EP0417679B1 - Multiple beam antenna, steerable by low switching rate - Google Patents

Multiple beam antenna, steerable by low switching rate Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0417679B1
EP0417679B1 EP19900117354 EP90117354A EP0417679B1 EP 0417679 B1 EP0417679 B1 EP 0417679B1 EP 19900117354 EP19900117354 EP 19900117354 EP 90117354 A EP90117354 A EP 90117354A EP 0417679 B1 EP0417679 B1 EP 0417679B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
outputs
sources
switch
amplifiers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19900117354
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0417679A1 (en
Inventor
Trevor C/O Sospi Jones
Antoine C/O Sospi Roederer
Régis Lenormand
Gérard Raguenet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alcatel Espace Industries SA
Original Assignee
Alcatel Espace Industries SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alcatel Espace Industries SA filed Critical Alcatel Espace Industries SA
Publication of EP0417679A1 publication Critical patent/EP0417679A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0417679B1 publication Critical patent/EP0417679B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • H01Q25/007—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/2658—Phased-array fed focussing structure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H01Q3/34—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by electrical means
    • H01Q3/40—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by electrical means with phasing matrix

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a multibeam antenna orientable by low level switching.
  • a work entitled "space telecommunications" of the technical and scientific collection of telecommunications in particular in its volume I pages 92 to 94 and pages 259 to 261 describes on the one hand the fact of grouping several antennas, fed simultaneously by the same transmitter with the interposition of power dividers and phase shifters, the radiation characteristics of this group depending both on the diagram of each antenna and on the distribution of powers in amplitude and phase. This property is used to obtain a diagram which could not be obtained with a single radiating source. If, in addition, the characteristics of the power dividers and phase shifters are modified by electronic means, it is possible to obtain an almost instantaneous modification of the diagram.
  • the simplest grouping of radiating sources is the network, in which all the sources are identical and are deduced from each other by any translation. One can thus realize rectilinear or planar networks.
  • the illumination system of the reflector is generally off-center with respect to the latter so as to avoid any blockage of the radiating opening and to facilitate installation on the platform in the case of a spatial application.
  • the main reflector is for example a paraboloid.
  • Movable beams are in fact the combination of elementary beams, obtained by placing a set of illumination sources in the vicinity of the focal point, each source corresponding to an elementary beam.
  • This antenna can be reconfigured in a conventional manner by means of a beam forming network (BFN in English) placed before the amplification stage and a switching network placed after the amplification stage.
  • BFN beam forming network
  • This BFN makes it possible to adjust the phases and amplitudes of the signals from the elementary sources before amplification, and the sources contributing to each beam are selected by the switching network located between the amplification stage and the elementary sources. It is therefore a high level (amplified) switching, which selects the amplified signals which will actually be supplied to the radiating sources. Conversely, certain amplified signals will not be supplied to the radiating sources, resulting in a loss of effective efficiency of the assembly, since we will have amplified signals which will not contribute to the radiated fields.
  • the invention overcomes this problem.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an orientable antenna with low level switching which makes it possible to solve these various problems which can operate with very good overall efficiency of the antenna + amplifier subsystem regardless of the number of users; number may be low, for example less than five.
  • the invention proposes a multibeam antenna which can be oriented by switching comprising a reflector (10) focusing energy, a network (11) of elementary sources located in the focal zone of the reflector so as to synthesize the electromagnetic field in this focal zone, electronics comprising an amplification stage (16) with m inputs and m outputs, and at least one switch, characterized in that the coverage area is produced by m spots each corresponding to a defined number of active elementary sources, in that that the switch is a low level switch (Ci) placed before the amplifiers, in that the number of outputs of the switch is the same as the number m of inputs of the amplification stage (16), and in that the defined number of sources which produce the desired spot is connected exclusively to one of the outputs of the amplification stage (16), so that an input (Ei) is connected to one of the m outputs.
  • a reflector 10) focusing energy
  • a network (11) of elementary sources located in the focal zone of the reflector so as to synthesize the electromagnetic field in this focal zone
  • the invention Compared to mechanical solutions, the invention has the advantage of not requiring movement of the source or the reflector. It allows the use of weak focal lengths (antenna compact), and to provide several simultaneous connections.
  • the antenna of the invention represented in FIG. 1, comprises an eccentric parabolic reflector 10 supplied by a planar network 11 of sources located in the vicinity of the focal point F of the reflector, the network 12 representing the network of virtual sources, corresponding to this network 11.
  • FIG. 2 gives an example of several amplitude distributions during displacements in two directions OX and OY at the level of the network 11 of sources.
  • the diameters of the disks carried in FIG. 2 represent the amplitude of the signal received by the various sources of the network.
  • the antenna directivity performance is defined by the level of coverage of the spots.
  • the amplification stage 16 comprises a first and a second generalized couplers 17 and 18 respectively formed from a combination of couplers hybrids 21 on either side of amplifiers 19, respectively associated with a filter 20, so that each input of the first coupler 17 is distributed over all the amplifiers 19 and therefore over all the outputs of the hybrid couplers of the first generalized coupler 18.
  • the amplifiers 19 thus have a constant input power and can thus operate at their nominal capacity.
  • a signal applied to the first input for example, amplified spring on the first output. So if a signal is applied to one of the inputs of rank i for example, to the corresponding output (of rank i) the signal will be amplified by all the amplifiers and no other output will receive a signal: Indeed a signal injected into the one of the input gates of a generalized coupler is divided into n components of equal amplitude, at the level of the n outputs, if and only if, no signal being coherent to it, is injected at another input.
  • the inputs can be split using at least one second switch Ci, the combination of the signals being effected on each input Ei of the amplification stage 16, by means of couplers known from the skilled in the art and not shown.
  • the coverage to be produced has been divided into m zones.
  • a group of sources from the primary network of the antenna radiates a beam SPi.
  • each of the sources contributes to the radiation of a single beam SPi.
  • the level of overlap between beams, defined at the border of the zones, is subject to the optimization of the excitation coefficients of the sources.
  • the antenna thus defined corresponds to a given coverage, m independent access. It follows that an amplifier stage, including generalized couplers with m inputs / outputs makes it possible to use the m amplifiers 19 optimally (constant input load) whatever the spot SPi considered.
  • a signal is radiated in any direction of coverage by the addressing of said input signal from the amplification stage 16 which corresponds to the area containing this direction.
  • the m amplifiers 19 are dimensioned to obtain the radiated power required.
  • the extension to multi-user operation (p users) is achieved by grouping by coupling p connection circuits Ci.
  • This grouping is done using low level techniques.
  • the amplifiers are dimensioned as a function of the sum of the powers to be radiated.

Description

L'invention se rapporte à une antenne multifaisceaux orientable par commutation bas niveau.The invention relates to a multibeam antenna orientable by low level switching.

Un ouvrage intitulé "télécommunications spatiales" de la collection technique et scientifique des télécommunications notamment dans son tome I pages 92 à 94 et pages 259 à 261 (Masson, 1982) décrit d'une part le fait de grouper plusieurs antennes, alimentées simultanément par le même émetteur avec interposition de diviseurs de puissances et de déphaseurs, les caractéristiques de rayonnement de ce groupement dépendant à la fois du diagramme de chaque antenne et de la répartition des puissances en amplitude et phase. Cette propriété est mise à profit pour obtenir un diagramme qui ne pourrait pas être obtenu avec une seule source rayonnante. Si, en outre, on modifie les caractéristiques des diviseurs de puissance et des déphaseurs par des moyens électroniques, on peut obtenir une modification quasi-instantanée du diagramme. Le groupement le plus simple de sources rayonnantes est le réseau, dans lequel toutes les sources sont identiques et se déduisent l'une de l'autre par une translation quelconque. On peut réaliser ainsi des réseaux rectilignes ou plans.A work entitled "space telecommunications" of the technical and scientific collection of telecommunications in particular in its volume I pages 92 to 94 and pages 259 to 261 (Masson, 1982) describes on the one hand the fact of grouping several antennas, fed simultaneously by the same transmitter with the interposition of power dividers and phase shifters, the radiation characteristics of this group depending both on the diagram of each antenna and on the distribution of powers in amplitude and phase. This property is used to obtain a diagram which could not be obtained with a single radiating source. If, in addition, the characteristics of the power dividers and phase shifters are modified by electronic means, it is possible to obtain an almost instantaneous modification of the diagram. The simplest grouping of radiating sources is the network, in which all the sources are identical and are deduced from each other by any translation. One can thus realize rectilinear or planar networks.

Ce document décrit, d'autre part, l'utilisation d'antennes à réflecteur pour la génération de plusieurs faisceaux mobiles qui présentent l'avantage d'une faible masse liée à l'utilisation d'étages amplificateurs optimisés. Le système d'illumination du réflecteur est en général, décentré par rapport à celui-ci de façon à éviter tout blocage de l'ouverture rayonnante et faciliter l'implantation sur la plateforme dans le cas d'une application spatiale. Le réflecteur principal est par exemple un paraboloïde. Les faisceaux mobiles sont en fait la combinaison de faisceaux élémentaires, obtenus en plaçant un ensemble de sources d'illumination au voisinage du foyer, chaque source correspondant à un faisceau élémentaire.This document describes, on the other hand, the use of reflector antennas for the generation of several mobile beams which have the advantage of a low mass linked to the use of optimized amplifier stages. The illumination system of the reflector is generally off-center with respect to the latter so as to avoid any blockage of the radiating opening and to facilitate installation on the platform in the case of a spatial application. The main reflector is for example a paraboloid. Movable beams are in fact the combination of elementary beams, obtained by placing a set of illumination sources in the vicinity of the focal point, each source corresponding to an elementary beam.

Du fait que l'on ne peut pas les placer exactement au foyer, l'illumination n'est pas géométriquement parfaite et il se produit des aberrations de phase qui dégradent quelque peu les performances de rayonnement, donc des baisses de gain par rapport aux valeurs réalisables au foyer. Ces dégradations sont d'autant plus importantes que l'on s'écarte du foyer et que la courbure du réflecteur est important. On doit donc réaliser des réflecteurs aussi "plats" que possible, c'est-à-dire avec un rapport distance focale à diamètre d'ouverture élevé. Ceci conduit à des structures de dimensions importantes qui posent des problèmes de précision et de tenue mécanique.Because they cannot be placed exactly at the focal point, the illumination is not geometrically perfect and there are phase aberrations which somewhat degrade the radiation performance, therefore decreases in gain compared to the values achievable at home. These degradations are all the more important that we move away from the focus and that the curvature of the reflector is important. Reflectors must therefore be made as "flat" as possible, that is to say with a focal distance to large aperture diameter ratio. This leads to large structures which pose problems of precision and mechanical strength.

Il est connu par le document International Symposium Digest Antennas and Propagation, vol. II, 6 juin 1988, Syracuse NY, pages 506-509 : R. Lenormand et al. : "A versatile array-fed reflector antenna for satellite communications, part B- transmission" une antenne multifaisceaux orientable par commutation comprenant un réflecteur focalisant l'énergie, un réseau de sources élémentaires situé dans la zone focale du réflecteur de manière à réaliser la synthèse du champ électromagnétique dans cette zone focale et une électronique comprenant une électronique de commande de phases et d'amplitudes, un étage d'amplification à m entrées et m sorties, et un commutateur. Cette antenne est reconfigurable de manière classique par le biais d'un réseau de formation de faisceau (BFN en anglais) placé avant l'étage d'amplification et un réseau de commutation placée après l'étage d'amplification. Ce BFN permet d'ajuster les phases et amplitudes des signaux des sources élémentaires avant amplification, et les sources contribuant à chaque faisceau sont sélectionnées par le réseau de commutation situé entre l'étage d'amplification et les sources élémentaires. Il s'agit donc d'une commutation à haut niveau (amplifié), qui sélectionne les signaux amplifiés qui seront effectivement fournis aux sources rayonnantes. A contrario, certains signaux amplifiés ne seront pas fournis aux sources rayonnantes, d'où une perte de rendement efficace de l'ensemble, car l'on aura amplifié des signaux qui ne contribueront pas aux champs rayonnés. L'invention permet de remédier ce problème.It is known from the document International Symposium Digest Antennas and Propagation, vol. II, June 6, 1988, Syracuse NY, pages 506-509: R. Lenormand et al. : "A versatile array-fed reflector antenna for satellite communications, part B- transmission" a multibeam antenna adjustable by switching comprising an energy-focusing reflector, a network of elementary sources located in the focal zone of the reflector so as to carry out the synthesis of the electromagnetic field in this focal zone and an electronic unit comprising an electronic control of phases and amplitudes, an amplification stage with m inputs and m outputs, and a switch. This antenna can be reconfigured in a conventional manner by means of a beam forming network (BFN in English) placed before the amplification stage and a switching network placed after the amplification stage. This BFN makes it possible to adjust the phases and amplitudes of the signals from the elementary sources before amplification, and the sources contributing to each beam are selected by the switching network located between the amplification stage and the elementary sources. It is therefore a high level (amplified) switching, which selects the amplified signals which will actually be supplied to the radiating sources. Conversely, certain amplified signals will not be supplied to the radiating sources, resulting in a loss of effective efficiency of the assembly, since we will have amplified signals which will not contribute to the radiated fields. The invention overcomes this problem.

Il est connu par le document EP-A-0 333 166 au nom de la Demanderesse une antenne à reconfiguration électronique en émission ayant essentiellement la même configuration de l'électronique de commande que le document précédent, et en particulier le réseau de commutation à haut niveau (30) qui effectue la sélection des sources rayonnantes contribuant à la formation des faisceaux. Le même problème se présente que dans le document précédent.It is known from document EP-A-0 333 166 in the name of the Applicant an antenna with electronic reconfiguration in transmission having essentially the same configuration of the control electronics as the previous document, and in particular the high switching network. level (30) which selects the radiating sources contributing to the formation of bundles. The same problem occurs as in the previous document.

Les applications spatiales, qui nécessitent une déflexion électronique de l'onde rayonnante sur un large champ de vue, conduisent à des déviations angulaires de plusieurs largeurs de pinceau. En conséquence la possibilité de contrôler précisément la forme du diagramme de l'antenne est essentielle.Space applications, which require an electronic deflection of the radiating wave over a wide field of view, lead to angular deviations of several brush widths. Consequently, the possibility of precisely controlling the shape of the antenna diagram is essential.

La configuration de ces grandes antennes doit aussi tenir compte de plusieurs aspects système :

  • limitation en volume du satellite, liée à la nécessité pour une antenne de transmettre et de recevoir simultanément ;
  • compatibilité d'un agencement mécanique aisé sur la plate-forme, et sur le lanceur avant et pendant le fonctionnement ;
  • bon contrôle thermique ;
  • multiplicité éventuelle des missions et des utilisateurs.
The configuration of these large antennas must also take into account several system aspects:
  • volume limitation of the satellite, linked to the need for an antenna to transmit and receive simultaneously;
  • compatibility of an easy mechanical arrangement on the platform, and on the launcher before and during operation;
  • good thermal control;
  • possible multiplicity of missions and users.

L'objet de l'invention est de réaliser une antenne orientable à commutation bas niveau permettant de résoudre ces différents problèmes qui puisse fonctionner avec une très bonne efficacité globale du sous système antenne + amplificateurs quel que soit le nombre d'utilisateurs ; nombre pouvant être faible, par exemple inférieur à cinq.The object of the invention is to provide an orientable antenna with low level switching which makes it possible to solve these various problems which can operate with very good overall efficiency of the antenna + amplifier subsystem regardless of the number of users; number may be low, for example less than five.

L'invention propose une antenne multifaisceaux orientable par commutation comprenant un réflecteur (10) focalisant l'énergie, un réseau (11) de sources élémentaires situé dans la zone focale du réflecteur de manière à réaliser la synthèse du champ électromagnétique dans cette zone focale, une électronique comprenant un étage d'amplification (16) à m entrées et m sorties, et au moins un commutateur, caractérisé en ce que la zone de couverture est réalisée par m spots correspondant chacun à un nombre défini de sources élémentaires actives, en ce que le commutateur est un commutateur bas niveau (Ci) placé avant les amplificateurs, en ce que le nombre de sorties du commutateur est le même que le nombre m d'entrées de l'étage d'amplification (16), et en ce que le nombre défini de sources qui réalisent le spot désiré est connecté exclusivement à une des sorties de l'étage d'amplification (16), de manière à ce qu'une entrée (Ei) soit reliée à l'une des m sorties.The invention proposes a multibeam antenna which can be oriented by switching comprising a reflector (10) focusing energy, a network (11) of elementary sources located in the focal zone of the reflector so as to synthesize the electromagnetic field in this focal zone, electronics comprising an amplification stage (16) with m inputs and m outputs, and at least one switch, characterized in that the coverage area is produced by m spots each corresponding to a defined number of active elementary sources, in that that the switch is a low level switch (Ci) placed before the amplifiers, in that the number of outputs of the switch is the same as the number m of inputs of the amplification stage (16), and in that the defined number of sources which produce the desired spot is connected exclusively to one of the outputs of the amplification stage (16), so that an input (Ei) is connected to one of the m outputs.

Par rapport aux solutions mécaniques, l'invention présente l'avantage de ne pas nécessiter de mouvements de la source ou du réflecteur. Elle permet d'utiliser des focales faibles (antenne compacte), et d'assurer plusieurs liaisons simultanées.Compared to mechanical solutions, the invention has the advantage of not requiring movement of the source or the reflector. It allows the use of weak focal lengths (antenna compact), and to provide several simultaneous connections.

Les avantages par rapport à une solution réseau à rayonnement direct sont les suivants :

  • La performance de l'antenne n'est pas liée directement à la dimension totale du réseau ;
  • L'implantation n'est pas obligatoirement sur la face terre du satellite.
The advantages compared to a direct radiation network solution are as follows:
  • The performance of the antenna is not directly linked to the total size of the network;
  • The installation is not necessarily on the earth face of the satellite.

Par rapport à une solution réseau imageur à simple réflecteur, la solution proposée présente les avantages suivants :

  • la dimension hors tout de réseau est réduite ;
  • l'efficacité antenne est améliorée.
Compared to a simple reflector imaging network solution, the proposed solution has the following advantages:
  • the overall dimension of the network is reduced;
  • antenna efficiency is improved.

Enfin, si on compare la solution proposée à une solution réseau imageur à double réflecteur, la compacité de l'antenne de l'invention est clairement mise en évidence.Finally, if we compare the proposed solution to an imaging network solution with double reflector, the compactness of the antenna of the invention is clearly highlighted.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront d'ailleurs de la description qui va suivre, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en référence aux figures annexées sur lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 illustre schématiquement l'antenne à balayage selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 illustre le fonctionnement de l'antenne selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 3 illustre une première réalisation de l'électronique de l'antenne selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 4 illustre un étage de l'électronique telle que représentée à la figure 3 ;
  • la figure 5 illustre une seconde réalisation d'une électronique de l'antenne selon l'invention.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures in which:
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates the scanning antenna according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 illustrates the operation of the antenna according to the invention;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the electronics of the antenna according to the invention;
  • Figure 4 illustrates a stage of electronics as shown in Figure 3;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the antenna electronics according to the invention.

L'antenne de l'invention, représentée à la figure 1, comprend un réflecteur parabolique 10 excentré alimenté par un réseau plan 11 de sources situé au voisinage du foyer F du réflecteur, le réseau 12 représentant le réseau de sources virtuelles, correspondant à ce réseau 11.The antenna of the invention, represented in FIG. 1, comprises an eccentric parabolic reflector 10 supplied by a planar network 11 of sources located in the vicinity of the focal point F of the reflector, the network 12 representing the network of virtual sources, corresponding to this network 11.

La figure 2 donne un exemple de plusieurs répartitions en amplitude lors de déplacements selon deux directions OX et OY au niveau du réseau 11 de sources.FIG. 2 gives an example of several amplitude distributions during displacements in two directions OX and OY at the level of the network 11 of sources.

Les diamètres des disques portés sur la figure 2 représentent l'amplitude du signal reçu par les différentes sources du réseau.The diameters of the disks carried in FIG. 2 represent the amplitude of the signal received by the various sources of the network.

L'efficacité pour capter ces différentes répartitions d'énergie, lorsque le capteur a une loi de répartition fixe, ne peut être optimale. Il en est de même pour la répartition en phase.The efficiency to capture these different energy distributions, when the sensor has a fixed distribution law, cannot be optimal. The same is true for the phase distribution.

Ainsi si l'on déplace fictivement une source par rapport au foyer du réflecteur on dégrade le rendement de l'antenne.Thus if one fictitiously displaces a source with respect to the focus of the reflector, the efficiency of the antenna is degraded.

Lorsque la couverture spécifiée est réalisée en utilisant plusieurs spots, la performance de directivité antenne est définie par le niveau de recouvrement des spots.When the specified coverage is achieved using multiple spots, the antenna directivity performance is defined by the level of coverage of the spots.

Ainsi l'antenne de l'invention est prévue pour un nombre m de spots, un nombre déterminé d'éléments rayonnants ou sources correspondant à chaque spot ; tous les éléments rayonnants, correspondant à un spot donné fonctionnant de manière non simultanée. Une réalisation d'une électronique d'une telle antenne selon l'invention, telle que représenté à la figure 3, comporte :

  • . un commutateur, ou "switch", bas niveau C1 permettant de relier l'entrée E à un des groupes d'éléments rayonnants correspondant à un spot SPi ;
  • . un étage d'amplification 16 à m entrées et m sorties comprenant un premier et un second coupleurs généralisés 17 et 18 disposés de part et d'autre de m amplificateurs 19 disposés en parallèle ; m filtres 20 étant disposés en sortie de ces amplificateurs 19.
Thus the antenna of the invention is provided for a number m of spots, a determined number of radiating elements or sources corresponding to each spot; all the radiating elements, corresponding to a given spot operating non-simultaneously. An embodiment of electronics of such an antenna according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, comprises:
  • . a switch, or "switch", low level C1 making it possible to connect the input E to one of the groups of radiating elements corresponding to a spot SPi;
  • . an amplification stage 16 with m inputs and m outputs comprising a first and a second generalized couplers 17 and 18 arranged on either side of m amplifiers 19 arranged in parallel; m filters 20 being arranged at the output of these amplifiers 19.

Comme représenté à la figure 4, dans un exemple de réalisation à 16 entrées et 16 sorties (m=16), l'étage d'amplification 16 comprend un premier et un second coupleurs généralisés 17 et 18 respectivement formés d'une association de coupleurs hybrides 21 de part et d'autre d'amplificateurs 19, associés respectivement à un filtre 20, de telle façon que chaque entrée du premier coupleur 17 soit répartie sur tous les amplificateurs 19 et donc sur toutes les sorties des coupleurs hybrides du premier coupleur généralisé 18. Les amplificateurs 19 ont ainsi une puissance d'entrée constante et peuvent ainsi fonctionner à leur capacité nominale.As shown in FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment with 16 inputs and 16 outputs (m = 16), the amplification stage 16 comprises a first and a second generalized couplers 17 and 18 respectively formed from a combination of couplers hybrids 21 on either side of amplifiers 19, respectively associated with a filter 20, so that each input of the first coupler 17 is distributed over all the amplifiers 19 and therefore over all the outputs of the hybrid couplers of the first generalized coupler 18. The amplifiers 19 thus have a constant input power and can thus operate at their nominal capacity.

Dans cet étage d'amplification 16 un signal appliqué à la première entrée, par exemple, ressort amplifié sur la première sortie. Ainsi si un signal est appliqué à l'une des entrées de rang i par exemple, à la sortie correspondante (de rang i) le signal sera amplifié par tous les amplificateurs et aucune autre sortie ne recevra de signal : En effet un signal injecté à l'une des portes d'entrée d'un coupleur généralisé est divisé en n composantes d'amplitude égales, au niveau des n sorties, si et seulement si, aucun signal lui étant cohérent, est injecté à une autre entrée.In this amplification stage 16 a signal applied to the first input, for example, amplified spring on the first output. So if a signal is applied to one of the inputs of rank i for example, to the corresponding output (of rank i) the signal will be amplified by all the amplifiers and no other output will receive a signal: Indeed a signal injected into the one of the input gates of a generalized coupler is divided into n components of equal amplitude, at the level of the n outputs, if and only if, no signal being coherent to it, is injected at another input.

Ainsi on adresse une source, ou un groupe de sources correspondant à un spot, en partant de l'entrée E : Il y a donc routage d'énergie entre les deux. A un spot correspond l'entrée E à un moment déterminé : on réalise donc une désignation successive des différents spots SP1 à SPn.Thus we address a source, or a group of sources corresponding to a spot, starting from the input E: There is therefore energy routing between the two. A spot corresponds to the input E at a determined time: a successive designation of the different spots SP1 to SPn is therefore carried out.

Dans le cas de plusieurs utilisateurs on peut dédoubler les entrées en utilisant au moins un second commutateur Ci, la combinaison des signaux s'effectuant sur chaque entrée Ei de l'étage d'amplification 16, par l'intermédiaire de coupleurs connus de l'homme de l'art et non représentés.In the case of several users, the inputs can be split using at least one second switch Ci, the combination of the signals being effected on each input Ei of the amplification stage 16, by means of couplers known from the skilled in the art and not shown.

Ainsi dans l'antenne selon l'invention la couverture à réaliser a été divisée en m zones. Pour chacune des m zones, un groupement de sources du réseau primaire de l'antenne, rayonne un faisceau SPi. Par principe chacune des sources contribue au rayonnement d'un seul faisceau SPi. Le niveau de recouvrement entre faisceaux, défini à la frontière des zones, fait l'objet de l'optimisation des coefficients d'excitation des sources.Thus in the antenna according to the invention the coverage to be produced has been divided into m zones. For each of the m zones, a group of sources from the primary network of the antenna, radiates a beam SPi. In principle, each of the sources contributes to the radiation of a single beam SPi. The level of overlap between beams, defined at the border of the zones, is subject to the optimization of the excitation coefficients of the sources.

Dans la pratique, ces coefficients définis en amplitude et en phase sont réalisés par un répartiteur fixe Ri.In practice, these coefficients defined in amplitude and in phase are produced by a fixed distributor Ri.

L'antenne ainsi définie fait correspondre à une couverture donnée, m accès indépendants. Il s'en suit qu'un étage amplificateur, incluant des coupleurs généralisés à m entrées/sorties permet d'utiliser les m amplificateurs 19 de manière optimale (charge d'entrée constante) quel que soit le spot SPi considéré.The antenna thus defined corresponds to a given coverage, m independent access. It follows that an amplifier stage, including generalized couplers with m inputs / outputs makes it possible to use the m amplifiers 19 optimally (constant input load) whatever the spot SPi considered.

Ainsi un signal est rayonné dans une direction quelconque de la couverture par l'adressage dudit signal d'entrée de l'étage d'amplification 16 qui correspond à la zone contenant cette direction.Thus a signal is radiated in any direction of coverage by the addressing of said input signal from the amplification stage 16 which corresponds to the area containing this direction.

Les m amplificateurs 19 sont dimensionnés pour obtenir la puissance rayonnée requise. L'extension à un fonctionnement multi-utilisateurs (p utilisateurs) est réalisé grâce à un regroupement par couplage de p circuits de connexions Ci.The m amplifiers 19 are dimensioned to obtain the radiated power required. The extension to multi-user operation (p users) is achieved by grouping by coupling p connection circuits Ci.

Ce regroupement se fait en utilisant des techniques bas niveau. Dans ce cas les amplificateurs sont dimensionnés en fonction de la somme des puissances à rayonner.This grouping is done using low level techniques. In this case the amplifiers are dimensioned as a function of the sum of the powers to be radiated.

Il est bien entendu que la présente invention n'a été décrite et représentée qu'à titre d'exemple préférentiel et que l'on pourra remplacer ses éléments constitutifs par des éléments équivalents sans, pour autant, sortir du cadre de l'invention.It is understood that the present invention has only been described and shown as a preferred example and that its constituent elements can be replaced by equivalent elements without, however, departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

  1. Multibeam antenna reconfigurable by low-level switching comprising a reflector (10) adapted to focus the energy, an array (11) of elementary sources in the focal area of the reflector adapted to synthesise the electromagnetic field in this focal area and electronic circuitry comprising an amplifier stage (16) with m inputs and m outputs and at least one switch, characterised in that the coverage area is implemented by means of m spot beams each corresponding to a defined number of active elementary sources, in that the switch is a low-level switch (Ci) on the input side of the amplifiers, in that the number of switch outputs is the same as the number m of inputs of the amplifier stage (16), and in that the defined number of sources which implement the required spot beam is connected exclusively to one output of the amplifier stage (16) so that an input (Ei) is connected to one of the m outputs.
  2. Antenna according to claim 1 characterised in that the amplifier stage (16) comprises first and second generalised couplers (17 and 18) on respective sides of m amplifiers (19) in parallel, a respective filter (20) being connected in series with each amplifier (19).
  3. Antenna according to claim 2 characterised in that the first and second generalised couplers (17 and 18) are respectively formed by a combination of hybrid couplers (21) so that each input of the first coupler (17) is distributed to all the amplifiers (19) and therefore to all outputs of the hybrid couplers of the first generalised coupler (17), the second generalised coupler (18) having a structure inverted relative to that of the first.
EP19900117354 1989-09-13 1990-09-10 Multiple beam antenna, steerable by low switching rate Expired - Lifetime EP0417679B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8911967A FR2651927B1 (en) 1989-09-13 1989-09-13 LOW LEVEL SWITCHING MULTI-BEAM ANTENNA.
FR8911967 1989-09-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0417679A1 EP0417679A1 (en) 1991-03-20
EP0417679B1 true EP0417679B1 (en) 1994-11-02

Family

ID=9385412

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19900117354 Expired - Lifetime EP0417679B1 (en) 1989-09-13 1990-09-10 Multiple beam antenna, steerable by low switching rate

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0417679B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH03110905A (en)
CA (1) CA2025154A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69013831T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2651927B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2811480B1 (en) * 2000-07-06 2006-09-08 Cit Alcatel TELECOMMUNICATION ANTENNA INTENDED TO COVER A LARGE GROUND ZONE

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1367467A (en) * 1971-03-26 1974-09-18 Marconi Co Ltd Switching systems
JPS6178213A (en) * 1984-09-25 1986-04-21 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Power amplifier
GB8721188D0 (en) * 1987-09-09 1988-04-27 Era Patents Ltd Networks for antenna arrays
FR2628896B1 (en) * 1988-03-18 1990-11-16 Alcatel Espace ANTENNA WITH ELECTRONIC RECONFIGURATION IN EMISSION
FR2628895B1 (en) * 1988-03-18 1990-11-16 Alcatel Espace ELECTRONIC SCANNING ANTENNA

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2025154A1 (en) 1991-03-14
JPH03110905A (en) 1991-05-10
FR2651927A1 (en) 1991-03-15
DE69013831T2 (en) 1995-03-23
EP0417679A1 (en) 1991-03-20
FR2651927B1 (en) 1991-12-13
DE69013831D1 (en) 1994-12-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1298650C (en) Transmit mode electronic reconfiguration antenna
EP0368121B1 (en) Electronically scanned antenna
CA1298651C (en) Electronic scanning antenna
EP0723308B1 (en) Multibeam antenna of high capacity with electronic scanning in transmission
EP0497652B1 (en) Device for the electronic control of the radiation pattern of a single or multi beam antenna with variable direction and/or width
EP0420739B1 (en) Feeding device for a multiple beam antenna
EP2532050B1 (en) On-board directional flat-plate antenna, vehicle comprising such an antenna, and satellite telecommunication system comprising such a vehicle
EP2807702B1 (en) Two dimensional multibeam former, antenna using such and satellite telecommunication system.
US20090027268A1 (en) Multi Beam Photonic Beamformer
CN108761439A (en) Integrated multi-beam optical phased array delay network based on wavelength-division multiplex
EP2532046A1 (en) Flat-plate scanning antenna for land mobile application, vehicle comprising such an antenna, and satellite telecommunication system comprising such a vehicle
CA2172013A1 (en) Multisource and multibeam antenna feed device
EP0548876B1 (en) An active offset antenna having two reflectors
EP0992128A1 (en) Telecommunication system
EP0417679B1 (en) Multiple beam antenna, steerable by low switching rate
FR2829297A1 (en) BEAM FORMING NETWORK, SPACE VEHICLE, ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND BEAM FORMING METHOD
EP0422551B1 (en) Electronically scanned transmitting antenna
EP0488101B1 (en) Reconfigurable multibeam antenna
EP0638821B1 (en) Microwave imaging radar system with double coverage area, to be installed on board a satellite
WO2023218008A1 (en) Low-profile antenna with two-dimensional electronic scanning

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19910917

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19920915

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69013831

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19941208

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19941121

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: JACOBACCI CASETTA & PERANI S.P.A.

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20090915

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090922

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090922

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090926

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20100909

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20100909

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20091001

Year of fee payment: 20

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20100910