Phased Array Antenna Module Density Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High power transmit/receive modules in phased array antennas are costly due to their high expense and inefficiency in minimizing the number of modules required, leading to a non-cost-effective construction method.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the number and density of lower power transmit/receive modules, each implemented as a highly integrated unit with one or two integrated circuits, such as a two-chip solution with a Gallium Arsenide RF chip and a Silicon chip, to maintain comparable power per unit area while reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fewer high power transmit/receive modules are used to minimize module count, then device complexity is reduced, but cost increases significantly due to the high expense of high power modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phased array antenna into a larger number of smaller, lower-power transmit/receive modules distributed across the array face. Instead of using fewer high-power modules, the system segments the power distribution across many low-power modules, each handling a smaller portion of the total power requirement. This segmentation allows use of cheaper, simpler modules while maintaining the same overall power density through increased module density.
2Power
If high power transmit/receive modules are used to maintain power density with fewer modules, then power density is maintained, but cost increases due to the expense of high power modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power parameter of individual transmit/receive modules from high power to low power, while compensating by increasing the number and density of modules. Each module operates at a lower power level, allowing use of simpler, cheaper components, but the collective array maintains the required power density through higher module density across the antenna aperture.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of transmit/receive modules is increased to reduce power per module, then cost per module decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple low-power transmit/receive modules into a unified phased array system where their signals are combined coherently. While individually each module is simple and low-power, their collective operation through phase and amplitude control achieves the desired beam forming and power density, effectively merging their contributions to produce high-power equivalent performance.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to utilizing a larger number of lower power transmit/receive modules in a phased antenna array in order to utilize cheaper and simpler transmit/receive modules whilst retaining comparable power per unit area as can be achieved through using conventional high powered transmit/receive modules. The advantage of this arrangement is that cheaper antenna arrays can be constructed without limiting the capability and/or performance of a system incorporating such an array when compared to a conventional solution.