require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a lens antenna is combined with an electronically controllable array feeder, then mechanical driving is suppressed reducing power consumption, but the degree of freedom in designing wavefronts is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddegree of freedom in designing wavefronts

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to the lens antenna system by combining it with an array feeder that can electronically adjust beam parameters in real-time. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt wavefront designs for different operational scenarios without mechanical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes in the wavefront design through electronic control of the array feeder. By adjusting phase and amplitude parameters of individual antenna elements, the system can optimize beam patterns, side lobe levels, and coverage areas while maintaining the lens's focusing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances the degree of freedom in designing wavefronts, improving aperture efficiency and suppressing radiation or incidence outside the lens or reflector, allowing for more effective beamforming and antenna gain while reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a lens that refracts the electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a reflector that reflects the electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20230208028A1Antenna device, beamforming method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for performing beamforming

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

An antenna device includes: an array feeder including antenna elements that are arrayed, the antenna elements being configured to radiate electromagnetic waves; and a lens that refracts the electromagnetic waves. The array feeder is configured to excite the antenna elements with complex excitation amplitudes at which the electromagnetic waves after being refracted by the lens travel as a plane wave in a desired direction, each of the antenna elements being excited with a corresponding one of the complex excitation amplitudes.