Phased Array Antenna Angle of Arrival Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the angle of arrival of radio frequency signals at phased array antennas require significant computational power and time, especially in systems using multiple frequencies, leading to challenges in accurately directing beams, particularly at large scan angles.
Innovation Solution
A phased array antenna system that characterizes the slope difference in signal amplitudes across different frequencies to determine the required tracking updates, allowing for the application of a revised phase taper to accurately point the beam at the transmitter, even if the corrected pointing location is not within the measured frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional techniques are used to determine the angle of arrival at a two-dimensional phased array antenna, then the angle of arrival can be determined, but large amounts of computational power and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the necessary information from the received signal - specifically the amplitude differences across the phased array elements - to determine angle of arrival. By focusing on amplitude characteristics rather than performing exhaustive angle-angle space searches, the system achieves accurate measurement with significantly reduced computational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from computational search methods to direct amplitude-based calculation. By measuring signal amplitudes at different phased array elements and using the amplitude differences to calculate angles, the system transforms a computationally intensive problem into a simpler measurement and calculation process
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a phased array antenna uses multiple frequencies to reduce interference, then interference and crosstalk are reduced, but the beam pointing accuracy deteriorates due to frequency-dependent pointing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system measures the actual amplitude distribution across the phased array for each frequency component, compares it to the expected distribution, and adjusts the phase taper accordingly. This feedback loop compensates for frequency-dependent pointing variations and maintains accurate beam pointing across multiple frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the phase taper dynamic rather than static. By continuously adjusting the phase taper based on measured amplitude distributions at different frequencies, the system adapts to frequency-dependent pointing variations and maintains optimal beam pointing accuracy across the entire frequency range
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 approach enables efficient and accurate determination of the angle of arrival, reducing computational requirements and maintaining signal strength by adjusting beam pointing in real-time, even in dynamic environments with changing frequencies and scan angles.
Implementation Method 1
A phased array antenna system having a phased array antenna, a feed network, a transceiver, a processor, and memory. The memory can store application programming that can be executed by the processor. The application programming can operate to determine the signal strengths of a plurality of carrier frequencies received at the array antenna while a first phase taper is applied.
Implementation Method 2
The application programming can further operate to apply a second phase taper in place of the first phase taper in response to a determination that an amplitude of the signal at a center frequency is less than the amplitudes of signals on either side of the signal at the center frequency, or in response to a determination that the slopes described by the amplitudes of the signals on either side of the center frequency amplitude are asymmetrical.
Data Source
AI summary
Transmitter tracking systems and methods are provided that utilize a phased array antenna. With the antenna forming a beam that is pointed in a first direction for a first frequency, a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals, each associated with different carrier frequency and produced by a first transmitter, are received. The amplitudes of the received signals are used to determine whether the beam is pointed at the first transmitter. The amplitude information can also be used to determine a direction in which to point the beam if it is determined that the beam is not pointed at the first transmitter. The systems and methods can be applied to 5G, satellite communication, or other systems incorporating a phased array antenna.