Multiport Antenna Manifold for Wideband RF Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current direction finding (DF) systems face challenges with large size, weight, power consumption, and setup time, especially at low frequencies, and struggle to efficiently compute the angle of arrival (AoA) for multiple signals, requiring a system that can handle a wide frequency range and varying antenna patterns.
Innovation Solution
A multiport antenna system with a plurality of ports, each with two terminals connected through conductive pieces, capable of sensing both E-field and H-field components, and an associated antenna system manifold that provides complex output numbers for different polarizations, used in conjunction with a processing system to determine the direction of RF sources by correlating signal waveforms and estimating AoA, magnitude, and polarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional DF systems operate at low frequencies, then they can detect long-range signals, but the system size, weight, power consumption, and setup time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The multiport antenna system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects both E-field and H-field components, supports wide frequency ranges, and provides polarization discrimination all through a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate antenna systems for different functions, reducing overall system weight while maintaining long-range detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the frequency-dependent characteristics of the multiport antenna system to achieve different detection capabilities. By operating across a wide frequency range, the system can detect long-range low-frequency signals while using higher frequency components for more precise AoA estimation, optimizing performance without increasing weight
2Measurement precision
If DF systems compute AoA for numerous frequency hopping signals, then comprehensive signal characterization is achieved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes and stores manifold information for the multiport antenna across different frequencies, angles, and polarizations. This preliminary characterization allows the processing system to quickly match received signals against pre-computed patterns, dramatically reducing real-time processing time while maintaining accurate AoA estimation for frequency hopping signals
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system divides the complex task of characterizing frequency hopping signals into separate independent channels corresponding to different ports and polarizations. Each channel can be processed independently and in parallel, reducing overall computational complexity and processing time while maintaining comprehensive signal characterization
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna arrays are designed to cover wide frequency ranges, then versatility is improved, but the complexity of comprehending varying patterns across frequencies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiport antenna system provides a unified mathematical model (manifold) that describes the antenna's response across all frequencies, angles, and polarizations simultaneously. This single comprehensive model replaces the need for separate pattern characterizations at different frequencies, simplifying the processing system's task while maintaining wide frequency coverage and adaptability
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
Enables rapid and accurate characterization of RF sources, reducing the complexity of processing and improving sensitivity to detect small signals across a wide frequency range, while maintaining efficiency and accuracy in estimating AoA and polarization.
Implementation Method 1
both an H-field and an E-field component by sensing a voltage caused by E-field components that induce a charge between the pair of conductive pieces
Implementation Method 2
simultaneously sensing currents flowing through loops oriented according to the port locations to flow through the pair of conductive pieces and pairs of ports, a loop for every combination of port pairing, the current in each loop being induced by the incoming H-field
Data Source
AI summary
An RF source system and method including an antenna system receiving RF signals including radio signal waveforms communicated between a target device and a second device, the antenna system comprising at least one multiport antenna having a plurality of ports and having an associated antenna system manifold which provides complex output numbers representative of the set of complex voltages from the plurality of ports in the antenna system. The system also includes an RF receiver system configured to receive signals from the plurality of ports and a processing system programmed to determine a direction to the target device based on the received RF signals from the plurality of ports and the antenna system manifold.