RFIC Active Manifold for Antenna Array Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems require large, complex, and costly feed manifolds with significant volume and power consumption, especially in ultra-wide band (UWB) applications, which complicate thermal management and increase size and weight.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an M×N array antenna system using radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) active feed manifolds with active splitters/combiners arranged in rows and columns, eliminating the need for large passive splitters/combiners and allowing for reduced size, weight, and power consumption, while integrating phase shifters or time delay units for beam scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large passive splitters/combiners and beam former networks are used in the feed manifold, then signal distribution and combining capability is improved, but the volume, weight, and complexity of the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces large passive mechanical splitters/combiners with active electronic signal distribution networks implemented on RFICs. The active manifold uses electronic switching and signal routing to achieve the same signal distribution function with dramatically reduced physical size, eliminating the need for bulky passive components while maintaining full signal distribution capability across all antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple discrete components (splitters, combiners, phase shifters, time delay units) into a single integrated RFIC active manifold. This consolidation merges previously separate functional blocks into one compact unit, reducing overall system volume, weight, and complexity while preserving all necessary signal processing functions for beam forming and steering.
2Reliability
If traditional passive feed manifold components are used, then signal isolation is improved, but power consumption and thermal management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic electronic isolation mechanisms through active RFIC components that can adaptively control signal paths based on operational requirements. The active manifold uses electronic switching and impedance control to provide sufficient isolation between channels while consuming minimal power, replacing static passive isolation structures with dynamic, low-power electronic control.
3Reliability
If independent feed manifolds are provided for each channel, then channel independence and signal integrity are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single active RFIC manifold that serves all channels simultaneously through multi-functional integration. The unified manifold structure provides channel independence and signal integrity for all transmit and receive channels through integrated switching matrices and independent signal paths within the same physical device, eliminating the need for separate manifolds while reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method uses an active manifold for an antenna array. The manifold can be assembled by a method including providing a first set of cards including a first set of antenna elements and a corresponding number of integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters for the first set of antenna elements. The first set of antenna elements is associated with a row of the antenna array. The method also includes providing a second set of cards including a second set of antenna elements and a corresponding number of integrated circuit based time delay units or phase shifters for the second set of antenna elements. The second set of antenna elements is associated with a column of the antenna array.