Sparse-Activation Antenna Pixels for Accurate Waveguide Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subwavelength antenna element arrays experience significant cross-coupling issues that lead to inaccuracies in beamforming patterns and simulations, making it difficult to achieve precise beamforming and steering.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna system with phase-adjustable antenna elements connected to waveguides, utilizing a controller to selectively activate and tune individual elements to approximate target phase values, thereby minimizing cross-coupling and enhancing beamforming accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If subwavelength antenna element spacings are used, then antenna array size is reduced, but cross-coupling between elements increases causing beamforming inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple antenna pixels, each containing multiple antenna elements. This segmentation allows subwavelength spacing within pixels while maintaining larger effective spacing between pixels, reducing cross-coupling. Each pixel operates as an independent unit with controlled phase distribution, enabling precise beamforming despite compact overall array size.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna array (different pixels) are assigned different phase values and activation states. This local quality variation enables precise control of beamforming patterns while managing cross-coupling effects. The phase-adjustable elements within each pixel provide localized phase control to compensate for spacing-related coupling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna elements are activated in each antenna pixel, then beamforming flexibility increases, but cross-coupling between elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system dynamically adjusts which elements within each pixel are activated based on the desired beamforming pattern. This dynamic activation strategy allows the system to optimize between flexibility and cross-coupling by selectively enabling elements rather than continuously activating all elements, adapting to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase values of antenna elements are dynamically adjusted to achieve desired beamforming patterns. By changing phase parameters and selectively activating elements, the system maintains beamforming flexibility while managing cross-coupling through optimized phase distribution and element selection.
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 system achieves precise beamforming and steering capabilities by optimizing phase and amplitude adjustments of antenna elements, reducing cross-coupling and improving beamforming accuracy and precision.
Implementation Method 1
Each antenna pixel may include at least two antenna elements, each having a distinct phase advance. The waveguide of each antenna pixel may have a relative permittivity that provides a target phase advance across the length of the waveguide.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein include a two-dimensional antenna array of antenna pixels having length and width dimensions of less than one-half of an operational wavelength. In various examples, each antenna pixel comprises a fixed number of phase-adjustable antenna elements. The antenna elements of each antenna pixel may be coupled to the waveguide with interelement spacings selected to associate each antenna element with a distinct phase advance value. A controller identifies a target phase value for each antenna pixel that corresponds to a target beamform for the two-dimensional antenna. A controller activates and adjusts a phase response of one of the antenna elements in each antenna pixel, such that the phase advance value associate with the activated antenna element and the adjusted phase response combine to attain the target phase value for the antenna pixel as a whole.