Hemispherical Array Antenna for Drone Fleet Command Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices such as drones experience deteriorated two-way communications due to flight movements, leading to potential loss or corruption of signals, which can result in delayed critical messages during missions.
Innovation Solution
A 360° multi-beam hemispherical array system with a wireless fleet base station and multiple antenna elements arranged in circular arrays at different tilts, providing 360° transmission and reception for command and control communications, and secondary radar functions to track mobile devices based on signal characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-way communications are used for command and control with mobile devices, then communication capability is provided, but signal deterioration and corruption occur due to flight movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic beam forming that continuously adjusts antenna element phases and amplitudes to track mobile devices in real-time, adapting to flight movements and maintaining optimal signal paths between the base station and moving devices
Solution Approach 2:
The same antenna elements used for command and control communications are also utilized for secondary radar tracking functions, allowing the system to simultaneously perform communication and surveillance tasks without requiring separate dedicated hardware
2Productivity
If communication messages are transmitted between base station and mobile devices, then command and control functionality is achieved, but message corruption and retransmission delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional omnidirectional or mechanically scanned antenna systems with an electronically controlled phased array that uses digital signal processing to form and steer beams, eliminating mechanical movement and enabling faster, more reliable signal delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary radar tracking function provides continuous feedback on mobile device positions and signal characteristics, which is used to dynamically adjust communication beam directions and parameters, ensuring optimal signal quality and minimizing retransmissions
3Adaptability or versatility
If a 360° multi-beam hemispherical array is used for transmission and reception, then coverage area and tracking capability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical array is segmented into multiple independent circular sub-arrays, each capable of forming beams in specific elevation sectors. This modular segmentation allows the complex 360° coverage task to be divided into manageable subsets that can be controlled and processed independently
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple circular antenna arrays are merged into a unified hemispherical configuration where each array contributes to the overall 360° coverage. The systems are combined through coordinated beam forming algorithms that integrate signals from all arrays to achieve comprehensive spatial coverage
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
Ensures reliable and efficient two-way communications and tracking of mobile devices, minimizing signal interference and delays by dynamically adjusting antenna beams to maintain communication links from horizon to zenith.
Implementation Method 1
provide 360° of transmission and reception from horizon to zenith using the plurality of antenna elements for two-way command and control fleet communications
Implementation Method 2
provide secondary radar functions using the two-way command and control fleet communications to track the mobile devices based on received signal characteristics received at the plurality of antenna elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a hemispherical array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements comprising a set of baseline antenna elements arranged in a first 360° circular antenna array, a set of upper antenna elements arranged in a second 360° circular antenna array and latitudinally aligned with the baseline antenna elements, and a set of lower antenna elements arranged in a third 360° circular antenna array and latitudinally aligned with the baseline antenna elements. The system includes a fleet base station including a plurality of non-shared receiver channels coupled to and dedicated to a particular antenna element. The base station is configured to provide 360° of transmission/reception from horizon to zenith using the antenna elements for command and control fleet communications to and from mobile devices and to provide secondary radar functions using the fleet communications to track the mobile devices based on received signal characteristics received at the antenna elements.