Beamforming Module Segmentation for Low Noise Figure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beam forming systems in satellite communication suffer from degraded performance characteristics such as high noise figure and susceptibility to input-to-output coupling due to the integration of low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and power amplifiers (PAs) in single chip solutions, leading to increased noise and signal interference.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a phased array antenna panel with separate amplifier circuits and beamformer circuits, where amplifiers are placed adjacent to antenna elements to minimize loss, and external filters are used to reject unwanted signals, providing higher isolation and reducing gain and phase errors, suitable for high-isolation and low noise figure systems across various frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and power amplifiers (PAs) are combined into a single chip solution, then device complexity is reduced, but noise figure performance is degraded due to loss from the feeding network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beamforming system into separate functional modules: amplifier circuits (LNAs/PAs) mounted adjacent to antenna elements, and beamformer circuits mounted separately on the antenna panel. This segmentation eliminates the feeding network loss that degrades noise figure in single-chip solutions, while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary feeding network with minimized loss characteristics to connect the amplifier circuits directly to antenna elements, and separate beamformer circuits to process the signals. This intermediary structure isolates the noise-sensitive LNA stages from the beamforming processing, preserving noise figure performance.
2Reliability
If amplifiers are integrated close to antenna elements, then noise figure is improved, but susceptibility to input-to-output coupling and external signal jams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RF signal path into distinct functional blocks with physical separation: amplifier circuits adjacent to antenna elements, beamformer circuits mounted separately on the panel, and external filter circuits positioned to provide isolation. This segmentation creates spatial separation that reduces input-to-output coupling while maintaining low noise figure through close amplifier-to-antenna connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external filter circuits as intermediary components between the amplifier circuits and beamformer circuits. These filters act as mediators that reject unwanted signals and external jams while allowing desired signals to pass, thereby protecting the sensitive amplifier stages from harmful interference.
3Reliability
If separate amplifier circuits and beamformer circuits are used, then isolation is improved and noise figure is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by mounting amplifier circuits adjacent to antenna elements and beamformer circuits separately on the antenna panel, with defined connection relationships. This segmentation improves isolation between transmit and receive paths while maintaining relatively simple circuit configurations through standardized modular connections.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a phased array antenna panel, a plurality of amplifier circuits, and a plurality of beamformer circuits. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements. Each of the amplifier circuits is mounted on the phased array antenna panel adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of antenna elements and each of the amplifier circuits has one or more first ports directly coupled to the respective antenna element. Each of the beamformer circuits is mounted on the phased array antenna panel adjacent to a number of the amplifier circuits. Each of the beamformer circuits has one or more second ports directly coupled to each of the adjacent amplifier circuits. Each of the beamformer circuits is generally configured to exchange a plurality of radio-frequency signals with each of the adjacent amplifier circuits via the second ports.