Phased Array Antenna Lattice Transformation Aperture Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas face performance limitations and increased cost, size, and complexity due to the need for tightly packed and interconnected antenna elements and electronics, particularly as beam scan angles and frequencies increase, leading to difficulties in configuring control electronics relative to tight element spacing.
Innovation Solution
The use of an aperture plate with lattice transformation, featuring waveguide transitions with differently spaced radiating and coupling ends, and the integration of multilayer wiring boards with elastomeric connectors and sockets, which allows for efficient electromagnetic coupling and alignment of antenna elements without the need for external connectors, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the beam scan angle increases or frequency increases, then the spacing between antenna elements decreases, but it becomes increasingly difficult to physically configure the control electronics relative to the tight antenna element spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna elements and control electronics into a single integrated array structure where both components are mounted on the same substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate packaging and external interconnections, allowing the system to maintain performance at wide scan angles while simplifying the overall configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. By placing antenna elements and control electronics in different layers (z-dimension) rather than requiring them to be side-by-side in the same plane, the design accommodates tight element spacing while providing sufficient space for electronics configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spacing of antenna elements decreases to achieve tighter packaging, then the antenna can operate at wider scan angles, but the cost, size and complexity of the antenna increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (antenna elements, control electronics, interconnections) into a unified array structure. This consolidation reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating separate subsystems and their associated interfaces, while maintaining the capability for wide scan angle operation through the integrated design.
3Ease of manufacture
If independent electronic packages are used for antenna elements and control circuits with external connectors, then the antenna can be assembled from modular components, but the performance is limited by the need for tight packaging and interconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna elements and control electronics into an integrated structure, eliminating the external connectors and interconnections required by modular independent packages. This integration removes the performance limitations associated with tight packaging and interconnection while maintaining ease of manufacture through the unified array design.
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 configuration enhances the performance of phased array antennas by maintaining efficient electromagnetic coupling and alignment while reducing the complexity and cost associated with tight packaging and interconnection of elements, thereby improving manufacturability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The aperture plate is comprised of a plurality of holes that serve as waveguide transitions from an antenna element to free-space
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Structure and method for an aperture plate (104) for use in a phased array antenna (100) is disclosed. The aperture plate (104) includes a plurality of waveguide transitions (106), each with a radiating end, a coupling end (111) and a body portion extending from the radiating end to the coupling end (111). The waveguide transitions (106) are spaced apart from each other wherein at least a pair of waveguide transitions are spaced apart closer to each other at the radiating end than at the coupling end (111). The method of manufacturing an aperture plate (104) for a phased array antenna (100) is also disclosed.