Parabolic Antenna Feed Steering for Low-Energy Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems face high energy consumption and cost due to the need for powerful actuators to rotate heavy components for beam steering, especially when addressing mast sway and twist caused by wind and temperature changes, and prior solutions using active or passive electronically scanned arrays are expensive.
Innovation Solution
A parabolic antenna design featuring a flexible feed antenna and secondary reflector that can be moved by an actuator unit, allowing for low-mass components to be adjusted relative to the primary reflector, reducing the need for powerful actuators and enabling efficient beam steering with lower energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main reflector is rotated around its focal point to counter mast sway and twist, then beam steering is achieved, but high energy consumption occurs due to powerful actuators needed to rotate the heavy main reflector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into two functional parts: a stationary heavy main reflector and a movable lightweight feed assembly. The segmentation allows the heavy reflector to remain fixed while only the lightweight feed is moved for beam steering, dramatically reducing the energy required for actuation while maintaining full beam steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the movement function from the main reflector and transfers it to the feed assembly. By taking out the heavy main reflector from the moving components and leaving it stationary, the system achieves beam steering through movement of only the lightweight feed, eliminating the need for high-power actuators.
2Reliability
If the whole antenna and radio complex is rotated to counter mast sway and twist, then beam steering is achieved, but high energy consumption occurs due to powerful actuators needed to rotate the heavy combination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into a stationary main reflector and a movable feed assembly. This segmentation prevents the need to rotate the entire heavy antenna structure by isolating the movement function to only the lightweight feed portion, thereby drastically reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotation/steering function from the entire antenna complex and transfers it exclusively to the feed assembly. By taking out the heavy main reflector and radio complex from the moving components, the system achieves the same beam steering effect with minimal mass movement.
3Reliability
If powerful actuators are used to rotate heavy components for beam steering, then beam steering capability is maintained, but cost increases due to expensive actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into stationary and movable parts, where only the lightweight feed requires actuation. This segmentation allows the use of small, inexpensive actuators instead of large, costly actuators that would be needed to move the entire heavy antenna structure, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining beam steering capability.
4Reliability
If active or passive electronically scanned arrays are used for beam steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex and expensive electronic beam steering systems (phased arrays) with a simple mechanical solution: a lightweight movable feed assembly actuated by small motors. This mechanical substitution achieves the same beam steering function at a fraction of the cost of electronic scanned arrays.
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 minimizes energy consumption and costs by using smaller, cheaper actuators to move low-mass components, effectively compensating for mast sway and twist while maintaining high precision and longevity, and allows for precise beam steering with reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator unit is configured to move the feed antenna and/or the secondary reflector, by exerting a mechanical force on the feed antenna and/or the secondary reflector and/or the feed, relative to the primary reflector
Implementation Method 2
a feed coupled to the feed antenna and/or secondary reflector, wherein the feed antenna and/or secondary reflector is coupleable, via the feed, to a radio-frequency transmission and/or reception device
Data Source
AI summary
We generally describe an antenna, in particular a parabolic antenna, comprising: a primary reflector, in particular a parabolic dish, a feed antenna and/or a secondary reflector for transmitting and/or reflecting an electromagnetic wave towards the primary reflector and/or receiving a said electromagnetic wave reflected from the primary reflector, a feed coupled to the feed antenna and/or secondary reflector, wherein the feed antenna and/or secondary reflector is coupleable, via the feed, to a radio-frequency transmission and/or reception device, and an actuator unit coupled to one or more of the feed antenna, the secondary reflector and the feed, wherein the actuator unit is configured to move the feed antenna and/or the secondary reflector, by exerting a mechanical force on the feed antenna and/or the secondary reflector and/or the feed, relative to the primary reflector.