Radiator Aperture Assembly for AESA Antenna RF Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas face challenges in maintaining antenna gain, RF polarization, and scanning performance, particularly in wide lattice configurations, where efficient connector packaging and reduced RF losses are needed.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a radiator aperture assembly with multiple radiator sticks and a plate configuration, where conductive elements are electrically coupled to circulators and extendible through a plate and coldwall, forming chamfered and notched slots that improve RF energy transmission and reception, allowing for efficient coax connector arrangements and reduced RF losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional connector packaging is used in wide lattice AESA antenna configurations, then connector installation and RF interconnection are simplified, but antenna gain deteriorates and RF losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna aperture is divided into multiple radiator sticks, each containing multiple radiating elements with their own connectors. This segmentation allows each connector to be optimally positioned within its local radiator stick structure, reducing RF losses while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar connector packaging to three-dimensional connector positioning within radiator sticks. Connectors are embedded within the volumetric structure of each radiator stick, allowing optimal RF performance while simplifying the overall packaging architecture through vertical integration.
2Reliability
If radiator sticks are configured to form chamfered and notched slots, then RF energy transmission and reception are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Chamfered and notched slots are pre-formed in the radiator stick structures before final assembly. This preliminary shaping of the slots ensures optimal RF energy transmission characteristics are built into the components themselves, while the modular radiator stick design keeps manufacturing manageable through standardized preprocessing steps.
3Reliability
If conductive elements are extended through plate and coldwall structures, then antenna gain and scanning performance are maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate and coldwall structures serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical support for the radiator sticks, establish the slot geometries for RF transmission, and position the conductive elements for optimal electrical connection. This multi-functionality maintains antenna gain and scanning performance while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components.
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 maintains or improves antenna gain, RF polarization, and scanning performance while reducing RF losses, enabling efficient connector packaging and supporting various antenna array configurations with minimal hardware modifications.
Implementation Method 1
each radiator stick including a row of radiating elements configured to transmit and receive RF energy
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna is provided and includes a radiator aperture assembly including a plurality of radiator sticks, each radiator stick including a row of radiating elements configured to transmit and receive RF energy and a body having opposite sides, conductive elements coupled to the radiating elements and a plate disposed proximate to the radiator aperture assembly through which the conductive elements extend. Complementary opposite sides of the respective bodies of adjacent radiator sticks and a surface of the plate are configured to form a slot radiator.