Phased Array Beam Tracking via Gain Angle Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power-based receiver tracking methods for phased array antennas are inefficient as they require steering in multiple directions to sample signal power, leading to 'pointing loss' and 'gain ripple', which affect signal quality and are not precise in determining the correct beam direction.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses beam gain angle coding, where the phased array transmitter modulates the gain of RF signals with offset angle coding, allowing the receiver to determine the pointing error and adjust the transmit beam angle for precise tracking, using techniques like direct sequence spread spectrum or code division multiple access coding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power-based receiver tracking methods are used to track transmitted signals, then signal power can be measured, but the beam direction cannot be precisely determined requiring multiple directional samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beam gain coding as an intermediary mechanism that encodes angular position information into the signal strength measurements. Instead of directly measuring beam direction, the system uses coded gain variations as a mediator that conveys directional information to the receiver, enabling precise angle determination without complex steering algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the receiver measure signal power at different coded beam positions and send angle error information back to the transmitter. The transmitter then adjusts its beam direction based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop tracking system that achieves precise beam pointing through iterative correction
2Reliability
If beam steering algorithms sample signal power in multiple directions to update steering vector, then beam direction can be tracked, but average signal power decreases due to tracking at lower power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coding the beam gain at different angular positions before transmission. The beam is divided into multiple sectors with predetermined gain codes assigned to each sector. This allows the receiver to determine the correct beam direction without needing to sample multiple directions, eliminating the power loss associated with directional searching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam into multiple directional sectors, each with a unique gain code. By dividing the overall beam pattern into discrete angular segments with coded gain characteristics, the system enables the receiver to identify the correct sector through signal strength measurements, achieving accurate tracking without the energy loss of continuous scanning
3Adaptability or versatility
If tracking occurs at lower average signal power levels to sample multiple directions, then beam direction can be updated, but pointing loss and gain ripple increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gain parameter of the beam as a function of angular position, creating a coded gain pattern across different beam directions. By modulating the beam gain according to predetermined codes rather than maintaining uniform gain, the system enables precise angle determination through gain measurements, achieving both adaptability and pointing precision simultaneously
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for phased array signal beam tracking includes a phased array transmitter configurable for transmitting a signal beam at a selected transmit beam angle from a plurality of different transmit beam angles. The system also includes a beam gain angle coding assembly configured for modulation of a gain of the signal beam to produce a resulting gain profile of the signal beam. The resulting gain profile includes offset angle coding that indicates an offset incident angle of the signal beam at a receiving antenna.