Radome Zoning for Antenna Array Insertion Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design and evaluation of antenna structures comprising antenna arrays and radomes is a complex and time-consuming process, requiring iterative modifications by skilled engineers to balance electrical and structural performance, often resulting in lengthy design cycles and suboptimal solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium or method to generate a measure for insertion loss of an antenna structure by partitioning the radome geometry into discrete cells, determining angles of incidence, assigning cells to zones, and selecting structural configurations based on insertion loss, allowing for rapid design updates and optimization of radome materials and geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If iterative design process with skilled engineers is used to balance electrical and structural performance, then design quality is improved, but design time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual iterative design process with an automated computer-based system that uses electromagnetic simulation and optimization algorithms. The system automatically evaluates electrical performance metrics (insertion loss, beam distortion) and structural requirements, eliminating the need for repeated manual iterations while maintaining design quality through systematic optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system systematically varies design parameters (radome thickness, material properties, curvature radius, antenna array configuration) and evaluates their impact on electrical and structural performance. By changing parameters automatically and evaluating multiple configurations, the system finds optimal solutions faster than manual iteration while ensuring both electrical and structural requirements are met.
2Measurement precision
If detailed electromagnetic simulation and optimization is performed for each design iteration, then design accuracy is improved, but computational runtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radome structure into discrete geometric elements and divides the electromagnetic simulation into manageable computational domains. By segmenting the problem, the system can perform detailed simulations on smaller sub-regions and combine results, maintaining accuracy while reducing overall computational burden compared to full-wave simulation of the entire structure at every iteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs electromagnetic simulation at selected iteration points rather than at every possible design change. By strategically choosing when to run full simulations versus when to use approximation methods or updated results from previous iterations, the system maintains design accuracy where critical while reducing unnecessary computational overhead in less sensitive regions.
3Strength
If radome geometry is modified to meet structural requirements, then structural integrity is improved, but electrical performance (insertion loss, beam distortion) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different design optimizations to different regions of the radome structure. By identifying zones with different electrical and structural requirements, the system can modify local geometry (such as varying thickness or curvature in specific areas) to satisfy structural load requirements while minimizing impact on electrical performance in critical regions where signal transmission is most sensitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electromagnetic simulation results as feedback to guide structural modifications. After each structural change, the electrical performance is evaluated and fed back into the optimization process, allowing the system to iteratively adjust the design to find configurations that satisfy both structural integrity and electrical performance requirements simultaneously rather than treating them as separate sequential constraints.
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 approach significantly reduces the time required for antenna structure design and analysis, enabling rapid response to insertion loss measures and improving the efficiency of radome design, allowing for better electrical performance and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
determining, for each cell in the first set of discrete geometric and topological cells, angles of incidence of electromagnetic radiation emitted from respective antenna elements of the antenna array
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a measure for insertion loss of an antenna structure comprising a radome defining a cavity to receive an antenna array. The method may comprise partitioning a user define geometry, which includes shape and dimensions, of the radome into a mesh comprising a first set of discrete geometric and topological cells, determining, for each cell, angles of incidence of electromagnetic radiation emitted from respective antenna elements of the antenna array for each scan angle of interest, the angles of incidence of electromagnetic radiation for a cell defining a distribution for that cell, on the basis of the distribution for a cell, assigning each cell to a zone of a set of zones for the radome, generating a measure of the insertion loss for each zone, and using the corresponding measure of insertion loss for a zone, selecting a structural configuration for the zone.