Wideband Digital Beamforming Network True Time Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beamforming technologies face limitations in precision control over beam properties, particularly in wideband frequency operations and simultaneous multi-beam formation, with analog systems being impractical due to size, complexity, and narrow band limitations.
Innovation Solution
A digital true-time-delay beamforming system that uses a combination of coarse and fine delay controls, implemented through a digital clock reference, memory for beamforming control information, and programmable delay lines, allowing precise time delay calculations and digital-to-analog conversions for each antenna element, enabling flexible beam control and wideband operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If phase shift beamforming is used, then beam direction control is achieved, but the system becomes narrowband and incapable of wide frequency band operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces phase shifters (analog/mechanical approach) with true time delay elements (digital/electronic approach). This substitution enables wideband operation because time delays are frequency-independent, unlike phase shifts which are frequency-dependent. The digital beamforming architecture uses programmable delay lines and digital signal processing to achieve accurate beamforming across wide frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from phase shift (frequency-dependent) to time delay (frequency-independent). By implementing true time delay beamforming with programmable delay elements, the system achieves frequency-independent beam steering, enabling operation across wide frequency bands while maintaining beamforming accuracy through digital control.
2Ease of operation
If analog beamforming components are used, then time delay control is achieved, but the system requires careful matching and tuning and lacks computer control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog beamforming components with digital beamforming components. Digital delay elements, programmable logic, and digital signal processors replace analog switches, capacitors, and inductors. This digitalization enables direct computer control through software programming while eliminating the need for careful analog component matching and tuning, as digital components offer precise, programmable delay values without sensitivity to component tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamically programmable delay values through digital control. Unlike fixed analog delay lines, the digital beamforming system allows delay values to be changed dynamically via software control. This enables flexible, reconfigurable beamforming patterns that can be adjusted in real-time through computer control without physical reconfiguration or recalibration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple simultaneous beams are formed using analog beamformers, then multi-beam capability is achieved, but size, numbers of interconnections, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital beamforming architecture that can form multiple simultaneous beams using shared digital resources. Instead of requiring separate analog beamforming networks for each beam, the digital system uses a single programmable delay network and digital signal processor that can be configured via software to generate multiple independent beam patterns simultaneously. This multi-functional approach dramatically reduces physical size and interconnection complexity while maintaining multi-beam capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying and processing of signal paths to create multiple beams. Rather than requiring separate physical signal paths for each beam, the digital system copies and processes the same input signals through different programmable delay configurations to generate multiple beam patterns. This virtual copying approach eliminates the need for multiple parallel analog beamforming networks, reducing hardware complexity and size.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for implementing a true-time-delay wideband digital beamformer. In true-time-delay wideband digital beamformers of the present invention, improved control over beam properties formed by the combination of the beamformer and a multi-element antenna coupled to the beamformer is achieved through finer control of delays imparted to data signals. In beamformers of the present invention, data is delayed using a coarse control that provides a delay in whole increments of a clock cycle of a digital clock reference and a fine control that provides a delay corresponding to a fraction of a whole clock cycle of the digital clock reference. In the true time delay method of the present invention, transmission and reception across a wide frequency band is accommodated. In the true time delay method of the present invention, multiple simultaneous beams are formed independently, beam-to-beam, across a wide frequency band.