Phased Array Antenna Beam Steering Using Distributed Rate Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antenna systems on mobile platforms face challenges in accurately steering beams due to high angular rates and flexure, leading to data latency and increased pointing accuracy requirements, especially in turbulent environments where conventional inertial navigation systems provide updates at a slow rate, resulting in angular errors and communication interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure inertial angular rates of phased array antennas using antenna angular rate sensors and generate predictive estimates of inertial angular attitudes using mobile platform sensors, enabling faster and more accurate beam steering through a Kalman filter-based predictive approach, which compensates for data latency and flexure-related errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional centralized INS is used for open loop beam pointing, then system complexity is reduced, but beam pointing accuracy deteriorates due to data latency at low update rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beam steering control into two independent segments: a centralized host controller that generates base pointing vectors at low update rates, and distributed PAA controllers that independently calculate real-time phase shift values using local INS data at high update rates. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal rate without being constrained by the other, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and pointing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized host controller performs preliminary calculation of base pointing vectors in advance, which are then stored and used by distributed PAA controllers. This preliminary action allows the host to operate at lower update rates while the distributed controllers can rapidly adjust beam pointing using pre-calculated reference data combined with real-time INS measurements, maintaining both simplicity and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If INS update rate is increased to reduce data latency, then beam pointing accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases due to higher processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed PAA controllers perform partial beam steering calculations independently using only the necessary subset of INS data at high update rates, rather than the centralized host performing complete calculations at even higher rates. This partial action approach achieves the required pointing accuracy while consuming less energy by distributing the computational burden and avoiding redundant processing.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple PAA are mounted on mobile platform with independent dynamics, then coverage area is expanded, but device complexity increases due to multiple pointing vectors and correction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Each PAA is equipped with its own distributed controller that independently processes INS data and calculates phase shift values for its specific location and orientation on the mobile platform. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex centralized coordination between multiple PAAs, allowing each unit to operate autonomously while contributing to expanded coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed control architecture provides a universal solution that can be applied to any number of PAAs mounted on the mobile platform. Each PAA controller performs the same functions (INS data processing, phase shift calculation, beam steering) regardless of its position or orientation, making the system scalable and simplifying the control architecture while enabling expanded coverage through multiple antennas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides improved beam pointing accuracy and reduced communication interruptions by increasing the data rate of beam steering updates, allowing for precise directional control even in high angular rate motions and flexible mounting scenarios, enhancing secure mobile communication.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an inertial angular rate of the phased array antenna at a first data rate with at least one antenna angular rate sensor rigidly mounted on the phased array antenna
Implementation Method 2
generating an estimate of an inertial angular attitude of the mobile platform at a second data rate lower than the first data rate using one or more mobile platform angular rate sensors mounted in the mobile platform and remote from the phased array antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for steering a beam from a phased array antenna mounted on a mobile platform. Rate sensors mounted on the phased array antenna are used to update lower bandwidth data from the mobile platform, resulting in improved pointing performance.