Electronic Scanning Antenna Without mm-Wave Phase Shifters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic beam-steering antennas face challenges in high-frequency operations due to the large size of phase-shifters, limited angle adjustment in lens-type beamformers, and mechanical complexity in mechanical beam steering, making them unfeasible for high-frequency mm-wave applications.

Innovation Solution

A novel electronic beam-steering antenna configuration using a series feed network and parallel feed network with voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) to achieve beam steering without large phase-shifters, allowing operation at high frequencies by varying input signal frequencies and maintaining a constant output frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If phased array with phase-shifters is used for electronic beam-steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but the size of phase-shifters becomes significantly large at high frequencies making manufacturing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steering capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturability at high frequencies

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes phase-shifters entirely from the system and replaces them with a series feed network that achieves beam steering through frequency variation and phase progression along the feed line, eliminating the manufacturing difficulty associated with large phase-shifter components at high frequencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical phase-shifting components with an electromagnetic field-based series feed network that uses voltage-controlled oscillators and phase progression along transmission lines to achieve beam steering without physical phase-shifter devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If lens type beamformers are used for electronic beam-steering, then beam direction control is achieved, but angle adjustment is limited and signal loss is severe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam direction controlVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam steering by varying the frequency of voltage-controlled oscillators and exploiting phase progression along the series feed line, allowing continuous angle adjustment without the limited mechanical angle ranges of lens-type beamformers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates lens-type beamforming structures that cause severe signal attenuation, replacing them with a direct series feed network approach that maintains signal strength while achieving beam steering through phase and frequency control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical beam steering is used, then beam movement is achieved, but the system becomes large and cumbersome requiring considerable maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam movement capabilityVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent completely replaces mechanical beam steering mechanisms with an electronic system using voltage-controlled oscillators and phase progression along feed lines, eliminating moving parts, lubrication requirements, and mechanical maintenance while achieving electronic beam steering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic system is self-regulating through phase progression and frequency control, requiring no external mechanical adjustment or maintenance, unlike mechanical systems that require lubrication and calibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enables robust beam scanning at high frequencies without the need for large phase-shifters, reducing control voltages, feed complexity, signal loss, and power consumption, while allowing two-dimensional beam steering.

Implementation Method 1

each antenna element radiates a mixed signal generated by combining frequencies of first and second input signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency mixing: Heterodyne

Implementation Method 2

the phase of the signal varies along the feed line from a first end to a second end of the feed line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase progression:

Implementation Method 3

the frequency of the first input signal varies in response to a control voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage-controlled frequency modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS12562475B2Electronic scanning antenna

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 PROVIZIO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic beam steering antenna, that includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed in a spaced apart manner with respect to each other, wherein beam steering occurs along an axis connecting the plurality of antenna elements, wherein a feed line is provided between each of the adjacent antenna elements, and wherein each of the feed lines are connected in series along said axis, and wherein each antenna element radiates a mixed signal generated by combining frequencies of first and second input signals, wherein the first input signal is received from an output of a feed line preceding said antenna element and has a frequency which varies with change in beam pointing angle along said axis.