Distributed Aperture Radar Sub-Modules for Mobile Platforms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar apparatuses mounted on mobile objects face challenges in enhancing performance and enlarging antenna apertures due to size and weight constraints, as well as limitations in beam scanning rates and mounting restrictions, which hinder the achievement of high-performance active phased arraying.
Innovation Solution
The radar apparatus is composed of multiple low-profile and flexible antenna sub-modules installed at arbitrary positions, allowing for individual directional control and distributed aperture combination processing to form reception beams, effectively mimicking the performance of a large aperture antenna.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large aperture active phased array antenna is used to enhance radar performance, then measurement precision and detection capability are improved, but device size, mass, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large aperture antenna into multiple independent sub-arrays, each with its own phased array. This segmentation allows each sub-array to be independently controlled and processed, reducing the complexity of the overall circuit configuration while maintaining the large aperture advantage for enhanced detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane two-dimensional array to a three-dimensional distributed array configuration. By arranging sub-arrays in three-dimensional space at different positions and orientations, the system achieves large aperture equivalence without requiring a single large planar structure, thereby reducing device complexity and mass
2Measurement precision
If the aperture of the active phased array antenna is enlarged to improve radar performance, then measurement precision is improved, but the device mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large aperture antenna into multiple smaller sub-arrays distributed in three-dimensional space. This segmentation allows the total aperture area to be achieved through spatial distribution rather than concentrating all elements in a single large planar structure, thereby reducing the mass of individual components and the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves from a two-dimensional planar array to a three-dimensional distributed array. By utilizing the third dimension (vertical and depth directions) for element distribution, the system achieves the required aperture area without increasing the footprint or mass proportionally, as elements are distributed in space rather than concentrated in a single heavy structure
3Ease of manufacture
If a passive-type large aperture antenna is used to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but beam scanning rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independent active phased array sub-arrays. Each sub-array can independently perform beam scanning and signal processing. This segmentation enables parallel operation of multiple sub-arrays, significantly increasing the overall beam scanning rate while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of individual sub-arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam forming by independently controlling the phase and amplitude of each sub-array. This dynamic control allows rapid electronic beam steering without mechanical movement, achieving high beam scanning rates while keeping each sub-array relatively simple in structure for ease of manufacture
4Measurement precision
If the radome is protruded to accommodate the antenna to enlarge aperture, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of repair worsens due to large-scale airplane body repair requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple independent sub-arrays that can be distributed across different locations on the airplane body. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large protruding radome, allowing the antenna elements to be integrated into the existing airplane structure without large-scale modifications, thereby maintaining ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes antenna sub-arrays in three-dimensional space across various surfaces of the airplane body rather than concentrating them in a single protruding structure. This spatial distribution allows the antenna system to achieve large aperture equivalence while conforming to the existing airplane geometry, avoiding the need for large-scale radome protrusions and associated repair complexities
Data Source
AI summary
When an excitation signal is generated from an exciter due to an activation signal generated from a radar control device and is distributed to supply to each antenna sub-module, a combination reception signal is transmitted to a receiver from each antenna sub-module. The receiver takes in the combination reception signal obtained by each sub-module in response to an instruction from the radar control device, a frequency converter converts the combination reception signal into a prescribed frequency band, and a distributed aperture combination circuit performs a beam combination in accordance with a distributed aperture combination algorithm. In this way, a radar apparatus, which is equivalent to an active phased array radar of a large aperture and with high performance, is achieved.