Spherical Array Antenna Design for Beam Width Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Array antennas face challenges in maintaining a constant beam width while minimizing the generation of undesired lobes, particularly when increasing the number of antenna elements or adjusting their spacing, which can lead to increased system complexity and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The design of an array antenna apparatus with a first antenna element at the center of an outermost concentric circle and multiple antenna element sets on inner concentric circles, arranged with specific intervals and odd numbers of elements, to minimize undesired lobes and maintain a predetermined beam width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the number of antenna elements is increased to maintain constant beam width, then the beam width can be maintained, but system complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar array to a three-dimensional spherical array configuration. Antenna elements are distributed across multiple concentric spherical shells with different radii, allowing beam width control through spatial distribution in 3D space rather than simply increasing element count in a plane. This dimensional change enables constant beam width maintenance with optimized element utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical array is segmented into multiple concentric shells, each containing a specific number of antenna elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of element placement on each shell to control beam characteristics. By distributing elements across shells rather than concentrating them, the system achieves desired beam width without requiring excessive total elements, thereby reducing system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If antenna elements are arranged at intervals of λ/2 or more, then beam steering can be performed, but grating lobes or undesired side lobes are generated
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging antenna elements on spherical shells with varying radii rather than a single plane, the patent creates additional spatial degrees of freedom. This 3D configuration allows beam steering functionality while controlling element spacing to avoid grating lobe formation. The spherical geometry enables phase control for beam steering without requiring large planar intervals that would generate harmful lobes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different spacing configurations to different regions of the array. Elements on inner shells have different spacing characteristics compared to outer shells, with each shell's element distribution optimized for its specific radius. This local optimization allows beam steering capability while minimizing grating lobe generation in different spatial regions of the radiation pattern.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the number of antenna elements is increased, then beam width can be maintained, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional RF chains
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical array configuration optimizes the spatial distribution of antenna elements across multiple concentric shells. This 3D arrangement achieves constant beam width with a more efficient use of elements, reducing the total number required compared to planar arrays. Fewer elements mean fewer associated RF chains (phase shifters, amplifiers), directly lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining beam width stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes key parameters including the number of concentric shells, elements per shell, and inter-element spacing on each shell. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the design achieves the desired beam width with minimal element count. This parameter optimization reduces the number of RF chains required, thereby decreasing manufacturing costs for components like phase shifters and amplifiers.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an array antenna apparatus, comprising: a first antenna element arranged in the center of the outermost concentric circle having a radius determined according to the beam width of a beam to transmit; and antenna element sets arranged on the circumference of each of concentric circles arranged to have a predetermined interval within the outermost concentric circle, wherein each of the antenna element sets comprises an odd number of second antenna elements, and only one antenna element exists on a straight line corresponding to the radius.