Reconfigurable Feed Antenna Element for Phase-Shifter-Free Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional array antennas are costly due to high-phase shifter costs, require additional power amplifiers and heat dissipation systems, and suffer from mechanical beam-forming limitations, leading to increased size, weight, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An array antenna with dual orthogonal feed ports and a reconfigurable feed circuit that allows for electrical control of phase changes through angular rotation, eliminating the need for mechanical phase shifters and reducing the number of components, thereby lowering costs and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional phase shifters are used in array antenna, then phase control is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical phase shifters with an electrical feed switching system. The reconfigurable feed circuit uses electronic switches to selectively connect different feed ports to the radiating element, achieving phase control through electrical switching rather than mechanical adjustment. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical phase shifter components while maintaining phase control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reconfigurable feed circuit is designed to provide multiple functions: it can selectively connect different feed ports to achieve various phase shifts, control polarization modes, and adapt to different operating conditions. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation for phase control.
2Ease of operation
If conventional array antenna with phase shifters is used, then beam forming is achieved, but cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the expensive phase shifter components from the traditional array antenna system. By using a reconfigurable feed circuit with electronic switches and multiple feed ports, the system achieves beam forming functionality without requiring separate phase shifter modules for each antenna element. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces manufacturing cost while preserving beam forming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of phase control, polarization selection, and feed distribution into a single reconfigurable feed circuit. This integration merges what would traditionally be separate components (phase shifters, polarization controllers, feed networks) into one unified system, reducing the total number of parts needed and thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining full beam forming functionality.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical antenna is used for beam steering, then beam direction is controllable, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering mechanisms with an electronic beam steering system. The reconfigurable feed circuit uses electronic switching to change the phase and amplitude distribution across the antenna elements, enabling beam direction control through electrical signals rather than physical movement. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical components while maintaining beam steering functionality, thereby reducing antenna weight.
4Ease of operation
If conventional feed circuit is used, then single polarization is achieved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable feed circuit is designed with multi-functionality to generate both linear and circular polarizations by selectively connecting different feed ports. The circuit can switch between various polarization modes based on control signals, providing adaptability for different communication requirements. This universal design enables the system to handle multiple polarization types without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each polarization mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed circuit incorporates dynamic reconfigurability through electronic switches that can change the connection configuration in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its polarization characteristics based on operational requirements, transitioning between different polarization modes as needed. The dynamic switching mechanism provides versatility while maintaining ease of operation for polarization generation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an antenna element in which dual orthogonal feed ports connected to a radiating element are configured to perform angular rotation feeding without using a mechanical phase shifter, an array antenna employing the antenna element, and an operating method of the array antenna. The antenna element comprises a driving radiating element formed on one side of a circuit board and having multi-feed ports, a ground plane element formed on the other side of the circuit board; multi-feed via holes formed in the ground plane element to correspond to the multi-feed ports, multi-feed via pins inserted into each of the multi-feed via holes, and a reconfigurable feed circuit configured to control a radiation pattern of the driving radiating element by applying feed signals for dual orthogonal channels having a phase difference of 90° to two feed ports selected from among the multi-feed ports.