Aperiodic Phased Array Antenna Single Bit Phase Shifter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array antennas for satellite communications face challenges in generating polarization that depends on satellite-terminal position and scanning beams for arbitrary azimuth, often requiring expensive and complex microwave electronic circuits with multiple phase shifters, which can be cumbersome and prone to mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates aperiodic phased array antennas with single-bit phase shifters and dual linearly polarized radiating elements, where each radiating cell has a switch and phase shifter connected to two ports with a phase delay difference, allowing for rotation and reduced component complexity, enabling efficient beam scanning and polarization control with coarse phase controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multi-bit phase shifters (4, 5, or 6 bits) are used in conventional phased arrays, then beam scanning and polarization control performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The phase control function is segmented between the radiating element structure itself and a simple 1-bit phase shifter. The radiating element is divided into multiple ports with inherent phase delays, while the phase shifter only provides coarse 1-bit control, collectively achieving fine phase control without complex circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to phase control by using multiple ports on radiating elements with different physical orientations and inherent phase delays. This spatial arrangement complements the temporal phase control of the 1-bit phase shifter, achieving multi-dimensional phase control that replaces complex multi-bit electronic control
2Device complexity
If simpler phase controls with fewer bits are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but phase control precision deteriorates with more coarse control
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating elements are designed with asymmetric multi-port structures where each port has a specific inherent phase delay relative to others. This asymmetric design allows the simple 1-bit phase shifter to work in conjunction with the fixed phase differences between ports, achieving fine phase control resolution that would otherwise require many more bits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from electronic parameter control (multi-bit phase shifters) to structural parameter design (multi-port radiating elements with specific phase delays). By pre-designing the phase characteristics into the radiating element structure, the system achieves fine phase control with minimal electronic control complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional phased arrays with multiple phase shifters are used, then beam scanning and polarization control capability is improved, but the number of components and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-port radiating elements serve multiple functions: they provide inherent phase delays for phase control, offer different polarization orientations for polarization diversity, and enable beam scanning when combined with the 1-bit phase shifters. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require separate components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the phase control function and polarization control function into a single integrated radiating element structure with multiple ports. Each port combines specific phase characteristics with specific polarization orientation, allowing both functions to be achieved with minimal components
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna array can include multiple radiating cells, each comprising a radiating element and a phase shifter. Further, each radiating element can comprise a first radiating element port and a second radiating element port. Each of the radiating cells can be configured to selectively connect the phase shifter to one of the radiating element ports. Each of the radiating cells can further comprise a phase delay difference between the signal paths associated with the radiating element ports. Further, the radiating cells can have physical polarization orientations that can be different from at least one other radiating cell.