Modular Phased Array Antenna Modules for Wideband Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas face challenges in achieving increased bandwidth while maintaining a high main lobe to side lobe power ratio, and they often require reduced weight, size, manufacturing cost, and power requirements, with existing designs being impractical for reorientation or repositioning to align with signal sources.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a modular antenna structure with conductive structures and spacer structures that allow for physical and electrical coupling with a printed circuit board, reducing signal pathway length and incorporating active electrical components within the module to enhance signal processing and radiation efficiency, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If phased array antennas use traditional configurations, then they can achieve basic beamforming capability, but they cannot simultaneously achieve increased bandwidth and maintain high main lobe to side lobe power ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independently controllable antenna elements arranged in a grid pattern. Each element can be individually phased and amplitude-controlled, allowing the system to achieve both wide bandwidth operation and precise beamforming with high main lobe to side lobe ratio through digital signal processing of each segmented element's output.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array system dynamically adjusts the phase and amplitude of signals from each antenna element in real-time based on the desired beam direction and bandwidth requirements. This dynamic control allows the antenna pattern to be reconfigured across different frequencies while maintaining optimal main lobe to side lobe power ratio through adaptive beamforming algorithms.
2Reliability
If phased array antennas are designed with high performance specifications, then they achieve better beamforming and signal quality, but they increase weight, size, manufacturing cost, and power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical beam steering with electronic phase and amplitude control of each antenna element. Instead of physically moving or reorienting antenna components, digital signal processing dynamically steers beams by adjusting the electrical characteristics of each element, significantly reducing mechanical weight and complexity while maintaining high signal quality and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array antenna system performs multiple functions including transmission, reception, beam steering, and spatial filtering using the same fixed physical structure. The antenna elements and associated electronics serve universal purposes across different operating modes and frequencies, eliminating the need for separate specialized components that would increase weight and cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If antenna elements are fixed in position, then the structure is stable and easier to manufacture, but it is impractical to physically reorient the antenna with respect to the target or source of the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical reorientation with electronic beam steering. Each antenna element's signal is phase-shifted and amplitude-modulated to dynamically change the effective direction of the beam without moving any physical antenna components. This allows the fixed structure to adapt to different target directions while maintaining structural stability and manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array system provides dynamic beam direction control through real-time adjustment of phase and amplitude parameters for each antenna element. This dynamic electrical control allows the antenna pattern to be reoriented instantaneously to track moving targets or switch between different signal sources, achieving adaptability without compromising the fixed physical structure.
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 configuration enhances signal quality by reducing signal degradation and distortion, achieving efficient beamforming without physical reorientation and minimizing manufacturing costs and weight, while maintaining high radiation efficiency and aperture efficiency within the phased array antenna system.
Implementation Method 1
An antenna (such as a dipole antenna) typically generates radiation in a pattern that has a preferred direction
Implementation Method 2
when receiving electromagnetic signals, the antenna has the same preferred direction
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a plurality of conductive structures having first sides and second sides opposite the first sides, wherein the second sides of the plurality of conductive structures are configured to be physically coupleable with a printed circuit board (PCB) of a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver. The first sides of the plurality of conductive structures are configured to be spaced from the PCB by a first distance when the plurality of conductive structures is physically coupled with the PCB. The apparatus includes an antenna having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second side of the antenna is disposed closer to the plurality of conductive structures than the first side of the antenna when the plurality of conductive structures is physically coupled with the PCB.