Beamforming Antenna Sub-Array Chains for Flexible Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a hardware system for phased-array antennas that can robustly and flexibly process signals for satellite communications is challenging due to limitations in tree structure configurations, which restricts flexibility and reliability, especially with limited SERDES ports and vulnerability to single node failures.
Innovation Solution
A beamforming antenna device with a distributed sub-array network that uses a hybrid structure of tree and chain configurations, allowing flexible data path configuration, reducing the number of input/output ports, and providing a bypass path to enhance reliability by cascading sub-arrays and utilizing switch units for controlling electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a tree structure configuration is used for phased-array antenna signal processing, then the system can process signals through hierarchical aggregation, but the flexibility and reliability are restricted due to limited SERDES ports and vulnerability to single node failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the phased-array antenna system into multiple independent sub-arrays, where each sub-array can be configured in different topological structures (tree, chain, mesh). This segmentation allows each sub-array to operate independently, reducing the impact of single node failures and improving overall system reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability where sub-arrays can switch between different operational modes and topological structures based on system requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its signal processing path, enhancing flexibility in port utilization and reliability through alternative signal paths when nodes fail
2Device complexity
If a tree structure configuration is used for phased-array antenna signal processing, then hierarchical aggregation can be achieved, but the flexibility is restricted due to limited SERDES ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability where sub-arrays can switch between different operational modes and topological structures based on system requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its signal processing path, enhancing flexibility in port utilization and reliability through alternative signal paths when nodes fail
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs sub-arrays with multi-functional capabilities, where each sub-array can operate in multiple topological configurations (tree, chain, mesh) and can serve different functional roles. This universality allows the same hardware structure to adapt to different signal processing requirements, maximizing the utilization of limited SERDES ports while maintaining configuration flexibility
3Quantity of substance
If the size of the phased-array is increased, then the coverage and signal processing capability are improved, but the device complexity and port requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large phased-array systems into multiple smaller sub-arrays, each with manageable complexity. This segmentation allows the system to scale to large numbers of antenna elements while maintaining low complexity within each sub-array unit, as each can be independently configured and processed without requiring proportional increases in overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested hierarchical structure where sub-arrays are grouped into larger arrays, with each level of hierarchy managing a subset of elements. This nesting allows scalable deployment where small sub-arrays can be cascaded to form larger systems, and the modular nature enables incremental expansion without proportionally increasing the complexity of individual processing units
4Quantity of substance
If the number of SERDES ports is limited, then the hardware resource consumption is reduced, but the configuration flexibility and extensibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability where sub-arrays can switch between different operational modes and topological structures based on system requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its signal processing path, enhancing flexibility in port utilization and reliability through alternative signal paths when nodes fail
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the phased-array antenna system into multiple independent sub-arrays, where each sub-array can be configured in different topological structures (tree, chain, mesh). This segmentation allows each sub-array to operate independently, reducing the impact of single node failures and improving overall system reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a beamforming antenna device and a method for operating a beamforming antenna device. The beamforming antenna device includes a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of sub-arrays. The plurality of sub-arrays are coupled to the plurality of antenna elements. Each of the sub-arrays is coupled to its adjacent sub-arrays of the plurality of sub-arrays, and at least a portion of the plurality of sub-arrays form a sub-array chain.