Nested Bowtie Array Antenna for Wideband Coverage

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wideband phased array antennas require multiple separate apertures and are complex and costly due to limitations in hardware implementation at high frequencies, necessitating down-conversion and increased hardware usage.

Innovation Solution

A wideband phased array design featuring nested sub-arrays with bowtie radiators sharing a common aperture, each covering a specific frequency band, utilizing varying dielectric materials and electrical coupling to optimize signal resonance and reduce hardware requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate phased array antennas are used to cover wide frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple phased array antennas operating at different frequency bands are merged into a single shared aperture structure. The nested sub-arrays are physically integrated within the same spatial envelope, allowing simultaneous operation across wide frequency ranges (e.g., 100 MHz to 20 GHz) without requiring separate antenna installations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Sub-arrays designed for different frequency bands are nested within each other in a hierarchical arrangement. Higher frequency sub-arrays are positioned within the aperture of lower frequency sub-arrays, creating a compact nested structure. This nesting approach allows multiple frequency-specific antenna systems to coexist in a single shared space, dramatically reducing the total space required compared to separate aperture installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate phased array antennas are used to cover wide frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple phased array antennas operating at different frequency bands are merged into a single shared aperture structure. The nested sub-arrays are physically integrated within the same spatial envelope, allowing simultaneous operation across wide frequency ranges (e.g., 100 MHz to 20 GHz) without requiring separate antenna installations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Sub-arrays designed for different frequency bands are nested within each other in a hierarchical arrangement. Higher frequency sub-arrays are positioned within the aperture of lower frequency sub-arrays, creating a compact nested structure. This nesting approach allows multiple frequency-specific antenna systems to coexist in a single shared space, dramatically reducing the total space required compared to separate aperture installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If down-conversion is used to handle high frequency signals, then hardware implementation limitations are overcome, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware implementation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs frequency-selective sub-arrays where each nested sub-array is optimized for specific frequency ranges. By changing the operational parameters (frequency bands) of different sub-arrays rather than converting all signals to intermediate frequencies, the system can directly process high frequency signals in their native bands using specialized hardware designed for those frequencies, avoiding the complexity of universal down-conversion while maintaining hardware reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficient operation over a very wide frequency band with reduced complexity and cost by nesting sub-arrays with bowtie radiators, maintaining high gain and minimizing space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

each sub-array operates at a particular frequency band and each bowtie radiating element in the group has a particular size for that frequency band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

various and several dielectric layers that can be provided above and below the substrate including various and several dielectric materials having various and different dielectric constants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS10158180B1Ultrawideband nested bowtie array

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A wideband phased array including a plurality of nested sub-arrays each having a plurality of bowtie radiators and having a common aperture, where each sub-array covers a different frequency band. In one embodiment, a square high-band sub-array is positioned at a center of the phase array, a square mid-band sub-array surrounds the high-band sub-array, and low-band sub-array surrounds the mid-band sub-array.