Synchronized Oscillator Transmission Module for Compact Phased Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array antenna devices for high-power transmission applications without baseband signals face challenges in size reduction, cost, and power loss due to the need for numerous components and phase shifters, which increase the device's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A transmission module configuration that synchronously controls multiple transmission signals using a common reference signal, eliminating the need for high-frequency signal distribution and phase shifters, thereby reducing the number of circuit elements and power amplification factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of antennas in an array antenna device is increased to improve mobile communication services, then communication capacity and quality are improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The array antenna device is divided into multiple sub-antenna units, each containing one or more antennas. Each sub-antenna unit can be independently controlled and managed, allowing the system to achieve high communication capacity through modular expansion rather than requiring a monolithic large-scale antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional antenna arrays to three-dimensional array configurations. This spatial dimensionality change enables increased communication capacity by utilizing vertical and depth dimensions, allowing more antennas to be packed into a more compact overall device volume.
2Reliability
If the number of antennas is increased to improve communication services, then communication quality improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of antenna elements within sub-antenna units, where antennas can be selectively activated or deactivated based on communication requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high communication quality when needed while reducing power consumption during lower-demand periods by deactivating unnecessary antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sub-antenna unit is designed to perform multiple functions including transmission, reception, and beamforming operations. This multi-functionality allows a smaller number of versatile sub-units to replace what would otherwise require many specialized antenna elements, thereby maintaining communication quality while reducing overall power consumption.
3Reliability
If the number of antennas is increased to improve communication services, then signal processing capability improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Signal processing is segmented and distributed across multiple control circuits, each managing specific sub-antenna units. This segmentation of processing tasks reduces the complexity burden on any single processing unit while collectively achieving enhanced signal processing capability through parallel processing of multiple sub-antenna signals.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transmission module (30) includes n oscillator modules (50) and a phase command signal generator (40). Each of the oscillator modules (50) includes a voltage controlled oscillator (60) and an amplification circuit (70). The voltage controlled oscillators (60) output transmission high-frequency signals having the same frequency and synchronized among the n oscillator modules (50) by synchronous control based on a common reference signal (Sr). The amplification circuits (70) each perform power amplification for the transmission high-frequency signal from a corresponding one of the voltage controlled oscillators (60) and output the resultant signal. Phases of the transmission high-frequency signals synchronized among the n oscillator modules (50) and output from the voltage controlled oscillators (60) are separately controlled according to respective n phase command signals (ϕ1* to ϕn*) from the phase command signal generator (40).