Phased Array Transmit Aperture Pointing via Power Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for pointing transmit apertures of phased array antennas in vehicles, such as aircraft, rely on receive apertures, leading to mechanical discontinuities and vulnerabilities like mispointing and interference due to dependency on receive aperture pointing.
Innovation Solution
Independent control of transmit apertures using monitored transmit power levels and carrier-to-noise ratios to adjust pointing, independent of receive aperture control, ensuring accurate and interference-free transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the transmit aperture pointing is slaved to the receive aperture pointing, then the system structure is simplified, but mechanical discontinuities and mispointing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pointing control into two independent segments: receive aperture control and transmit aperture control. The receive aperture is controlled by a signal receiver for tracking, while the transmit aperture is independently controlled by a separate control system that uses transmit power level monitoring to eliminate mispointing issues caused by slaving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism that monitors transmit power levels and uses this information to adjust the transmit aperture pointing independently. This intermediary control system acts as a mediator between the transmit modem and the phased array, resolving the mechanical discontinuities inherent in direct slaving to the receive aperture.
2Measurement precision
If the transmit aperture is independently controlled, then pointing accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmit aperture control system performs self-adjustment by monitoring its own transmit power levels. When mispointing is detected through power level changes, the system automatically corrects the aperture orientation without requiring complex external intervention, thereby achieving high precision while limiting complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the transmit power level is continuously monitored and fed back to the independent control system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustments to maintain optimal pointing accuracy without requiring overly complex open-loop control structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling pointing of a transmit antenna aperture of a phased array antenna are described herein. A modem may be configured to modulate carrier wave signals for transmission to an end target via the transmit antenna aperture. A transmit power level of the modem may be monitored, and pointing of the transmit antenna aperture may be adjusted based on the transmit power level. Additionally or alternatively, an indication of a carrier-to-noise level may be received, and pointing of the transmit antenna aperture may be adjusted based on the carrier-to-noise level.