Phased Array Beam-Forming ICs with Dual Data Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active electronically steered antenna systems (AESA) face challenges in rapidly changing beam direction and compensating for temperature fluctuations due to limitations in data transmission and processing methods, which hinder efficient beam-forming and signal management.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple beam-forming integrated circuits with programmable register banks and dual data interface ports, allowing for parallel and serial data transmission modes, enables rapid control of beam-forming elements and compensation for temperature fluctuations by distributing broadcast messages in parallel across a signal distribution system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If serial data transmission is used to control beam-forming integrated circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission speed and beam steering responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol interface complexityVSAvoidbeam steering speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is segmented into two distinct modes: serial data port for individual circuit control and parallel data port for simultaneous control of multiple circuits. This segmentation allows the system to choose the appropriate transmission mode based on the specific control requirement, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beam-forming integrated circuits are designed to be dynamically switchable between serial and parallel operation modes. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt the data transmission method according to real-time requirements, achieving fast beam steering when needed while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If parallel data transmission is used to rapidly change beam direction, then beam steering speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steering speedVSAvoidcontrol interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each beam-forming integrated circuit is designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating both serial and parallel data ports along with switchable operation modes. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit design to handle both fast parallel control and simple serial control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high beam steering speed capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional control methods are used for temperature compensation, then system reliability is maintained, but compensation speed and operational responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcompensation response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature compensation data is pre-calculated and stored in register banks within each beam-forming integrated circuit. When temperature changes are detected, the system can rapidly retrieve and apply pre-computed compensation values through the parallel data port, achieving fast compensation response while maintaining system reliability through proven compensation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If serial messaging is used for data transmission, then data processing simplicity is improved, but operational efficiency and responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing simplicityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a temporal dimension to data transmission by implementing dual modes: serial transmission for simple, sequential operations and parallel transmission for rapid, simultaneous operations. This dimensional change in data transmission approach allows the system to optimize for either simplicity or efficiency depending on the specific operational context, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11637371B2Phased array with low-latency control interface

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 QORVO TEXAS LLC

AI summary

A phased array system has a plurality of beam-forming elements, and a plurality of beam-forming integrated circuits in communication with the beam-forming elements. Each beam-forming integrated circuit has a corresponding register bank with a plurality of addressable and programmable register sets. In addition, each beam-forming integrated circuit has at least two different types of beam-forming ports. Specifically, each beam-forming element has a serial data port for receiving serial messages, and a parallel mode data port for receiving broadcast messages. Both the serial and broadcast messages manage the data in its register bank. The beam-forming integrated circuits receive the broadcast messages in parallel with the other beam-forming integrated circuits, while the beam-forming integrated circuits receive the serial messages serially—sequentially with regard to other beam-forming integrated circuits.