Distributed Directional Aperture for Multi-Function Radar and Comms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aperture systems are limited by being dedicated to single purposes, leading to excess numbers of apertures that burden structural, aerodynamic, and radar observability characteristics, while also limiting signal quality and increasing interception risks due to omnidirectional reception and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A distributed directional aperture system that includes a sensor and emitter array subsystem, a telemetry subsystem, and a beamformer subsystem, allowing for simultaneous multi-purpose use across a wide energy spectrum, including RF communications, and providing directional signal reception and transmission capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple dedicated apertures are used for different purposes, then each aperture can be optimized for its specific function, but the quantity of apertures increases burdening structural, aerodynamic, and radar observability characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single aperture system that can perform multiple functions including cooperative communications, uncooperative signal intercept, uncooperative signal interference, and sensing operations. The aperture is configured to operate across wide bands of the energy spectrum (30 MHz to 30 GHz) and can be dynamically reconfigured through beamforming to serve different purposes, thereby eliminating the need for multiple dedicated apertures while maintaining functional optimization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If omnidirectional aperture reception is used, then the aperture can receive signals from all directions, but signal quality is limited and interception risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beamforming capabilities that allow the aperture to adapt its reception and transmission patterns in real-time. The system can form directional beams toward specific targets while maintaining the ability to scan and monitor multiple directions. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the aperture to concentrate signal energy for improved quality when focusing on specific targets, while still providing comprehensive coverage through sequential or simultaneous multi-directional beamforming.
3Adaptability or versatility
If omnidirectional aperture transmission is used, then the aperture can transmit signals in all directions, but the risk of signal interception by adversaries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing transmission energy specifically toward intended receivers using directional beamforming, rather than radiating energy omnidirectionally. The system can form focused beams that concentrate power in specific spatial directions, thereby improving transmission efficiency to legitimate targets while minimizing signal exposure to potential adversaries. The aperture can dynamically adjust beam directions and widths to match the specific communication or sensing task at hand.
4Measurement precision
If beamforming is implemented for directional aperture, then reception and transmission signal quality improves, but processing and data transfer speed limitations restrict operation to lower frequency signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming processing into distributed operations across multiple signal processing channels and hardware components. By dividing the complex beamforming calculations into parallel processing tasks that can be executed simultaneously across different frequency bands and signal paths, the system overcomes processing speed bottlenecks. This segmentation enables high-frequency operations (30 MHz to 30 GHz) to be handled through distributed signal processing architectures that parallelize the computationally intensive beamforming operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed directional aperture (DDA) system provides the capability to receive and/or transmit signals, limiting that reception or transmission to a 3-dimensional beam. The DDA system includes sensing and/or emitting array subsystems which comprise sensors and/or emitters distributed across, within, or under the skin of an aircraft, ship, ground vehicle, or fixed installation. The sensors receive energy, convert the received signals to digital information, and transmit that information via a telemetry subsystem to a beamformer subsystem. The beamformer subsystem analyzes the received signals from the sensors and/or emitters in order to determine the signal content from a specific direction. The emitters transmit energy, converting signals received from the beamformer subsystem via the telemetry subsystem into energy emissions. Methods of providing the DDA system including subsystems thereof are also disclosed.