TRM Mounting System With Earth Plane Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active electronically scanned antenna (AESA) systems face inefficiencies due to the need for replacing entire multipacks of transmitter receiver modules (TRM)s when one is defective, leading to waste of functional TRM)s and potential periodic errors that decrease radar performance, while also being heavy due to metallic structures for support, cooling, and shielding.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system for TRM)s featuring a substrate rear panel with contact means for RF, power, and logic signals, active support units for easy exchange, and an earth plane for electromagnetic interference shielding, allowing for high packing density, flexible maintenance, and reduced weight by eliminating the need for metallic cooling structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If TRM:s are assembled into multipacks with metallic structures for support, cooling and shielding, then structural strength and shielding are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into individual multipacks that can be independently assembled and replaced. Each multipack contains a subset of TRM:s arranged in a matrix pattern, allowing modular construction that reduces overall weight compared to a monolithic structure while maintaining structural integrity through distributed support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing mechanical support for the TRM:s, conducting heat away from the modules for cooling, and acting as electromagnetic shields. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining strength.
2Reliability
If entire multipacks are replaced when one TRM is defective, then system reliability is maintained, but waste of functional TRM:s increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multipack is designed as a modular unit containing multiple independently replaceable TRM:s arranged in a matrix. When one TRM fails, only that specific module needs to be replaced rather than the entire multipack, enabling selective replacement and reducing waste of functional modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables recovery and reuse of functional TRM:s within a multipack. When a TRM fails, the remaining functional TRM:s are preserved and continue to operate, allowing the defective module to be replaced individually while recovering the value of functional modules that would otherwise be wasted in full multipack replacement.
3Area of stationary object
If multipacks are mounted adjacent to each other to form AESA, then radar coverage is improved, but periodic errors occur decreasing radar performance
Solution Approach 1:
The TRM:s within each multipack are arranged in an asymmetric matrix pattern rather than a simple linear or symmetric grid. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with the modular multipack structure, helps break up periodic patterns that could cause systematic errors, thereby improving radar performance while maintaining large coverage area through multiple adjacent multipacks.
4Ease of manufacture
If individual TRM:s are mounted in rows within multipacks, then assembly is simplified, but maintenance flexibility decreases requiring full multipack replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The multipack is segmented into individually replaceable TRM modules arranged in a matrix pattern. Each TRM can be independently accessed and replaced through the modular structure, providing maintenance flexibility while maintaining assembly simplicity through standardized interfaces and modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static multipack structure where all modules are fixed together to a dynamic modular structure where individual TRM modules can be independently installed, removed, and replaced. This dynamic capability enables flexible maintenance operations without requiring complete multipack replacement while maintaining simple assembly procedures through standardized interfaces.
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 high packing density and maintenance flexibility, minimizes mechanical faults, improves radar accuracy, shields electronic components from interference, and reduces weight by using fluid flow for cooling, while maintaining effective RF signal handling and shielding.
Implementation Method 1
The earth plane shields the AESA from emitting other signals then supposed to and shields the electronic components in the AESA from external electromagnetic interference
Implementation Method 2
the electronic components on the lower electronic components part of the TRM be cooled by a fluid flow forced into the channels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Mounting system (1) for transmitter receiver modules (TRM:s) (4) adapted to receiving a plurality of TRM:s (4), wherein the TRM:s (4) together form a part of an active electronically scanned array (AESA), and each TRM (4) is provided with an upper antenna part (6) and a lower electronic components part (7), where the lower electronic components part (7) is provided with TRM contact means (18) on the end opposite the upper antenna part (6), and wherein the mounting system (1) comprises a substrate rear panel (3) provided with TRM contact receiving means (19) on its first side, and active support units are arranged on it second side, wherein each of said TRM contact receiving means (19) are adapted to receive TRM contact means (18) of one TRM (4), and wherein said support units are adapted to supports a plurality of TRM:s (4), characterised in, that said substrate rear panel (3) is constructed such that one single substrate rear panel (3) is adapted to receive said TRM:s (4) in a matrix structure having a plurality of rows and columns and said mounting system (1) is provided with an earth plane (5), said earth plane (5) is parallel to the substrate rear panel (3) and comprises an electric conductive sheet, and is arranged such that, when the TRM:s (4) are mounted in the mounting system (1), the earth plane (5) levels with the TRM:s (4) transition from upper antenna part (6) to lower electronic components part (7), and the lower electronic components parts (7) thereby is enclosed by the substrate rear panel (3) and the earth plane (5).