Electronically Stirred Phased Array Antenna With Integrated Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft communication systems require dynamically adjustable antenna beam patterns and significant signal amplification due to non-stationary end points, but existing solutions increase physical antenna dimensions and introduce signal losses through external components and cable interconnections, leading to elevated noise figures and decreased power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An active software-defined electronically stirred phased array antenna assembly with integrated low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, and beam forming network circuits within a single radome, utilizing a field programmable gate array and digital signal processor for digital control of amplitude and phase excitation coefficients to achieve instantaneous beam forming and reduce signal path losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If passive antenna gain is increased to achieve significant signal amplification, then signal amplification is improved, but physical antenna dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical antenna gain with active electronic amplification components (low noise amplifiers and high power amplifiers) to achieve signal amplification without increasing physical antenna dimensions. The antenna elements remain compact while electronic components provide the necessary gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (antenna elements, low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, beam forming network circuits) within a single radome structure, combining what were traditionally separate external components into one integrated unit, thereby avoiding dimension increases.
2Power
If external low noise amplifiers and high power amplifiers are used, then signal amplification is improved, but signal path losses increase due to additional cable interconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the low noise amplifiers and high power amplifiers directly within the antenna assembly, eliminating the need for extensive cable interconnections between external components. This integration drastically reduces signal path losses associated with cable transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam forming network with distributed beam forming elements that act as intermediaries between the antenna elements and amplifiers, optimizing signal paths and minimizing losses through controlled signal distribution within the integrated structure.
3Device complexity
If external amplifiers and beam forming networks are placed outside the antenna assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but signal path losses increase and receiver sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the amplifiers and beam forming network circuits within the antenna assembly, creating an integrated unit that reduces signal path losses. The integration maintains manageable complexity through modular organization of components within the radome.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically stirred antenna systems are used, then beam pattern adjustment is achieved, but mechanical complexity and signal path losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stirring mechanisms with electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly that uses switching elements and beam forming network circuits to achieve beam pattern adjustment. This electronic approach eliminates mechanical complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam pattern adjustment through electronic control of phase and amplitude of signals fed to individual antenna elements, allowing rapid reconfiguration of beam directions without mechanical movement.
5Adaptability or versatility
If additional cable interconnections are added for external components, then system flexibility is improved, but signal losses increase and power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all necessary components within the antenna assembly, eliminating the need for numerous external cable interconnections. The integrated architecture maintains system flexibility through internal signal routing while minimizing energy losses.
Data Source
AI summary
An aviation antenna assembly may include a plurality of antenna elements, a directional control switch associated with each of the antenna elements to enable each of the antenna elements to transition between transmitting via a transmission via a transmit chain or receive via a receive chain, beam forming network elements disposed in the transmit chain and the receive chain, and an electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly operably coupled to the directional control switch of each of the antenna elements and to the beam forming network elements to perform electrical stirring with respect to signals in the transmit chain and the receive chain. The antenna elements, the directional control switch, the beam forming network elements, and the electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly of the antenna assembly are all disposed within a single radome attachable to an aircraft body.