Reconfigurable Transmitter Array for Monopulse Radar Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-pulse radar systems rely on mechanical systems to control the pointing direction of antennas, which increases complexity and reduces detection performance, whereas there is a need for an electronically controllable antenna that can simultaneously generate sum and difference beams without mechanical elements.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable transmitter array antenna with individually controllable elementary cells, arranged in a matrix, that introduces phase shifts to generate sum and difference beams electronically, using a processing circuit to combine signals from primary sources to produce the desired beam patterns, allowing for electronic control of the pointing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical systems are used to control the pointing direction of the antenna, then the antenna can be controlled to track target objects, but the device complexity increases and detection performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control systems with an electronically reconfigurable transmitter array. Each elementary cell in the array can be independently controlled to change phase and amplitude of transmitted signals, enabling electronic beam steering without any moving mechanical parts. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving control precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter array employs dynamically reconfigurable elementary cells that can change their radiation characteristics in real-time. By adjusting the phase and amplitude of each cell electronically, the beam direction and shape can be dynamically changed without mechanical movement, enabling fast and precise tracking of target objects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical systems are used to control the antenna, then the antenna can generate sum and difference beams, but the system becomes less compact and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable transmitter array serves multiple functions: it can generate sum beams for target detection, difference beams for angular measurement, and steer beams in different directions. All these functions are achieved through a single electronically controlled array without requiring separate mechanical systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is divided into multiple independently controllable elementary cells arranged in a matrix. Each cell can be controlled individually to contribute to different beam patterns. This segmentation enables flexible beam forming and steering through electronic control of each element, replacing complex mechanical systems while improving adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If mechanically controlled antennas are used, then beam direction can be changed, but the reliability and detection performance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control systems with an electronically reconfigurable transmitter array. Each elementary cell in the array can be independently controlled to change phase and amplitude of transmitted signals, enabling electronic beam steering without any moving mechanical parts. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving control precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the comparison of echo signals from sum and difference beams to determine target position and alignment error. This feedback information is used to automatically adjust the beam direction electronically, improving tracking accuracy and detection performance while eliminating the need for mechanical adjustment systems.
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 solution enables efficient, compact, and cost-effective generation of sum and difference beams, allowing for precise electronic control of the antenna's pointing direction without mechanical components, enhancing detection performance and reducing system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
each cell being suitable for transmitting a radio signal by introducing into this signal a controllable phase shift chosen from among at least two discrete phase shift values
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an antenna comprising: an array (203) of individually controllable elementary cells (205), each cell being adapted to transmit a radio signal by introducing into this signal a controllable phase shift (φ) chosen from at least two discrete phase shift values; on the side of a first face (203a) of the array, first (S1), second (S2), third (S3) and fourth (S4) primary sources adapted to irradiate respectively the first, second, third and fourth consecutive quadrants of the array; and a processing circuit (207) adapted to provide a first signal representative of the sum of the signals S1, S2, S3, and S4 provided respectively by the first (S1), second (S2), third (S3) and fourth (S4) sources, a second output signal representative of the difference S1+S2-S3-S4, and a third output signal representative of the difference S1-S2-S3+S4.