Phased Array Modeling Using Embedded Patterns and S-Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of modeling phased array antennas with a large number of elements exceeds the processing capabilities of current software tools, making accurate modeling impossible without significant resources and often requiring approximations or prototype testing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a smaller phased array antenna is simulated using an electromagnetic simulator, capturing far field patterns and S-parameters, which are then mapped to a larger array, allowing for more efficient modeling and prediction of performance without the need for extensive processing power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct modeling of large phased array antennas is performed, then modeling accuracy is improved, but processing power requirements increase exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large phased array antenna model into multiple smaller sub-arrays. Each sub-array is modeled separately using electromagnetic simulation software, and the individual results are then combined to obtain the overall antenna performance. This segmentation reduces the computational complexity from exponential to linear or polynomial scaling, making large array modeling feasible while maintaining accuracy.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of antenna elements is increased, then array size and coverage are improved, but modeling complexity increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large array with many elements into multiple smaller sub-arrays. Each sub-array contains a manageable number of elements that can be modeled separately. The segmentation allows the modeling complexity to scale linearly with the number of sub-arrays rather than exponentially with the total number of elements, enabling modeling of large-scale arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes that all sub-arrays share common electromagnetic characteristics and radiation patterns. By modeling one representative sub-array thoroughly, the results can be universally applied to all similar sub-arrays through coordinate transformation and phase adjustment, reducing the total modeling effort while maintaining accuracy for the entire large array.
Data Source
AI summary
To model a phased array antenna having a target array of antenna elements, a small array of antenna elements is selected that has fewer antenna elements than the target array. For each antenna element of the small array of antenna elements, far field patterns are captured for a plurality of signal frequencies. S-parameters for the small array of antenna elements are captured for the plurality of signal frequencies. The far field patterns captured for the antenna elements of the small array are mapped to antenna elements of the target array of antenna elements. The S-parameters captured for the small array are mapped to the target array.