Structural Antenna Module with Oriented Horns
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multibeam antenna architectures, the complex and costly individual assembly of radiating sources with specific orientations is required to minimize phase aberrations, which necessitates independent management of RF chains and horns, leading to increased costs and additional losses due to flexible waveguides.
Innovation Solution
A structural antenna module with RF chains integrated into a common support, utilizing an angled orientation ring to orient radiating horns without modifying the RF chain axes, allowing for individual horn orientation while eliminating the need for flexible waveguides and reducing ohmic losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If radiating sources are individually assembled with specific orientations using flexible waveguides, then horn orientation can be optimized to minimize phase aberrations, but ohmic losses increase and thermal power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RF chain and horn into a single integrated structural module, eliminating the need for separate flexible waveguide connections. This integration removes the harmful flexible waveguide from the system while maintaining precise horn orientation through the unified structure, thereby reducing ohmic losses and thermal power dissipation.
2Manufacturing precision
If radiating sources are individually assembled with specific orientations, then phase aberrations are minimized, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (RF chain, horn, mounting structure) into a single integrated structural module. This merging eliminates the need for complex individual assembly steps and interface management, while maintaining the precise orientation required to control phase aberrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural module is designed and manufactured as a pre-integrated unit with the horn orientation precisely fixed relative to the RF chain during manufacturing. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly and adjustment, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring precise phase aberration control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible waveguides are used to allow individual orientation of RF chains, then horn orientation flexibility is improved, but additional ohmic losses occur and thermal power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates flexible waveguides by integrating the RF chain and horn into a single rigid structural module. The horn orientation flexibility is maintained through the integrated design itself, which allows different module orientations while eliminating the energy losses associated with flexible waveguide connections.
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 solution enables cost-effective, efficient integration of radiating sources with aligned RF chains, simplifying assembly and reducing thermal power dissipation, while maintaining performance by ensuring correct horn orientation relative to the reflector.
Implementation Method 1
an OMT orthomode transducer comprising two transverse branches orthogonal to each other, located parallel to the XY plane and coupled perpendicularly to the main waveguide by slots of coupling
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a~6b
AI summary
Each radiating source in the structural module comprises a radiating horn (16) connected to an RF string (10) via a bent ring (18). The bent ring is designed to orient the radiating horn (16) in a desired direction. The bend in the bent ring (18) has an opening angle of a value predefined individually for each horn, depending on the desired orientation, and a vertex (27) located in a plane of symmetry of the RF string orthogonal to the XY plane containing the RF string. The RF strings of each radiating source can then be arranged side by side and integrated into structural planar subassemblies, reducing the number of parts required to construct the multibeam antenna.