Adjustable Sub-Reflector Assembly for Antenna Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dish antennas for point-to-point communication links face limitations such as narrow beamwidths leading to alignment difficulties during installation and adverse weather conditions, and require costly semiconductor technologies or large reflector sizes to achieve sufficient EIRP, which in turn result in lower net data rates.
Innovation Solution
A sub-reflector assembly with an adjustment mechanism, including a support plate, sub-reflector, and drive motors, allows for electromechanical adjustment of the sub-reflector relative to the main reflector to steer the antenna beam, utilizing mechanisms like gears, levers, and universal joints for precise beam control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If large reflector size is used to achieve sufficient EIRP levels, then antenna gain is improved, but beamwidth becomes narrower leading to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable sub-reflector mechanism that can dynamically change its position and orientation relative to the main reflector. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the antenna beam to be steered and aligned electronically or mechanically, replacing the need for large fixed reflectors and enabling easy realignment without physical repositioning of the entire antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is divided into two functional components: a main reflector for providing baseline gain and an adjustable sub-reflector for beam steering and alignment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the main reflector can be smaller while the sub-reflector provides the necessary beam control, resolving the contradiction between size and alignment ease.
2Power
If costly semiconductor technologies are used to increase amplifier output power, then EIRP levels are improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna system by introducing an adjustable sub-reflector that modifies the radiation pattern and beam characteristics. This allows the system to achieve higher effective EIRP in specific directions through geometric optimization rather than increasing amplifier power, thereby avoiding costly semiconductor technologies while maintaining performance.
3Power
If narrow beamwidth is used to increase antenna gain, then EIRP is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable sub-reflector provides dynamic beam steering capability that allows the narrow high-gain beam to be precisely directed at the target. The mechanism can be adjusted during installation and re-aligned if needed, making the system tolerant of initial alignment errors while maintaining the benefits of narrow beamwidth for high gain.
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 solution provides improved beam steering capabilities, reducing alignment challenges, enhancing beamwidth, and maintaining signal gain, while being cost-effective and compatible with existing products.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of arm members, each arm member coupled to a respective gear shaft and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the gear shaft, and a pair of levers, each lever coupled to a respective arm member via a mechanical linkage
Implementation Method 2
a pair of drive motors, each drive motor having a gear shaft extending outwardly therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a sub-reflector assembly for an antenna. The sub-reflector assembly includes a support plate, a sub-reflector coupled to the support plate, a plurality of support members coupled to the support plate and configured to position the support plate and sub-reflector a distance in front of a main reflector of the antenna, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the support plate and the sub-reflector. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a position of the sub-reflector relative to the main reflector to steer an antenna beam transmitted from the antenna.