JP5704980B2 - Phased array antenna device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a phased array antenna used in radio equipment (also referred to as radio equipment) such as radar equipment, ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) equipment, and communication equipment, and in particular, the phased array antenna is shared by a plurality of radio equipment. It is about the technology to do.

Conventionally, radar devices, ECM devices, communication devices, and the like have been individually provided with an antenna.
However, when a new radio wave device is installed in a place where the platform carrying the aerial is narrow, such as a ship or aircraft, electromagnetic interference occurs between the aerials, and if the platform is narrow, the aerial cannot be physically located. There was a problem such as.
In order to solve these problems, a method of sharing one antenna with a plurality of radio wave devices is conceivable.
For example, the following Non-Patent Document 1 shows a method of dividing the aperture of one array antenna and sharing it with a radar, an ECM device, a communication device, or the like.

In the case of the array antenna device shown in Non-Patent Document 1, in the transmission array, a plurality of antenna elements arranged in proximity are grouped into a plurality of groups as one group, and the antenna elements in each group include a plurality of antenna elements. They are connected via a signal distributor composed of a transmission signal generator and a crosspoint switch.
In the array antenna device of Non-Patent Document 1, a transmission high-frequency signal generated by a transmission signal generator is distributed and fed to an arbitrary group of antenna elements, and the opening surface of the transmission array antenna is divided into a plurality of each. It can be used at the same time by allocating to communications, electronic warfare, radar, etc.

G. C. Tavik, et al. "The Advanced Multifunction RF Concept" IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 53, no. 3, March 2005

In the method shown in Non-Patent Document 1, the dimension of the aperture division of the array antenna assigned to the radio wave device (radio wave device) such as a radar device, an ECM device, or a communication device cannot be set to a desired arbitrary size.
This is because, in a normal array antenna, the transmission signal is generated outside the antenna, and the transmission signal is only distributed and supplied to the module inside the antenna. Therefore, the range in which the signal is distributed depends on the wiring when the antenna is manufactured. This is because, even if the wiring is switched, it can be switched only in a number of ways created at the time of manufacturing the antenna.
Therefore, the method shown in Non-Patent Document 1 has a problem that the aperture size cannot be more suitable for each radio wave device.

In other words, a sufficient opening area cannot be secured for a radio wave device (radio wave device) that requires a large opening area, and the performance deteriorates. Also, a radio wave device that requires a small opening area requires an opening area. There has been a problem that the size becomes larger and the performance becomes excessive, or the power consumption becomes excessive.
Further, Non-Patent Document 1 does not describe a method for determining the size of the aperture division, and even if an array antenna that can be divided with a completely free size is used, the optimum division size cannot be determined strictly. There was a problem.

  The present invention is for solving these problems, and in the case where the opening of one antenna is divided and shared by a plurality of radio wave devices (radio wave devices), the opening of the aperture that gives each radio wave device a necessary and sufficient performance is provided. An object of the present invention is to obtain a phased array antenna apparatus capable of determining a division dimension, obtaining sufficient performance, and eliminating unnecessary power consumption.

A phased array antenna apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission antenna configured with a plurality of transmission modules arranged two-dimensionally and a reception antenna configured with a plurality of reception modules arranged two-dimensionally, A phased array antenna device that realizes the functions of a plurality of radio wave devices used by dividing the opening of the receiving antenna,
An aperture size calculation unit for calculating an aperture size required by each of the plurality of radio wave devices;
A transmission antenna control unit that divides the aperture of the transmission antenna based on the calculation result of the aperture size calculation unit, and controls beam formation and beam scanning of each of the divided apertures;
Receiving antenna control that divides the opening of the receiving antenna based on the calculation result of the opening size calculation unit and controls a plurality of received signals received from the plurality of radio wave devices corresponding to each function of the plurality of radio wave devices Part
The aperture size calculation unit calculates a required effective radiant power required by each radio wave device , and sets the aperture size at which the effective radiated power by the transmission antenna is equal to or greater than the required effective radiant power, the required effective radiant power, Calculate using the required beam width or both .

According to the phased array antenna device of the present invention, the aperture size calculation unit calculates the required effective radiant power required by each radio wave device, and the effective radiant power by the transmitting antenna is equal to or greater than the required effective radiant power. Since the dimensions are calculated using the required effective radiant power, the required beam width, or both, the optimal aperture split dimensions (that is, the optimal split aperture) that provide the necessary and sufficient performance for each radio wave device used in common. The phased array antenna apparatus can be realized that can achieve the required performance of each radio wave device without excess or deficiency and can eliminate wasteful power consumption.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the phased array antenna apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a transmission module of the phased array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a receiving module of the phased array antenna device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for determining the size of a divided aperture of the array antenna apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent ones.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a phased array antenna apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the phased array antenna apparatus, and FIG. It is a figure when the array antenna 4 and the receiving array antenna 9 are seen from the front.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the transmission array antenna 4 includes a plurality of transmission modules 6, and a plurality of transmission elements that radiate RF signals from the transmission module 6 are provided on the front surface of the transmission array antenna 4. Many antennas 7 are arranged.

In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 5 denotes an aperture surface of the transmission array antenna 4, 5a denotes a transmission aperture to which a radar function is assigned, 5b denotes a transmission aperture to which an ECM function is assigned, and 5c denotes a transmission aperture to which a communication function is assigned. ing.
In FIG. 1B, 10 is an aperture surface of the receiving array antenna 9, 10a is a receiving aperture to which a radar function is assigned, 10b is a receiving aperture to which an ECM function is assigned, and 10c is a receiving aperture to which a communication function is assigned. ing.

Similarly to the transmission array antenna 4, the reception array antenna 9 includes a plurality of reception modules 11 and forms a two-dimensional array antenna.
As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the transmitting array antenna 4 and the receiving array antenna 9 according to the present embodiment have openings corresponding to a plurality of radio wave devices arranged two-dimensionally within the opening surface 5 or the opening surface 10, respectively. The assumed array antenna is assumed.
Note that “COM” in FIG. 1B refers to communication .

By the way, the shape of the aperture to which each function (that is, the radar function, the ECM function, the communication function, etc.) is assigned is preferably a shape close to a circle in order to form a beam without distortion in the vertical and horizontal directions, but the hexagon is the most preferable. The shape is close to a circle and suitable for arranging a plurality of openings without gaps.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the shape of the opening to which each function is assigned is a hexagon.
Depending on the request from the apparatus, a beam shape having a typical aspect ratio may be required, but in that case, an aperture shape having a different aspect ratio (a hexagon or a rectangle extending horizontally) may be used.

In a normal active phased array antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) transmission signal is generated outside the array antenna and distributed to each module, and only power amplification and phase change are performed in the module.
In contrast, the transmission module 6 used in the present embodiment generates a transmission signal inside each module, unlike such a normal module.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the transmission module 6 in the present embodiment.
In order to generate a transmission signal inside each transmission module, as shown in FIG. 2, each transmission module 6 includes a transmission signal generator 21 and an exciter 22 which are DDS (Direct Digital Synthesizer: a kind of arbitrary waveform generator). , A frequency converter 23 and a power amplifier 24.

Each transmission module 6 generates a baseband transmission signal from a transmission signal 106 transmitted from the transmission antenna control unit 3 to each transmission module by a DDS (transmission signal generator) 21 and converts the generated signal to a frequency converter. 23, the signal is converted into an RF transmission signal.
The RF signal that is the output of the frequency converter 23 is amplified by the power amplifier 24, transmitted to the transmission element antenna 7, and radiated from the transmission element antenna 7 toward the target as a transmission signal.
As described above, in the present embodiment, transmission signals corresponding to functions such as radar, ECM, and communication are generated inside each transmission module, so that aperture division can be realized in units of modules. .

3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of each receiving module 11 shown in FIG. 1. The receiving module 11 also has a local oscillator 34 and a frequency converter 33 inside, and each module has a radar and an ECM. Since it is possible to receive signals of different frequency bands such as communication, it is possible to realize aperture division in units of modules.
Specific operation of the receiving module 11 will be described later.
Such a phased array antenna itself having a transmission signal generation function and a reception function inside the module is described in, for example, the document “Garrod,“ Digita ”.
l Modules for Phased Array Radar "IEEE Inte
relational reader conference, 1995. Is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, each transmission module 6 is controlled by the transmission antenna control unit 3 to perform aperture division, beam formation of each divided aperture, beam scanning, and the like as the entire array antenna. Each of the divided openings serves as a transmission antenna for realizing a radar function, an ECM function, and a communication function.
A feature of the configuration in the present embodiment is that it has an aperture size calculation unit 2 that calculates an aperture division size for transmission and reception.
Based on the aperture size data 102 calculated by the aperture size calculation unit 2, the aperture division of the transmission array antenna 4 and the reception array antenna 9 is controlled. Detailed operation will be described later.

Next, the operation of the phased array antenna apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.
The common user interface (common U / I) 1 sends opening request data 101 to the opening size calculation unit 2 when an instruction to start a radar, an ECM function, a communication function, or the like is given by the user.
The opening request data means an instruction for assigning an opening.
Since the radar processing unit 14, the ECM processing unit 15, the communication processing unit 16, and the like each do not have an antenna, it is necessary to assign an aperture to the array antenna.
The aperture size calculation unit 2 calculates the aperture size required for the activated radio wave device and the already activated radio wave device, and sends the aperture size data 102 to the transmission antenna control unit 3 and the reception antenna control unit 8.

On the other hand, the common user interface 1 sends activation instruction data to the processing unit corresponding to the radio wave device instructed to activate, to the radar processing unit 14, the ECM processing unit 15, and the communication processing unit 16.
When the processing units of each function (that is, the radar processing unit 14, the ECM processing unit 15, and the communication processing unit 16) receive the activation instruction data, the transmission antenna control unit 3 transmits the frequency / beam scanning angle / transmission signal data of each function. Send to.
The transmission antenna control unit 3 that receives the aperture size data 102 and the frequency / beam scanning angle / transmission signal data 103 to 105 of each function assigns functions such as radar, ECM, and communication to each transmission module according to the aperture size data 102. The transmission frequency / transmission phase / transmission signal data 106 of the function assigned to each transmission module is sent. The transmission phase data is calculated from the beam scanning angle data of the function assigned to each module so that the transmission array antenna 4 operates as a phased array antenna as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the transmission module 6, the transmission signal generator 21 generates a transmission signal according to the transmission signal data, and the exciter 22 generates a sinusoidal excitation signal according to the transmission frequency data and the transmission phase data.
The transmission signal and the excitation signal are mixed by the frequency converter 23 to be an RF signal, amplified by the power amplifier 24, and radiated from the transmission element antenna 7 to the space.
Although description and explanation in the figure are omitted, unnecessary waves generated in each processing stage are appropriately removed by a filter (not shown).
The transmission array antenna 4 composed of a plurality of transmission modules 6 forms transmission openings 5a to 5c having dimensions according to the opening dimension data, as shown in the image viewed from the opening surface of FIG. Open as a transmitting antenna for each function.

Here, how the transmission antenna control unit 3 forms the transmission openings 5 a to 5 c according to the opening dimension data 102 will be described below.
First, the required number of modules is calculated from the opening size data 102 . This can be obtained as aperture size / element antenna front surface area. Next, the opening face is divided so as to be similar to the basic opening shape (for example, hexagonal shape) and close to the required number of modules. Then, the transmission signal data of the function (radar, ECM, communication, etc.) that requested the closing is sent to the module included in the divided opening surface, and the module is instructed to operate as a module for that function.

On the other hand, the aperture size data 102 and the frequency / beam scanning angle data 103 to 105 of each function are also sent to the receiving antenna control unit 8, and the function is assigned to each receiving module in the same manner as in the case of transmission. Send phase data 107.
The reception phase data is calculated from the beam scanning angle data of the function assigned to each module so that the reception array antenna 9 operates as a phased array antenna as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the reception module 11, the reception signal input from the reception element antenna 12 is amplified by the low noise amplifier 31 and received by the frequency variable bandpass filter 32 whose passband is changed according to the reception frequency data. Only signals near the frequency pass.
The local oscillator 34 generates a sine wave local oscillation signal in accordance with reception frequency data and reception phase data to the reception module.
The reception signal and the local oscillation signal are mixed by the frequency converter 33 to become a baseband signal, and converted to digital data by the A / D converter 35 to become reception signal data 108.
As in the case of the transmission module, unnecessary waves generated at each processing stage are appropriately removed by a filter (not shown).

The common reception signal processing unit 13 synthesizes reception signals from the reception module according to the function assignment data 109 to the reception module, and generates reception signal data 110 to 112 for each function.
The received signal data for each function is sent to the radar processing unit 14, the ECM processing unit 15, and the communication processing unit 16. Each processing unit processes each function and sends it to the common user interface 1 as display data. Is displayed.

Here, an example of processing performed by the radar processing unit 14, the ECM processing unit 15, and the communication processing unit 16 will be described.
Examples of processing performed by the radar processing unit 14 include the following.
First, frequency data / beam scanning angle data / transmission signal data 113 is sent to the transmission antenna control unit 3 to transmit a transmission signal.
Next, the reception signal data 110 including the reflected wave from the target is received from the common received signal processing unit 13 and detected to detect the reflected wave (target signal) from the target.

When the target signal is not found, the direction of the beam is changed (that is, the beam scanning angle data is sent to the transmission antenna control unit and the reception antenna control unit), reception and detection are repeated until the target signal is found.
When the target signal is found, measure the time from when the transmission signal is transmitted until the target signal is received, and calculate the distance to the target (target distance = [the target signal is received after the transmission signal is transmitted) Time until lapse] x [speed of light] ÷ 2).
Further, the target azimuth is obtained from the beam scanning angle.
The direction and distance of the target obtained in this way are output to the common user interface 1 as display data 113 in the radar function.

The processing performed by the ECM processing unit 15 is, for example, as follows.
First, the reception signal 111 is received from the common reception signal processing unit 13 and detected to detect a partner radar signal that is a disturbance target.
If the partner radar signal is not found, the beam direction is changed (that is, the beam scanning angle data is sent to the receiving antenna control unit), reception and detection are repeated until the partner radar signal is found.
When the partner radar signal is found, its specifications (pulse repetition period, pulse width, modulation method, etc.) are analyzed.
Based on these analyzed specifications, an interference signal is generated and transmitted as transmission signal data to the transmission antenna control unit 3 to transmit the interference wave.
For the common user interface 1, the direction and specifications of the opponent radar are output as display data 114.

The processing performed by the communication processing unit 16 is, for example, as follows.
The common user interface 1 is a device such as a PC terminal, and can handle data such as character data, image data, and audio data.
First, when there is a communication function activation instruction from the common user interface 1, the communication processing unit 16 sends a pilot signal as transmission signal data to the transmission antenna control unit 3, and the transmission antenna control unit 3 transmits the signal to space. Send and search for a communication partner to establish communication.
The operation for establishing the communication includes a process of transmitting by changing the beam scanning angle of the transmission antenna and searching for the direction of the communication partner.

After the communication is established in this way, the common user interface 1 sends character data, image data, voice data, and the like, which are communication contents, to the communication processing unit 16, and the communication processing unit 16 performs coding (symbol). ).
The encoded data is sent as transmission signal data to the transmission antenna control unit 3 and transmitted to space.
In the processing on the receiving side, the communication processing unit 16 receives the received signal 112 from the common received signal processing unit 13 and decodes (decodes) the decoded character data, image data, audio data, etc. as display data. 115 is output to the common user interface 1.

By the way, “received signal data for each function” means “received signal after forming a beam for each aperture to which each function is assigned”.
Since each aperture is composed of a large number of receiving modules, the common received signal processing unit 13 collects the received signals 108 from the individual receiving modules for each aperture assigned to each function and performs a beam forming process. .
“Display data” is the direction and distance of a target in the case of radar, and it is assumed that the common user interface 1 displays an image using a method such as a radar screen.
Further, the display data of the ECM is the direction and signal specifications of the other party radar, and is displayed using characters and images.
In addition, the communication display data is data such as received characters, images, and voices. The common user interface 1 includes a keyboard, a display device, a microphone, headphones, and the like, such as e-mail, telephone, and fax. It is supposed to be used.

Next, the operation of the opening size calculator 2, which is the most characteristic and important part of the present invention, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When there is an opening request from the common user interface 1, the opening size calculation unit 2 calculates a required ERP (Effective Radiation Power) by a calculation method as described later (step 201).
Next, conditional branching is performed depending on whether the wider beam width is desirable or not (that is, when the smaller beam width is desirable) (step 202).
When the direction of the disturbance target in the ECM function or the direction of the communication partner in the communication function is unknown, a wider beam width is desirable. In such a case, the required opening dimension is calculated from the required ERP (step 207).

On the other hand, if the direction of the communication partner is known in the communication function and you want to improve the confidentiality of the communication, or in the case of the radar function, it is better to have a narrow beam width. In such a case, the aperture size is calculated from the required beam width. (Step 203).
Next, ERP (effective radiation power) obtained using the aperture size calculated from the beam width is calculated (step 204).
Conditional branching is performed depending on whether or not the obtained ERP is larger than the required ERP (205). If the obtained ERP is larger than the required ERP, the aperture size calculated from the required beam width is set as the required aperture size (step 206).

If the obtained ERP is smaller than the required ERP, the required opening dimension is calculated from the required ERP (step 207).
Finally, a conditional branch is made depending on whether or not the required aperture size obtained in this way (that is, the required aperture size obtained in step 206 and step 207) can be secured in the unused aperture portion of the array antenna (step 208). If it can be secured, an opening having a required dimension is secured and the process ends (step 209).
On the other hand, if the required opening size cannot be secured due to the opening of the function already in operation, the condition branches depending on the presence of another function in operation (210), and if there is no other function in operation, the entire array antenna And finishes (step 211).
On the other hand, if there is another function in operation, the low priority function is stopped (step 212), and it is determined whether the required opening dimension can be secured again by increasing the unused opening area (step 208).

The required ERP calculation (201) is performed as follows.
1) In the case of radar As shown in the following equation (1), the required ERP is calculated from the minimum receiving sensitivity of the receiving system, the receiving antenna gain, the maximum detection distance, and the assumed target RCS (Radar Cross Section). To do.
ERP _RADAR = (4π) ³ P _{r — min} R ⁴ _max / G _r λ ² σ Equation (1)
here,
P _{r_min} : Minimum receiving sensitivity [W]
R _max : Maximum detection distance [m]
G _r : receiving antenna gain λ: wavelength [m]
σ: Assumed target RCS [m ² ]

2) In the case of the ECM function As shown in the following formula (2), including the platform and the power density of the other radar wave received with a temporary aperture size or observed with another ESM (Electronic Support Measure) device Calculate the required ERP from your own RCS (Radar Cross Section).
ERP _ECM = P _TARGET σ ₀ × α (2)
here,
P _TARGET : Power density of the partner radar wave [W / m2]
σ ₀ : RCS [m2] of own platform
α: Margin factor for effective interference

3) In the case of a communication function As shown in the following formula (3), the required ERP is calculated from the reception sensitivity of the communication partner received at the temporary opening size, the distance to the communication partner, and the reception antenna gain of the communication partner. If the distance to the communication partner is unknown, assume the maximum value.
ERP _COM = (4π) ² _{PC_min} R ² / G _C λ ² Formula (3)
here,
_{PC_min} : Reception sensitivity of communication partner [W]
R: Distance to communication partner [m]
G _C : Receiving antenna gain of communication partner λ: Wavelength [m]

  The information necessary for these calculations, such as the characteristics and distance of the radio equipment of the other party and the other party, and the required beam width, is sent by the operator along with the aperture request data 101 from the common user interface 1 or the default of each device. Information (that is, initial setting values of each device) is held in the opening size calculator 2.

The aperture size calculation (step 203) from the required beam width is performed as follows.
Horizontal aperture dimension D _H = λ / B _H (4)
Vertical opening dimension D _V = λ / B _V (5)
here,
B _H : Required horizontal beam width [rad]
B _V : Required vertical beam width [rad]
λ: wavelength [m]
The ERP calculation (204) from the opening dimension is performed as follows.
ERP = 4π (D _H D _V ) ² P ₀ / λ ² Formula (6)
here,
P ₀ : Transmit power per unit area of the array antenna
(= Transmission power of 1 element / area occupied by 1 element)

The calculation (207) of the required opening size from the required ERP is performed as in the following equation (7).
A = λ (ERP / 4πP ₀ ) ^1/2 (7)
Here, A: Required opening area ERP: Required ERP
P ₀ : Transmit power per unit area of the array antenna
(= Transmission power of 1 element / area occupied by 1 element)
Since Expression (7) gives only the required aperture area, when the array antenna is close to a square and there is no particular condition on the beam shape, calculation is performed so that the horizontal dimension and vertical dimension are equal as in the following Expression (8). .
_DH = _DV = A1 ^{/ 2} ... Formula (8)

Further, when the array antenna is a hexagon or the like, it may have a shape similar to the array antenna so that the area is equal to the required opening area calculated by Expression (7).
If there is a required condition for the horizontal beam width or the vertical beam width, the dimension in the direction with the condition is calculated by formula (4) or formula (5), and the obtained dimension is divided from the required aperture area to The dimensions may be defined.
The aperture size calculator 2 calculates the first aperture area from the required effective radiant power, calculates the second aperture area from the required beam width, and calculates the calculated first aperture area and second aperture. The larger one of the areas may be the opening area assigned to the plurality of radio wave devices.
When using the larger one of the aperture areas calculated from both the required ERP and the required beam width, the one is excessive performance, but the other is not excessive or insufficient, and the norm of ensuring the performance more than required for both. Is the minimum opening area when determining the opening area.

These calculation methods are only examples. For example, the detection performance of a radar is affected by the aperture of the receiving antenna. Therefore, the aperture size is calculated from the required performance assuming that the split size of the aperture is the same for transmission and reception. May be.
Further, the functions of radar, ECM, communication, etc. have been described as one system each. However, the number of radar processing units 14, ECM processing units 15, and communication processing units 16 is increased to provide a plurality of radar functions, a plurality of ECM functions, A plurality of communication functions can also be realized. Even in such a case, the aperture size assigned to each function can be calculated using the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, the phased array antenna apparatus according to the present embodiment has a transmission antenna 4 constituted by a plurality of transmission modules 6 arranged two-dimensionally and a reception constituted by a plurality of reception modules 11 arranged two-dimensionally. A phased array antenna device that has the antenna 9 and realizes the functions of a plurality of radio wave devices to be used by dividing the apertures of the transmission antenna 4 and the reception antenna 9. The aperture dimensions required by the plurality of radio wave devices The aperture size calculation unit 2 for calculating the aperture, and the transmission antenna control unit that divides the aperture of the transmission antenna 4 based on the calculation result of the aperture size calculation unit 2 and controls beam formation and beam scanning of each of the divided apertures 3 and a plurality of reception signals received from a plurality of radio wave devices by dividing the opening of the reception antenna 9 based on the calculation result of the opening size calculation unit 2. The receiving antenna control unit 8 controls the radio wave device corresponding to each function of the plurality of radio wave devices, and the aperture size calculation unit 2 uses effective radiation power, beam width, or both required by the plurality of radio wave devices. Calculate the aperture size assigned to a plurality of radio wave devices.

Moreover, the opening dimension calculation part 2 calculates the required opening area allocated to each radio wave apparatus based on the following formula.
A = λ (ERP / 4πP ₀ ) ^1/2
Where A: required aperture area λ: wavelength ERP: required effective radiation power
P ₀ : Transmission power per unit area of the array antenna Further, the aperture size calculator 2 calculates a required aperture size assigned to each radio wave device based on the following equation.
Horizontal aperture size = wavelength / required horizontal beam width Vertical aperture size = wavelength / required vertical beam width In addition, the aperture size calculator 2 calculates the first aperture area from the required effective radiation power and calculates the second from the required beam width. And the larger one of the calculated first opening area and second opening area is set as the opening area allocated to the plurality of radio wave devices.
The plurality of radio wave devices are devices having a radar, ECM, or communication function.

When the radio wave device is a radar, the effective radiated power (ERP _RADAR ) is calculated based on the following equation.
ERP _RADAR = (4π) ³ P _{r — min} R ⁴ _max / G _r λ ² σ
Here, P _{r —} min: minimum reception sensitivity [W] R _max : maximum detection distance [m]
G _r : Receive antenna gain λ: Wavelength [m] σ: Assumed target RCS [m ² ]

Further, when the radio wave device is an ECM, an effective radiation power (ERP _ECM ) is calculated based on the following formula.
ERP _ECM = P _TARGET σ ₀ × α
Here, P _TARGET : Power density of partner radar wave [W / m ² ]
σ ₀ : RCS [m ² ] of own platform
α: Margin factor for effective interference

When the radio wave device is a communication device, the effective radiated power (ERP _COM ) is calculated based on the following equation.
ERP _COM = (4π) ² _{PC_min} R ² / G _C λ ²
Here, P _{C_min} : Reception sensitivity of communication partner [W]
R: Distance to communication partner [m] G _C : Reception antenna gain of communication partner λ: Wavelength [m]

According to the present embodiment, since the aperture size assigned to each function such as radar, ECM, and communication is determined based on the required ERP and the required beam width, the performance of each function can be realized without excess and deficiency. The aperture of the array antenna can be used effectively.
That is, if the openings have the same size, there is an advantage that a larger number of functions such as radar, ECM, and communication can be realized as compared with the case of fixed division.
Further, if the number of functions to be realized is constant, there is an advantage that all functions can be realized with the minimum array antenna.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the aperture size calculation unit 2 calculates the aperture size assigned to the plurality of radio wave devices using the effective radiation power required by the plurality of radio wave devices, the beam width, or both. By determining the optimum aperture division size (that is, the optimum division aperture area) that gives necessary and sufficient performance to each radio wave device to be used in common, the required performance of each radio wave device can be realized without excess or deficiency. At the same time, useless power consumption can be eliminated.

Conventionally, since the antenna of each radio equipment is individually provided, in the case of a rotating antenna such as a radar or a satellite communication facility, strong interference may occur between the antennas facing each other. For this reason, conventionally, measures such as stopping the radar have been taken in the direction in which the antennas of other devices are located.
On the other hand, in the phased array antenna apparatus according to the present embodiment, the antennas of the respective radio wave apparatuses are arranged in the same plane, so that they do not face each other, and all transmission is a transmission array antenna and all reception is a reception array antenna. Since they are performed together, if only interference between the transmitting array antenna and the receiving array antenna is prevented, electromagnetic interference between radio wave devices is eliminated.

  The present invention relates to a phased array antenna device that divides an array antenna aperture and uses it in common with a plurality of radio wave devices, and determines the division size of the aperture that gives each radio wave device necessary and sufficient performance, and wasteful consumption. This is useful for realizing a phased array antenna device that can eliminate power.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Common user interface 2 Aperture size calculation part 3 Transmission antenna control part 4 Transmission array antenna 5 Aperture surface of transmission array antenna 5a Transmission opening assigned radar function 5b Transmission opening assigned ECM function 5c Transmission opening assigned communication function 6 Transmitting module 7 Transmitting element antenna 8 Receiving antenna control unit 9 Receiving array antenna 10 Opening surface of receiving array antenna 10a Receiving aperture assigned with radar function 10b Receiving aperture assigned with ECM function 10c Receiving aperture assigned with communication function 11 Receiving module 12 Reception element antenna 13 Common reception signal processing unit 14 Radar processing unit 15 ECM processing unit 16 Communication processing unit 21 Transmission signal generator 22 Exciter 23 Frequency converter 24 Power amplifier 31 Low noise amplifier 32 Frequency variable bandpass Filter 33 Frequency converter 34 Local oscillator 35 A / D converter 101 Aperture request data 102 Aperture size data 103 Radar function frequency / beam scanning angle / transmission signal data 104 ECM function frequency / beam scanning angle / transmission signal data 105 Communication Function frequency / beam scanning angle / transmission signal data 106 Transmission frequency / transmission phase / transmission signal data to each transmission module 107 Reception frequency / reception phase data to each reception module 108 Reception signal data from each reception module 109 Reception module Function allocation data 110 Radar function received signal data 111 ECM function received signal data 112 Communication function received signal data 113 Radar function start instruction / display data (bidirectional)
114 ECM function activation instruction / display data (bidirectional)
115 Communication function activation instruction / display data (bidirectional)

Claims (8)

By having a transmission antenna composed of a plurality of transmission modules arranged two-dimensionally and a reception antenna composed of a plurality of reception modules arranged two-dimensionally, and dividing the aperture of the transmission antenna and the reception antenna A phased array antenna device that realizes the functions of a plurality of radio wave devices to be used,
An aperture size calculation unit for calculating an aperture size required by each of the plurality of radio wave devices;
A transmission antenna control unit that divides the aperture of the transmission antenna based on the calculation result of the aperture size calculation unit, and controls beam formation and beam scanning of each of the divided apertures;
Receiving antenna control that divides the opening of the receiving antenna based on the calculation result of the opening size calculation unit and controls a plurality of received signals received from the plurality of radio wave devices corresponding to each function of the plurality of radio wave devices Part
The aperture size calculation unit calculates a required effective radiant power required by each radio wave device , and sets the aperture size at which the effective radiated power by the transmission antenna is equal to or greater than the required effective radiant power, the required effective radiant power, A phased array antenna apparatus characterized by calculating using a required beam width or both . 2. The phased unit according to claim 1, wherein the opening size calculation unit calculates a required opening area by the following formula using the required effective radiation power, and calculates the opening size from the required opening area. Array antenna device.
A = λ (ERP / 4πP ₀ ) ^1/2
here,
A: Required aperture area λ: Wavelength ERP: Required effective radiation power P ₀ : Transmit power per unit area of array antenna The aperture size calculation unit calculates the horizontal aperture size and the vertical aperture size calculated by the following formula using the required beam width from the horizontal aperture size and the vertical aperture size, and the effective radiation power by the transmitting antenna is The phased array antenna apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the opening size is set when the required effective radiation power is larger .
Horizontal aperture size = wavelength / required horizontal beam width Vertical aperture size = wavelength / required vertical beam width The opening size calculation unit is configured to calculate the first opening area from the required effective radiated power, to calculate the second opening area from the desired beam width,
The phased array antenna apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the opening dimension is calculated from a larger one of the calculated first opening area and the second opening area. It said plurality of radio wave devices, radar, ECM or phased array antenna system according to be a device having a function of communication in any one of claims 1 to 4, feature. The opening dimension calculation unit, if the previous SL Telecommunications device for apparatus having a radar function, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to calculate the required effective radiated power (ERP _RADAR) based on the following formula The phased array antenna apparatus according to item 1 .
ERP _RADAR = (4π) ³ P _{r — min} R ⁴ _max / G _r λ ² σ
here,
P _{r — min} : Minimum reception sensitivity [W] R _max : Maximum detection distance [m]
G _r : receiving antenna gain λ: wavelength [m]
σ: Assumed target RCS [m ² ] The opening dimension calculation unit, if the previous SL Telecommunications equipment device having the ECM function, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to calculate the required effective radiated power (ERP _ECM) based on the following formula The phased array antenna apparatus according to item 1 .
ERP _ECM = P _TARGET σ ₀ × α
here,
P _TARGET : Power density of partner radar wave [W / m ² ]
σ ₀ : RCS [m ² ] of own platform
α: Margin factor for effective interference The opening dimension calculation unit, if the previous SL Telecommunications device of a device having a communication function, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to calculate the required effective radiated power (ERP _COM) on the basis of the following formula The phased array antenna apparatus according to item 1 .
ERP _COM = (4π) ² _{PC_min} R ² / G _C λ ²
here,
_{PC_min} : Reception sensitivity of communication partner [W] R: Distance to communication partner [m]
G _C : Receiving antenna gain of communication partner λ: Wavelength [m]

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