Multi-aperture 3D Beamforming via Optical Comb Heterodyning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beamforming systems experience a decline in peak radiated energy intensity as the pulse propagates away from the antenna, limiting the concentration of energy at a desired target region.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a mode-locked laser source to generate a pulsed multi-frequency optical comb signal, which is converted into electrical signals through optical-electronic circuits and amplified, then transmitted via an array of antennas to create a coherent and multi-frequency signal pulse that focuses energy at a specific point in space, known as a 'hot spot', avoiding energy concentration elsewhere along the beam path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional beamforming is used to concentrate radiated energy in a desired region, then spatial resolution and detection sensitivity are improved, but peak energy intensity declines as the pulse propagates away from the antenna
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radiated energy into multiple frequency components (comb lines) that are transmitted simultaneously through the antenna array. Each frequency component can be independently beamformed, allowing the system to maintain peak energy intensity at the target while achieving spatial resolution through the multi-frequency interference pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple frequency components (comb lines) into a single pulsed signal that is transmitted through the antenna array. This merging of frequencies creates a coherent multi-frequency pulse that maintains peak intensity at the target region while providing spatial resolution through frequency-dependent beamforming.
2Measurement precision
If impulse peak intensity radiation is formed in the transmitter to illuminate a narrower part of the target, then spatial resolution is improved, but the intense pulse propagates uniformly away from the antenna lowering peak intensity at the target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating frequency-specific beam patterns where each comb line is beamformed to a slightly different spatial location. This allows the system to illuminate a narrow region at the target with high peak intensity while the overall radiation pattern maintains energy concentration rather than uniform propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency as an additional dimension for beamforming control. By manipulating multiple frequency components simultaneously, the system achieves spatial resolution in the spatial dimension while maintaining peak intensity through constructive interference in the frequency domain, effectively adding a degree of freedom to the beamforming problem.
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 approach maintains peak energy intensity at the target region, enhancing spatial resolution and detection sensitivity by focusing energy coherently at a single point, with adjustable hot spot size and location through pulse width and frequency modulation.
Implementation Method 1
a mode-locked laser source configured to provide a pulsed multi-frequency laser output signal having spectrum with a plurality of comb lines
Implementation Method 2
each OE circuit is configured to provide an electrical output signal having a frequency corresponding to a heterodyning of the comb lines in its corresponding comb line pair
Implementation Method 3
an array of antennas corresponding on a one-to-one basis to the plurality of amplifiers, each antenna configured to transmit the amplified output signal from the corresponding amplifier, whereby the array of antennas transmits a coherent and multi-frequency signal output pulse
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes: a mode-locked laser source configured to provide a pulsed multi-frequency laser output signal having spectrum with a plurality of comb lines, wherein one of the comb lines is a reference comb line, the comb lines forming a plurality of comb line pairs comprising the reference comb line and selected ones of the remaining comb lines; a plurality of optical-electronic (OE) conversion circuits, each OE circuit corresponding on a one-to-one basis to the plurality of comb line pairs, wherein each OE circuit is configured to provide an electrical output signal having a frequency corresponding to a heterodyning of the comb lines in its corresponding comb line pair; a plurality of amplifiers corresponding on a one-to-one basis with the OE conversion circuits, each amplifier configured to amplify a version of the electrical output signal from its corresponding OE conversion circuit so as to provide an amplified output signal; and an array of antennas corresponding on a one-to-one basis to the plurality of amplifiers, each antenna configured to transmit the amplified output signal from the corresponding amplifier, whereby the array of antennas transmits a coherent and multi-frequency signal output pulse.