Digital Beamformed Phased Array Feed With Multi-Band Antenna Tiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite communication systems are limited by traditional antennas that can only receive and transmit single-band signals, restricting them to communicate with one flight object at a time and facing challenges in stabilizing antennas on moving objects like ships and aircraft due to mechanical pointing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A digitally beamformed phased array feed system utilizing multi-band software defined antenna array tiles, which allows for simultaneous communication with multiple flight objects across various bandwidths by digitally processing antenna element data to steer the antenna beam, incorporating coupled dipole array antenna elements, frequency converters, and digital beamformers to manage multiple radio frequencies and polarization components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single-band antennas are used, then the antenna can be designed for a specific frequency, but it can only communicate with one flight object at a time and cannot operate across multiple bandwidths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-band phased array antenna system where a single antenna array can operate across multiple frequency bands (e.g., C-band, X-band, Ka-band) by using digital beamforming to dynamically configure the radiation pattern. The system uses multiple antenna elements that can be independently controlled to achieve both single-band and multi-band operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antennas for each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs digital beamforming with programmable phase shifters and amplitude controllers that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the antenna pattern in real-time. This enables the antenna to adapt its beam direction, width, and frequency response dynamically, supporting rapid switching between different flight objects and frequency bands without mechanical movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical beam steering is used, then the antenna can be pointed at a specific direction, but it cannot track multiple flight objects simultaneously and requires mechanical movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering with electronic phase control. By adjusting the phase and amplitude of signals fed to each antenna element through digital beamforming, the system can electronically steer the beam to different directions and simultaneously maintain multiple independent beams for tracking multiple flight objects without any mechanical movement or stabilization requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is divided into multiple independently controllable antenna elements or sub-arrays. Each element can be individually phase-controlled to form separate beams, allowing the system to simultaneously track multiple flight objects by allocating different subsets of elements to different targets, thereby achieving multi-object tracking with a single static antenna structure.
3Productivity
If a single antenna array is used for multi-band operations, then device count is reduced, but rapid configuration and switching between bands and targets becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores optimal phase and amplitude settings for different frequency bands and beam directions in lookup tables or configuration memory. When switching between bands or targets, the digital beamforming system rapidly retrieves and applies the pre-computed parameters, enabling fast reconfiguration without complex real-time calculations, thus achieving rapid switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital beamforming system dynamically changes electrical parameters (phase, amplitude, frequency) of each antenna element through programmable controllers. By modifying these parameters digitally rather than through mechanical adjustment, the system achieves rapid configuration and switching between different operating modes, frequency bands, and target directions with microsecond-level response time.
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
Enables simultaneous transmission and reception of signals across multiple bandwidths, improving the ability to track multiple flight objects with a single antenna array and facilitating rapid configuration, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional satellite communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a first coupled dipole array antenna element of a plurality coupled dipole array antenna elements of a multi-band software defined antenna array tile, a plurality of respective modulated signals associated with a plurality of respective radio frequencies
Implementation Method 2
converting, by the first principal polarization frequency converter of the first pair of frequency converters, the respective first modulated signals associated with the respective radio frequencies of the plurality of radio frequencies into respective second modulated signals having a first intermediate frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a digital beamformed phased array feed. The system may include a radome configured to allow electromagnetic waves to propagate; a multi-band software defined antenna array tile; a power and clock management subsystem configured to manage power and time of operation; a thermal management subsystem configured to dissipate heat generated by the multi-band software defined antenna array tile; and an enclosure assembly. The multi-band software defined antenna array tile may include a plurality of coupled dipole array antenna elements; a plurality of frequency converters; and a plurality of digital beamformers.