Patent Publication Number: US-11050166-B2

Title: AESA radial geometry phased array antenna

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/628,634, titled “Tube-Shaped Scanned Antenna Assembly,” having a filing date of Feb. 9, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to phased array antennas. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Phased array antennas can be used for various applications. For example, phased array antennas can be used in radar systems. Example phased array antennas can include a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of phase shifters. Each antenna element can be in communication with a corresponding phase shifter of the plurality of phase shifters. Furthermore, operation of each phase shifter can be controlled via a computing device. In this manner, the computing device can control operation of the phase shifters to electronically steer a radiation pattern of the phased array antenna without physically moving the plurality of antenna elements. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments. 
     In one aspect, a phased array antenna is provided according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The phased array antenna includes a tube-shaped substrate. The phased array antenna further includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the tube-shaped substrate. 
     In another aspect, a phased array antenna is provided according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The phased array antenna includes a tube-shaped substrate. The phased array antenna further includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed on an inner surface of the tube-shaped substrate. 
     In yet another aspect, a phased array antenna is provided according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The phased array antenna includes a tube-shaped substrate. The phased array antenna further includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed on an outer surface of the tube-shaped substrate. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a phased array antenna according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of a phased array antenna according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of a phased array antenna according to example embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts a first antenna of a phased array antenna and a second antenna of the phased array antenna according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations. 
     Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a phased array antenna. The phased antenna array can include a tube-shaped substrate. The phased array antenna can include a plurality of antenna elements. Each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on the tube-shaped substrate. For instance, in some implementations, the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on an inner surface of the substrate. In this manner, RF signals transmitted or received via the plurality of antenna elements propagate through the tube-shaped substrate. In alternative implementations, the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on an outer surface of the tube-shaped substrate. In this manner, RF signals can be transmitted or received via the plurality of antenna elements without propagating through the tube-shaped substrate. 
     In some implementations, one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements can be slot antennas. For instance, a first antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements and a second antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements can each define one or more slots. In some implementations, the one or more slots defined by the first antenna element can be different than the one or more slots defined by the second antenna element. For instance, the size of the one or more slots defined by the first antenna element can be different than the size of the one or more slots defined by the second antenna element. Alternatively or additionally, the shape of the one or more slots defined by the first antenna element can be different than the shape of the one or more slots defined by the second antenna element. In this manner, a radiation pattern associated with the first antenna element can be different than a radiation pattern associated with the second antenna element. 
     In some implementations, one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements can be a patch antenna. For instance, one or more patch antennas can be disposed on a surface of the tube-shaped substrate. In some implementations, the one or more patch antennas can be disposed on the inner surface of the tube-shaped substrate. Alternatively, the one or more patch antenna can be disposed on the outer surface of the tube-shaped substrate. In some implementations, the patch array antenna can include a first patch antenna and a second patch antenna. The first patch antenna and the second patch antenna can have a first radiation pattern and a second radiation pattern, respectively. In some implementations, the first radiation pattern can be different than the second radiation pattern. 
     In some implementations, the plurality of antenna elements can each have any suitable shape. For instance, one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements can have a tetragonal shape, an oval shape, a spiral shape, or a polygonal shape. In some implementations, a shape of an antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements can depend on a location of the antenna element on the tube-shaped substrate. 
     The phased array antenna of the present disclosure can provide numerous technical benefits. For instance, the tube-shaped substrate allows the plurality of antenna elements to be placed on the substrate in a manner that improves the radiation pattern of the phased array antenna. More specifically, the plurality of antenna elements can be placed on the tube-shaped substrate such that the radiation pattern can be more omnidirectional. In addition, the tube-shape substrate allows a radiation pattern of each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements to be steered without the aid of mechanical components (e.g., servo motors). 
     It should be appreciated that the phased array antenna of the present disclosure can be used for any suitable purpose. For instance, in some implementations, the phased array antenna can be used in radar systems. In alternative implementations, the phased array antenna can be used in telecommunications systems. 
     As used herein, the use of the term “about” in conjunction with a numerical value is intended to refer to within 20% of the stated amount. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a phased array antenna  100  is provided according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the phased array antenna  100  can define a coordinate system that includes a circumferential direction C and a radial direction R. The phased array antenna  100  can include a tube-shaped substrate  110 . The tube-shaped substrate  10  can define a cavity  112 . In some implementations, the cavity  112  can be filled with any suitable dielectric material. In alternative implementations, the cavity  112  can be hollow (e.g., filled with air). 
     It should be appreciated that the tube-shaped substrate  110  can be formed from ceramic, alumina, sapphire, gallium arsenide, polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon) or any outer suitable material. It should also be appreciated that the tube-shaped substrate  110  can be formed from material have any suitable dielectric constant. For instance, in some implementations, the tube-shaped substrate  110  can be formed from material having a dielectric constant between about 2 and about 10. As will be discussed below in more detail, the phased array antenna  100  can include a plurality of antenna elements  120  disposed on the tube-shaped substrate  110 . 
     Referring briefly now to  FIG. 2 , the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be disposed on an inner surface  114  of the tube-shaped substrate  110  (that is, the surface facing towards a center or central axis  130  of the tube-shaped substrate  110 ). When the plurality of antenna elements  120  are disposed on the inner surface  114  of the tube-shaped substrate  110 , the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be disposed within the cavity  112  defined by the tube-shaped substrate  110 . In this manner, the plurality of antenna elements  120  can, at least in part, be hidden from view. As shown, each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  may be curved to conform to a shape (e.g., tube) of the tube-shaped substrate  110 . In this manner, the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be disposed on the inner surface  1114  of the tube-shaped substrate  110 . It should be appreciated that RF signals transmitted or received via the plurality of antenna elements  120  can propagate through the tube-shaped substrate  110  when the plurality of antenna elements  120  are disposed on the inner surface  114  of the substrate  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be disposed on an outer surface  116  of the tube-shaped substrate  110  (that is, the surface facing away from the center  130  of the substrate  110 ). When the plurality of antenna elements  120  are disposed on the outer surface  116  of the tube-shaped substrate  110 , the plurality of antenna elements  120  are not disposed within the cavity  112  defined by the tube-shaped substrate  110 . In this manner, the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be visible. As shown, each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be curved to conform to a shape (e.g., tube) of the tube-shaped substrate  110 . In this manner, the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be disposed on the outer surface  116  of the tube-shaped substrate  110 . It should be appreciated that RF signals transmitted or received via the plurality of antenna elements  120  do not propagate through the tube-shaped substrate  110  when the plurality of antenna elements  120  are disposed on the outer surface  116  of the tube-shaped substrate  110 . 
     In some implementations, the plurality of antenna elements  120  may be dispersed by a unit distance. For instance, the antenna elements  120  may each be associated with specific corresponding locations on the tube-shaped substrate  110 . Different electrical signals received at two or more antenna elements  120  can be combined or compared by drive circuitry (not shown) to accurately identify a direction of an incoming wireless signal. Accordingly, the phased array antenna  100  may operate with high antenna gain in an omnidirectional manner. 
     In some implementations, each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be tuned to transmit or receive a RF signal with a particular antenna gain in a direction away from the center  130 . Beam steering/forming can be selectively determined by altering the phase and/or timing of a signal from the respective antenna element  120 . For instance, in some implementations, an antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  may have a higher antenna gain than an adjacent antenna element for a particular direction. However, the adjacent antenna elements can have a higher antenna gain than the antenna element in a different direction. 
     In some implementations, each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., copper, gold, silver, or combination thereof). Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of antenna elements  120  can each have a same shape, size and/or area. In alternative implementations, each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can have a different shape, size and/or area. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a first antenna element  122  of the plurality of antenna elements  120  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and a second antenna element  124  of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be slot antennas. It should be appreciated that more or fewer antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements can be patch antennas. For instance, in some implementations, each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be a slot antenna. 
     As shown, the first antenna element  122  and the second antenna element  124  can each define one or more slots  126  and  128 , respectively. In some implementations, the one or more slots  126  defined by the first antenna element  122  can be different than the one or more slots  128  defined by the second antenna element  124 . For instance, a size of the one or more slots  126  defined by the first antenna element  122  can be different than a size of the one or more slots  128  defined by the second antenna element  124 . Alternatively or additionally, a shape of the one or more slots  126  defined by the first antenna element  122  can be different than a shape of the one or more slots  128  defined by the second antenna element  124 . In this manner, a radiation pattern associated with the first antenna element  122  can be different than a radiation pattern associated with the second antenna element  124 . 
     In some implementations, one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can be a patch antenna. For instance, the one or more patch antennas can be disposed on a surface of the tube-shaped substrate  110  ( FIG. 1 ). In some implementations, the one or more patch antennas can be disposed on the inner surface  114  ( FIG. 1 ) of the tube-shaped substrate  100 . Alternatively, the one or more patch antenna can be disposed on the outer surface  116  ( FIG. 1 ) of the tube-shaped substrate  110 . In some implementations, the patch array antenna can include a first patch antenna and a second patch antenna. The first patch antenna and the second patch antenna can have a first radiation pattern and a second radiation pattern, respectively. In some implementations, the first radiation pattern can be different than the second radiation pattern. 
     In some implementations, the plurality of antenna elements  120  ( FIG. 1 ) can each have any suitable shape. For instance, one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements  120  can have a tetragonal shape, an oval shape, a spiral shape, or a polygonal shape. In some implementations, a shape of an antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements  120  ( FIG. 1 ) can depend on a location of the antenna element on the tube-shaped substrate  110  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.