Cylindrical Phased Array Antenna for Teleoperated Vehicle Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current teleoperated vehicles face challenges in maintaining communication range due to terrain variations and the size of the vehicles, with standard low-gain antennas limiting range, especially for 'man portable' robots, and existing research focuses on base station improvements rather than vehicle-compatible solutions.

Innovation Solution

A constrained diameter phased array antenna system comprising a dielectric superstrate and a cylindrical arrangement of high-gain omnidirectional antennas with a phase shifter, allowing for increased communication range and correcting roll, pitch, and yaw movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard low-gain antennas are used to maintain field-of-view coverage, then omnidirectional coverage is achieved, but communication range is greatly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield-of-view coverageVSAvoidcommunication range

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is segmented into multiple antenna elements arranged in a phased array configuration, allowing the beam to be electronically steered to different directions without physically moving the entire antenna structure, thus maintaining omnidirectional coverage while achieving high gain in each direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The phased array system dynamically adjusts the phase and amplitude of signals fed to each antenna element to electronically steer the beam across different angles, providing adaptive beamforming that maintains coverage while concentrating energy for extended range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the size of teleoperated vehicle decreases to improve portability, then mobility is enhanced, but antenna performance and communication range are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle sizeVSAvoidantenna performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar antenna arrays to a three-dimensional cylindrical phased array configuration, enabling high gain performance in a compact volume by utilizing vertical dimension for beam steering and maintaining omnidirectional coverage in the horizontal plane

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system integrates multiple antenna elements with different polarizations and orientations within a compact cylindrical structure, creating a composite antenna system that achieves high gain and omnidirectional coverage simultaneously in a space-efficient design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If terrain variations are encountered to traverse diverse environments, then operational versatility is improved, but tracking accuracy and communication stability are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain traversal capabilityVSAvoidtracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the position and orientation of the teleoperated vehicle using inertial sensors and GPS, then dynamically adjusts the phased array beam pointing to compensate for vehicle motion, maintaining accurate tracking despite terrain-induced movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary corrections to the beam steering based on predicted vehicle motion from inertial measurement units, counteracting the effects of roll, pitch, and yaw before they significantly degrade tracking accuracy, thereby maintaining communication stability over rough terrain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 enhances communication range and stability for teleoperated vehicles by increasing RF gain and providing full angular coverage, making it compatible and retrofittable for mobile equipment, while maintaining tracking accuracy despite motion.

Implementation Method 1

a microwave phased shifter for inserting a predetermined amount of path delay into each of the radiated elements of the antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase delay:

Implementation Method 2

at least one dielectric superstrate, a generally cylindrical arrangement of antennas in a generally circular array, the arrangement proximate to the at least one dielectric superstrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric focusing: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10069214B1Constrained diameter phased array antenna system and methods

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A constrained diameter phased array antenna system involving at least one dielectric superstrate, a generally cylindrical arrangement of antennas in a generally circular array, the arrangement proximate to the at least one dielectric superstrate, and at least one phase shifter coupled with the arrangement in an orientation corresponding to at least one scanning plane, whereby a communication range is increasable.