Frequency Steered Phased Array Antenna with 1/4λ Coupling Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive phased array antennas face challenges in radiating electromagnetic waves in a direction perpendicular to their front surface, with uneven beam intensity and limited angular coverage.
Innovation Solution
A frequency steered phased array antenna design featuring a directional coupler with a serial feed line and horn antennas, where coupling holes are spaced ¼λ apart, allowing for uniform beam intensity and wide angular coverage, including directions perpendicular to the antenna's front surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive phased array antenna is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the beam cannot radiate in a direction perpendicular to the front surface and the beam intensity is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple sub-arrays, each capable of independent beamforming. This segmentation allows different sub-arrays to radiate beams in different directions simultaneously, enabling coverage including the perpendicular direction while maintaining the simplicity of passive phased array structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of beamforming by controlling the phase and amplitude of each element independently through a feed network with multiple output ports. This enables three-dimensional beam coverage including the perpendicular direction, transforming the traditional two-dimensional planar array limitation
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional feed networks are used, then the design is straightforward, but the beam intensity is uneven and the scattering coefficient is close to 0 dB in perpendicular direction
Solution Approach 1:
The feed network is designed with different impedance transformations and coupling coefficients for different output ports. Each port is optimized with specific local characteristics (different transformer ratios, coupling hole positions) to achieve uniform beam intensity across all radiation directions, including the perpendicular direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs impedance transformation through quarter-wave transformers and adjusts coupling coefficients by varying the position and size of coupling holes. These parameter changes enable the feed network to deliver equal power to all antenna elements, achieving uniform beam intensity and improving scattering coefficient in the perpendicular direction
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 antenna achieves uniform beam intensity and wide angular coverage, including directions perpendicular to the antenna's front surface, effectively addressing the limitations of existing passive phased array antennas.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of coupling holes are formed in each of the layers and are arranged in one direction; and a radiating module including n horn antennas respectively connected to the n layers of the serial feed line, wherein the plurality of coupling holes formed in each of the layers of the serial feed line are arranged so as be spaced from each other by a spacing of 1⁄4λ
Implementation Method 2
the horn antennas radiate the electromagnetic wave output through the coupling holes of the serial feed line
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a frequency steered phased array antenna which adjusts beam radiation angle according to frequency for broadband electromagnetic waves, and radiates beams of uniform intensity over a broad range of angles including directly forward. The frequency steered phased array antenna according to the present invention comprises: a directional coupler including a serial feed line that is stacked in n layers and has a plurality of coupling holes formed in one direction in each of the layers; and a radiating module including n horn antennas respectively connected in correspondence to the n layers of the serial feed line, wherein the plurality of coupling holes are formed in each of the layers of the serial feed line at intervals of ¼ of the wavelength (λ) of electromagnetic waves (radio waves) supplied to the serial feed line, and the horn antennas radiate the electromagnetic waves output through the coupling holes of the serial feed line.