Asymmetric Phased Array Aperture Element Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wideband multi-function phased array antennas require a large number of radiating elements to avoid grating lobes, leading to complexity and high cost, especially when trying to accommodate multiple frequency bands like C, Ku, X, K, L, and S bands for satellite communication, which is impractical with existing frequency scaling methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of frequency scaled radiating elements with asymmetrically dispersed inter-element spacings across a large aperture, where the core has the smallest spacing and outer regions have larger spacings, reducing the total number of elements needed while maintaining grating lobe-free operation across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform inter-element spacing is used across the entire aperture to avoid grating lobes at the highest frequency, then grating lobe-free operation is achieved, but the number of radiating elements becomes prohibitively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different inter-element spacings to different regions of the aperture based on their frequency requirements. The core region uses smaller spacing (7.1mm) for high-frequency operations, while outer regions use larger spacing for lower frequencies. This local differentiation allows each region to operate optimally without requiring the entire aperture to use the most restrictive spacing, thereby reducing the total number of elements from approximately 510,000 to 116,110.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture is divided into distinct frequency-scaled regions (core and outer regions) with different inter-element spacings. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region for its intended frequency band, avoiding the need to use uniform minimum spacing across the entire aperture.
2Quantity of substance
If frequency scaled arrays are used to reduce the number of elements, then the number of radiating elements is reduced, but the array is limited to symmetric and/or square configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric dispersion of frequency-scaled apertures within the overall aperture, breaking the symmetry limitation of conventional frequency-scaled arrays. This asymmetric arrangement allows the array to be configured for specific satellite communication functions while maintaining the element reduction benefits of frequency scaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges frequency-scaled apertures in a three-dimensional spatial configuration within the overall aperture, utilizing asymmetric positioning in both x and y directions. This dimensional approach enables flexible array configurations that are not constrained to symmetric or square geometries.
Data Source
AI summary
A wideband multi-function phased array antenna aperture includes a plurality of low and high frequency phased array apertures that are asymmetrically dispersed over a largest aperture. Each aperture of the plurality of low and high frequency phased array apertures includes a plurality of frequency scaled radiating elements. The antenna aperture consolidates many functions into a single wideband multi-function phased array antenna where the use of frequency scaled elements reduces the total number of elements needed, thereby reducing the size, weight, power, cost and radar cross section when compared to conventional wideband phased array architectures.