Single Antenna Array for Any Polarization Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direction-finding systems for electromagnetic waves are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple antenna arrays to handle different polarizations, particularly in airborne applications where size and complexity are constraints, and they fail to effectively handle circular or elliptical polarizations.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single antenna array with radiating elements inclined at non-zero angles to be sensitive to two distinct polarizations, interpolating and orthonormalizing vector responses to determine the direction of arrival of electromagnetic waves of any polarization through a goniometry method involving covariance matrix calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two distinct antenna arrays with double polarization are used to handle both horizontal and vertical polarizations, then the system can process multiple polarizations, but the system becomes costly, bulky, and incompatible with airborne applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna arrays with different polarizations into a single array where each antenna element is configured to detect both horizontal and vertical polarizations simultaneously. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate antenna arrays while maintaining the capability to process multiple polarizations, thereby reducing system size and complexity for airborne applications
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna element in the single array is designed with universal detection capability for both horizontal and vertical polarizations. This multi-functionality allows a single antenna to perform the work of multiple specialized antennas, achieving polarization diversity without requiring separate dedicated arrays for each polarization type
2Adaptability or versatility
If two distinct antenna arrays are used to measure both polarizations, then both horizontal and vertical polarizations can be processed, but two separate measurements are required and the system becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single antenna array continuously detects both horizontal and vertical polarization components simultaneously in a single measurement process. This eliminates the need for sequential measurements with separate arrays, maintaining continuous detection of all polarization types and significantly improving measurement efficiency and productivity
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional antenna arrays are used, then vertical polarization detection is simple, but horizontal, circular, and elliptical polarizations cannot be effectively handled
Solution Approach 1:
Each antenna element in the array is equipped with specific local characteristics that enable it to detect both horizontal and vertical polarization components. By endowing each element with dual-polarization sensitivity through specific orientation configurations, the system maintains the simplicity of vertical detection while adding the capability to handle horizontal, circular, and elliptical polarizations
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the incoming direction of an incident electromagnetic wave with a bearing ?0, elevation h0, frequency F0 and any polarisation P0, characterised in that said method comprises at least the following steps: designing a single antenna array made up of a set of radiating elements in which the vector responses to two signals with different polarisations POL1 and POL2 are not collinear; determining a first calibration table of said antenna array containing the vector responses a1(Fi, Xj) and a2(Fi, Xj); interpolating the vector responses a1(F0, Xj) and a2(Fo,Xj) of the array in said frequency F0 for each value Xj of said interval [X1, X2]; orthonormalising said vector responses a1(F0, Xj) and a2(Fo, Xj) in order to produce the orthonormalised vector responses of the array b1(F0, Xj) and b2(Fo, Xj); acquiring, over said antenna array, the signal received from said electromagnetic wave with a bearing ?0 or elevation h0 and frequency F0 and applying a goniometry method to said signal.