Planar Horn Array Antenna Grating Lobe Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Planar horn array antennas face issues with grating lobe occurrence and mechanical complexity due to varying skew angles, leading to signal interference and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A planar horn array antenna design featuring a waveguide part, horn part, and a radio wave guide part with circular dividing holes and a polarizer member to minimize grating lobe occurrence and control skew angles without mechanical rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the array interval of elements is equal to or more than λ/2, then the antenna structure is simplified, but a grating lobe occurs causing signal interference between adjacent communication satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are segmented into multiple sub-elements within each array element. Specifically, each array element contains multiple radiating sub-elements arranged in a specific pattern, allowing the array interval to be increased while maintaining control over grating lobe formation through the sub-element configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna array have different element configurations. The antenna employs non-uniform amplitude distribution and phase distribution across the array elements, with specific elements having different numbers or configurations of sub-elements to locally control the radiation pattern and suppress grating lobes in critical directions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the planar horn array antenna is mechanically rotated to control skew angles, then the antenna adapts to different locations, but the mechanical complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical rotation system is replaced with an electronic phase control system. The antenna uses phase shifters and signal processing to electronically adjust the beam direction and skew angle compensation, eliminating the need for mechanical rotation while maintaining location adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system transitions from a static mechanically-rotated structure to a dynamically adjustable electronic beam forming system. The phase and amplitude of each array element can be dynamically controlled to adapt to different locations and skew angles without physical movement
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
The design effectively reduces grating lobe occurrence and allows for skew angle control without mechanical rotation, enhancing antenna performance and reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide part (100); a horn part (200) having one side connected to the waveguide part (100) and the other side formed with an opening (201) for guiding a radio wave incident or emitted thereto
Implementation Method 2
a radio wave guide part (300) having a dividing member (310) coupled with the opening (201) and consisting of circular dividing holes (311) arranged in a matrix of n×n
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a planar horn array antenna includes: a waveguide part; a horn part having one side connected to the waveguide part and the other side formed with an opening for guiding a radio wave incident or emitted thereto; and a radio wave guide part having a dividing member coupled with the opening and consisting of circular dividing holes arranged in a matrix of n×n.