Non-Planar Antenna Array Phase Steering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems lack the ability to steer beams effectively while attached to moving objects and have limited aperture size, gain, and field of regard, especially when configured in non-planar shapes which cause phase differences and coherence loss among antenna elements.
Innovation Solution
A non-planar antenna array system with phase-shift switching circuitry that allows each antenna element to be switched into one of four phase shift states (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) to steer the antenna beam and align signal phases, using transistor or MEM switches, enabling increased gain, aperture size, and field of regard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If antenna elements are arranged in a non-planar array to increase aperture size and gain, then the field of regard and gain are improved, but phase differences and coherence loss occur among antenna elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phase shift states adjustable and switchable rather than fixed. Each antenna element can dynamically change its phase shift state (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°) based on control signals, allowing the system to adapt to different beam steering requirements while maintaining signal coherence across the non-planar array configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If phase-shift switching circuitry is added to steer beams and align signal phases, then beam steering capability and signal coherence are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the phase shift parameter of each antenna element. Instead of complex continuous phase control, the system uses discrete phase shift states (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), which simplifies the switching circuitry while still enabling effective beam steering and signal coherence maintenance across the antenna array.
3Speed
If more antenna elements are switched to different phase shift states to steer the beam, then beam direction control and field of regard are improved, but loss of time for switching and controlling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through the use of discrete, pre-defined phase shift states that can be switched in a systematic manner. The phase shift switching circuitry can cycle through the four available states (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) for each antenna element, enabling rapid beam steering without requiring complex continuous adjustment, thus reducing switching control time while maintaining fast beam steering capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide an antenna array system. The antenna array system includes a plurality of antenna elements and phase-shift switching circuitry. The plurality of antenna elements are organized in an array and configured to form a non-planar shaped antenna array surface. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is switchable to one of a plurality of phase shift states. The phase-shift switching circuitry is configured to switch each of the plurality of antenna elements to one of the plurality of phase shift states based on phase control signals. In an example, the phase-shift switching circuitry switches a first set of antenna elements to a first phase shift state and switches at least a second set of antenna elements to a second phase shift state to steer an antenna beam in a direction.