Rotating Screen Dual Reflector Antenna Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems face challenges in steering beams efficiently, often requiring complex motors to move heavy parts and limiting antenna gain due to structural constraints.
Innovation Solution
A dual reflector antenna system with an asymmetrical main reflector and a prism that refracts signals, allowing motors to adjust the relative orientation between the reflector and prism to steer the beam by rotating them about an axis, simplifying motor requirements and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complicated motors are used to move heavy parts of the antenna along two axes, then beam steering capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical motors with a mechanical advantage system using pulleys, cables, and counterweights. The heavy main reflector is moved along a single arc-shaped rail using a pulley system where cables and counterweights provide the lifting force, eliminating the need for powerful motors to overcome gravity directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is divided into independently movable components: the main reflector moves along an arc-shaped rail, the subreflector moves along a straight rail, and the feed assembly moves independently. This segmentation allows each component to be moved separately with simpler mechanisms rather than requiring complex multi-axis motor systems to move the entire assembly.
2Ease of operation
If parts of the antenna are made flexible or bendable to enable movement, then beam steering is possible, but structural strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic support structures including telescopic struts and adjustable support arms that can extend and retract to maintain optimal structural support during movement. The main reflector is supported by telescopic struts that adjust their length to compensate for position changes, maintaining structural integrity without requiring the reflector itself to be flexible.
3Volume of moving object
If the movement of parts inside the antenna radome is constrained, then antenna size is reduced, but antenna gain is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an arc-shaped rail for the main reflector that extends outward from the radome center, allowing the reflector to move in a radial direction rather than only along linear axes within the radome volume. This dimensional change enables larger effective aperture and better gain performance while maintaining a compact radome footprint.
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 simpler and less expensive motor systems, reducing the complexity of beam steering and potentially increasing antenna gain by allowing for more compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
a main reflector having an asymmetrical pattern that receives a signal from a subreflector and reflects the signal in a reflection direction
Implementation Method 2
A prism refracts the signal in a refraction direction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for steering a beam includes a main reflector (36) that receives a signal from a subreflector (24) and reflects the signal in a reflection direction. A prism (32) refracts the signal in a refraction direction. One or more motors adjust a relative orientation between the main reflector and the prism to change a relative orientation between the reflection direction and the refraction direction to steer a beam resulting from the signal.