Dual-Beam Launcher With Stacked Waveguides for Compact Multi-Satellite Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metasurface antennas face challenges in increasing the number of beams while maintaining bandwidth and directivity, often requiring a larger antenna footprint to achieve simultaneous connections to multiple satellites.
Innovation Solution
A dual beam launcher system using concentric coaxial waveguides to launch TEM waves into parallel plate waveguides, allowing for the simultaneous generation of two independent beams with different directions and polarizations without increasing the antenna's size, utilizing a hybrid feed structure that integrates center-fed and edge-fed mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of beams is increased to enable simultaneous connection to different satellites, then the communication capability is improved, but the antenna footprint increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple feed structures (center-fed and edge-fed waveguides) into a single integrated antenna system that generates multiple beams simultaneously. This merging allows dual-beam operation without requiring separate antenna apertures for each beam, thus maintaining a compact footprint while achieving multi-satellite communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking parallel plate waveguides in a layered configuration. This three-dimensional arrangement allows multiple beams to be generated from a single planar aperture by launching waves from different vertical positions, effectively decoupling beam quantity from footprint area
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of beams is increased with similar bandwidth and directivity, then the multi-satellite connection capability is improved, but the hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal feed structure where a single antenna system can generate multiple beams with different directions and polarizations by controlling the excitation of its waveguide components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate hardware systems for each beam, reducing overall complexity while maintaining full control over bandwidth and directivity for each beam
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically controllable feed structures where the excitation of center-fed and edge-fed waveguides can be independently adjusted to steer beam directions and control polarizations. This dynamic control allows the same hardware to adapt to different communication scenarios without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional components
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
Enables simultaneous bidirectional communication with two satellites at arbitrary directions and polarizations without sacrificing aperture efficiency or bandwidth, achieving the same performance as phased array antennas with a smaller hardware footprint.
Implementation Method 1
a dual feed launcher to launch first and second TEM waves into the two parallel plate waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
Antennas having a multi-beam (e.g., dual beam, etc.) launcher and methods for using the same are described. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises: an array of antenna elements; two parallel plate waveguides coupled to the array of antenna elements, the two parallel plate waveguides sharing a common radial plane and arranged in a stacked configuration; and a dual feed launcher to launch first and second TEM waves into the two parallel plate waveguides, the first and second TEM waves being different and being simultaneously launched in the two parallel plate waveguides.