Continuous Horn Circular Array Antenna for Low-Profile Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronically steered planar phased arrays are costly, have limited 360° azimuth coverage, and are prone to mechanical failure, making them unsuitable for low-profile, cost-effective applications requiring high-quality beam steering.
Innovation Solution
A continuous horn antenna system with a circular flared radiator and probe feeds arranged around a parallel plate waveguide, allowing for electronic beam steering in a plane parallel to the base plate and broad fan-beam perpendicular to it, using a hybrid switched/electronically steered approach with phase shifters for fine pointing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electronically steered planar phased array is used, then beam steering capability is provided, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The circular aperture is divided into multiple discrete feed elements arranged around the circumference. Each feed element can be independently controlled to steer the beam, eliminating the need for continuous amplitude and phase control across the entire aperture. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining beam steering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic phase and amplitude control systems with a simpler feed element selection mechanism. By using discrete feeds at specific locations around the circular aperture, the system achieves beam steering through geometric arrangement rather than continuous electronic adjustment, reducing overall system cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full 360° azimuth coverage is provided with a planar phased array, then complete coverage is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a circular aperture with feed elements arranged around the circumference, leveraging the rotational symmetry of the circular geometry. This curved arrangement naturally provides 360° azimuth coverage by distributing feeds evenly around the circle, allowing the beam to be steered in any azimuth direction without requiring multiple planar arrays or complex mechanical rotation mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanically steered directional antenna is used, then beam steering is achieved, but profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical steering mechanisms with an electronically controlled feed element selection system. By activating different feeds around the circular aperture, the beam direction is changed electronically without any moving parts, maintaining a low profile suitable for conformal mounting on vehicle surfaces.
4Ease of operation
If mechanically steered components are included, then beam steering is provided, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates all mechanical steering components by using a fixed circular aperture with electronically selectable feed elements. The beam steering function is achieved through electronic control of which feeds are active, removing mechanical joints, motors, and moving parts that would be susceptible to failure, thereby significantly improving system reliability.
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 system provides reliable, low-profile, and cost-effective beam steering capabilities with narrow beams in the plane of the base plate and broad fan-beams perpendicular to it, supporting multiple frequency ranges and simultaneous transmit/receive operations.
Implementation Method 1
Within the wave guide portion, a plurality of probe feeds are disposed. The plurality of probe feeds may be arranged about a circle that is concentric with the continuous flared radiator.
Implementation Method 2
a flared radiator portion. Moreover, the wave guide portion may comprise a parallel plate wave guide. Within the wave guide portion, a plurality of probe feeds are disposed.
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous horn or flared radiator antenna system is provided. The antenna system provides for steering a beam within at least a first plane (e.g., in azimuth). Steering a beam includes selecting an operative portion or segment of a circular array of elements or probe feeds. Steering can also include electronically steering the resulting beam within a coverage area provided by the selected segment of probe feeds. The electronic steering within the coverage area can be performed through the selective operation of phase shifters. Multiple continuous horn radiator structures can be provided to support pointing or steering of a beam in a second plane (e.g., in elevation), operation in multiple frequency bands, and/or simultaneous transmission and reception of signals.