Phased Array Beam Broadening With Switchable Widebeam Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas (PAAs) with a large number of transmit/receive elements produce narrow main-beams that are inefficient for certain communication and radar applications, such as radar search functions, floodlight mode illumination, and synthetic aperture radar, due to the need for broader beams to cover larger areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode phased array antenna (MPAA) with a controller that switches between two modes of operation, producing a first narrow main-beam and a second wider beam, utilizing a truncated regular series expansion of Bessel functions to determine excitation signals for the radiating elements, allowing the second beam to be wider and cardioid or spherical shaped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of T/R elements in a phased array antenna is increased to improve directivity, then the directivity increases, but the main-beam width decreases becoming too narrow for efficient implementation of radar search functions, floodlight mode illumination, and synthetic aperture radar applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam width adjustable through multiple operating modes. The system transitions from a fixed narrow beam configuration to a dynamic system that can switch between narrow and wide beam modes, allowing the main-beam width to be changed based on application requirements while maintaining high directivity when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the excitation parameters of the radiating elements to achieve different beam widths. By modifying the amplitude and phase distribution across the array elements through different operating modes, the system achieves both narrow and wide beam configurations, effectively resolving the contradiction between directivity and beam width
2Measurement precision
If a narrow main-beam is used to achieve high directivity, then directional control is improved, but the coverage area decreases making it inefficient for radar search functions and floodlight mode illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the same phased array antenna to perform both narrow beam applications (requiring high directional control) and wide beam applications (requiring large coverage area). The system can switch between operating modes to serve different functions including radar search, floodlight illumination, and targeted communication, making the antenna universally applicable across multiple scenarios
3Area of moving object
If beam spoiling techniques are used to broaden the main-beam, then the beam width increases, but the beam width is still not wide enough for wideband systems to solve radar search and illumination problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing multiple operating modes that enable the beam width to be dynamically adjusted. Rather than relying on limited beam spoiling techniques, the system can switch between narrow and wide beam modes, achieving sufficient beam width for radar search and illumination applications while maintaining the ability to transition to narrow beams when high directivity is required
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 MPAA effectively widens the main-beam, enhancing the coverage and efficiency of communication and radar systems by providing broader beams while maintaining directional control.
Implementation Method 1
The PAA produces a far-field radiation pattern having beams that are formed by controlling the spectrum, timing, amplitude and phase of the signal emitted from each T/R element so as to provide constructive superposition or destructive interference of the total number of emitted signals from the plurality of T/R elements
Implementation Method 2
The PAA produces a far-field radiation pattern having beams that are formed by controlling the spectrum, timing, amplitude and phase of the signal emitted from each T/R element so as to provide constructive superposition or destructive interference of the total number of emitted signals from the plurality of T/R elements
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A multi-mode phased array antenna ("MPAA") is disclosed. The MPAA has at least two modes of operation, where a first mode of operation produces a first main-beam and a second mode of operation produces a second beam. The MPAA includes a plurality of radiating elements arranged as an array of radiating elements and a controller in signal communication with the plurality of radiating elements. The controller is configured to excite the plurality of radiating elements to produce a first radiation pattern having the first main-beam in the first mode of operation and a second radiation pattern having the second beam in the second mode of operation. The second beam is wider than the first main-beam and the second radiation pattern is similar to a radiation pattern for a single radiating element of the plurality of radiating elements. The controller also switches between the first mode and second mode of operation.