Dual-Polarized Retrodirective Array for Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phased array antenna systems face challenges in achieving precise beam control and scanning with narrowed antenna beam widths, requiring complex signal processing and large, costly arrays, while retrodirective arrays suffer from frequency offset errors that degrade performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-polarized retrodirective array system using polarization duplexing techniques allows the pilot and transmit signals to operate at the same frequency, eliminating phase and scan angle errors through enhanced port-to-port isolation, and a multi-frequency dual-polarized antenna element design supports multiple frequency bands with separate excitation ports to reduce unwanted coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large/massive antenna arrays with large numbers of individual antenna elements are utilized to achieve better antenna directivity and scanning range, then directivity and scanning range are improved, but the size of the wireless platform and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using dual-polarization techniques to transmit and receive signals at the same frequency simultaneously. This parameter change allows the system to achieve retrodirective beamforming without requiring frequency offset, thereby improving directivity while reducing the need for large arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the antenna elements perform multiple functions by using them for both transmission and reception at the same frequency through dual-polarization. Each antenna element serves as both a transmit and receive element, eliminating the need for separate transmit and receive arrays, thus reducing the overall platform size while maintaining directivity
2Ease of operation
If retrodirective arrays operate with frequency offset between pilot and transmit signals, then pilot signal reception is enabled, but phase and scan angle errors occur that degrade performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of frequency offset by using dual-polarization to allow the pilot and transmit signals to operate at the same frequency. The orthogonal polarization states enable the system to receive pilot signals and transmit data signals simultaneously without frequency separation, thereby eliminating phase and scan angle errors while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polarization as an intermediary to separate the pilot and transmit signals in the same frequency band. By assigning different polarization states to different signal types, the system can distinguish between pilot and transmit signals without requiring frequency offset, thus maintaining both ease of operation and beam steering accuracy
3Measurement precision
If phased array antenna systems use narrowed antenna beam widths for precise beam control, then beam control precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the reflected signal itself to automatically steer the beam back to the source. The retrodirective array automatically adjusts its beam direction based on the angle of arrival of the incoming signal, eliminating the need for complex signal processing and phase shifters that would be required to achieve the same level of beam control precision
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
This approach enables accurate beam steering without phase shifters, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves system performance by eliminating frequency offset errors and bandwidth reduction, resulting in a smaller form factor with enhanced signal quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first port and a second port configured to transmit signals with a second polarization and a third port configured to receive signals having a first polarization
Implementation Method 2
a first radiating element configured to transmit at a first frequency; a second radiating element configured to transmit at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and circuitries are disclosed for providing a retrodirective array. One example retrodirective array includes a plurality of dual-polarized antenna elements configured to receive a pilot signal having a first polarization and phase conjugation circuitry. The phase conjugation circuitry includes, for each of the plurality of antenna elements, a mixer configured to mix the pilot signal with an LO signal to generate a phase conjugated signal and excitation circuitry configured to generate an excitation signal for the antenna element to transmit the phase conjugated signal with a second polarization that is different from the first polarization.