Airborne Radar Waveguide Power Distribution for 360-Degree Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airborne radar systems face limitations in providing full 360° coverage without additional antennas, are costly, heavy, and complex in design and manufacturing, especially when trying to achieve forward and rearward looking capabilities without compromising on weight, drag, and performance.
Innovation Solution
The antenna system incorporates a dorsal unit with polarized waveguides mounted on top, bottom, or inside, distributing microwave power to both side-looking and height-direction antenna elements, allowing for azimuthal and elevation scans without additional nose or tail antennas, using existing T/R-units for phase control, which simplifies design and manufacturing while maintaining lightweight and low-cost requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional antennas are placed in the front and rear of the dorsal unit for forward and rearward looking, then full 360° coverage is achieved, but weight and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing T/R-units and waveguide system are made multi-functional by configuring them to serve both the original side-looking antenna elements and the new forward/rearward looking antenna elements. The same microwave power distribution system feeds all antenna elements, eliminating the need for separate radar systems and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the forward and rearward looking antenna functions with the existing side-looking dorsal unit by using a common microwave power distribution system and T/R-units. This consolidation eliminates duplicate components and reduces total system weight while achieving full 360° coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate radar systems are used for forward and rearward looking antennas, then full coverage is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single radar system with universal T/R-units is designed to control all antenna elements (side-looking and forward/rearward looking) through a common microwave power distribution system, eliminating the need for multiple separate radar systems and reducing overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If forward and rearward looking antennas are connected to a common radar with long high-power RF feeds, then full coverage is achieved, but weight increases due to heavy RF feeds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces heavy mechanical RF feed systems with lightweight waveguide structures that integrate directly into the dorsal unit. The waveguides provide a compact, low-weight pathway for microwave power distribution to all antenna elements, eliminating the need for long high-power RF cables.
4Adaptability or versatility
If endfire array with monopoles is used on the dorsal unit, then forward and rearward looking is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and electromagnetic design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into modular components: the existing dorsal unit with side-looking elements, and additional forward/rearward looking antenna elements. Each segment uses standard waveguide and T/R-unit components that can be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
5Adaptability or versatility
If endfire array with monopoles is used, then forward and rearward looking is achieved, but an undesirable upwards lobe tilt occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention controls the electromagnetic parameters (phase and amplitude) of the microwave signals fed to each antenna element through the T/R-units to achieve the desired radiation pattern. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves forward and rearward looking capability without the undesirable upward lobe tilt that occurs with endfire arrays.
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
This configuration enables efficient 360° coverage with reduced weight and drag, improved performance, and controllable lobe widths, eliminating the need for intricate scan control and costly additional antennas, while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and simplicity in integration.
Implementation Method 1
The power distribution system comprises an assembly of waveguides (6) coupled to a number of antenna devices (18). The antenna devices (18) comprise a number of second antenna elements (7) being fed by the power generator (5) via the power distribution system (3).
Implementation Method 2
The antenna devices (18) are connected to the waveguides (6) so that the microwave power supplied by the first T/R-units (4) can be distributed in such a way that an azimuthal scan can be performed by the radar system in the forward and/or in the rearward sectors.
Implementation Method 3
The antenna system (1) comprises a dorsal unit (8) extending in a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a height direction. The dorsal unit (8) comprises two opposing long sides (9) extending in a height direction (Z) and a longitudinal direction (X).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an antenna system (1) for an airborne radar system. The antenna system (1) comprises a number of first antenna elements (2) and a microwave power distribution system (3) comprising a number of first T/R-units (4) being coupled to the first antenna elements (2) for distribution of microwave power to the first antenna elements (2). The invention is characterized in that the microwave power distribution system (3) comprises an assembly of waveguides (6; 6a; 6b) coupled to a number of second antenna elements (7) directed at an angle essentially perpendicular to the number of first antenna elements (2), wherein the first T/R-units (4) are coupled to the waveguides (6; 6a) for distribution of microwave energy to the second antenna elements (7).