Transceiver Beamforming Network Spatial Selectivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Active array antennas in communication and radar systems are susceptible to interference due to poor spatial selectivity, leading to increased phase noise and reduced coherence, which affects the rejection of interferers and overall system performance.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver arrangement with a beamforming network between antenna and transceiver ports, where low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) are connected to beam-formed antenna ports in receive mode and power amplifiers (PAs) are connected directly to antenna ports in transmit mode, allowing for spatial selectivity and reduced phase noise through reconfigurable Butler matrices and bypass functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If LNA is directly connected to antenna element, then each LNA receives signals from wide antenna beam, but this leads to poor spatial selectivity and increased susceptibility to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into multiple independent antenna elements, each with its own LNA and oscillator. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to multiple beams through phase control, achieving spatial selectivity without direct wide-beam connection. Each LNA processes signals from its specific antenna element rather than receiving wide-beam signals directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension through multiple oscillators operating at slightly different frequencies. By processing signals from multiple oscillators and combining them with appropriate phase shifts, the system achieves spatial selectivity in the angular domain while using frequency diversity to reject interferers, effectively adding a frequency dimension to the spatial filtering problem.
2Reliability
If separate oscillators are used for each antenna element, then phase noise is averaged out, but coherence to interferers is partially lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic phase control where the phase of each antenna element's signal is adjusted based on the desired beam direction. This dynamic phase steering allows the system to maintain coherence for signals from specific directions while the inherent frequency differences between oscillators provide phase noise averaging. The system adapts its coherence properties dynamically based on the beamforming requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of each oscillator slightly to achieve phase noise averaging, while compensating for this change through digital signal processing and phase adjustment. By carefully controlling the frequency offsets and using appropriate phase rotation in the beamforming process, the system maintains coherence for desired signals while rejecting interferers through the frequency diversity effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If beamforming network is used for spatial selectivity, then interferers are rejected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beamforming function from a complex centralized network and distributes it to individual antenna elements through simple local oscillators and phase shifters. Each element performs local signal processing with its own oscillator, and the beamforming is achieved through coherent combination at the receiver. This extraction of the beamforming function from a centralized complex network to distributed simple elements reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital signal processing as an intermediary between the antenna elements and the final signal combination. Instead of using a complex analog beamforming network with numerous phase shifters and attenuators, the system uses digital processing to achieve the same beamforming effect with simpler, more controllable components. The digital intermediary provides flexible and precise control with reduced hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a transceiver arrangement (1) comprising a transceiver device (2) having at least two transceiver ports (8b, 9b, 10b, 11b), a beamforming network (5), and at least two antenna ports (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d). The transceiver device (2) comprises at least two low-noise amplifier (LNA) arrangements (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), where each LNA arrangement (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is connected to a respective transceiver port (8b, 9b, 10b, 11 b). The beamforming network (5) is arranged between the antenna ports (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) and the transceiver ports (8b, 9b, 10b, 11 b), whereby a radio frequency (RF) signal received on an antenna port (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) traverses the beamforming network (5) prior to being received on the transceiver ports (8b, 9b, 10b, 11 b). In a receive mode configuration of the transceiver arrangement, the beamforming network (5) is arranged to provide a beam-forming function, whereby the RF signal received on an antenna port is received on the transceiver ports with specific respective phase shifts.