Cascaded Phase Shifters for RF Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beam steering systems for RF antennas are costly due to hardware-intensive architectures and suffer from low resolution and high power consumption, especially when implementing phase shifters in the RF frequency range.

Innovation Solution

A beam steering device with cascaded phase shifters providing uniform phase shifts to generate phase shifted signals, coupled with an array of antennas to steer RF radiation beams, and a mixer to translate signals to RF center frequency, allowing for efficient beam steering with improved resolution and reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If phase shifters are implemented in digital domain with dedicated DAC, filter and mixer per antenna, then resolution is improved, but cost and device complexity increase very high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase shift resolutionVSAvoidhardware architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple dedicated components (DAC, filter, mixer) into a shared architecture where a single DAC serves all phase shifters, and filters/mixers are共用 across multiple antenna channels. This consolidation maintains the required resolution while dramatically reducing hardware complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements universal components that serve multiple functions: a single DAC generates baseband signals for all phase shifters, and subsequent filtering/mixing operations are performed共用ly across multiple antenna channels rather than having dedicated units for each antenna.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If phase shifters are implemented in RF frequency range, then beam steering is achieved, but power consumption increases and loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steering capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs phase shifting operations in the baseband domain before upconversion to RF frequency. By completing the phase adjustment earlier in the signal chain at lower frequencies, the system achieves the required beam steering capability while avoiding the high power consumption and losses associated with RF-frequency phase shifters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical/RF-frequency phase shifting mechanisms with digital/baseband-domain phase manipulation. This substitution allows phase control to be achieved through signal processing in the baseband domain rather than through high-frequency RF components, significantly reducing power consumption and loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If phase shifters are implemented in RF frequency range, then beam steering is achieved, but resolution decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steering capabilityVSAvoidphase shift resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs phase shifting in the baseband domain before RF upconversion, where higher resolution is achievable. By completing the phase adjustment earlier in the signal chain at lower frequencies, the system maintains high resolution while achieving the required beam steering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces RF-frequency phase shifting with digital/baseband phase manipulation, enabling higher resolution phase control through precise digital signal processing rather than through high-frequency RF components that suffer from resolution limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables efficient beam steering with enhanced resolution and reduced power consumption, allowing for larger antenna arrays without sacrificing resolution, and provides at least twice the field of view advantage over conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

The mixers 130A-130N translates each phase shifted analog base band signals 123A-123N to the number of phase shifted versions of RF signals 134A-134N

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency mixing: Heterodyne

Implementation Method 2

multiple RF antennas arranged in specific pattern (antenna array) are employed that transmit the same RF signal... to form a desired beam pattern of the transmitted RF signal power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam forming: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS10284271B1Method, system and device for providing phase shifted signals to an array of antennas for beam steering

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 STERADIAN SEMICON PTE LTD

AI summary

A beam steering device comprising a set of phase shifters, each providing substantially same phase shift, connected such that output of one phase shifter feeds the input of other, in that a signal is cascaded through the set of phase shifters to generate a corresponding set of phase shifted signals, and an array of antennas forming the RF radiation beam. The set of phase shifted signals are coupled to the respective one of antenna in the array of antennas so as to steer the RF radiation beam in accordance with the phase shift. The device further comprises a set of mixer to translate the first set of phase shifted signals to a RF canter frequency.