GRIN Lens Feed Layout for Wide-Angle Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array antennas require a large number of elements and components, leading to high power consumption and cost, while sparse arrays compromise aperture efficiency and increase footprint, and existing methods to reduce grating lobes are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A broadband wide-angle multiple beam phased array system using electrically large GRIN lenses with a reduced number of elements, where each lens has multiple feeds in its focal region, allowing for beam steering without moving parts and minimizing grating lobes through optimized element positions and directivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional phased arrays use closely-spaced feeds to preserve aperture efficiency and eliminate grating lobes, then aperture efficiency is improved, but the number of elements increases leading to high power consumption and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aperture into multiple scan regions, with each region served by a dedicated GRIN lens element. Each lens is fed by a sparse array of feeds within its focal region, creating segmented beam coverage areas. This segmentation allows each lens to cover a specific angular range efficiently without requiring dense feed spacing across the entire aperture, thus reducing total element count while maintaining aperture efficiency in each scan region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by placing multiple feeds in the focal region of each GRIN lens rather than using a single feed. This dimensional arrangement in the focal plane allows individual feeds to be selectively activated to steer beams across different angular ranges, effectively eliminating grating lobes through geometric positioning rather than dense feed spacing, thereby reducing the number of elements required.
2Device complexity
If sparse arrays use large element spacings to reduce component count, then device complexity is reduced, but aperture efficiency decreases and footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The GRIN lens acts as an intermediary optical element between the sparse feed array and the far-field radiation pattern. The lens focuses and collimates the energy from sparsely-spaced feeds, transforming the sparse input into a coherent, high-aperture-efficiency beam. This intermediary lens system allows large feed spacings without sacrificing aperture efficiency, as the lens compensates for the spacing by providing focused energy collection and directional control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If phased arrays steer beams over wide angles, then adaptability is improved, but grating lobes increase requiring additional elements for suppression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different local qualities to different regions of the aperture by dedicating specific GRIN lenses to specific scan regions. Each lens is optimized for its local angular range, with feeds positioned in its focal region to generate beams at appropriate angles. This local optimization ensures that each lens operates within its designed angular sector, preventing grating lobes from appearing in other regions, thus achieving wide-angle coverage without grating lobe suppression requirements.
4Measurement precision
If active phased arrays use amplifiers at each element for high directivity, then beam directivity is improved, but power consumption increases proportionally with number of elements
Solution Approach 1:
The GRIN lens serves multiple functions: it focuses energy from feeds, collimates beams for high directivity, and enables wide-angle steering through feed selection. By making the lens multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate amplifiers at each feed element, as the lens itself provides the gain and directivity that would otherwise require active components, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining beam quality.
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 system achieves substantial cost and power savings while maintaining high aperture efficiency and directivity, enabling efficient beam steering over a wide range with reduced components and grating lobe suppression.
Implementation Method 1
broadband wide-angle multiple beam phased array antenna system with reduced number of components using wide-angle gradient index lenses each with multiple scannable beams
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system that includes a plurality of lens sets. Each lens set includes a lens and at least one feed element. At least one feed element is aligned with the lens and configured to direct a signal through the lens at a desired direction.