Coherent Near-Field Array for Millimeter-Wave Power Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional millimeter-wave systems for generating high-power beams are large, heavy, and costly, with significant power requirements and limited flexibility in adjusting the range for optimal power density, making them unsuitable for various applications, especially non-lethal directed-energy systems where precise power distribution is needed.
Innovation Solution
A coherent near-field array with a distributed arrangement of radiating or reflecting elements that create interference patterns to achieve high power density peaks within a target area, reducing the total radiated power and system size while allowing for adjustable beam steering and phase control to optimize coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional single vacuum-electron device sources are used to generate high-power millimeter-wave beams, then power output is improved, but system size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single high-power source into multiple lower-power solid-state amplifier units arranged in an array. Each element contains its own power amplifier, and the combined output of multiple elements achieves the required total power level without needing a single large vacuum-electron device, thereby reducing system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple solid-state amplifier elements through coherent beam combining. By controlling the phase and amplitude of each element's output, the individual beams are merged constructively to produce a single high-power beam equivalent to what would require a much heavier single-source system.
2Power
If waveguide or microstrip power combining techniques are used at millimeter-wave frequencies, then power combining is achieved, but excessive losses occur in the waveguide and microstrip medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses free space as an intermediary medium for power combining instead of waveguides or microstrip lines. The amplifiers feed into a reflect array where power combining occurs through free-space electromagnetic wave interference, eliminating the excessive losses associated with millimeter-wave propagation through solid dielectric media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical waveguide/microstrip power combining system with an optical/free-space electromagnetic field-based combining system. This substitution eliminates the losses inherent in guiding structures at millimeter-wave frequencies by using direct free-space wave propagation and interference for power combination.
3Power
If multiple parallel amplifier columns are used in the array, then power output is increased, but current requirements increase to thousands of amps requiring high current cabling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electronic phase and amplitude control of each array element to dynamically adjust the beam formation and power distribution. This dynamic control allows the system to achieve high power output through constructive interference of multiple lower-current signals rather than requiring high current through all elements simultaneously, reducing cabling complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional arrays with fixed beam patterns are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in adjusting range for optimal power density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering by electronically controlling the phase and amplitude of each array element. This allows the beam pattern to be adjusted in real-time to optimize power density at different ranges and target locations without mechanical movement, providing adaptability while maintaining a fixed physical array structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of each array element to adjust the beam characteristics. By varying these parameters, the system can optimize power density distribution across different ranges and target areas, achieving flexibility through parameter control rather than physical reconfiguration.
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
This approach enables efficient generation of high-power millimeter-wave energy with reduced size, weight, and cost, allowing for flexible power distribution and installation on platforms that cannot support conventional systems, while maintaining effective coverage and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A coherent near-field array with a distributed arrangement of radiating or reflecting elements that create interference patterns to achieve high power density peaks within a target area
Data Source
AI summary
A coherent near-field array. The array consists of a number of high-gain elements, each of which directs its beam at the desired target area (either mechanically or electronically). Each element is coherently fed, so that the phase relationships between different feeds are constant or slowly varying. The elements in the array may be spaced many wavelengths apart. The array relies on interference to generate a number of power density peaks within the target area.