Phased Antenna Array Thinning via Sector Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for designing phased antenna arrays, such as discrete optimization techniques, are time-consuming and require significant computing power, making it inefficient to select active and inactive radiating element locations to achieve desired performance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method that partitions the phased antenna array into sectors with equal numbers of radiating elements, performing combinatorial optimization analysis on a subset of sectors to determine active and inactive element arrangements, which are then applied uniformly to achieve rotational symmetry and reduce computational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete optimization technique is used to evaluate array performance for different element locations, then the array performance is improved, but the design time and computing power required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phased antenna array into multiple sectors, each containing a subset of radiating element locations. The optimization process is performed independently on each sector rather than evaluating all element locations globally. This segmentation reduces the computational complexity and design time while maintaining array performance through the coordinated optimization of sectoral patterns.
2Reliability
If discrete optimization technique is used to evaluate array performance for different element locations, then the array performance is improved, but the computing power required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optimization problem into independent sectoral sub-problems. Each sector is optimized separately using combinatorial optimization analysis, which requires significantly less computing power than global optimization. The sectoral optimization results are then combined to achieve the overall array performance, reducing the total computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local optimization by determining active and inactive radiating element locations within each sector independently. The combinatorial optimization analysis focuses on local sectoral patterns rather than global array configuration, allowing for efficient computation while achieving desirable array performance characteristics through the aggregation of locally optimized sectors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optimization methods are used, then comprehensive array design is achieved, but unique array designs that would not be feasible with traditional methods cannot be created
Solution Approach 1:
The sector-based approach enables the creation of unique array designs by allowing independent optimization of each sector's radiating element arrangement. This segmentation provides greater design flexibility and adaptability, as different sectoral patterns can be explored and combined in ways that would be computationally infeasible with traditional global optimization methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of thinning a phased antenna array including defining a performance characteristic for the phased antenna array, partitioning the phased antenna array to define a plurality of sectors that each include an equal number of radiating element locations, wherein each radiating element location is either an active radiating element location or an inactive radiating element location. The method also includes determining a number of active radiating element locations to be included in a first sector of the plurality of sectors, and determining, based on the number of active radiating element locations, at least one arrangement of active and inactive radiating element locations in the first sector configured to achieve the performance characteristic. The method further includes applying the at least one arrangement to each remaining sector of the plurality of sectors such that the phased antenna array has rotational symmetry.