Phased Array Antenna Electronic Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for three-dimensional multiple signal tracking and reconstruction, particularly in applications like search and rescue, surveillance, and seismic monitoring, face limitations in accurately determining the direction and characteristics of quasi-continuous signals without rotating antennas, and struggle with interference from multiple sources.
Innovation Solution
The system employs signal vector processing to create mathematical models of physical wave fields, using antenna arrays with transducer elements and digital signal processing to steer 'antenna beams' and remove unwanted signals, allowing for the determination of signal directions and power spectra without antenna rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analog beamforming and antenna steering methods are used to track signal sources, then direction finding capability is improved, but the system requires mechanical rotation of antennas which reduces reliability and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical antenna rotation with electronic beam steering using phased array technology. Digital signal processing techniques manipulate the phase and amplitude of signals from multiple fixed antenna elements to electronically steer the reception beam in different directions without any mechanical movement, thereby maintaining direction finding accuracy while eliminating mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple discrete antenna elements arranged in a phased array configuration. Each element independently receives signals, and through digital signal processing, the combined output achieves directional sensitivity. This segmentation allows electronic beam steering by adjusting the phase relationship between elements rather than rotating a single antenna
2Reliability
If fixed antenna arrays with digital signal processing are used to track multiple signals, then antenna rotation is eliminated improving reliability, but accurate tracking of quasi-continuous signals in three dimensions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traditional two-dimensional phased array processing to three-dimensional signal tracking by incorporating elevation angle estimation alongside azimuth angle. The system uses multiple antenna elements arranged in a three-dimensional configuration and applies advanced signal processing algorithms to resolve signals in three-dimensional space, enabling accurate tracking of sources at different elevations and azimuths simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adaptive signal processing techniques that dynamically adjust processing parameters such as beamforming weights, phase shifts, and amplitude corrections based on the observed signal environment. These parameter changes enable the fixed antenna array to adaptively track multiple quasi-continuous signals in three dimensions by optimizing the reception pattern for each target signal
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional beamforming methods are used to remove unwanted signals, then interference reduction is achieved, but multiple spectrally competitive signals cannot be simultaneously reconstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adaptive beamforming techniques that create spatially selective reception patterns with high gain in the direction of desired signals and nulls in the directions of interfering signals. By locally optimizing the reception characteristics for each signal source based on its spatial location and spectral characteristics, the system can simultaneously separate and reconstruct multiple spectrally competitive signals while suppressing interference from different directions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for spatial filtering transmitters and receivers capable of simultaneous communication with one or more receivers and transmitters, respectively, the receivers capable of outputting source directions to humans or devices. The methods and systems use spherical wave field partial wave expansion (PWE) models for transmitted and received fields at antennas and for waves generated by contributing sources. The source PWE models have expansion coefficients expressed as functions of directional coordinates of the sources. For spatial filtering receivers a processor uses the output signals from at least one sensor outputting signals consistent with Nyquist criteria representative of the wave field and the source PWE model to determines directional coordinates of sources (wherein the number of floating point operations are reduced) and outputs the directional coordinates and communications to a reporter configured for reporting information to humans. For spatial filtering transmitters a processor uses known receiver directions and source partial wave expansions to generate signals for transducers producing a composite total wave field conveying communications to the specified receivers. The methods and communications reduce the processing required for transmitting and receiving spatially filtered communcations.