Liquid Crystal Radome Beam Steering for Microwave Antenna Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave antenna alignment processes require manual tower climbing and are inefficient, especially for high-gain narrow-beam antennas, and existing automatic alignment methods are either unreliable due to motor issues or costly phased array technologies.
Innovation Solution
A beam direction adjustment method using a liquid crystal array in the radome of a microwave antenna, where the bias voltage is adjusted to change the refractive index and phase layout, allowing for automatic tracking and alignment of the antenna beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical rotation is used to implement beam sweeping, then beam direction can be adjusted, but motor reliability is poor and heat dissipation problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor-driven pan-tilt-zoom rotation system with an electronic beam sweeping system. The liquid crystal array electronically adjusts the beam direction by changing the refractive index through voltage control, eliminating mechanical moving parts and motors, thus resolving the reliability and heat dissipation issues while maintaining beam direction adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the liquid crystal cells by adjusting the voltage applied to them. By varying the voltage, the refractive index of the liquid crystal changes, which in turn adjusts the beam direction. This parameter-based control replaces mechanical rotation and provides reliable, heat-free beam sweeping.
2Extent of automation
If phased array antenna is used to implement electronic beam sweeping, then automatic beam sweeping can be achieved, but costs are high and not conducive to large-scale commercial use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid crystal array that is significantly cheaper than a phased array antenna system. The liquid crystal array can be manufactured at low cost and integrated into the radome, making the system economically viable for large-scale commercial deployment while still achieving automatic beam sweeping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple expensive RF channels and phase shifters as in phased array, the patent achieves beam sweeping by changing the voltage parameter of the liquid crystal array. This single parameter control method dramatically reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining automatic beam direction adjustment capability.
3Productivity
If manual tower climbing is used for antenna alignment, then alignment can be performed, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated electronic beam sweeping and detection system. The system automatically sweeps the beam across different angles, detects signal strength, and determines the optimal alignment position without requiring manual tower climbing or physical adjustment, thereby dramatically improving alignment efficiency and eliminating manual intervention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the beam direction is automatically adjusted based on received signal strength measurements. The system sweeps through different angles, measures signal quality, and uses this feedback to determine the optimal alignment position, replacing inefficient manual alignment processes with automated closed-loop control.
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 efficient and automatic alignment and anti-shake functions for microwave antennas, reducing the need for manual intervention and lowering costs compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
When a liquid crystal bias voltage of the liquid crystal array is changed, the refractive index of each liquid crystal cell in the liquid crystal array may change based on the change of the liquid crystal bias
Implementation Method 2
When the liquid crystal bias voltage of the liquid crystal array is changed, the refractive index of each liquid crystal cell in the liquid crystal array may change based on the change of the liquid crystal bias
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses example beam direction adjustment methods, apparatuses, and media. One example method includes obtaining at least one of an azimuth or a pitch angle of a microwave antenna in an antenna system, where the antenna system includes the microwave antenna and a radome installed at an air interface of the microwave antenna, the radome includes a liquid crystal array including M×N liquid crystal cells, and both M and N are integers greater than 0. A target scanning angle of the microwave antenna is determined based on at least one of the azimuth or the pitch angle. A first bias voltage value of the liquid crystal array is determined based on the target scanning angle. A voltage of the liquid crystal array is set to the first bias voltage value.