Rectangular Phased Array Module With Calibration Gaps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array antennas face challenges in manufacturing and assembly due to tight tolerances, especially in large arrays, where inserting calibration antennas or fasteners between closely spaced antenna modules is difficult without compromising the array's performance or requiring the removal of sub-modules, which leads to a loss of active elements.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves organizing antenna modules into a rectangular lattice pattern with rotated sub-modules, creating gaps for fasteners or calibration antennas, allowing for reduced inter-element spacing while maintaining the same number of active elements, and facilitating easy attachment to a support structure without compromising performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If antenna modules are closely spaced to reduce inter-element spacing, then array density and performance are improved, but it becomes difficult to insert calibration antennas or fasteners without removing sub-modules
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple sub-modules that can be independently positioned. By segmenting the array into modular units with standardized interfaces, the design allows for strategic spacing between modules to accommodate calibration access while maintaining tight spacing between active elements within each module.
Solution Approach 2:
Calibration antennas are positioned as intermediary elements between the main antenna modules. These calibration elements serve as mediators that enable the calibration process without requiring direct access to the tightly spaced active elements, thus resolving the conflict between density and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If sub-modules are removed to access calibration antennas, then accessibility is improved, but active elements are lost and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates preliminary calibration access pathways and positioned calibration elements before final assembly is completed. This allows calibration to be performed during the assembly process itself, eliminating the need to remove sub-modules later and preventing loss of active elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array structure is designed to be self-calibrating through integrated calibration elements that are permanently positioned within the module architecture. The system performs calibration without requiring external intervention that would necessitate disassembly or removal of functional components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If calibration antennas are inserted between closely spaced modules, then calibration capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The module interfaces are designed with universal, standardized connection points that serve dual purposes: mechanical attachment and calibration element positioning. This multi-functionality allows the same structural features to facilitate both assembly and calibration operations, reducing manufacturing complexity despite enhanced calibration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies directed to module arrangements for phased array antenna are described. One phased array antenna structure includes an antenna module having a first even number of antenna elements and a second even number of antenna elements, each of the second even number of antenna elements being terminated to a load. The second even number is n/2, where n is a positive integer that is equal to or greater than two and is equal to the square root of the first even number. The antenna module includes multiple sub-modules each having a rectangular lattice withn2×n2+1rectangular pattern. The sub-modules form a gap at a center of the antenna module and at least one of a calibration antenna or a fastener is located in the gap.