The present disclosure is generally related to antennas and more particularly to antenna systems having a low profile and that are capable of supporting high data rates and of being produced at relatively low cost.
Future datalinks require high data rates over long ranges compared to currently fielded systems. Long range datalinks typically operate in the very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency (RF) bands. At these frequencies, the usable RF bandwidth is limited to a few megahertz. In order to increase the data rate, new communication systems require the RF system to operate at much higher frequencies (ex. X and Ku bands). At these higher frequencies the RF bandwidth can be increased to hundreds of MHz; however, the RF path loss between two communication nodes is significantly higher at higher frequencies. For example, the loss over 100 feet of free space is 20 dB higher at X band than at VHF. In order to compensate for this higher path loss, higher gain antennas are required. This can be a problem on small platforms that require conformal antennas, such as missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Typical long range datalinks operating in or above the X band use dish antennas or large phased arrays. These antennas have the antenna gain, transmit power, and receive sensitivity necessary to send and receive signals over very long ranges. This includes but is not limited to satellite communications. These antennas are always large, can be non-conformal (such as a dish antenna), and can be very expensive (such as large phased arrays). Small, conformal, low-cost fixed-beam and switched-beam antenna arrays have also been used for short range line of sight datalinks, however they do not meet the desired link budget and field of view for next generation platforms.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide low-cost high-gain datalink antenna systems that provide the gain, transmit power, and receiver sensitivity necessary to meet the desired link budget over a ±60° field of view. The antenna is extremely small, lightweight and inexpensive making it suitable for missile and UAV platforms.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an antenna system is provided that combines a number of antenna elements into super elements. The super elements are arranged so that each super element includes elements located along a periphery of the active array. Passive support electronics, such as combiners and signal conditioning elements, are located with the antenna array on a first or upper circuit board. As these elements are entirely passive, no power or digital control signals need to be provided to the elements included in the first circuit board. Therefore, the first circuit board is simple to fabricate and test. Radio frequency (RF) beam steering circuitry, power conditioning elements, digital control circuitry, an N:1 RF combiner, and other elements can be included in a second or lower circuit board. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second circuit boards can be integrated using a number of push-on RF connectors. In addition, the first and second circuit boards can be placed within a housing that ensures that the two circuit boards remain mated to one another. The housing can additionally act as a thermal heat sink.
The housing, boards, and other components of the antenna system can be provided as a low profile package that can be easily integrated into a vehicle or platform electronic system and structure. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the antenna system can be deployed as a conformal system carried by or integrated with a platform or vehicle. Moreover, the system can be used to enable both X band and Ku band long range datalinks.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosed antenna array systems and methods will become more readily apparent from the following description, particularly when considered together with the accompanying drawings.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, at least a top surface of the cover 204 and the radome 208 can be shaped such that the antenna system 104 package 202 is conformal or substantially conformal to an exterior surface of an associated platform 106. For example, at least the top surface of the cover 204 and/or the radome 208 can be curved along one or more axes to conform or substantially conform to an exterior surface of surrounding portions of an exterior surface of an associated platform 106. Alternatively or in addition, at least the outer surface of the cover 204 and/or the radome 208 can be faceted to follow or approximately follow a contour of a surface of an associated platform 106. As yet another example, for example where at least the portion of a platform 106 to which the antenna system 104 package 202 is to be mounted is planar, the outer surface of the cover 204 and radome 208 can also be planar. In accordance with still other embodiments of the present disclosure, a surface of the base plate 210 can be configured to conform to a mounting surface of the associated platform 106. Moreover, the base plate 210 can include features or elements for mechanically joining the antenna system 104 package 202 to the platform 106.
Some or all of the package 202 components can themselves be formed from a number of interconnected components. For instance, in the example antenna system 104 illustrated in
The base 210 in this example includes a peripheral or spacer portion 422 and a central or main section 426. Whether formed from a number of component parts or as a unitary piece of material, the base 210 can be configured to provide at least a portion of an active feed circuit element volume 430. More particularly, some or all of the active feed circuit elements 312 can be provided as part of or on a second circuit board 416 that is disposed within the active feed circuit element volume 430. The active feed circuit elements 312 can include signal paths or other circuit components that are at least partially formed from wiring layers 434 that are integral to the second circuit board 416, some or all of the components of the support electronics package 332, surface mount components 438 that are mounted to the second circuit board 416, and/or connections to other circuit boards or components. In addition to the active feed circuit elements 312, other components, such as but not limited to radio frequency signal connectors 212a, and power supply connectors 212b, can be provided as part of and/or can be joined to the second circuit board 416. As shown in the example illustration, the active feed circuit volume 430 can face the top plate 204. Moreover, the active feed circuit volume 430 can be a closed or substantially closed volume when the top plate 204 and the base 210 are connected to one another.
Accordingly, the top plate 204 provides a structure to which an integrated conformal antenna array 304 and passive feed circuit components 308 are mounted. The base 210 provides a structure for supporting or housing other components, such as but not limited to the active feed circuit elements 312, the support electronics package 332, radio frequency signal connectors 212a, and power supply connectors 212b. As depicted, the circuit boards 412 and 416 can be configured as planar elements with facing surfaces that are parallel to one another. In accordance with further embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit boards 412 and 416 can be curved or faceted. In addition, the housing 202 can be configured to ensure that the first circuit board 412 remains operatively joined to the second circuit board 416 via a set of signal connectors 420. The signal connectors 420 generally include first portions 421 provided as part of or connected to the first circuit board 412, and second portions 423 provided as part of or connected to the second circuit board 416. Accordingly, passive feed circuit components 308 are operably connected to corresponding active feed circuit elements 312 by the signal connectors 420. As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of the present disclosure, the security of the interconnections between the portions 421 and 423 of the signal connectors 420 can be insured by configuring the package 202 such that, by securing the top plate 204 and base 210 to one another, the cooperating first 421 and second 423 portions of the interconnects are also drawn together. As an example, but without limitation, the signal connectors 420 can include microwave Gilbert push-on interconnects (GPO), GPPO interconnects, or G3PO interconnects.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit boards 412 and 416 are double or multi layered circuit boards. For example, the circuit boards 412 and 416 can be conventional printed circuit boards. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first circuit board 412 is formed using a ceramic substrate, and the second circuit board 416 is formed using a conventional composite substrate. In accordance with still other embodiments, the first 412 and second 416 circuit boards are formed using ceramic substrates.
Various of the components of the antenna system 104 package 202 can be joined to one another by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, soldering, or by various combinations thereof. For example, as depicted in
As seen in the illustrated example, the passive antenna elements 508b are arranged about a perimeter or border of the array 304, and generally surround the active antenna elements 508a, which are generally disposed in an interior area 516 of the array 304. In addition, the active antenna elements 508a are grouped into a number of super elements 512. In the illustrated example, eight super elements 512a-512h are shown. However, an antenna system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can have any number of super elements 512. In addition, although in the illustrated example there are four active antenna elements 508a in each super element 512, an antenna system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can have super elements 512 with any number of active antenna elements 508a. As discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein, the active antenna elements 508a within a given super element 512 can be operated in unison. In addition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, each super element 512 includes at least one side or edge that borders or coincides with an outside perimeter of the area 516 containing the active antenna elements 508a of the array 304. Accordingly, no super element 512 within the array 304 is entirely surrounded by other super elements 512. This configuration facilitates the provision of signal components associated with the super elements 512. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the overall shape or outline of the radome 208 in a top plan view mirrors the shape of the array 304 in top plan view. In accordance with further embodiments, the outline of the radome 208 can differ from that of the array 304. For example, ends of the radome 208 can be tapered, as shown in
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the antenna array 304 is configured such that each individual super element 512 forms at least a portion of an outside edge of an area 516 containing the active antenna elements 508a. As illustrated in
As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of the present disclosure, the elements of the second circuit board 416 can include various active elements. Accordingly, the second circuit board 416 can include or be associated with the power and signal inputs. Moreover, the power supply 316 components, such as a voltage regulator, and the control system components 324, such as a micro controller 324, can be provided as part of or can be connected to the second circuit board 416. In contrast, the first circuit board 412 can, in accordance with at least some embodiments, include only passive components.
As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of the present disclosure, an antenna system 104 as provided herein provides enables an array 304 of antenna elements 508 and support circuitry, including passive 308 and active 312 circuit elements, to be provided as part of a relatively thin antenna package 202. This aspect of the invention is facilitated by configuring the array 304 such that each group of actively controlled antenna elements 508a (i.e. the super elements 512) has at least one border or edge that corresponds to an outer border or edge of the area 516 containing the active elements 508a (i.e. the area containing the super elements 512), which allows supporting circuit elements or components to extend into areas of the associated circuit boards 412 and 416 that are away from the active antenna elements 508a included in the array 304 in a direction that is parallel to the plane of the array 304. Moreover, an antenna system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an array 304 of antenna elements 508 that is a planar, curved, or faceted. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure having a curved or faceted array 304 of antenna elements 508, the array 304 is curved or faceted about an axis that extends in the Y direction (see
In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for dividing active antenna elements 508 into super elements 512, in which each active antenna element 508 within any one super element is connected to the same supporting circuitry by a combiner/splitter. As a result, the total number of discrete components can be reduced as compared to a configuration in which each active antenna element is associated with a unique set of circuit elements. This in turn allows for a reduced circuit size.
An antenna system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can include multiple active antenna elements 508a and multiple passive antenna elements 508b disposed on a first circuit board or substrate 412 in an array 304. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure the array 304 can be conformal to a structure or platform to which the antenna system 104 is mounted. Examples of structures or platforms to which the antenna system 104 can be mounted include, but are not limited to, a tower, aircraft, missile, drone, ship, truck, spacecraft, or any other stationary structure or mobile device. The antenna elements 508 of an antenna system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can be operated to receive, transmit, or transmit and receive electromagnetic signals or beams 124. The electromagnetic signals 124 can include communication signals sent between the antenna system 104 and other antenna systems, and communication system base stations, mobile devices, or other communication devices, signals sent as part of radar systems to determine the presence and location of distant objects, signals received from other transmission sources that the antenna system 104 is operational to detect as part of a signal or threat warning system, or any other purpose. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, signals associated with groups of antenna elements configured as super elements 512 that include a number of individual active antenna elements 508a can be phased relative to other super elements 512 to steer the beam 124. Accordingly, the antenna system 104 may form a beam 124 of radio waves that may be electronically steered to point in a selected direction, without requiring that the array 304 be physically moved. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the array 304 may be designed to be physically moveable or stationary. The signals 124 transmitted or received by an antenna system 104 as disclosed herein may be of various wavelengths or bands of wavelengths.
In at least some embodiments, an antenna system 104 may include or be in communication with a computer, transceiver, or other control system. The computer system may execute software configured to control signals transmitted by the antenna system 104 via beam steering elements. The computer system may further be capable of processing signals received by the antenna system 104. In some embodiments, the antenna system 104 may be used to transmit and/or receive signals in a variety of directions at a single time.
Various elements of a system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can be formed using conventional manufacturing techniques. Such techniques can include, but are not limited to, printed circuit board manufacturing techniques.
As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of the present disclosure, the physical characteristics of various components, such as the antenna elements 508, the spacing between antenna elements 508, the number of super elements 512, the number of active antenna elements 508a in each super element 512, and the number of passive antenna elements 508b can be determined with reference to the anticipated or desired operating characteristics of the antenna system 104. These can include but are not limited to the operating wavelengths of the antenna system 104, the operable field of view, the range of beam steering, the area available on the surface of the platform 106, or other considerations.
Predicted antenna radiation patterns for an antenna system 104 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure are shown in
A configuration with a smaller number of supported beam positions can reduce the situational awareness dependence of the antenna system 104. For example, a 16 beam-state mode can be supported. Cumulative gain patterns and percent area gain are shown in
The antenna system 104 described herein can provide a significantly increased gain compared to an omnidirectional and multi-beam antenna and a significantly reduced cost compared to larger high end phased arrays. This makes it an excellent solution for low-cost next-generation platforms that require advanced high-frequency long-range datalinks. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an antenna system 104 in the form of a substantially planar, low profile package 202 that can be easily integrated with and attached to a platform 106. Moreover, an antenna system 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can be configured as a package having one or more exterior surfaces that conform to an exterior surface of an associated platform 106.
The foregoing discussion of the disclosed systems and methods has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the disclosed systems and methods to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the disclosed systems and methods, and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosed systems and methods in such or in other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application or use. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/214,026, filed Jun. 23, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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