ESA Antenna Programmable Time Delay Acoustic Feed Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ESA antennas face challenges in achieving programmable time delays, which are necessary for forming timed arrays independently of frequency, and often require complex phase shifters or active components to manage signal delays effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of programmable time delays in transmission lines with fixed physical lengths but variable electrical lengths, allowing for independent frequency management without the need for active components like low-noise amplifiers, and enabling the formation of timed arrays that can process multiple signal beams with controlled time delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If programmable phase shifters are used to form phased arrays, then beam direction control is achieved, but the system becomes frequency-dependent and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic phase shifters with acoustic time delay elements. Instead of using electronic circuits to shift phase, the invention uses acoustic waves traveling through physical paths of different lengths to introduce time delays. This substitution eliminates frequency dependence because time delays are inherent to the acoustic propagation paths rather than being electronically generated, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining beam direction control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from electronic phase shift to acoustic time delay. By controlling the length of acoustic propagation paths rather than electronic phase angles, the system achieves frequency-independent beam steering. The time delay parameter directly controls beam direction without requiring complex phase calculation and adjustment circuits, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If time delay elements are distributed throughout the feed network, then frequency independence is achieved, but the number of control signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical control structure where a single control signal can manage multiple time delay elements simultaneously. The control system is designed to issue unified commands that affect entire groups of acoustic delay elements, allowing one control signal to perform the function of what would otherwise require multiple individual control signals. This multi-functional control approach maintains frequency independence while reducing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a unified control mechanism. Instead of requiring separate control signals for each time delay element, the invention merges the control functions so that a single control signal can adjust multiple delay elements in a coordinated manner. This consolidation reduces the total number of control signals needed while preserving the frequency-independent beam steering capability across all elements
3Reliability
If active components like low-noise amplifiers are added to manage signal delays, then signal quality is improved, but the system becomes heavier and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive acoustic transmission lines that inherently provide the required time delays through their physical geometry rather than requiring active amplification or signal management components. The acoustic waves naturally traverse paths of different lengths to achieve the desired time delays, and the system design ensures sufficient signal strength is maintained throughout the passive network without needing additional active components like low-noise amplifiers, thereby reducing weight and cost while maintaining signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary active components from the system architecture. By designing the feed network to rely on passive acoustic propagation for time delay generation, the invention eliminates the need for heavy and expensive active components such as low-noise amplifiers that would otherwise be required to manage signal delays. This extraction of redundant components achieves weight reduction and cost savings while the passive acoustic paths continue to provide the necessary signal management functions
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 solution allows for lightweight, cost-effective ESA antennas that can maintain beam direction independently of frequency, process multiple signal beams, and provide a range of time delays from 0 to Δt, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of antenna arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a variable time delay transmission line may be implemented by providing a liquid-crystal device having a fixed physical length and a programmable electrical length
Implementation Method 2
The implementation of programmable time delays in transmission lines with fixed physical lengths but variable electrical lengths
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved active, electronically scanned array antenna that employs programmable time delays in the transmission feed lines to form timed arrays is provided. A timed array can be implemented as a nested set of transmission lines, and the programmable time delay can be realized as or in each of the transmission lines such that each transmission line can have a fixed physical length and a programmable electrical length.