Reconfigurable Channel Former for Array Antenna Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional channel formers for array antennas are fixed and unable to reconfigure radiofrequency signal routing, limiting their adaptability to various radar processing applications such as spatio-temporal adaptive processing, which requires finer signal division and reconfigurable routing.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable channel former equipped with n radiofrequency/optical converters, optical switching matrices, wavelength multiplexers/demultiplexers, and summing means, allowing for flexible routing and combination of radiofrequency signals across m reception channels, enabling dynamic signal processing and routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed channel formers are used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different radar processing applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements reconfigurable optical signal routing that allows dynamic modification of signal paths between sub-arrays and reception channels. The optical switching matrix enables real-time reconfiguration of which sub-arrays are connected to which reception channels, allowing the same physical device to adapt to different radar processing modes (sum/difference channels, STAP, beamforming) without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical switching matrix serves multiple functions: it can route signals for traditional sum/difference channel formation, enable spatio-temporal adaptive processing (STAP), support beamforming operations, and allow flexible sub-array grouping. This single reconfigurable component replaces the need for multiple fixed channel former configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed channel formers are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to perform advanced signal processing like STAP is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switching matrix provides dynamic reconfiguration capability that enables advanced signal processing modes. By dynamically connecting different sub-arrays to different reception channels in specific patterns, the system can implement STAP algorithms, adaptive beamforming, and other sophisticated processing techniques that require flexible signal routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical domain serves as an intermediary that enables flexible signal manipulation. Optical switches and wavelength multiplexers provide a mediation layer between the radiofrequency signals from sub-arrays and the reception channels, allowing complex routing operations to be performed in the optical domain before conversion back to radiofrequency signals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If summing means are positioned near radiating elements, then signal routing is straightforward, but reconfigurability and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical fibers and optical switching matrices as intermediary elements between the sub-arrays and summing means. This optical intermediary layer decouples the physical positioning of summing means from the logical signal routing, allowing summing operations to be reconfigured through optical switching without requiring physical movement or repositioning of components near the radiating elements.
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
Enables quick and simple modification of radiofrequency signal combinations for each reception channel, facilitating advanced radar processing capabilities like STAP, and allows for easy relocation of summing means away from radiating elements, improving adaptability and efficiency in airborne radar applications.
Implementation Method 1
n radiofrequency/optical converters, each radiofrequency/optical converter being capable of delivering an optical signal modulated by a radiofrequency signal
Implementation Method 2
an optical switching matrix having n inputs and n outputs, each input being able to receive one of the optical signals and each output being connected to an input of an optical/radiofrequency converter
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength multiplexer having n inputs able to receive the n optical signals and an output able to deliver a multiplexed optical signal by wavelength division
Implementation Method 4
a wavelength demultiplexer having an input able to receive the multiplexed optical signal and n outputs able to deliver the n optical signals
Implementation Method 5
m to n optical/radiofrequency converters, each optical/radiofrequency converter being capable of delivering a radiofrequency signal carried by an optical signal
Implementation Method 6
at least one summing means, each summing means being capable of delivering a radiofrequency signal equal to a sum of radiofrequency signals
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The formatter (10) has photodiodes (Pd1-Pd-n) delivering a set of radiofrequency signals (RF1-RFn) obtained from subarrays, and another set of radiofrequency signals (RF'1-RF'm) carried by optical signals (O1-On), respectively, where the formatter delivers the latter set of radiofrequency signals on receiving channels. A reconfigurable optical signal routing unit directs one of the radiofrequency signals in the former set towards one of the photodiodes. Radiofrequency adders (19-1-19m) deliver the latter set of radiofrequency signals equal to sum of the former set of radiofrequency signals. The reconfigurable optical signal routing unit is constituted of an optical switching matrix (17), a wavelength demultiplexer, an optical coupler and a planar selective array.