Phased Array Antenna Orientation Control via Subarray Channel Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array antennas face challenges in maintaining high signal detection accuracy and adjusting orientation effectively, especially when using high carrier frequencies, leading to increased circuit complexity and reduced service areas due to elevated electric energy losses.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a phased array antenna system with grouped antenna elements, where orientation control is managed using channel estimation results from subarrays, allowing for precise orientation adjustments and reduced circuit complexity by synthesizing signals in each subarray and converting them to baseband signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of antenna elements are used to obtain larger array gain, then signal detection accuracy is improved, but circuit scale and device scale for signal processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large array of antenna elements into multiple sub-arrays. Each sub-array independently processes signals with its own frequency converter and ADC, reducing the burden on any single processing unit. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high signal detection accuracy through multiple parallel processing paths while keeping individual circuit scales manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines digital signal processing with analog beamforming by performing synthesis of received signals using analog circuits that process intermediate frequency signals. This hybrid approach merges the advantages of both digital and analog processing, enabling high-functionality methods to be used while reducing circuit complexity through analog signal combination before digital conversion.
2Measurement precision
If frequency converter and ADC are placed in each array device for high-accuracy signal processing, then signal detection characteristic is improved, but circuit scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing frequency converters and ADCs in every single antenna element, the patent groups antenna elements into sub-arrays and places one frequency converter and ADC per sub-array. This segmentation reduces the total number of frequency converters and ADCs required while maintaining signal processing capability through the array gain of multiple elements within each sub-array.
3Device complexity
If analog circuit synthesis is used to reduce circuit scale, then device complexity is reduced, but orientation control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges analog beamforming with digital signal processing by performing initial signal synthesis using analog circuits to reduce circuit scale, then applying digital processing techniques to maintain high orientation control accuracy. This combination allows the system to benefit from both analog circuit simplicity and digital processing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously estimates channel information and adjusts beamforming weights to optimize orientation control. This feedback loop compensates for any accuracy losses from analog processing and ensures high orientation control performance is maintained despite using analog circuits for signal synthesis.
Data Source
AI summary
An orientation control apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The orientation control apparatus for controlling orientation of a phased array antenna includes the phased array antenna and an orientation controller. In the phased array antenna, a plurality of antenna elements are disposed on a plane. The phased array antenna receives a signal transmitted from at least one transmitter. The orientation controller controls orientation of the phased array antenna based on a channel estimated result of each sub array where the plurality of antenna elements have been grouped in the phased array antenna.