Frequency-scaled Phased Array Antenna Design for Wideband Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wideband phased array antennas are large, costly, and heavy, often sacrificing performance characteristics like bandwidth, scan volume, and polarization due to limitations in design and manufacturing, and require multiple antennas for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A frequency-scaled ultra-wide spectrum phased array antenna design featuring scalable unit cells with radiating elements and clustered pillars for electromagnetic coupling, providing good impedance, wide scan volume, and dual polarization in a low-cost, lightweight, and compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional wideband phased array antennas are used, then bandwidth performance is achieved, but size, weight, and cost increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple independent unit cells, each containing a radiating element and feed structure. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently for wideband performance while keeping individual element sizes small, avoiding the need for large contiguous structures that would increase overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The unit cell design incorporates features that provide multiple functions: the radiating element serves both as the primary radiator and as part of the impedance matching structure, while the feed network provides both signal distribution and grounding functions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing weight.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional wideband phased array antennas are used, then bandwidth performance is achieved, but size, weight, and cost increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design transitions from planar two-dimensional structures to three-dimensional configurations by adding vertical height to the unit cells. The radiating elements extend in multiple dimensions and the feed structures utilize vertical spacing, allowing compact planar footprints while maintaining adequate electrical lengths for wideband operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna element spacing is increased to maximize scan volume, then scan volume improves, but element length must increase which negatively influences polarization and scan volume
Solution Approach 1:
The feed network incorporates adjustable phase shifters and amplitude controllers that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the antenna beam direction and shape. This dynamic control compensates for the fixed physical element spacing, enabling wide scan volumes without requiring excessively long elements that would degrade polarization performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If antenna elements are spaced closer to increase scan volume, then scan volume improves, but coupling between elements increases degrading performance
Solution Approach 1:
The feed network serves as an intermediary between the signal source and the radiating elements, providing controlled impedance pathways that isolate adjacent elements electrically. The grounding structures and feed line design create electromagnetic barriers that reduce mutual coupling between closely spaced elements, maintaining performance stability while enabling compact configurations for increased scan volume.
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 design achieves a bandwidth ratio of at least 2:1, average voltage standing wave ratio of less than 5:1 over 30 degrees from broadside, and supports multiple systems with a single antenna, reducing size, weight, and cost while maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
radiating elements are arranged to be electromagnetically coupled to one or more adjacent radiating elements via the clustered pillars
Implementation Method 2
configured to transmit or detect RF signals over a bandwidth ratio of at least 2:1
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna element that includes a base plate, a first ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate, a second ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from a first side of the first ground clustered pillar, a first ground member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar, wherein a distal end of the first ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the second ground clustered pillar, and a first signal member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the first ground member, wherein the first signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member, and a distal end of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar.