Electronically Steerable Antenna Aperture Reconfiguration for Scan Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas used in wireless communications face challenges such as scan loss, broadened beam-width at large scan angles, and non-compliance with regulatory EIRP Spectral Density standards, leading to adjacent satellite interference and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Power Optimized Elements Management (POEM) antennas, which comprise a plurality of antenna elements that can be electronically activated and deactivated to form a configurable active aperture, allowing for adaptive beam forming and reduced interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phased array antennas are used for wireless communications, then wireless signal transmission and reception is enabled, but scan loss occurs causing drop in antenna directivity at large scanning angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic reconfiguration of the antenna aperture by selectively activating and deactivating antenna elements based on the scanning angle. As the beam scans to larger angles, the system dynamically adjusts the active aperture size and shape to compensate for scan loss, maintaining optimal directivity throughout the scanning range
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the antenna aperture (area, shape, element distribution) as a function of scanning angle. By modifying the aperture parameters dynamically, the system compensates for the natural directivity drop at large scan angles, effectively reducing scan loss
2Area of stationary object
If phased array antennas operate at large scan angles, then coverage area is expanded, but beam-width broadening occurs leading to adjacent satellite interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the active aperture configuration based on the scanning angle to maintain consistent beam-width characteristics. By reconfiguring which elements are active and their relative phases, the system prevents beam broadening at large scan angles, thereby avoiding adjacent satellite interference while preserving expanded coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric aperture configurations optimized for specific scanning angles. Rather than using a symmetric fixed aperture, the system adjusts the aperture shape and element weighting to compensate for the asymmetric beam broadening that occurs at large scan angles, maintaining precise beam control
3Measurement precision
If antenna aperture size is increased to narrow beam-width, then focus precision is improved, but power consumption increases to kilowatt range
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial aperture activation, deploying only the necessary number of antenna elements required to achieve the desired beam focus precision at each scanning angle. Rather than activating all elements continuously, the system uses just enough elements to maintain narrow beam-width, significantly reducing power consumption from kilowatt to more manageable levels
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture size and element activation are dynamically adjusted based on operational requirements. When high precision is needed, the system activates more elements to form a larger effective aperture. When precision requirements are lower or at certain scan angles, fewer elements are activated, optimizing the balance between beam focus precision and power consumption
4Reliability
If all antenna elements are activated to maintain narrow beam-width, then beam focus is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates only the subset of antenna elements necessary to achieve the required beam focus capability at each moment. By calculating the minimum effective aperture needed for the current scanning angle and precision requirements, the system avoids unnecessary element activation, reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate beam focus
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the effective aperture parameters (number of active elements, their spatial distribution, amplitude weighting) based on operational conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that beam focus capability is maintained at all times while optimizing power consumption by using fewer elements when possible
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
POEM antennas effectively mitigate scan loss and adjacent satellite interference, while optimizing power consumption and ensuring compliance with regulatory EIRP Spectral Density standards by dynamically reconfiguring the active aperture.
Implementation Method 1
phased array antennas may be susceptible to scan loss, which may account for a drop in antenna directivity versus scanning angle
Implementation Method 2
an antenna with a narrow beam-width may better focus the radiated or received electromagnetic energy in a particular direction
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein describe an antenna with antenna elements that may be selectively activated and deactivated to define active apertures. The active apertures may be of different shapes and sizes. An antenna may include one active aperture or multiple active apertures at a point in time. These one or more active apertures may be reconfigured, e.g., by deactivating the active antenna elements and activating other antenna elements.