Phased Array Coupler Network for Low-Loss Beam Pattern Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array systems face significant power loss due to multiple stages of power dividers, which complicates the generation of precise beam patterns and requires high-gain amplifiers to compensate for signal loss.
Innovation Solution
A coupler device comprising a weighting network and a phase matrix network is introduced, which converts and amplifies input signals to generate output signals through matrix multiplication, thereby reducing power loss and enhancing signal control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stages of power dividers are used to distribute signals to multiple antenna elements, then the phased array system can generate beam patterns, but significant power loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A coupler device is introduced as an intermediary component between the power divider and antenna elements. This coupler receives the divided signal and performs additional amplification to compensate for power losses, acting as a mediator that restores signal strength after the harmful power division process
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively compensates for expected power losses by incorporating amplifiers that boost signal strength before signals reach the antenna elements. This prior cushioning approach ensures that despite multiple power division stages, sufficient power reaches each antenna element to maintain beam pattern generation capability
2Loss of energy
If high-gain amplifiers are used to compensate for signal loss, then power loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The amplification function is segmented and distributed across multiple coupler devices, each serving specific antenna elements. Rather than using a single complex high-gain amplifier for the entire system, the complexity is divided into multiple smaller, manageable amplification stages, each with moderate gain requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Each coupler device provides partial amplification rather than attempting to compensate for all power losses in a single stage. This distributed partial action approach achieves the necessary overall signal strength while keeping individual amplifier gain requirements moderate, reducing device complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If precise control of amplitude and phase is implemented for each antenna, then beam pattern accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it divides power, amplifies signals, and provides amplitude and phase control for each antenna element. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate control systems into a single integrated device, achieving precise beam pattern control without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a coupler device for use in a phased array system. The coupler device includes a weighting network and a phase matrix network. The weighting network is configured to convert and amplify an input signal to obtain eight intermediate amplified signals. The phase matrix network is coupled to the weighting network, and is configured to generate eight output signals based on the eight intermediate amplified signals. An output array of the eight output signals are obtained by performing a matrix multiplication of an array of the eight intermediate amplified signals with a phase matrix of the phase matrix network.