Conformal Array Antenna Pattern Synthesis with Reduced Optimization Load

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for synthesizing radiation patterns of conformal array antennas are inefficient due to the large computational load and time consumption required for optimizing the excitation amplitude and phase of each array element, especially for large and extra-large conformal arrays.

Innovation Solution

An efficient synthesis method for conformal array antennas involving establishing a field analysis model, determining an aperture field distribution principle, expanding excitation distribution in a spherical coordinate system, and using a quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm to optimize the radiation pattern, reducing the number of design variables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If direct optimization of excitation amplitude and phase of each array element is performed, then radiation pattern synthesis precision is improved, but computational load and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation pattern synthesis precisionVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the array elements into multiple sub-arrays or groups, and performs optimization at the sub-array level rather than optimizing each individual element. This segmentation reduces the dimensionality of the optimization problem from N elements to M sub-arrays (where M << N), significantly reducing computational load and time consumption while maintaining adequate radiation pattern synthesis precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the optimization parameters from individual element excitation amplitudes and phases to sub-array level parameters such as sub-array weights, phases, or aperture distributions. This parameter transformation reduces the number of optimization variables and enables more efficient computation while still achieving the desired radiation pattern through coordinated sub-array control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If direct optimization of excitation amplitude and phase of each array element is performed, then radiation pattern synthesis precision is improved, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation pattern synthesis precisionVSAvoidcomputational load

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the array elements into multiple sub-arrays or groups, and performs optimization at the sub-array level rather than optimizing each individual element. This segmentation reduces the dimensionality of the optimization problem from N elements to M sub-arrays (where M << N), significantly reducing computational load and time consumption while maintaining adequate radiation pattern synthesis precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the optimization parameters from individual element excitation amplitudes and phases to sub-array level parameters such as sub-array weights, phases, or aperture distributions. This parameter transformation reduces the number of optimization variables and enables more efficient computation while still achieving the desired radiation pattern through coordinated sub-array control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional synthesis methods are used for curved arrays, then applicability to special shapes is improved, but synthesis efficiency deteriorates due to inability to separate excitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to special shapesVSAvoidsynthesis efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the curved array into multiple sub-arrays that can be independently controlled. By dividing the curved structure into manageable sub-units, the method enables separate optimization of each sub-array while maintaining the overall curved geometry, thus achieving both shape adaptability and synthesis efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sub-array level of abstraction between individual elements and the overall array, adding a hierarchical dimension to the control structure. This allows excitation to be separated and optimized at the sub-array level while still achieving the desired three-dimensional curved array performance, thereby improving synthesis efficiency without sacrificing shape adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250211347A1Efficient synthesis method for radiation pattern of conformal array antenna

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 XIDIAN UNIV

AI summary

An efficient synthesis method for a radiation pattern of a conformal array antenna is provided. The method includes: step 1, establishing a field analysis model of the conformal array antenna; determining an aperture field distribution principle suitable for the conformal array antenna, and expanding distribution of an excitation I of an arbitrary curved surface source in a spherical coordinate system according to the aperture field distribution principle; and step 3, establishing an optimization model for the radiation pattern of the conformal array antenna, and performing synthesis of the radiation pattern of the conformal array antenna according to the optimization model. The method greatly improves the synthesis efficiency of a radiation pattern of a conformal array antenna while ensuring that the directional pattern requirements are met.