Reconfigurable Antenna Array Geometry for Side Lobe Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna arrays face challenges in reducing side lobe level (SLL) without increasing power consumption or complexity, as conventional amplitude tapering techniques lead to reduced main lobe amplitude and require additional gain control circuitry.
Innovation Solution
Implement a reconfigurable antenna array geometry that alternately applies at least two antenna array geometries with differing side lobe directions over time, maintaining constant active antenna elements and avoiding the need for complex gain control circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If amplitude tapering is applied to reduce side lobe level, then side lobe level is reduced, but main lobe amplitude is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by cyclically switching between multiple antenna array geometries over time. Each geometry is activated for a specific time period, creating a time-varying radiation pattern that averages to reduced side lobe levels while maintaining constant instantaneous power consumption, as the same number of antenna elements remain active throughout the cycling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the antenna array geometry reconfigurable and time-varying. The system dynamically switches between different geometric configurations (e.g., linear, planar, circular arrays) to transform the radiation pattern over time, achieving average side lobe reduction without the need for continuous amplitude adjustment that would increase power consumption.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If amplitude tapering is applied to reduce side lobe level, then side lobe level is reduced, but main lobe amplitude is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By periodically switching between multiple antenna geometries, the system creates a time-averaged radiation pattern where the main lobe amplitude remains constant (as each individual geometry maintains full amplitude) while the side lobes are distributed across different spatial directions over time, effectively reducing average side lobe levels without compromising main lobe intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the time dimension to the antenna array operation, transforming a static geometry problem into a dynamic one. By cycling through multiple geometries in the time domain, the system achieves side lobe reduction in the spatial domain without affecting the main lobe amplitude, effectively using time as an additional degree of freedom to resolve the contradiction.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If amplitude tapering is applied to reduce side lobe level, then side lobe level is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static amplitude tapering approach with a dynamic geometry switching mechanism. Instead of requiring complex gain control circuitry to adjust amplitude levels continuously, the system uses time-varying geometric configurations that achieve side lobe reduction through spatial-temporal transformation, simplifying the transceiver architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/electrical amplitude control system (requiring gain control circuitry and fine amplitude resolution) with a geometric reconfiguration system. The side lobe reduction is achieved through geometric transformation rather than amplitude modulation, eliminating the need for complex gain control hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
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
Effectively reduces the average side lobe level over time without increasing power consumption or complexity, while maintaining main lobe amplitude, by smearing side lobes in different directions through cyclically applied geometries.
Implementation Method 1
Phased antenna array systems rely on constructive interference from several isotropic antenna elements to increase the directivity
Implementation Method 2
The energy beam is steered by adjusting the delay (as adjustable by phase weights or true time delays) in each branch of the antenna array
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided mechanisms for operating an antenna array. The antenna array comprises antenna elements and having a reconfigurable antenna array geometry. A method comprises applying, as part of operating the antenna array for performing wireless communication, at least two antenna array geometries at the antenna array. The at least two antenna array geometries are alternatingly applied when the antenna array is operated. Each of the at least two antenna array geometries has a respective radiation pattern having a main lobe and a set of side lobes. The main lobes of all the radiation patterns have same pointing direction. Pointing directions of the side lobes differ between the radiation patterns of the at least two antenna array geometries.