Phased Array Compensation Units for Beam Squint Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase array antennas suffer from beam squint, which causes undesired changes in beam direction due to frequency-dependent effects, particularly in wideband applications, leading to issues like high sidelobes, complex integration, and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A system for controlling phase array antennas using compensation units with phase slope control modules and phase shifters, incorporating variable gain amplifiers and fixed delay lines, to independently control phase slope and phase shifting, minimizing beam squint and sidelobes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If phase shifting is applied at sub-array level with true time delay at antenna level, then beam squint effect is avoided, but high sidelobes are produced which may exceed regulatory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter across frequency by introducing a phase slope control module that adjusts the phase slope of RF signals for each radiating element. This frequency-dependent phase adjustment compensates for beam squint while maintaining controlled sidelobe levels, resolving the contradiction between beam accuracy and sidelobe suppression.
2Ease of operation
If traditional phase array antenna architecture with serial switches and different line lengths is used, then phase control is achieved, but device size becomes bulky and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase control function from the physical path length adjustment (removing the need for multiple line lengths and switches) and implements it through electronic phase shifters and phase slope control modules. This eliminates bulky mechanical structures while maintaining phase control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical switching and physical path length adjustment system with an electronic control system using phase shifters and phase slope control modules. This substitution eliminates moving parts and bulky structures, reducing device complexity and size while maintaining operational capability.
3Speed
If phase shifters work at high switching rate for fast phase adjustment, then beam steering speed is improved, but communication is interrupted during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing phase slope values for different beam directions and frequencies in lookup tables. When beam steering is required, the system simply retrieves pre-computed values rather than calculating them in real-time, enabling fast switching without communication interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a phase array antenna comprising a plurality of compensation units (2) associated to corresponding radiating elements (30) of the phase array antenna. The compensating unit (2) comprises a phase slope control module (10) that controls the phase slope of a radio frequency (RF) signal and comprises a no-delay line with a first variable gain amplifier (11) and a delay line with a second variable gain amplifier (12) and a delay line element (13), wherein the gain of the first amplifier and the gain of the second amplifier are interrelated. The compensating unit (2) comprises a phase shifter (20) that controls the phase shifting of the RF signal, wherein the phase shifter (20) and the phase slope control module (10) are connected. A processing unit (3) can coordinate the compensation units (2).