Paraconic Reflector Collar for Compact Phased Array Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reflector antennas in spacecraft face challenges in achieving efficient radiation beam transmission and reception due to tradeoffs in size, weight, and cost, particularly in maintaining high gain and directivity while minimizing the size of the phased array feed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a paraconic reflector with a ground plane extension and a tapered collar adjacent to the phased array feed, which improves antenna efficiency by enhancing gain and directivity without adding significant cost or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If the phased array feed size is reduced to minimize weight and cost, then the antenna gain and directivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a paraconic ground plane extension that adds a new dimensional element to the antenna system. This extension creates additional reflective surfaces and alters the three-dimensional radiation pattern, enabling improved gain and directivity performance without requiring a larger phased array feed. The ground plane extension transforms the problem from a two-dimensional feed array optimization to a three-dimensional spatial configuration optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The paraconic ground plane extension acts as an intermediary element between the phased array feed and the radiation environment. It mediates the interaction by providing additional reflective and directive surfaces that shape the radiation pattern, thereby compensating for the reduced size of the phased array feed while maintaining or improving antenna performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the phased array feed size is reduced to minimize cost, then the antenna efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the ground plane extension as a new dimensional feature, the patent enables cost reduction through a smaller phased array feed while maintaining efficiency. The extended ground plane provides additional geometric control over the radiation pattern, compensating for the reduced feed complexity and element count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ground plane by extending it in a paraconic configuration. This parameter change alters the radiation characteristics and efficiency metrics, allowing the system to achieve high efficiency with a more cost-effective, smaller phased array feed.
3Volume of moving object
If the phased array feed size is reduced, then the radiation beam directivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The paraconic ground plane extension introduces a new spatial dimension that enhances directivity control. By extending the ground plane in a specific paraconic geometry, the system achieves better beam shaping and directional control without requiring a larger phased array feed volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a paraconic (curved) ground plane extension rather than a flat configuration. This curvature is specifically designed to focus and direct the radiation beams, improving directivity performance while allowing for a more compact phased array feed structure.
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
The proposed design increases antenna gain and directivity, allowing for a smaller phased array feed while maintaining efficiency, thus optimizing size, weight, and cost considerations.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector having a curved reflecting surface that extends around a longitudinal center axis... configured to reflect radiation beams received by the phased array feed
Implementation Method 2
a ground plane extension having a flat reflecting surface abutting an edge of the reflector and extending radially away from the longitudinal center axis
Data Source
AI summary
A reflector antenna includes a reflector having a curved reflecting surface that extends around a longitudinal center axis, wherein the curved reflecting surface is defined by rotating a concave curve around the longitudinal center axis and wherein one end of the concave curve defines an apex on the longitudinal center axis. The reflector antenna may further include a ground plane extension having a flat reflecting surface abutting an edge of the reflector and extending radially away from the longitudinal center axis. A phased array feed may be arranged spaced apart from and opposite to the reflecting surfaces of the reflector and the ground plane extension. A tapered collar may be arranged adjacent to the phased array feed, wherein the tapered collar tapers outward away from the phased array feed and towards the reflector, and wherein the tapered collar comprises an inner reflective surface facing the reflector.