Thinned Active Array System for High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional array systems require a large number of elements and mechanical components, limiting their spatial and temporal resolution, making them impractical for high-frequency applications and requiring significant power and processing capabilities, which is a challenge for compact and efficient deployment in various fields.
Innovation Solution
An active array system utilizing a thinned array configuration reduces the number of transmit and receive elements, eliminates mechanical components, and employs deterministic and periodic element placement to achieve high-resolution images without extensive processing or power requirements, enabling modular and efficient design for diverse applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional array systems use closely spaced elements (within half wavelength) to achieve high spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but the number of elements and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the array into separate transmit and receive sub-arrays with different spacing configurations. Transmit elements are spaced at half-wavelength intervals while receive elements are spaced at wider intervals (e.g., wavelength or 1.5 wavelengths), allowing each sub-array to be optimized independently for its function while reducing overall element count
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single uniform array to a two-dimensional thinned array configuration where element spacing varies in different directions and functions. This dimensional differentiation allows the system to achieve high spatial resolution in critical dimensions while reducing element density in other dimensions
2Measurement precision
If conventional array systems use a large number of elements to maintain aperture size at high frequencies, then spatial resolution is improved, but processing requirements and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes redundant elements from the conventional dense array, keeping only the essential elements needed for high-resolution imaging. By thinning the array to retain approximately 25-50% of conventional element count, the system reduces processing burden while maintaining critical spatial resolution capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spacing parameter from uniform half-wavelength spacing to a thinned configuration with varying spacings (half-wavelength for transmit, wavelength or 1.5 wavelengths for receive). This parameter change reduces the number of elements requiring processing while preserving the aperture size and resolution characteristics
3Speed
If conventional array systems use mechanical components for aperture positioning, then positioning capability is achieved, but temporal resolution and frame rate are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical aperture positioning systems with electronic beam steering capabilities inherent to phased array technology. By using electronic phase and amplitude control of the thinned array elements, the system achieves rapid aperture synthesis and image formation without mechanical moving parts, enabling frame rates exceeding 15 fps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic electronic control of the thinned array elements, allowing real-time adjustment of beam direction and focus through phase shifting. This dynamic electronic positioning replaces static mechanical positioning, enabling high temporal resolution and flexible aperture synthesis across multiple frames
4Measurement precision
If conventional array systems use dense element spacing to reduce grating lobes, then image quality is improved, but the number of elements and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spacing characteristics to different functional groups within the array. Transmit elements use half-wavelength spacing optimized for beam formation, while receive elements use wider spacing optimized for signal reception. This local optimization allows each group to operate efficiently at its designated spacing, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of wider element spacing (which could increase grating lobes) into a benefit by carefully designing the thinned configuration and apply. The wider-spaced receive elements are positioned and weighted to suppress grating lobes through coherent integration, transforming what would be a disadvantage into an energy-efficient configuration that maintains image quality
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to an active array system that can form and steer a directed beam across its aperture. The disclosed array system utilizes a novel configuration that significantly reduces a number of transmit and receive elements. In some aspects, the disclosed array system can be configured with a modular design, for example, to permit the extension of the transmit/receive array, e.g., to increase/decrease aperture size. In other aspects, the disclosed array system may be configured to dispose the elements of either the first or second group of radiators in a modular fashion.