Passive Non-Redundant Signal Distribution for Radar Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high availability radar systems require redundant signal distribution systems, leading to increased costs, complexity, and reliability issues due to active components and manufacturing tolerances, as well as the need for extensive calibration and sensitivity to temperature variations.

Innovation Solution

A non-redundant passive signal distribution system using a passive combiner and splitter to align and distribute reference signals, reducing the reliance on active components and enabling efficient signal coordination and alignment, with the combiner and splitter potentially merged into a hybrid coupler, and employing directional couplers and threshold detectors for reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant signal distribution systems are used, then system availability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoiddistribution system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple signal distribution paths into a single non-redundant distribution system, merging the functions of multiple identical systems into one system that achieves reliability through alternative means rather than duplication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates signal copies through passive distribution rather than active redundancy, using a single source to generate multiple signal copies that are distributed passively to various sinks, eliminating the need for duplicate active systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If redundant signal distribution systems are used, then system availability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidcalibration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple distribution paths into a single path, eliminating the need to calibrate and coordinate multiple independent systems, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Power

If active components are used in signal distribution, then signal amplification is achieved, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal amplificationVSAvoiddistribution system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces active electronic components with passive distribution elements, substituting the mechanical/electronic amplification system with a passive signal distribution system that inherently avoids active component failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Power

If active components are used in signal distribution, then signal amplification is achieved, but temperature sensitivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal amplificationVSAvoidtemperature sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes active temperature-sensitive components with passive distribution elements that are inherently less sensitive to temperature variations, eliminating the temperature sensitivity issue while maintaining signal distribution functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9261587B1Methods and apparatus for highly reliable signal distribution

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for providing a passive non-redundant signal distribution system including a passive combiner coupled to the first and second controlled signal sources to receive first and second signals, the combiner having an output, and a passive splitter coupled to the combiner output to provide reference signals to signal sinks, all to provide reliable dissemination of a reference signal despite failures of signal generation or distribution.