Manifold Antenna Array for Compact Radar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronically scanned array (ESA) radar systems are more expensive than mechanically scanned antennas and have large, fixed apertures that are difficult to compact for transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, portable ESA design featuring array blocks with corporate and serial manifolds, phase shifters, and antenna elements, where serial manifolds are passive electronic elements generating phase shifts based on RF signal frequency, and array blocks are connected by hinged connectors and support structures made of rigid foam for compact deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing ESA designs are used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but cost is high and aperture size is large and fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple array blocks, each containing sub-arrays with corporate and serial manifolds. This segmentation allows the large aperture to be broken into manageable, transportable modules that can be assembled into different configurations for deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Array blocks can be positioned and repositioned to create different aperture sizes and shapes, enabling the system to adapt between compact storage and various deployment configurations
2Measurement precision
If more antenna elements are added to maintain beam quality during frequency scanning, then beam steering performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Serial manifolds are introduced as intermediary components between corporate manifolds and antenna elements. These passive serial manifolds automatically provide frequency-dependent phase shifts, eliminating the need for active phase shifters at each element while maintaining beam steering precision across frequency ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The serial manifolds are designed to automatically generate the required phase shifts based on the operating frequency without external control. The physical structure of the serial manifolds creates frequency-dependent phase delays that self-adjust to maintain beam quality during frequency scanning
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 design reduces costs and enables compact, portable ESA radar systems with efficient beam steering in azimuth and elevation, allowing for flexible deployment configurations while maintaining a large number of antenna elements with fewer phase shifters.
Implementation Method 1
each of the serial manifolds are configured to generate a phase shift across the antenna elements that is a function of a frequency of an RF signal applied at the serial manifold input port
Implementation Method 2
the corporate manifold phase shifts the RF signal in azimuth
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for an antenna assembly including one or more array blocks having one or more corporate manifolds, each having an input port, a plurality of output ports, and a plurality of phase shifters, each of the phase shifters located at a respective one of the output ports. Array blocks can further include a plurality of serial manifolds each having an input port and a plurality of output ports, the input port coupled to a respective output port of one of the corporate manifolds; and plurality of antenna elements coupled to respective output port of one of the serial manifolds.