Common Antenna Array with Baseband Adaptive Beamforming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surveillance aircraft require multiple antennas for various radio frequency devices, which is inefficient and limits the capability for reliable, fast, high-bandwidth wireless communications in network-centric warfare.
Innovation Solution
A common antenna array using baseband adaptive beamforming and digital intermediate frequency conversion, allowing multiple radio frequency devices to share antenna elements and independently process signals for enhanced communication and surveillance functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate antennas are used for different radio frequency devices, then each device has dedicated antenna coverage, but the overall system complexity and hardware quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a common antenna array that serves multiple radio frequency devices simultaneously. The antenna elements are shared across different devices, with each device having access to the full array through digital beamforming control. This universal antenna system replaces multiple dedicated antennas, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining reliable communication for all devices through spatial multiplexing and adaptive beam patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beamforming processor as an intermediary between the common antenna array and multiple radio frequency devices. This processor digitally controls the phase and amplitude of signals directed to each antenna element, enabling the system to create device-specific beam patterns from the shared antenna array. The beamforming processor acts as a mediator that allows multiple devices to independently access the common antenna system without interference.
2Reliability
If multiple separate antennas are used for different radio frequency devices, then each device has dedicated antenna performance, but the number of hardware components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common antenna array performs multiple functions simultaneously, serving different radio frequency devices with different beam patterns. Each antenna element contributes to multiple device communications, and the array can dynamically reconfigure to optimize signal strength for each device. This eliminates the need for separate antennas for each device while maintaining or enhancing signal quality through coordinated beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple antenna functions into a single shared antenna array. Instead of having separate physical antennas for each radio frequency device, the system combines all antenna elements into one common resource that is digitally controlled to serve multiple devices. This merging reduces the total number of hardware components while maintaining dedicated performance for each device through software-defined beamforming.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional antenna systems are used, then hardware configuration is simple, but adaptability for different communication functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming capabilities that allow the common antenna array to adapt its radiation patterns in real-time for different communication functions and devices. The beamforming processor dynamically adjusts phase and amplitude weights based on device requirements, enabling the system to reconfigure for different communication modes, directions, and signal conditions. This dynamic adaptability provides communication versatility without requiring multiple fixed antenna configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability by changing the electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of signals fed to each antenna element rather than physically reconfiguring the antenna structure. The beamforming processor modifies these parameters dynamically to create different beam patterns for different devices and communication functions. This parameter-based control provides versatile adaptability while maintaining a simple fixed hardware configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of digital signal processing devices for supplying phase-and-amplitude-weighted digital baseband signals, a beamforming processor for processing the weighted digital baseband signals to adaptively form a plurality of beam patterns for the antenna elements, a plurality of digital modulators for converting the digital baseband signals into intermediate frequency digital signals, and a modulator for modulating in-phase and quadrature components of the intermediate frequency digital signals to produce composite radio frequency output signals for the antenna elements. Receiving apparatus, and methods of transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals on a plurality of antenna elements are also provided.