Conformal Antenna Array Taper Profile Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antenna arrays on flat surfaces struggle to efficiently determine relative power and phasing for conformal arrays on curved surfaces, leading to performance issues such as high sidelobes and complex computational requirements, which are not easily represented by closed-form mathematical expressions.

Innovation Solution

A conformal antenna array design using a flexible substrate with patch antennas, where the taper profile is determined in the conformed state rather than the flat state, incorporating a corporate feed network and windowing functions to optimize beamwidth and sidelobe levels, and powered by a renewable energy source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional antenna arrays on flat surfaces are used, then the radiation pattern can be calculated using closed-form mathematical expressions, but the antenna array cannot conform to curved surfaces leading to performance issues such as high sidelobes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to curved surfacesVSAvoidcomputational complexity for determining taper profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by mapping the antenna array from a flat planar configuration to a curved conformal surface. The flexible substrate enables the antenna elements to follow the curvature of the aircraft surface, transforming the geometric configuration from flat to curved while maintaining the array's functional integrity and achieving conformability to complex surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of reference state for taper profile determination from flat state to conformed state. By determining the taper profile after the antenna array is mapped to the curved surface rather than before, the system adapts the beamforming parameters to the actual curved geometry, resolving the mathematical complexity issue while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the taper profile is determined in the flat state, then the calculation is mathematically simpler, but the radiation pattern performance degrades when conforming to curved surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of taper profile calculationVSAvoidradiation pattern performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary mapping of the antenna array from flat to curved configuration before determining the taper profile. This preliminary geometric transformation establishes the correct spatial relationships and element positions on the curved surface, enabling subsequent taper profile calculation to be based on the actual conformal geometry rather than the flat approximation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state parameter used for taper profile determination from flat state to conformed state. This parameter change ensures that the beamforming weights are calculated based on the actual curved surface geometry, improving radiation pattern performance and sidelobe levels while maintaining computational feasibility through numerical methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If a conformal antenna array is implemented, then the antenna can conform to aircraft surfaces without dedicated space or radomes, but the determination of relative power and phasing becomes computationally complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilization on aircraft surfaceVSAvoidcomputational complexity for power and phasing determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the curved conformal geometry to maximize space utilization on the aircraft surface. By mapping the antenna array to follow the aircraft's surface curvature, the system achieves conformal integration without requiring additional dedicated flat spaces or radome structures, efficiently using the available aircraft skin area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the reference state for power and phasing determination from flat to conformed geometry. This parameter change enables the use of numerical optimization methods that account for the curved surface effects, accurately determining the relative power and phasing parameters needed for optimal performance on conformal arrays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11397284B2Flexible hybrid electronic sensing system for UAV applications

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

In examples, systems and methods for a radiating system of an aircraft are described. The aircraft system includes a conformal antenna array having a flexible substrate configured to conform to a curvature of a portion of an aircraft. Additionally, the conformal array has a plurality of antenna elements coupled to a first surface of the flexible substrate, where the plurality of antennas are formed in an array. The aircraft system further includes radio front-end hardware configured to communicate signals to and from the plurality of antenna elements. Moreover, the aircraft system includes a radar processing system coupled to the radio front-end hardware. Yet further, the aircraft system includes a renewable energy source configured to power the radar processing system and the radio front-end hardware.