Geodesic Lens Antenna Array for Azimuth and Elevation Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional geodesic lens antennas are unable to simultaneously steer beams in both azimuth and elevation dimensions, and existing solutions either lack electrical elevation steering or are limited to narrow band operations due to frequency sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

An array of geodesic lens antenna elements with vertically radiating slots, each controlled by a feeding ring, forming a concentric stack of geodesic lenses for independent azimuth and elevation beam control through separate amplitude and phase adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If horizontal radiating slots are added to the geodesic lens cone to create elevation illumination profile, then elevation beam shaping is achieved, but electrical elevation steering is not provided and the system is limited to narrow band operations due to frequency sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation beam shaping capabilityVSAvoidelectrical elevation steering

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The geodesic lens is segmented into multiple vertically stacked lens elements, each with its own feed ring and controllable radiating slots. This segmentation allows independent phase and amplitude control of each element, enabling electrical elevation steering while maintaining elevation beam shaping capability across wide bandwidth operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-plane slot configuration to a three-dimensional stacked lens structure with vertical separation. This dimensional change introduces independent control paths for each lens element, enabling both elevation beam shaping and electrical elevation steering simultaneously without frequency sensitivity limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a simple geodesic lens approach is used for 360° azimuth coverage, then design simplicity and low part count are achieved, but simultaneous azimuth and elevation beam pointing is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidsimultaneous azimuth and elevation beam pointing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple geodesic lens elements are nested vertically in a stacked configuration, with each element containing radiating slots and feed structures. This nesting approach maintains the simplicity of individual geodesic lens designs while achieving simultaneous azimuth and elevation beam pointing through the collective operation of stacked elements with independent phase control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic phase control capabilities to each lens element through independent feed rings and slot configurations. This dynamic control allows the simple geodesic lens structure to adapt and achieve simultaneous azimuth and elevation beam pointing by electronically adjusting phase relationships between stacked elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables full electronic beam steering in both azimuth and elevation over a wide range of frequencies and bandwidths, providing a compact and simplified antenna system capable of RF beam formation and shaping.

Implementation Method 1

RF beam formation in azimuth and elevation by using lenses above and below a middle geodesic lens to form, shape, and steer the beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Implementation Method 2

Each GLA in the stack is thus an 'element' in the elevation plane with separate amplitude and phase control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase control:

Implementation Method 3

multiple vertical radiating slots, each formed into an annulus, that are individually controlled by feeding rings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation:

Data Source

PatentUS9219309B2Geodesic lens antenna with azimuth and elevation beamforming

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

An array of geodesic lens antennas (GLAs) comprises multiple vertical radiating slots, each formed into an annulus, which are individually controlled by feeding rings. One feeding ring is provided for each of the GLA elevation elements, resulting in multiple, parallel waveguide channels that together enable elevation beam steering, thus forming a concentric stack of geodesic lenses. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the invention are capable of RF beam formation in azimuth and elevation by using these lenses to form, shape, and steer one or more RF beams. Each GLA in the stack forms an element in the elevation plane with separate amplitude and phase control, providing the degrees of freedom required to independently and simultaneously control azimuth and elevation beam forming and steering.