Phased Array Antenna Feed Network Eliminates Track Cross-Overs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically steerable phased array antenna systems face challenges with track cross-overs, which increase circuit size and cost, lead to signal losses, and reduce antenna gain and bandwidth, particularly in planar printed circuit designs.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a corporate feed network with inner and outer regions that generate vector combinations of input signals without track cross-overs, using 180-degree hybrids and meandered track sections to connect antenna elements, allowing for phase-neutral jumper cables and reduced signal loss, and facilitating a compact radome design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If track cross-overs are used in planar printed circuit design, then circuit size and cost are reduced, but signal losses increase and antenna gain decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar printed circuit to a three-dimensional circuit structure. The corporate feed network is constructed using multiple layers stacked vertically, with signal paths routed through different vertical levels. This dimensional change eliminates the need for track cross-overs on a single plane, allowing signals to pass through space in three dimensions without interference, thereby reducing signal losses while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the corporate feed network is integrated within the radome assembly. The feed network layers are positioned within the radome structure, with antenna elements arranged around and connected to these nested feed layers. This nesting allows efficient spatial utilization and reduces the need for extensive external cabling and cross-overs.
2Device complexity
If track cross-overs are used in planar printed circuit design, then circuit size is reduced, but bandwidth over which antenna gain beam pattern can be maintained decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing three-dimensional space for signal routing, the patent creates multiple independent signal paths that can be optimized for different frequency ranges. The vertical layering allows for broader impedance matching and reduced signal degradation across a wider frequency spectrum, thereby maintaining antenna gain beam pattern over extended bandwidth without the constraints of planar cross-overs.
3Loss of energy
If three-dimensional circuit with multilayer design is used, then track cross-overs are eliminated, but circuit size and bulk increase requiring large radome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the multilayer corporate feed network within the radome structure itself, nesting the circuit layers inside the radome's internal volume. The antenna elements are positioned around the feed network, and all components are compactly arranged within the radome envelope. This nested integration eliminates the need for external cabling and reduces overall system bulk, allowing the use of three-dimensional circuit design without requiring an excessively large radome.
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 approach eliminates track cross-overs, enabling efficient phase adjustment, maintaining antenna gain over a wider bandwidth, and reducing the need for long leads, thus improving the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of the antenna system.
Implementation Method 1
Delay may be implemented equivalently by changing signal phase, hence the expression phased array. The direction of the main beam of an antenna pattern can therefore be altered by adjusting the phase relationship between signals fed to different antenna elements.
Implementation Method 2
a corporate feed network having: b) two outer regions for generation of vector combinations of proportions of one respective input signal plus and minus fractions of the other input signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically steerable phased array antenna system includes an array of antenna elements and a corporate feed network having an inner region for input of two input signals A and B. The corporate feed network has two outer regions and generating vector combinations of respective input signals and other input signal fractions. Each outer region has a splitting and combining network providing the vector combinations as signals to antenna elements connected predominantly peripherally to itself. Each splitting and combining network has input signal connections from the inner region disposed peripherally of the corporate feed network. Each consists of splitters and adding/subtracting elements implemented as hybrid couplers some of which have re-entrant or meandered track sections. Hybrid meandered track sections have multiple widths for signal weighting. The corporate feed network is configured to avoid track cross-overs.