Rotated Phased Array Panels for Tx/Rx Isolation in Compact Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phased array antenna systems face challenges in achieving effective transmission and reception isolation due to unintentional coupling between transmitting and receiving antennas, which leads to signal distortion and reduced signal-to-noise ratio, necessitating increased space and additional components to mitigate interference.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a configuration where transmitting and receiving antenna arrays are rotated by an angle, maintaining the same grid pattern, allowing for reduced distance between them while enhancing isolation through deeper nulls in sidelobes, thereby reducing the overall area required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between transmitting and receiving antenna arrays is increased to prevent unintentional interference, then transmission and reception isolation is improved, but the overall area required for the antenna system increases and additional components are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by rotating one of the antenna arrays (typically the receiving array) by a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the transmitting array. This rotational asymmetry transforms the radiation pattern orientation, positioning the nulls of the sidelobes to point toward the transmitting array, thereby achieving improved isolation without increasing the physical distance between arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the antenna array by introducing a rotation angle. This parameter change fundamentally alters the radiation pattern characteristics in space, creating directional nulls that provide isolation. By adjusting the rotation angle, the system optimizes the positioning of nulls to maximize isolation performance while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Reliability
If the distance between transmitting and receiving antenna arrays is increased to prevent signal coupling, then transmission and reception isolation is improved, but the system complexity and additional components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational asymmetry of the antenna array eliminates the need for additional isolation components such as absorptive materials, isolation walls, or complex filtering structures. By simply rotating the array, the natural radiation pattern nulls provide the required isolation, thereby reducing device complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array's own radiation pattern characteristics are utilized to provide isolation. The nulls inherent in the sidelobe structure of phased array antennas are strategically positioned through rotation to face the transmitting array, allowing the system to achieve isolation using its intrinsic properties rather than requiring external isolation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the antenna arrays are rotated by an angle to create deeper nulls in sidelobes, then transmission and reception isolation is improved with reduced distance, but the grid pattern orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational asymmetry intentionally changes the grid pattern orientation from a standard aligned configuration to a rotated configuration. This deliberate orientation change positions the radiation pattern nulls to point toward the opposing antenna array, achieving improved isolation. The orientation change is a designed feature rather than a defect, optimized for isolation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the grid pattern is changed by introducing a rotation angle. This parameter modification transforms the radiation pattern in space, creating the desired null positions. The changed orientation is compensated for through phase shifting and beamforming techniques that maintain the phased array's directional control capabilities despite the rotated physical configuration.
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 configuration achieves improved transmission and reception isolation with reduced distance, minimizing interference and enabling compact design without sacrificing performance, allowing for simultaneous transmission and reception at the same or different frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
isolation between closely spaced transmit and receive phased array antennas is dominated by near-field electromagnetic signal propagation
Implementation Method 2
sidelobes have deeper and larger nulls in a radiation pattern in the direction of signal propagation between the two antenna arrays than a configuration of the first and second arrays of antennas without a rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A phase array antenna system includes a first panel comprising a first array of antennas in a first grid pattern for transmitting first signals, and a second panel comprising a second array of antennas in a second grid pattern for receiving second signals. The first panel and the second panel are fixedly disposed in a plane and co-located along a direction in in the plane. The first grid pattern is the same as the second grid pattern, and the first panel and the second panel are rotated by an angle.