Low Profile Antenna Array for Satellite Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas for satellite and terrestrial communication systems face challenges in achieving high gain and low profile designs, particularly in mobile terminals, due to physical constraints and limitations in radiation pattern maintenance at varying angles of incidence.
Innovation Solution
A low profile receiving and transmitting antenna is designed with an array of interconnected antenna elements and active panels, configured to coherently combine or split radiation at a single summation point, allowing for high gain and continuous aperture coverage by adjusting the angle of incidence and inter-panel distance, and equipped with mechanical steering devices for beam direction alteration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional antenna designs are used to achieve high gain, then antenna gain is improved, but antenna profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple sub-arrays, each sub-array comprising multiple antenna elements arranged in a planar configuration. This segmentation allows the antenna to achieve high gain through coherent combining of signals from multiple elements while maintaining a low profile by distributing elements across multiple sub-arrays in a compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-plane antenna arrangement to a multi-dimensional sub-array configuration. By organizing antenna elements into multiple sub-arrays with specific geometric relationships, the system achieves high gain in the vertical dimension while maintaining a low overall profile height, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to resolve the contradiction.
2Reliability
If antenna elements are arranged to maintain radiation pattern at varying angles, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase shifters and signal combining networks that dynamically adjust the phase and amplitude of signals from each antenna element based on the angle of incidence. This dynamic adaptation allows the antenna to maintain optimal radiation patterns across varying angles while using standardized modular sub-array building blocks, thereby managing complexity through systematic design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sub-array is designed as a universal module that can handle multiple functions: signal reception from different angles, beam forming, and pattern control. The identical structure of all sub-arrays allows for standardized implementation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable communication across varying incident angles through multi-functional capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If inter-panel distance is reduced to maintain continuous aperture coverage, then aperture continuity is improved, but grating lobes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the inter-panel distance parameter within specific ranges that balance aperture continuity and grating lobe suppression. By optimizing this geometric parameter along with the angle of incidence, the system achieves sufficient aperture continuity for low-profile operation while maintaining inter-panel spacing large enough to minimize grating lobe formation. The phase shifter networks further compensate for spacing effects to reduce grating lobes.
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 solution achieves high antenna gain, reduces grating lobes, and enables effective communication in low power satellite and wireless networks by maintaining continuous aperture coverage and beam steering capabilities, suitable for various communication systems including satellite and terrestrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
an array of antenna elements 12 that are interconnected by suitable combining/splitting transmission lines etc. 8 to coherently combine millimeter wave or other radiation at a single electrical summation point 9
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile receiving and/or transmitting antenna includes an array of antenna elements that collect and coherently combine millimeter wave or other radiation. The antenna elements are physically configured so that radiation at a predetermined wavelength band impinging on the antenna at a particular angle of incidence is collected by the elements and collected in-phase. Two or more mechanical rotators may be disposed to alter the angle of incidence of incoming or outgoing radiation to match the particular angle of incidence.