Reconfigurable Phased Array Unit Cells for Yield Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array antennas are limited by fixed structures and sizes, leading to reduced usability and yield due to the inability to adapt to diverse communication device requirements and the inefficiency of using wafers with defective elements.
Innovation Solution
A phased array antenna composed of multiple unit cells with path changeover switches and a control circuit, allowing reconfiguration into various sizes and patterns, enabling flexible implementation and utilization of sub-phased array antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a wafer-scale phased array antenna is implemented with a fixed structure at the wafer level, then the transition from chip to PCB is eliminated and implementation complexity is reduced, but the number of radiating elements and array configuration are determined in advance, limiting adaptability to diverse communication device requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phased array antenna reconfigurable through voltage-controlled switches that can dynamically change the array configuration. The antenna transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one where radiating elements can be selectively activated or deactivated based on communication requirements, allowing the same physical antenna to adapt to different beamforming needs without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna by controlling the state of switches through applied voltages. By changing the voltage state of control signals, the antenna can reconfigure its radiation pattern, beam direction, and effective array size. This parameter-based control enables the antenna to adapt to diverse communication requirements while maintaining a fixed physical structure.
2Device complexity
If multiple phased array antennas with fixed patterns are formed at the wafer level, then chip-to-PCB transition is eliminated, but the efficiency of using the wafer due to yield is lowered when defective elements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single wafer-scale antenna structure universal by enabling it to function as multiple different phased array configurations. Through reconfiguration, the same physical antenna can serve different communication devices with varying requirements. This multi-functionality ensures that even if some elements are defective, the antenna can be reconfigured to exclude defective elements and still fulfill various application requirements, maximizing wafer usage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a yield recovery mechanism by allowing defective elements to be identified and excluded from service through the reconfiguration capability. When defective radiating elements are detected, the control circuit can redirect signal paths to exclude these elements while maintaining functional array configurations. This discards only the defective portions and recovers the usable portions, significantly improving wafer yield and reducing waste.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of radiating elements and array size are determined in advance at the wafer level, then manufacturing is simplified, but the phased array antenna can be used only in a single fixed structure, reducing usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating a dynamic antenna system where the effective number of radiating elements and array size can be changed through electronic control without physical reconfiguration. The same manufactured structure can dynamically adjust its operational configuration to match different communication device requirements, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the antenna into independently controllable unit cells, each with its own switchable radiating elements. This segmentation allows the antenna to be divided into different operational subsets, enabling flexible configuration of array size and shape. The segmented structure maintains simple manufacturing through standard wafer-level fabrication while enabling post-manufacturing reconfiguration for various applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A phased array antenna comprises a plurality of unit cells arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of unit cells comprises: at least one radiating element receiving a feed signal and radiating a signal; and two path changeover switches for transmitting the applied feed signal as it is or as a distribution to the at least one radiating element, or at least one unit cell disposed adjacent, under control of an antenna control circuit.