Cross Bar Beam Former for Multibeam Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication and radar systems face challenges in efficiently providing multiple independent steerable beams across a large bandwidth, particularly in ultra-wide band or ultra-ultra-wide band frequencies, due to complex RF feed manifolds and high digital data pipe requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cross bar beam former architecture that enables multiple independent beams by utilizing unique cross connections and time delay or phase shifter units between input beam ports and radiating structures, reducing RF feed manifold complexity and digital data pipe requirements, and allowing for efficient beam steering and polarization synthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional RF feed manifold architecture is used to provide multiple independent beams, then beam coverage is achieved, but RF feed manifold complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF feed manifold is segmented into multiple independent beam forming networks, each handling a specific beam. This allows independent control and simplification of each segment rather than managing a monolithic complex system, enabling multiple independent beams while reducing overall manifold complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to beam formation by using phased array techniques where antenna elements are arranged in geometric patterns (linear arrays, circular arrays, conformal arrays). This spatial arrangement enables multiple independent beams to be formed through phase and amplitude control across the array dimensions, avoiding the need for complex temporal multiplexing in the RF feed manifold
2Ease of operation
If traditional digital beam forming is used for multiple beams, then beam steering capability is achieved, but digital data pipe requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam forming and beam steering functions from the digital domain and implements them in the analog RF domain using phased array techniques. This extraction eliminates the need for high-speed digital data pipes that would be required to transport raw antenna element signals to digital processors, reducing digital data pipe requirements while maintaining full beam steering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the digital signal processing system with an analog phased array system that uses phase shifters and amplitude controllers to achieve beam steering. This substitution of digital electronics with analog RF components eliminates the bottleneck of digital data transmission, allowing beam steering to be achieved through analog phase and amplitude modulation rather than digital data pipe transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system and method includes or uses a set of M antenna structures and a cross bar beam former. The analog (or digital) cross bar beam former includes a set of M N to 1 (M(N×1)) interfaces, each of the M N to 1 interfaces having a first line coupled to a respective one of the set of the M antenna structures. The cross bar beam former also includes a set of N 1 to M (N(1×M)) interfaces, each of the N 1 to M interfaces having a set of M second lines, each of the M second lines being coupled to a respective one of the M N to 1 interfaces. Each of the N 1 to M interfaces includes a third line for a respective one of N independent beams.