Electronic Rotman Lens Analog Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EW antenna systems, such as AESA and Rotman lens systems, face challenges in simultaneously radiating multiple beams in different directions without reducing effective radiated power (ERP) and are limited by size constraints, which affects their use in two-dimensional and polarization diverse applications.
Innovation Solution
Analog signal processing circuits are used to apply time delays to signals for forming multiple output beams, allowing simultaneous transmission of beams by summing time-delayed signals across array ports, effectively emulating a Rotman lens system while reducing size, weight, and power, and enabling frequency-independent beam forming up to the X-band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If AESA systems split the main array into multiple sub-arrays to radiate multiple beams simultaneously, then multiple beam transmission is enabled, but the gain and effective radiated power (ERP) are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam forming function into separate time delay units, each dedicated to a specific beam direction, while the antenna array remains intact and unified. This allows simultaneous multiple beam transmission without dividing the array into sub-arrays, thereby maintaining full array gain for each beam and preserving ERP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial segmentation (dividing array into sub-arrays) to temporal segmentation (applying different time delays to signals). By operating in the time domain rather than spatial domain, the system achieves multiple simultaneous beams without compromising array integrity or power efficiency.
2Power
If Rotman lens systems are used to radiate multiple beams using full aperture, then ERP is maintained, but the system size becomes large and limits application versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Rotman lens structure with an electronic time delay based beam forming system. Instead of using physical lens components that require large space, the system uses electronic circuits to achieve the same beam forming effect, dramatically reducing system size while maintaining full aperture utilization and ERP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from optical/physical lens-based beam forming to electronic time delay-based beam forming. This parameter change enables the same functionality with significantly reduced physical dimensions, making the system suitable for compact applications while preserving power efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems are used for two-dimensional and polarization diverse applications, then application versatility is achieved, but size and complexity constraints limit implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal time delay based beam forming system that can handle multiple beam directions, two-dimensional scanning, and polarization diverse operations through a single integrated architecture. The modular time delay units can be configured for various application requirements without requiring separate dedicated systems, achieving multi-functionality in a compact form factor.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments are directed to operating an analog signal processing circuit to emulate a Rotman lens. The analog signal processing circuit applies a plurality of time delays to a plurality of signals associated with a plurality of beam ports. The analog signal processing circuit forms a plurality of output beams for transmission by a plurality of array ports included in an array based on the time delayed signals by summing the time delayed signals. The time delays are based on a direction of transmission of the output beams.