Phase-Shifting Antenna Unit for Low-Loss Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased arrays face significant cost, size, weight, and power (C-SWAP) limitations due to conventional phase shifters, which are either bulky and power-hungry or exhibit high signal loss, making them unsuitable for applications like autonomous vehicles and drones.
Innovation Solution
An antenna array configuration that adjusts signal phase without conventional phase shifters, using phase-shifting modulators with low signal loss and power consumption, allowing for closer antenna element spacing and reduced C-SWAP metrics while maintaining beam-steering performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a low-loss phase shifter is used to maintain acceptable power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the phase shifter becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electronic phase shifters with a phase-shifting modulator that uses signal modulation techniques. The modulator applies a complex exponential term e^(jφ_n) to the signal, achieving phase shifting through signal processing rather than physical phase shifter components. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky low-loss phase shifters while maintaining acceptable power consumption levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of phase shifting from a physical component property to a signal parameter. By representing phase shifts as complex exponential terms that can be applied through modulation, the system transforms phase control from a hardware-intensive operation to a software/signal-processing operation, reducing physical footprint while maintaining functionality.
2Weight of stationary object
If a reduced-size phase shifter is used to meet cost and size specifications, then size and cost are reduced, but signal loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes reduced-size phase shifters with a phase-shifting modulator that operates in the signal domain. Instead of using physical components that inherently introduce signal loss, the modulator applies phase shifts through complex exponential multiplication e^(jφ_n), which is a lossless mathematical operation. This eliminates the signal loss problem associated with compact phase shifters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional phase shifters are used to achieve beam-steering performance, then beam-steering capability is maintained, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex conventional phase shifters with a phase-shifting modulator that implements beam-steering through signal modulation. The modulator applies complex exponential terms e^(jφ_n) where φ_n = (2π/λ)d_n sin(θ), achieving the same beam-steering functionality through mathematical operations rather than complex hardware. This substitution reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining beam-steering performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-shifting modulator serves multiple functions: it performs phase shifting, enables beam-steering, and can be integrated with existing antenna elements. By consolidating these functions into a single modulator component that operates through signal processing, the system reduces overall device complexity while maintaining all necessary capabilities.
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 solution enables phased arrays with lower C-SWAP metrics, improved component density, and enhanced beam-steering capabilities, making them more suitable for compact and power-efficient applications such as autonomous vehicles and drones.
Implementation Method 1
The phase-shifting modulator can be configured as a through phase modulator or as a reflective reactance modulator
Implementation Method 2
The phase-shifting modulator can be configured as a through phase modulator or as a reflective reactance modulator
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an antenna unit includes a coupler, a phase-shifting modulator, and an antenna element. The coupler has first and second input-output ports, a coupled port, and an isolated port. The phase-shifting modulator includes a transmission medium coupled to the coupled port, a reflector, control nodes, and active devices each having a respective first device port coupled to a respective location of the transmission medium, a respective second device port coupled to the reflector, and a respective control port coupled to a respective one of the control nodes. And the antenna element is coupled to the phase-shifting modulator via the isolated port.