Serially Fed Front-End Network for Phased Array Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas face challenges in reducing routing complexity, weight, size, and manufacturing costs while maintaining high main lobe power-to-side lobe power ratios, which are essential for efficient wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a serially fed signal distribution network within phased array antenna systems, which includes a beamformer and multiple antenna elements connected through a serially fed front-end network, allowing for efficient signal transmission and reception with reduced complexity and size, and lower power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional parallel signal distribution networks are used in phased array antennas, then signal distribution to multiple antenna elements can be achieved, but routing complexity, weight, size, and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into multiple sub-arrays, each served by a separate beamformer. This segmentation reduces the routing complexity of the signal distribution network while maintaining the ability to control individual antenna elements, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified routing and signal distribution effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical structure with multiple beamforming layers, transitioning from a flat parallel distribution network to a multi-dimensional architecture. This allows signal distribution to proceed through sequential stages, reducing overall routing complexity while preserving signal integrity and beamforming capabilities.
2Power
If more antenna elements and beamformers are added to improve directivity and gain, then communication performance improves, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple beamformers and antenna sub-arrays into an integrated phased array system with unified control. This merging allows the system to achieve high directivity and gain through coordinated operation of multiple elements while optimizing the overall weight and size by eliminating redundant components and sharing common infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the beamformer and antenna elements to serve multiple functions simultaneously - each beamformer can serve multiple sub-arrays, and each antenna element can be dynamically assigned to different beamforming groups. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, thereby reducing weight and size while maintaining high directivity and gain capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex routing networks are implemented to maintain high main lobe power-to-side lobe power ratio, then signal quality is preserved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the antenna array into sub-arrays with dedicated beamformers, the patent simplifies the signal distribution network into modular units. This segmentation maintains precise signal distribution within each sub-array while reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost through standardized, repeatable module fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs digital signal processing and programmable beamforming parameters to achieve precise signal distribution without requiring complex physical routing infrastructure. By changing control parameters rather than physical configurations, the system maintains high signal quality while reducing manufacturing precision requirements and associated costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A serially fed front end (FE) network is provided. The serially fed FE network includes a first FE comprising a first FE input/output (IO), a second FE IO, and a first antenna IO coupled to a first antenna element of a plurality of antenna elements. The first FE IO of the first FE is electrically coupled to a particular beamformer (BF) IO of a BF. The serially fed FE network includes a second FE comprising a first FE IO coupled to the second FE IO of the first FE, a second FE IO of the second FE, and a second antenna IO coupled to a second antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements. The BF is communicatively coupled by the serially fed FE network to transmit to and/or receive signals from the first and second antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.