Direct Digital Synthesis Phase Shift for Phased Array Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beamforming circuits for phased array antennas are costly and consume significant power due to their complexity, particularly when using analog or complex multiplication-based digital phase shifters.
Innovation Solution
The system employs direct digital synthesis based phase shift digital beamforming by subtracting a sinusoidal signal from a received or transmitted signal to shift the phase on a per-element basis, using differencing circuits and waveform generators to generate piecewise sinusoidal signals, reducing circuit size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If analog phase shifters or digital phase shifters using complex multiplication are used for beamforming, then beam steering and shaping capabilities are achieved, but circuit cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog phase shifters or complex multiplication-based digital phase shifters with a subtraction-based digital phase shifter. Instead of using complex multipliers or analog circuitry, the invention uses simple subtraction operations between sinusoidal signals to achieve phase shifting, thereby reducing circuit complexity and power consumption while maintaining beam steering functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from complex multiplication to simple subtraction. By representing phase shifts through subtraction of sinusoidal components rather than complex arithmetic, the system achieves the same phase control function with significantly reduced computational complexity and simpler hardware requirements
2Ease of operation
If analog phase shifters or digital phase shifters using complex multiplication are used for beamforming, then beam steering and shaping capabilities are achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-intensive analog phase shifters or complex multiplication-based digital phase shifters with a subtraction-based digital phase shifter. The simple subtraction operation requires significantly less computational power and hardware resources, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the same beam steering and shaping capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate sinusoidal signals are generated for each antenna array element, then per-element phase shifting is enabled, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates separate sinusoidal signals for each antenna element to enable independent phase control. By segmenting the signal generation process and applying the subtraction-based phase shifting method to each element individually, the system achieves per-element adaptability while keeping each element's circuitry simple and modular
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal phase shifting mechanism that can be applied to each antenna element using the same simple subtraction-based approach. This universal method replaces element-specific complex phase shifters with a standardized, simple circuit design that can be replicated across all elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system for beamforming, in a phased array antenna. Subtraction of a sinusoidal signal from a received signal, or from a signal to be transmitted, is used to shift the phase of the received signal, or from a signal to be transmitted. A separate sinusoidal signal may be generated for each antenna array element, making it possible to shift the phase on a per-element basis, to perform beamforming.