Phased Array Feed Network With Shared Lines for Lower Signal Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array antenna devices face space and signal loss issues due to the extensive length of corporate feed transmission line segments required for connecting antenna elements, which limits design flexibility and increases electromagnetic radiation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a feeding network with multiple transition structures along each transmission line segment allows a single feeding line to connect multiple antenna elements, reducing space requirements and signal loss by using microstrip or differential pair transmission lines, and enabling efficient phase shifting and bias voltage application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cascading corporate feed network with many transmission line segments is used to connect each antenna element, then the antenna elements can be individually controlled, but the total length of transmission line segments becomes very large causing signal loss and space consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transmission line segments into a single shared feeding transmission line that serves multiple antenna elements. Instead of having separate transmission lines for each antenna element, the invention uses one common feeding line with multiple transition structures that couple signals to different antenna elements, thereby reducing the total transmission line length and associated signal losses while maintaining individual control capability through phase shifters at each antenna element.
Solution Approach 2:
The single feeding transmission line performs multiple functions by serving as the common signal path for multiple antenna elements. The feeding line is designed to distribute signals to numerous antenna elements through multiple transition structures, making it a universal transmission path that replaces what would traditionally require many separate transmission lines.
2Reliability
If a cascading corporate feed network is used to connect each antenna element, then individual phase control is achieved, but the space requirements for transmission line segments become huge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate transmission line paths into a single shared feeding transmission line. This merging approach dramatically reduces the area occupied by transmission lines while preserving the ability to control the phase of each antenna element individually through phase shifters located at each antenna element position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar corporate feed network layout to a more compact configuration where a single feeding line extends through multiple unit cells. The transition structures enable coupling to antenna elements arranged in a two-dimensional array while the feeding line itself occupies minimal space, effectively utilizing the third dimension (vertical stacking or through-substrate routing) to reduce the footprint.
3Ease of manufacture
If corporate feed transmission line segments are arranged on the same surface to allow cost-effective manufacture, then crossing with bias lines must be avoided, but this requires very long bias lines and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bias lines from the same plane as the feeding transmission line. By routing bias lines through separate layers or pathways (e.g., through-substrate vias or adjacent layers), the design eliminates the need for complex planar routing arrangements to avoid crossings. This separation of signal and bias paths simplifies the overall layout while maintaining manufacturability.
4Area of stationary object
If a single feeding transmission line segment connects multiple antenna elements, then space requirements are reduced, but transition structures are required to couple signals to each antenna element
Solution Approach 1:
The transition structures serve multiple functions: they couple the feeding transmission line to individual antenna elements, provide phase control interfaces for phase shifters, and enable signal distribution to multiple antenna elements. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by achieving significant space savings and maintaining full control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A phased array antenna device comprises antenna elements arranged in a spatial distribution to emit and receive superposing radio frequency signals to and from different directions. Each antenna element is positioned within a corresponding unit cell. The unit cells are arranged in a non-overlapping manner next to each other. A feeding network for transmitting the antenna signals between a common feeding point and the respective antenna element comprises a plurality of antenna element transmission line segments each running into an antenna element and a corresponding plurality of phase shifting devices. The feeding transmission line segments each comprises more than two transition structures distributed along the feeding transmission line segment. Each transition structure provides for a signal coupling between the feeding transmission line segment and the corresponding antenna element transmission line segment, thereby connecting several dedicated antenna element transmission line segments with the same feeding transmission line segment.