EP0504552A1 - Multi-mode beam forming networks for multi beam reflector antenna - Google Patents
Multi-mode beam forming networks for multi beam reflector antenna Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0504552A1 EP0504552A1 EP92101034A EP92101034A EP0504552A1 EP 0504552 A1 EP0504552 A1 EP 0504552A1 EP 92101034 A EP92101034 A EP 92101034A EP 92101034 A EP92101034 A EP 92101034A EP 0504552 A1 EP0504552 A1 EP 0504552A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- beam forming
- antenna system
- network
- forming networks
- coefficients
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an antenna system having reflector and feeds fed by one or more multi-mode networks for application to multi-coverage feeds.
- Multi beam antenna till now were based on the optimisation of the reflector (feed) beam-forming network combination which had a prefixed beamforming network - as a result of such optimisation, all system parameters, including the feed network, were defined.
- the original network configuration separates the radiating optimisation from that of feed network design.
- the invention is best applied to multi-beam antennae which have partially overlapping beams.
- the overlapping sources are fed by a double cascade-type of network.
- the invention pertains to electronic antennae for space-borne applications.
- the problem which we propose to solve with this invention is that of the generation of overlapping beams which have a given number of common sources using the greatest number of degrees of freedom available.
- the implemenation of multi-mode networks starting from the excitation coefficients required has taken regard for two input networks and a maximum of four outputs. This set a limit to the number of degrees of freedom availably to optimise the source excitation coefficients of the antenna system when the number of sources common to the two beams was greater than four, this limiting the achievable antenna performances.
- the invention regards the definition of a peculiar configuration and implementation of a beam forming network which feeds N sources different than M (M less than N) from the network.
- the network generates M orthogonal sets on n output parts previously calculated by optimising the far-field of the antenna on the required coverage, with the only constraint of orthogonality among the calculated feed excitation coefficients.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the antenna system. It shows the following items:
- Figure 2 more significant than the others, is a schematic diagram of the multi-mode network, where:
- Figure 3 is a schematic of possible uses of the proposed antenna system.
- This solution generates two partially overlapped coverages 8 and a global coverage 9.
- the optical system is optimised, concluding the multi-feed reflector, together with the excitation coefficients of the latter with the only orthogonality constraint.
- the three multi-mode networks 10 are implemented.
- the network is synthesised in a recursive manner by generating the first mode required coefficients with the first row of couplers and phase shifters, the second with the second row and so on for the other sets of coefficients required.
- Figure 4 is the outline schematic of another possible application of the invention. Here we can see output ports U1 - U9 and two input ports I1, I2, but these can vary in number according to the required configuration.
- Figure 2 which shows the beam forming network, highlights outputs U from the network where M sets of N coefficients each are formed; input ports in-1, in-2 ...; the series of double cascaded couplers a1', a2', ..., a1'', a2'' ..., and phase shifters s1', s2' ....
- the first set of N coefficients is taken into examination; a ladderrung network is implemented as shown in figure 2, i.e. the first excuiftion in amplitude and phase is effected by the first coupler 1' and phase shifter 1'.
- the remaining power is sent to the second coupler 2' through phase shifter 2', and so on till the nth excitation coefficient of the first set is implemented.
- the remaining M-1 sets of N coefficients are converted into M-1 sets of N-1 coefficients at the ports of the already implemented N-1 couplers, where all four parts of the couplers are utilized.
- the first set of coefficients is implemented by grouping them two by two through the first coupler as shown in figure 4 so as to reduce the order of the multi mode network to be implemented. The process is repeated till an input for each of the M sets of coefficients required is achieved.
- the number of sets physically possible is less or equal to the number of excitation coefficients which are characteristic of each set.
Landscapes
- Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
- Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an antenna system having reflector and feeds fed by one or more multi-mode networks for application to multi-coverage feeds.
- Multi beam antenna till now were based on the optimisation of the reflector (feed) beam-forming network combination which had a prefixed beamforming network - as a result of such optimisation, all system parameters, including the feed network, were defined.
- But this approach limited the number of degrees of freedom left for the optimisation of coverage performance.
- In this antenna system presently proposed, the original network configuration separates the radiating optimisation from that of feed network design.
- The invention is best applied to multi-beam antennae which have partially overlapping beams.
- In this case the overlapping sources are fed by a double cascade-type of network.
- The invention pertains to electronic antennae for space-borne applications.
- The problem which we propose to solve with this invention is that of the generation of overlapping beams which have a given number of common sources using the greatest number of degrees of freedom available. At the present state of the art, the implemenation of multi-mode networks, starting from the excitation coefficients required has taken regard for two input networks and a maximum of four outputs. This set a limit to the number of degrees of freedom availably to optimise the source excitation coefficients of the antenna system when the number of sources common to the two beams was greater than four, this limiting the achievable antenna performances.
- With multiple overlapping beams only particular amplitude and phase distributions could be achieved (e.g. Butler matrices) with loss-less networks, restricting the field of application of this system.
- The invention regards the definition of a peculiar configuration and implementation of a beam forming network which feeds N sources different than M (M less than N) from the network.
- In particular the network generates M orthogonal sets on n output parts previously calculated by optimising the far-field of the antenna on the required coverage, with the only constraint of orthogonality among the calculated feed excitation coefficients.
- This configuration optimises the feed excitation coefficients for different coverages required, independently from the network, with the only constraint of orthogonality of the sets above. This results in improved performance, compared to present state of the art solutions, in terms of gain and flexibility.
- The invention will now be described for illustrative and non limiting purposes, with reference to the tables attached hereto.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the antenna system. It shows the following items:
- 1 reflector (or other focussing element),
- 2 radiating elements,
- 3 multi-mode network.
- Figure 2, more significant than the others, is a schematic diagram of the multi-mode network, where:
- 4 feed output parts,
- 5 input parts,
- 6 power splitters,
- 7 phase shifters.
- Figure 3 is a schematic of possible uses of the proposed antenna system.
- This solution generates two partially overlapped coverages 8 and a
global coverage 9. At first, the optical system is optimised, concluding the multi-feed reflector, together with the excitation coefficients of the latter with the only orthogonality constraint. Then by considering the configuration shown in figure 2, the threemulti-mode networks 10 are implemented. - The network is synthesised in a recursive manner by generating the first mode required coefficients with the first row of couplers and phase shifters, the second with the second row and so on for the other sets of coefficients required.
- Figure 4 is the outline schematic of another possible application of the invention. Here we can see output ports U1 - U9 and two input ports I1, I2, but these can vary in number according to the required configuration.
- Now we shall describe the physical build of the invention, with, once again, reference to the tables of figures attached, with non limiting explanatory purposes.
- Figure 2, which shows the beam forming network, highlights outputs U from the network where M sets of N coefficients each are formed; input ports in-1, in-2 ...; the series of double cascaded couplers a1', a2', ..., a1'', a2'' ..., and phase shifters s1', s2' ....
- Going back to figure 4, which shows another possible implementation of this invention, it is worth to emphasise that according to the inventors, this solution has a better frequency response, if possible, compared to that of figure 2.
- For greater accuracy lets briefly digress on the operation of this system.
- Starting from M sets of N excitation coefficients already optimised in the optical system (i.e. in the antenna optics), the first set of N coefficients is taken into examination; a ladderrung network is implemented as shown in figure 2, i.e. the first excuiftion in amplitude and phase is effected by the first coupler 1' and phase shifter 1'. The remaining power is sent to the second coupler 2' through phase shifter 2', and so on till the nth excitation coefficient of the first set is implemented. The remaining M-1 sets of N coefficients are converted into M-1 sets of N-1 coefficients at the ports of the already implemented N-1 couplers, where all four parts of the couplers are utilized.
- The first set of coefficients is implemented by grouping them two by two through the first coupler as shown in figure 4 so as to reduce the order of the multi mode network to be implemented. The process is repeated till an input for each of the M sets of coefficients required is achieved.
- It is worth mentioning that the number of sets physically possible is less or equal to the number of excitation coefficients which are characteristic of each set.
Claims (5)
- Multibeam antenna system with one or more beam forming networks, consisting of a peculiar configuration of a multi-mode network (figure 2 or figure 4) formed by output ports U 1 ... U N where M sets of N coefficients are synthesised to be then sent to the feeds through M input ports IN - 1, IN - M for the M coverages required, couplers A1', A2' ... A1'', A2'' and phase shifters S1', S2' ... S1'', S2''.
- Multibeam antenna system with one or more beam forming networks as per claim 1, where feeds (2) are compatible with any type of reflecting or focussing surface.
- Multibeam antenna system with one or more beam forming networks as per claim 1 or 2, where the number of double or multiple coverage feeds can be any, depending on the requirement.
- Multibeam antenna system with one or more beam forming networks as per the claims above, consisting of a double cascaded network (figure 2) for multi-mode networks which supply the feeds common to double or multiple coverages.
- Multibeam antenna system, with one or more beam forming networks, as per the claims above, which can be configured in many different manners (as shown in the diagram of figure 4) so that the network has a symmetrical configuration.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITRM910050A IT1244907B (en) | 1991-01-23 | 1991-01-23 | CONFIGURATION AND TECHNIQUE OF MULTIMODAL BAND FORMING NETS FOR MULTI-BAND REFLECTIVE ANTENNAS. |
ITRM910050 | 1991-01-23 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0504552A1 true EP0504552A1 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
EP0504552B1 EP0504552B1 (en) | 2001-10-24 |
Family
ID=11399778
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92101034A Expired - Lifetime EP0504552B1 (en) | 1991-01-23 | 1992-01-23 | Multi-mode beam forming networks for multi beam reflector antenna |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0504552B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE207657T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69232146T2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1244907B (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0734093A1 (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 1996-09-25 | Agence Spatiale Europeenne | Feeding device for a multibeam array antenna |
EP0834955A2 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1998-04-08 | Hazeltine Corporation | Feed networks for antennae |
EP1398849A1 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2004-03-17 | Metawave Communications Corporation | Method for generating arbitrary passive beam forming networks |
US6922116B1 (en) | 2001-09-12 | 2005-07-26 | Kathrein-Werke Kg | Generating arbitrary passive beam forming networks |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4231040A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-10-28 | Motorola, Inc. | Simultaneous multiple beam antenna array matrix and method thereof |
US4633259A (en) * | 1984-07-10 | 1986-12-30 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Lossless orthogonal beam forming network |
US4638317A (en) * | 1984-06-19 | 1987-01-20 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Orthogonal beam forming network |
US4710776A (en) * | 1984-01-05 | 1987-12-01 | Agence Spatiale Europeenne | Power divider for multibeam antennas with shared feed elements |
EP0261983A2 (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1988-03-30 | Com Dev Ltd. | Reconfigurable beam-forming network that provides in-phase power to each region |
EP0313057A2 (en) * | 1987-10-23 | 1989-04-26 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Dual mode phased array antenna system |
-
1991
- 1991-01-23 IT ITRM910050A patent/IT1244907B/en active IP Right Grant
-
1992
- 1992-01-23 AT AT92101034T patent/ATE207657T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-01-23 DE DE69232146T patent/DE69232146T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-01-23 EP EP92101034A patent/EP0504552B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4231040A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-10-28 | Motorola, Inc. | Simultaneous multiple beam antenna array matrix and method thereof |
US4710776A (en) * | 1984-01-05 | 1987-12-01 | Agence Spatiale Europeenne | Power divider for multibeam antennas with shared feed elements |
US4638317A (en) * | 1984-06-19 | 1987-01-20 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Orthogonal beam forming network |
US4633259A (en) * | 1984-07-10 | 1986-12-30 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Lossless orthogonal beam forming network |
EP0261983A2 (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1988-03-30 | Com Dev Ltd. | Reconfigurable beam-forming network that provides in-phase power to each region |
EP0313057A2 (en) * | 1987-10-23 | 1989-04-26 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Dual mode phased array antenna system |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0734093A1 (en) * | 1995-03-20 | 1996-09-25 | Agence Spatiale Europeenne | Feeding device for a multibeam array antenna |
EP0834955A2 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1998-04-08 | Hazeltine Corporation | Feed networks for antennae |
EP0834955A3 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 2000-04-19 | Hazeltine Corporation | Feed networks for antennae |
US6922116B1 (en) | 2001-09-12 | 2005-07-26 | Kathrein-Werke Kg | Generating arbitrary passive beam forming networks |
EP1398849A1 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2004-03-17 | Metawave Communications Corporation | Method for generating arbitrary passive beam forming networks |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITRM910050A0 (en) | 1991-01-23 |
ATE207657T1 (en) | 2001-11-15 |
DE69232146T2 (en) | 2002-07-11 |
IT1244907B (en) | 1994-09-13 |
DE69232146D1 (en) | 2001-11-29 |
EP0504552B1 (en) | 2001-10-24 |
ITRM910050A1 (en) | 1992-07-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5151706A (en) | Apparatus for electronically controlling the radiation pattern of an antenna having one or more beams of variable width and/or direction | |
EP2923412B1 (en) | Beam-forming network for an array antenna and array antenna comprising the same | |
US4045800A (en) | Phase steered subarray antenna | |
US4566013A (en) | Coupled amplifier module feed networks for phased array antennas | |
US4638317A (en) | Orthogonal beam forming network | |
US4318104A (en) | Directional arrays | |
US4507662A (en) | Optically coupled, array antenna | |
AU613458B2 (en) | An electronically scanned antenna | |
US5598173A (en) | Shaped-beam or scanned beams reflector or lens antenna | |
JPH03207104A (en) | Multiple beam antenna feeding device | |
EP0307445A1 (en) | Plural level beam-forming network. | |
US6480154B1 (en) | Method and system for digital beam forming | |
US6411255B2 (en) | Reflector antenna comprising a plurality of panels | |
US5548295A (en) | Multishaped beam direct radiating array antenna | |
EP0504552A1 (en) | Multi-mode beam forming networks for multi beam reflector antenna | |
US3839720A (en) | Corporate feed system for cylindrical antenna array | |
Mailloux | Subarray technology for large scanning arrays | |
JP2000174537A (en) | Phased array antenna | |
Biosca et al. | Side-lobe reduction with overlapped beam-forming network for Ku-band hybrid antenna array | |
JPH0446002B2 (en) | ||
GB2023940A (en) | Directional arrays | |
US20090115530A1 (en) | Doherty-Amplifier System | |
Menargues et al. | Meandered waveguides for active antennas | |
Thiel et al. | Sequential rotation in a smart antenna terminal for broadband communication | |
JPH09232865A (en) | Multi-beam antenna feeding circuit |
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): AT DE FR GB NL SE |
|
DX | Miscellaneous (deleted) | ||
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19930320 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19941205 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: FINMECCANICA S.P.A. |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: ALENIA SPAZIO S.P.A. |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT DE FR GB NL SE |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 207657 Country of ref document: AT Date of ref document: 20011115 Kind code of ref document: T |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69232146 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20011129 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
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: 732E |
|
NLS | Nl: assignments of ep-patents |
Owner name: LABEN S.P.A. Effective date: 20050712 |
|
NLT1 | Nl: modifications of names registered in virtue of documents presented to the patent office pursuant to art. 16 a, paragraph 1 |
Owner name: ALENIA SPAZIO S.P.A. |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CD Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CA Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: TP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: 732E |
|
NLS | Nl: assignments of ep-patents |
Owner name: FINMECCANICA S.P.A. Effective date: 20050920 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: TP |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Payment date: 20070208 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20070214 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20070216 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20070219 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20070226 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20070212 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
EUG | Se: european patent has lapsed | ||
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20080123 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20080801 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080801 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080801 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080123 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20081029 |
|
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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080123 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080124 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080131 |