Aperiodic Active Discrete Lens Antenna Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multibeam antennas for satellite applications face challenges such as high cost, complexity, and weight due to the need for large electric dimensions, complex beam-forming networks, and significant power losses in passive lens antennas, which affect signal-to-noise ratio and lead to spillover losses.
Innovation Solution
An active discrete lens multibeam antenna with aperiodic radiating elements and power amplifiers is designed, where the spacing of elements on the front array is used to achieve 'density tapering' and reduce the number of radiating elements, thereby reducing the antenna's volume, mass, and cost, while maintaining radiative performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional passive lens antennas are used, then the antenna structure is simpler, but significant power losses occur reducing signal-to-noise ratio and causing spillover losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static passive lens to a dynamic active lens system where amplifiers are strategically placed at the back array to dynamically compensate for power losses and spillover effects, adapting the signal amplification based on position and required beam formation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the lens elements from passive transmission to active amplification, transforming the system's energy characteristics to overcome inherent losses while maintaining the discrete lens architecture
2Reliability
If a large number of radiating elements are used in both front and back arrays, then radiative performance is improved, but the antenna volume, mass, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes elements from the front array, demonstrating that the back array alone can provide sufficient radiative performance when properly designed and amplified, thereby reducing overall system mass and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by using only the back array for active radiation elements, which is sufficient to achieve the required radiative performance when combined with proper amplification, rather than requiring complete symmetry between front and back arrays
3Ease of manufacture
If equispaced elements are used in the front array, then manufacturing is simplified, but the number of radiating elements must be large to achieve proper edge tapering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the element spacing of the front array, using non-uniform spacing to achieve proper edge tapering and radiation patterns without requiring a large number of elements, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining manufacturability
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 aperiodic active lens antenna achieves improved radiative performance, reduced volume and mass, and lower complexity, with a 25-50% reduction in the number of radiating elements, and enhanced edge taper, leading to better radiation patterns and reduced spillover losses.
Implementation Method 1
a set of power amplifiers for amplifying signals transmitted through said connections
Implementation Method 2
the whole structure behaves like a converging lens
Implementation Method 3
the field generated by each feed is converted by the lens into a directive beam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A multibeam antenna comprising: a plurality of primary radiating elements (1), each associated to a respective beam; and an active radiating structure comprising a first planar array of radiating elements (2), a second planar array composed by a same number of radiating elements (3), a set of connections (5) between each radiating element of the first planar array and one corresponding element of the second planar array, and a set of power amplifiers (9) for amplifying signals transmitted through said connections; wherein: the relative positions of the radiating elements of the first and second planar arrays and phase delays introduced by said connections are such that the radiating structure forms an active discrete converging lens; and said primary radiating elements are clustered on a focal surface (G) of said lens, facing the first planar array; characterized in that said first and second planar arrays are both aperiodic. A method of manufacturing such an antenna.