Phased Array Beamformer Layout for Bandwidth-Limited Adaptive Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital phased array radar systems face challenges in real-time multi-beam digital beamforming due to insufficient data network bandwidth, which limits the processing of data from antenna elements and hampers adaptive beamforming capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A distributed systolic beamforming system is implemented, featuring a digital beamformer with a frontend device and a backend device. The frontend devices include buffer memories and local beamformers to store and process input signals, while the backend device computes beamforming coefficients based on snapshots of input signals, enabling adaptive beamforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all antenna element data is transferred to a central processing node, then real-time adaptive beamforming can be achieved, but the data network bandwidth becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beamforming system into multiple independent processing nodes, each handling a subset of antenna elements. Each node performs local beamforming operations on its assigned data, eliminating the need to transfer all antenna data to a single central processor. This segmentation reduces network bandwidth requirements while maintaining real-time processing capability for adaptive beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a centralized processing architecture to a distributed parallel processing architecture. Instead of one central node handling all data, multiple processing nodes operate simultaneously on different data subsets. This dimensional change in system architecture enables real-time adaptive beamforming by distributing the computational load across multiple nodes, thereby reducing the bandwidth burden on any single data network connection.
2Reliability
If data from multiple antenna elements is processed centrally, then comprehensive beamforming is achieved, but processing time increases due to data transfer limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary local processing at distributed nodes before final beamforming combination. Each processing node pre-processes its assigned antenna element data locally, performing initial beamforming operations and filtering. This preliminary action reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred and processed centrally, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining beamforming accuracy through subsequent combination of locally processed results.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized beamforming system is used, then adaptive interference suppression is possible, but the system complexity and data requirements become unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adaptive beamforming system into multiple independent processing nodes, each responsible for a subset of antenna elements. Each node independently performs adaptive interference suppression on its local data using local snapshots, eliminating the need for complex centralized data management. This segmentation maintains interference suppression capability while dramatically reducing system complexity by distributing the adaptive processing load across multiple simpler nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each processing node in the patent performs self-service adaptive beamforming using locally available data snapshots. The nodes autonomously compute beamforming weights and apply interference suppression without requiring centralized coordination or data aggregation. This self-service approach enables adaptive interference suppression while simplifying system architecture by eliminating complex centralized data management requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A digital beamformer for a phased array is disclosed. The phased array includes a first set of antenna elements (51) and a second set of antenna elements (52). The beamformer comprises: a first frontend device (110), a second frontend device (120), and a backend device (200). The first frontend device (110) includes a first buffer memory (112) and a first local beamformer (114), wherein the first buffer memory (112) is configured to store first input signals (116) from the first set of antenna elements (51) at predetermined times at associated memory addresses (118). The second frontend device (120) includes a second buffer memory (122) and a second local beamformer (124), wherein the second buffer memory (122) is configured to store second input signals (126) from the second set of antenna elements (52) at the predetermined times at associated memory addresses (128). The backend device (200) is configured to fetch a snapshot (250) of the first input signals (116) and the second input signals (126) and based on the snapshot (250) to compute beamforming coefficients (205) for the adaptive digital beamforming. The first local beamformer (114) is configured to retrieve the first input signals (116) from the first buffer memory (112) and to perform, based on the computed beamforming coefficients (205), a first beamforming operation on the retrieved first input signals (116). The second local beamformer (124) is configured to retrieve the second input signals (126) from the second buffer memory (122) and to perform, based on the computed beamforming coefficients (205), a second beamforming operation on the retrieved second input signals (126)