Switched UWB Antenna Array for Dynamic Radar Response Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial target systems face challenges in providing cost-effective, stable, and controllable radar response manipulation, particularly with materials like metamaterials being expensive and unstable, and the need for adaptable radar response during operation.
Innovation Solution
An antenna array comprising ultra wideband antennas coupled to separate switches, allowing each antenna to act as either an absorber or reflector, controlled by a processing apparatus to manipulate radar response dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If metamaterials are used to manipulate radar response, then radar response control capability is improved, but cost and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses conventional antennas as copies or alternatives to metamaterials for achieving radar response manipulation. Instead of relying on expensive and unstable metamaterials, the invention creates functional equivalents using antenna arrays with controllable impedance elements that can be switched between different states to achieve similar radar response control effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of antenna elements by switching between different impedance states (matched vs. shorted) to achieve radar response control. This allows dynamic manipulation of radar cross-section without requiring metamaterials, addressing both the cost and stability issues while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If metamaterials are used to manipulate radar response, then radar response control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metamaterials with conventional antenna structures that can be manufactured using standard techniques. The antenna array uses readily available components such as patch antennas, microstrip lines, and switching elements, making the system much more cost-effective while achieving the desired radar response manipulation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive conventional antenna elements and standard electronic components instead of costly metamaterials. The use of off-the-shelf switches, transmission lines, and antenna structures significantly reduces manufacturing cost while providing the required functionality for radar response control
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional radar response manipulation methods are used, then cost is reduced, but controllability and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into independently controllable elements, each with its own switching mechanism. This segmentation allows individual control of each antenna element's impedance state, enabling dynamic and adaptive manipulation of the overall radar response. The array can be configured in different patterns by controlling subsets of elements, providing high controllability while using conventional low-cost components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic controllability to conventional antenna structures by incorporating switches that can change the impedance state of individual elements in real-time. This allows the radar response to be dynamically adjusted during operation, achieving adaptability and versatility that static conventional methods cannot provide, while maintaining cost-effectiveness
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 enables flexible radar response control across a wide frequency range, reducing manufacturing costs by using a single antenna array for various applications, and achieving significant differences in absorptive/reflective states.
Implementation Method 1
when said one antenna is connected to a load, preferably a matched load, said one antenna acts as an absorber
Implementation Method 2
when said one antenna is electrically shorted, said one antenna acts as a reflector
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna array arranged to control a radar response of a target, comprising multiple ultra wideband antennas, wherein each of said multiple antennas is coupled to a separate switch, and each switch is arranged to control one of said multiple antennas such that when said one antenna is connected to a load, preferably matched load, said one antenna acts as an absorber, and when said one antenna is electrically shorted, said one antenna acts as a reflector, wherein at least one of said multiple antennas is arranged to be electrically shorted at a first time instant and the at least one of said multiple antennas is arranged to be connected to a load, preferably matched load, at a second time instant, and at least one other of said multiple antennas is arranged to be connected to a load, preferably matched load, at the first time instant and the at least one other of said multiple antennas is arranged to be electrically shorted at the second time instant.