Bidirectional Beam-Steering Antenna for Wider Angular Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frequency-scanned array antennas have limited angular coverage, restricting radar applications, especially those requiring surveillance of the frontal region, and existing workarounds like using circulators are impractical due to size and cost constraints.
Innovation Solution
A beam-steering antenna system that excites the antenna array from both sides using a power amplifier and a delay line, eliminating the need for circulators, allowing for compact and cost-effective implementation in solid-state electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If serpentine feeding is used to increase line lengths in between radiators, then angular coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line is divided into two separate lines, each feeding a portion of the antenna array from opposite ends. This segmentation allows each line to be simpler in configuration while collectively providing extended angular coverage when both are operated together.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding approach transitions from a single-dimensional serpentine path to a two-dimensional bidirectional feeding structure, where signals are injected from both ends of the array simultaneously, effectively doubling the accessible angular range without requiring excessively long transmission paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two frequency-scanned antenna arrays are used to increase angular coverage, then angular coverage is improved, but cost and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single antenna array is designed to perform multiple functions by being feedable from both ends. The same physical array structure serves dual purposes: it can be excited from the first end for one angular range and from the second end for another angular range, eliminating the need for duplicate arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
Two feeding paths are merged into a single antenna array structure. Instead of deploying two separate arrays, the invention combines bidirectional feeding capabilities within one array, reducing component quantity while maintaining extended angular coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If circulators are used to excite the antenna array from both sides, then angular coverage is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator component is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using circulators to manage bidirectional feeding, the invention directly feeds the transmission lines from both ends, eliminating the need for these bulky non-reciprocal devices and their associated ferrite components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/ferrite-based circulator system is replaced with an electronic direct-feeding approach. The complex magnetic field-based signal routing of circulators is substituted with simple transmission line connections, enabling solid-state integration and compact size.
4Adaptability or versatility
If circulators are used to excite the antenna array from both sides, then angular coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive ferrite-based circulator components are replaced with inexpensive transmission line structures and standard antenna elements. The solution uses readily available, cost-effective materials and components that can be manufactured using conventional PCB and antenna fabrication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical and magnetic assembly of circulators is replaced with planar transmission line structures that can be fabricated using standard printed circuit board processes, dramatically reducing manufacturing cost and enabling mass production.
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 system effectively doubles the angular coverage of the antenna beam without the bulkiness of circulators, enabling practical and cost-effective radar applications with enhanced scanning capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the delay line is a true-time-delay line further configured to delay the reflection signal for one time period of the input signal
Implementation Method 2
a delay line coupled to the second end of the transmission line configured to reflect a portion of the input signal into the transmission line, thereby providing a reflection signal during a second operating period
Data Source
AI summary
A beam-steering antenna system for improving the angular coverage comprises a transmission line comprising a first end and a second end. The antenna system further comprises a plurality of antenna elements selectively coupled to the transmission line for selectively coupling energy within the transmission line to the plurality of antenna elements. Furthermore, the antenna system comprises a power amplifier coupled to the first end of the transmission line configured to couple-in an input signal into the transmission line during a first operating period. Moreover, the antenna system comprises a delay line coupled to the second end of the transmission line configured to reflect a portion of the input signal into the transmission line, thereby providing a reflection signal during a second operating period.