Electronically Steered Antenna Beam Alignment Using Embedded Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronically steered antenna systems, particularly phased array antennae, face challenges in discriminating between transmissions from multiple entities without prior knowledge of the desired transmitter's location, often locking onto the strongest signal instead of the intended one.

Innovation Solution

A method involving embedding unique codes in signals transmitted by entities, allowing the antenna system to correlate and align its beam with the selected transmitter by applying phase shifts and time delays to maximize correlated power, enabling autonomous beam alignment without a priori knowledge of the transmitter's location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the phased array is configured to converge on the strongest signal in the relevant sector of the sky, then the antenna can automatically acquire a signal, but it may focus on the wrong transmitter if the desired signal is not the strongest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal acquisition efficiencyVSAvoidtransmitter identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding unique identification codes in transmitted signals before transmission. The receiving antenna system uses these pre-encoded codes to identify and select the desired transmitter, rather than relying solely on signal strength. This allows the system to automatically acquire signals while accurately identifying the correct transmitter, resolving the contradiction between acquisition efficiency and identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the antenna system performs an initial scan of the entire sky to acquire signals without a priori knowledge, then it can operate autonomously, but the time and complexity of signal acquisition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidsignal acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses embedded identification codes as an intermediary mechanism. These codes act as mediators between the transmitting entities and the receiving antenna system, enabling the receiver to quickly identify and lock onto the desired transmitter without performing an exhaustive full-sky scan. This reduces acquisition time while maintaining autonomous operation, as the codes provide direct information about signal origin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmitting entities operate in the same sector of the sky, then the system has more signal sources available, but discrimination between transmissions becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-entity signal receptionVSAvoidsignal discrimination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by assigning unique identification codes to each transmitting entity. This segments the overall signal environment into distinct, identifiable components. The receiving antenna can correlate incoming signals with the stored list of codes, allowing it to discriminate between multiple transmitters in the same sector by matching signals to their corresponding unique codes, thereby simplifying the discrimination process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach allows efficient signal acquisition from a chosen entity amidst multiple transmitters, ensuring accurate beam alignment even when the desired signal is not the strongest, and is suitable for systems like GPS and INS, as well as those on moving vehicles or with geostationary and LEO satellites.

Implementation Method 1

correlating the first and second signals with the identified code to generate a first and second output signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal correlation:

Implementation Method 2

determining a phase shift and/or a time delay for minimizing the difference between the first and second output signals; and applying the phase shift and/or time delay to the first received communication signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifting:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime delay:

Data Source

PatentUS11606135B2Beam alignment for electronically steered antennae systems

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 HANWHA PHASOR LTD

AI summary

A method of auto-aligning a beam within a receiving electronically steered antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna elements is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a list of codes, wherein each code is embedded in signals transmitted by a respective transmitting entity, and identifies the transmitted signal as originating from said transmitting entity; selecting a transmitter and identifying a corresponding code for that transmitter; and for each antenna element: receiving a first communications signal; receiving a second signal representative of first communications signals received by each of the plurality of antenna elements; correlating the first and second signals with the identified code to generate first and second output signals; comparing the first and second output signals and determining a phase shift and/or time delay for minimizing the difference between the first and second output signals; and applying the phase shift and/or time delay to the first received communication signal.