Geodesic Sphere Phased Array Antenna High Speed Cluster Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic scanning Phased Array Antenna Systems are complex, costly, and time-consuming in design, construction, operation, and maintenance, particularly in high-speed applications like radar and multi-satellite communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cluster-scanning method using a truncated icosahedron-based Geodesic Sphere Phased Array Antenna System, which divides the scan space into conical cells covered by inter-twined pentagonal and hexagonal sub-array clusters, allowing for high-speed electronic scanning through pre-calculated digital amplitude and phase settings, reducing real-time computations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional phased array antenna systems are used for high-speed electronic scanning, then scanning coverage and functionality are adequate, but system complexity, cost, and design time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple identical sub-arrays arranged in a geodesic sphere configuration. Each sub-array contains the same number and type of antenna elements (e.g., 16 elements per sub-array), which can be independently controlled to scan different spatial sectors. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide-angle scanning by switching between pre-configured sub-arrays rather than continuously steering a single large array, thereby reducing real-time computational complexity while maintaining high scanning speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the amplitude and phase settings for each sub-array configuration corresponding to different scanning sectors. During operation, the system simply retrieves these pre-computed parameters from memory and applies them to the respective sub-arrays, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations. This preliminary action significantly reduces processing time and system complexity while enabling high-speed electronic scanning
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional phased array designs are implemented, then radar and communication functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost and construction time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The geodesic sphere antenna is constructed from multiple identical sub-arrays that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. Each sub-array has the same structure and component requirements, allowing for standardized production processes, bulk purchasing of components, and simplified quality control. This modular approach reduces manufacturing cost and construction time while maintaining the reliability of the overall system through redundancy and uniform performance characteristics across all sub-arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the geometric parameters of the geodesic sphere structure (specifically the truncated icosahedron with 12 pentagonal faces and 20 hexagonal faces) to determine the optimal arrangement and spacing of antenna elements. By changing the geometric parameters of the supporting structure, the antenna achieves both mechanical stability and optimal electromagnetic performance, thereby simplifying manufacturing while ensuring functional reliability
3Loss of time
If full real-time digital computation is performed for beam steering, then scanning accuracy is maintained, but processing time and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes and stores the amplitude and phase parameters for each sub-array configuration in a lookup table or memory device. When scanning is required, the system simply retrieves the pre-calculated parameters corresponding to the desired sector and applies them to the active sub-array, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations. This approach maintains beam steering accuracy because the pre-computed parameters are based on precise electromagnetic models, while dramatically reducing processing time to microsecond or nansecond levels
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing unique complex calculations for each scanning direction, the system creates copies of the same sub-array configurations with different pre-computed amplitude and phase settings. Each sub-array is essentially a copy of the basic modular unit, but with parameters optimized for its specific spatial orientation. This copying approach allows rapid switching between scanning sectors without repeating complex computational processes, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining precision
Data Source
AI summary
Invention of electronic cluster scanning method for Geodesic Sphere Phased Array Antenna System that is simultaneously faster cheaper and simpler is presented in this patent. This invention is based on recognition and skillful exploitation of multi-level symmetry properties inherent in the truncated icosahedron based geodesic sphere phased array antenna structure described in an earlier invention. The cluster scanning method employs cluster switching with limited angle electronic scanning involving inter-twined hexagonal sub-array centered clusters and pentagonal sub-array centered clusters.