Spherical Dielectric Lens Radar Antenna for Volume Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radars used for meteorological observations have insufficient time and spatial resolution, leading to inadequate data for accurate meteorological prediction simulations, and are characterized by large, complex, and costly antenna devices that are difficult to install and operate.
Innovation Solution
A radar system utilizing a radio wave lens antenna device with spherical dielectric lenses and pivotable primary radiators, enabling high time and spatial resolution through pulse compression modulation and frequency chirp techniques, simplifying the structure and reducing size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large-diameter antenna is used for volume scanning, then the observation coverage is improved, but the device complexity, size, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna device is divided into multiple independent antenna elements arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each element contributes to the overall observation coverage, allowing the system to achieve wide coverage without requiring a single large-diameter antenna, thereby reducing structural complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antenna elements are combined to form a unified antenna device that performs volume scanning collectively. By merging the functionality of several smaller elements, the system achieves the observation coverage of a large antenna while maintaining simpler individual component structures.
2Measurement precision
If the antenna diameter is increased to improve spatial resolution, then the beam width narrows, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna device uses multiple smaller antenna elements instead of a single large antenna. These segmented elements are positioned to collectively provide narrow beam widths and high spatial resolution without requiring a large individual element size, thus reducing overall device volume and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension large-diameter antenna approach to a multi-dimensional arrangement of smaller elements. By utilizing spatial distribution in multiple dimensions, the system achieves narrow beam widths and high spatial resolution without increasing the volume of individual antenna components.
3Area of stationary object
If transmission power is increased to enlarge the observation area, then the observable distance increases, but the operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The observation area is divided and covered by multiple antenna elements working in coordination. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide observation coverage through the combined effect of multiple directed beams rather than requiring high power from a single antenna, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna device is designed to perform multiple functions: each antenna element can independently scan different regions, and the combined array provides both wide coverage and focused observation capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to increase transmission power to expand observation area, as the geometric arrangement of elements provides the coverage expansion.
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
The radar achieves high time and spatial resolution with a simple and cost-effective structure, capable of performing volume scanning efficiently, thereby improving data accuracy for meteorological predictions and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna device includes first and second transmission-reception radio wave lenses 2 and 3, which are each formed from a dielectric to be spherical so as to have a relative permittivity that varies at a predetermined rate in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
radio wave lenses 2 and 3, which are each formed from a dielectric to be spherical so as to have a relative permittivity that varies at a predetermined rate in a radial direction
Implementation Method 3
An antenna unit radiates the RF signal generated by the transmitter unit towards the atmosphere as RF waves and receives RF waves reflected or scattered in the atmosphere and returned as a RF signal
Implementation Method 4
A transmitter unit includes at least one oscillator, which frequency up-converts the pulse compression modulation signal generated by the signal processing unit
Implementation Method 5
receives high-frequency radio waves reflected or scattered by a target
Implementation Method 6
receives high-frequency radio waves reflected or scattered by a target
Data Source
AI summary
A radar having a high time and high spatial resolution and being capable of performing volume scanning with an inexpensive and simple structure, while enabling reduction is size and weight. A radar (50) is provided with an antenna unit (51) including a radio wave lens antenna device, which has a spherical transmission radio wave lens (2), a spherical reception radio wave lens (3), a primary radiator (4) arranged at a focal point of the radio wave lens (2), and a primary radiator (5) arranged at a focal point of the radio wave lens (3). The primary radiators (4, 5) pivot in an elevation direction about an axis connecting center points of the radio wave lenses (2, 3) and pivot in an azimuthal direction about an axis orthogonal to the axis connecting the center points of the radio wave lenses (2, 3).