High Energy Microwave Pulse Array Antenna Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating high-energy microwave pulses are limited by compactness and energy density, with parallel configurations requiring significant space and restricting dimensionality, and suffer from limited edge steepness and flexibility in pulse shaping.
Innovation Solution
A large-area array of conductor components, connected in parallel and/or series, generates a surface current to increase energy density and edge steepness, allowing for active control and modulation of pulses using non-linear components, including diodes and inductors, distributed across a planar arrangement within an antenna structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large-area array of conductor components is used to increase energy density and edge steepness, then the microwave pulse energy density and edge steepness are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into a large-area array of multiple discrete conductor components (patches, strips, or elements) distributed across the antenna surface. Each conductor component is individually connected to the pulse generator through transmission lines, allowing the energy flow to be distributed across multiple paths rather than concentrated in a single component. This segmentation enables higher energy density while managing device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor components are arranged in a two-dimensional array across the antenna surface, transitioning from a one-dimensional or point-based configuration to a distributed planar structure. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve higher energy density by utilizing surface area rather than concentrating energy in a single location, while the regular array pattern provides structural organization to manage complexity.
2Shape
If non-linear conductor components are used to increase edge steepness, then the pulse shaping flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision and component reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Non-linear conductor components are strategically placed at specific locations within the antenna array, particularly at edges, corners, or positions where pulse shaping is most needed. These non-linear components (such as diodes or varactors) provide localized edge steepness enhancement without requiring all components to meet high precision specifications. The regular linear components can be manufactured with standard tolerances while only specific non-linear elements require precise placement and characterization.
3Reliability
If conductor components are distributed in parallel to reduce individual component loading, then the reliability is improved, but the area occupied by the arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductor components are electrically connected in parallel configurations, merging their individual contributions to create a unified radiating structure. The parallel connection allows the total current to be distributed across multiple paths, reducing the loading on each individual component and improving reliability. The merged array structure achieves the desired radiation pattern while utilizing the available antenna area efficiently through coherent combination of all elements.
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
This approach enables the generation of high-energy density microwave pulses with enhanced edge steepness and flexibility in pulse shaping, while reducing device size and allowing for active control and beam steering, thereby overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage pulse generated by the pulse generator creates or induces a surface current in the planar arrangement of conductor components
Implementation Method 2
The surface current generates the electromagnetic field to be radiated in the microwave frequency range
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5B
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for generating high-energy microwave pulses, in particular based on HPEM technology. To solve the problem of increasing the energy density of pulses on the one hand and further increasing the compactness of the devices concerned on the other, the present invention proposes to use a large-area arrangement of a plurality of preferably nonlinear semiconductor devices (5) for pulse shaping in the area of the antenna (4).