Stepped Feed Horn Antenna for Offset Azimuth Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems struggle to effectively steer radio frequency signals towards a focus area offset from the azimuth center, limiting their performance in side radar applications.
Innovation Solution
An antenna assembly with a conductive top plate featuring a feed horn and a step, including a tread and riser surface, steers RF signals to a focus area offset from the azimuth center by customizing the dimensions of these components to generate a tailored radiation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional antenna is used for side radar application, then the antenna can transmit RF signals, but the radiation pattern cannot be effectively offset from center to focus signals in a specific direction
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive top plate incorporates a step structure with specific dimensions (tread depth and riser height) that are optimized to control the radiation pattern in a specific direction. This local structural modification creates an asymmetric current distribution that steers the beam 60 degrees from the azimuth center, achieving directional focus without requiring a completely different antenna design
Solution Approach 2:
The step structure in the conductive top plate introduces geometric asymmetry to an otherwise symmetric antenna structure. The tread surface extending parallel to the outer surface and the riser surface create an asymmetric current path that shifts the radiation pattern maximum from the center to an offset position, enabling side radar functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation pattern is offset from center for side radar application, then the beam can be steered to focus area, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than redesigning the entire antenna structure, the invention modifies only the conductive top plate by adding a step feature with specific dimensional parameters. This localized modification is sufficient to achieve the desired 60-degree offset radiation pattern, minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity while maximizing radiation pattern customization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves radiation pattern offset by changing the geometric parameters of the conductive top plate - specifically the tread depth and riser height of the step structure. These parameter modifications directly control the current distribution and phase characteristics, enabling the radiation pattern to be steered to a focus area 60 degrees from the azimuth center
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 antenna assembly efficiently directs RF signals to a desired focus area, enhancing performance and beam steering capabilities for side radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide plate over the circuit board, the waveguide plate including a waveguide configured to guide the RF signal
Implementation Method 2
The antenna assembly is configured to steer a radio frequency (RF) signal to a focus area offset from an azimuth center
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna assembly configured to steer a radio frequency (RF) signal to a focus area offset from an azimuth center. The antenna assembly includes a feed horn defined by a conductive top plate between an inner surface and an outer surface of the plate. The feed horn is aligned with a waveguide. A step is defined by the conductive top plate extending from a surface of the feed horn towards the focus area. The step is configured to steer the RF signal to emanate from the outer surface of the conductive top plate towards the focus area.