Offset Reflector Antenna Steering Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflector antennas suffer from aperture blocking and beam squint effects due to the positioning of sub-reflectors and antenna feeds, leading to efficiency degradation and the complexity and expense of rotary joints used for mechanical steering.
Innovation Solution
A reflector antenna design featuring an offset parabolic main reflector and a planar sub-reflector, coupled with a mechanical-based steering mechanism using gimbals that rotate independently, minimizing aperture blocking and eliminating beam squint effects without the need for rotary joints in the signal path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sub-reflectors and antenna feeds are positioned in conventional reflector antennas, then beam steering capability is achieved, but aperture blocking occurs and efficiency degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an offset parabolic reflector configuration where the sub-reflector and antenna feed are positioned asymmetrically relative to the main reflector's axis of symmetry. This asymmetric positioning allows the beam steering function to be achieved while minimizing the blocking of the aperture by the sub-reflector and feed structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between beam steering capability and antenna efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If sub-reflectors are positioned in conventional reflector antennas, then beam steering is enabled, but beam squint effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The offset configuration of the parabolic reflector with specifically positioned sub-reflector and antenna feed creates an asymmetric geometry that eliminates beam squint effects. This asymmetric design ensures that left circularly polarized and right circularly polarized beams remain properly aligned during steering operations, resolving the contradiction between beam steering capability and beam alignment accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If rotary joints are used for mechanical steering, then beam steering is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rotary joints from the signal path by using an offset reflector configuration where the sub-reflector and antenna feed are positioned to allow mechanical steering without requiring rotary joints in the electromagnetic signal path. This removal of complex rotary joint components directly reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining beam steering capability.
4Ease of operation
If rotary joints are used for mechanical steering, then beam steering capability is provided, but reliability decreases due to potential joint failures
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the rotary joints from the electromagnetic signal path through the offset reflector design, the patent eliminates the potential failure points associated with these complex mechanical components. The removal of rotary joints from critical signal paths directly improves system reliability by reducing the number of moving parts that could fail, while beam steering capability is maintained through the offset geometry.
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 design enhances the efficiency of the reflector antenna by minimizing aperture blocking and eliminating beam squint, while simplifying the mechanical steering mechanism and reducing the risk of joint failures, thus improving beam steering capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The parabolic reflector reflects the electromagnetic signal as a collimated beam
Implementation Method 2
The planar sub-reflector reflects the electromagnetic signal to the parabolic reflector
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies directed to a mechanically steered antenna with improved efficiency are described. One antenna includes a first reflector, a second reflector, and an antenna feed element. The second reflector is located on a reflecting side of the first reflector. The second reflector is offset from the first reflector. The second reflector receives an electromagnetic signal from the antenna feed element and outputs an inverted electromagnetic signal corresponding to the electromagnetic signal. The first reflector receives the inverted electromagnetic signal and outputs a collimated beam corresponding to the inverted electromagnetic signal. The antenna further includes a mechanism coupled to the first reflector. The mechanism rotates the first reflector about a first axis. The first axis is along a direction of the inverted electromagnetic signal.