Modular Tower Radar Architecture for Rapid Mission Reconfiguration

Solution Overview

Problem

Radar systems face challenges in scalability, cost, and time-consuming upgrades due to the need for extensive re-engineering when adapting to new requirements or applications, especially in military installations, where customers prefer mature technologies and rapid deployment.

Innovation Solution

A modular, tower-based radar system with integrated antenna enclosures and standardized building blocks that allow for rapid configuration and deployment, leveraging mature components and minimizing engineering support, enabling scalability and configurability without new design cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional radar systems are adapted to new requirements or applications, then the system can meet new mission needs, but extensive re-engineering is required which increases cost and deployment time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to new requirementsVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The radar system is divided into modular building blocks (BBs) that can be independently configured and assembled. Each BB contains standardized interfaces and can be mixed and matched to create different radar configurations for various mission requirements, eliminating the need for complete re-engineering when adapting to new applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular building blocks are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection protocols that allow the same components to serve multiple functions across different radar configurations. This enables a single set of modular components to adapt to diverse mission needs without requiring application-specific redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional radar systems are adapted to new requirements or applications, then the system can meet new mission needs, but extensive re-engineering is required which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to new requirementsVSAvoidengineering cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The radar system is divided into modular building blocks (BBs) that can be independently configured and assembled. Each BB contains standardized interfaces and can be mixed and matched to create different radar configurations for various mission requirements, eliminating the need for complete re-engineering when adapting to new applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular architecture allows existing building blocks to be reused, recovered, and redeployed in new configurations when mission requirements change. Instead of discarding entire systems or performing expensive re-engineering, individual BBs can be extracted from existing radars and integrated into new configurations, significantly reducing adaptation costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If modular components are used to enable rapid deployment, then deployment time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar system is divided into modular building blocks (BBs) that can be independently configured and assembled. Each BB contains standardized interfaces and can be mixed and matched to create different radar configurations for various mission requirements, eliminating the need for complete re-engineering when adapting to new applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs standardized interface specifications and connection protocols that act as templates or copies across all building blocks. This standardization allows for rapid assembly by simply connecting pre-defined interfaces without complex custom integration work, reducing the perceived complexity despite the modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12529756B2Composable radar

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A modular radar system comprises an antenna assembly, a support structure to which the antenna assembly is mounted, and a set of modular radar subsystems. The antenna assembly comprises an antenna array, an antenna enclosure to which the antenna array is attached and which is configured to house the antenna array and to distribute communications signals and power signals to the antenna array, and an antenna enclosure interface configured to receive inputs to and provide outputs from, the antenna array. The support structure positions the antenna array at an orientation and elevation for antenna operation. The set of modular radar subsystems is separate from the support structure and in operable communication with the antenna enclosure interface and comprises a data processing subsystem, a cooling subsystem, and an AC power subsystem supplying power to the antenna enclosure, the data processing subsystem, the cooling subsystem and to a DC power conversion subsystem.