JPH11195918A - Phased array antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a phased array antenna system high in maintainability, where an antenna aperture is especially made small and light with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: The system is provided with a scanning changeover device 14, and the scanning changeover device 14 is provided with phase shifters 1611-16mn so as to omit phase shifters from transmission/reception modules 1211-12mn. Instead, a circulator is provided to each of the transmission/reception modules 1211-12mn and changeover switches 1511-15mn are provided to the scanning changeover device 14. Transmission/reception signals are fed via the circulators and the changeover switches to simplify the configuration through the concentration of functions (components) while maintaining functions similar to those of a conventional system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a phased array antenna device which is used, for example, on an aircraft or the like, and particularly has an active phased array.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of radar technology in recent years, various signal processing technologies have been developed. Among them, digital beamforming (DBF) has recently attracted attention. This technique is often applied to an active phased array antenna, and converts a radar signal received by a plurality of antenna elements or subarrays forming an array antenna into a digital signal and multiplies the received beam by an arithmetic process such as multiplication. It is to form. Since the technology has conventionally been implemented by hardware in the form of software, it has many advantages, such as flexibility and simplification of the hardware configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a conventional phased array antenna to which a DBF is applied. The antenna device of FIG.
A plurality of two-dimensionally arranged antenna elements 111 to 1m
n, a plurality of transmission / reception modules 2 connected to
11 to 2 mn. At the time of transmission, a transmission signal from a transmitter (not shown) is distributed by the power distributor 3 and the power distributors 41 to 4m, and the transmission signal lines 511 to 5mn are transmitted.
To each of the transmission / reception modules 211 to 2mn.

At the time of reception, each of the antenna elements 111 to 1 m
n from the transmission / reception module 21
The signal is guided to the frequency converter 7 via 1 to 2 mn and the reception signal lines 611 to 6 mn.

[0005] The received signal frequency-converted by the frequency converter 7 is converted into an analog / digital converter (AD converter).
The digital signal is converted into a digital signal at 8 and then guided to a beamformer 9, where the beamformer 9 performs a beamforming process in accordance with the requirements of the system and sends a received beam 10 to an external device (not shown).

The transmitting / receiving modules 211 to 2m
n has the configuration shown in FIG. The transmission / reception module 211 will be described. A transmission signal provided via a transmission signal line 511 is phase-adjusted by a phase shifter 2111, amplified to a transmission level by a transmission amplifier 2112, and then transmitted through a circulator 2113 to the antenna element 11.
Radiated from 1 into space.

The received signal received by antenna element 111 is passed through circulator 2113 to receive amplifier 211.
4 and is amplified to a required level.
It is led to the frequency converter 7 via 11. The other transmitting / receiving modules have the same configuration.

[0008] In the above configuration, for each of the transmission / reception modules 211 to 2mn, two high-frequency power supply lines are required for transmission and reception. That is, the transmission and reception signal lines 51 for each of the transmission / reception modules 211 to 2mn.
Since 1, 611 to 5 mn and 6 mn are required, the size and weight of the apparatus are greatly increased.
Each transmission and reception signal line 511, 611-5mn, 6mn
In general, a cable covered with a sheath is used, so that the influence is large.

[0009] This directly leads to an increase in the weight of the antenna opening, which is a problem that should be avoided as much as possible especially in a radar device mounted on an aircraft. In addition, the problem is further exacerbated in an active phased array for a relatively low frequency having a large number of antenna elements.

Further, in the above configuration, the phase shifters 2111 to 2mn1 are provided for each of the transmission / reception modules 211 to 2mn. These phase shifters 2111 to 2mn1 are:
Each operates independently based on a control signal provided from a dedicated control line (not shown). In other words, in the above configuration, control lines distributed to each of the transmission / reception modules 211 to 2mn are required, so that not only the weight of the apparatus is further increased, but also it is difficult to take measures against occurrence of a failure or the like.

[0011]

As described above, the conventional phased array antenna is heavy and long because the feed line and the control line extend to the antenna aperture, and is not suitable for mounting on an aircraft or the like. In addition, there is a problem that the maintainability is poor and it is difficult to take measures against a failure or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a phased array antenna device which has high maintainability and has a particularly small and lightweight antenna opening with a simple configuration.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an antenna opening and an input / output switching means provided at a location different from the antenna opening. This input / output switching means,
An input / output terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal; a signal input to the input / output terminal is output from the output terminal; and a signal input to the input terminal is output from the input / output terminal. A plurality of first switching means, each having a writing output terminal connected to the antenna element, and an individual phase shift amount each connected to the input terminal for adjusting a phase of a given transmission signal and guiding the transmission signal to the input terminal; And a plurality of phase shifters capable of controlling the phase shifter.

With this configuration, radio waves (radar waves)
At the time of transmission, the switching means acts on the transmission device side to guide the transmission signal to each antenna element. These transmission signals are phase-adjusted by each phase shifter before being input to the switching means.

On the other hand, at the time of reception of radio waves, the switching means acts on the receiver side, and guides the reception signals from the respective antenna elements to the reception device.

Each of the phase shifters and the switching means is provided in the input / output switching means, and the input / output switching means is provided at a position different from the antenna opening, for example, at an antenna base or a control console.

For this reason, the phase control for the transmission signal is as follows:
This will be done at a position different from the antenna aperture. By installing the input / output switching means at a convenient location in the configuration of the system, it is convenient for the operator, and it is easy to give a control command to each phase shifter, for example, in the form of a shorter control line. . Further, it is possible to easily deal with a failure of the phase shifter. That is, maintainability is improved.

Further, each antenna element and the input / output switching means are connected by one path. That is, by providing the first switching means, transmission and reception of a signal can be performed by one signal line (in a time-division manner). Therefore,
Since the number of signal lines extending to the antenna aperture can be significantly reduced, downsizing, weight reduction, and simplification can be achieved.

The present invention is further characterized by further comprising a reflector for reflecting radio waves radiated from the plurality of antenna elements to direct the radio waves in a desired direction.

By providing the reflector, the number of antenna elements can be reduced while maintaining the same performance. This also makes it possible to reduce the size, weight and simplification.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a phased array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in FIGS. 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different parts will be described here.

The phased array antenna device shown in FIG.
A plurality of two-dimensionally arranged antenna elements 111 to 1m
n, a plurality of transmission / reception modules 1 connected to
211 to 12 mn. Then, at the time of transmission, a transmission signal from a transmitter (not shown) is distributed to n systems by the power distributor 3 and the power distributors 41 to 4m, respectively, via the scan switch 14, via the signal lines 1311 to 13mn. It leads to each transmitting / receiving module 1211-12mn.

At the time of reception, each of the antenna elements 111 to 1 m
n from the transmission / reception module 12
The signal is guided from 11-12 mn to the frequency converter 7 via the scan switch 14 via the signal lines 1311-13 mn. The received beam 10 is provided to an external device (not shown) via an analog / digital converter (AD converter) 8 and a beamformer 9. Digitally converts the received signal,
Since the receiving beam is formed by the arithmetic processing, the above-mentioned configuration constitutes a so-called DBF radar.

By the way, the transmission / reception modules 1211 to 1
2mn has the configuration shown in FIG. The transmission / reception module 1211 will be described. A transmission signal provided via a signal line 1311 is a circulator 12111
(In the other transmission / reception modules 1212 to 12mn, the reference numerals of the circulators are 12121 to 12
mn1) to a transmission amplifier 2112, where the signal is amplified to a transmission level and then radiated from the antenna element 111 to space via a circulator 2113.

The reception signal received by the antenna element 111 is transmitted through a circulator 2113 to a reception amplifier 211.
4, is amplified to a required level, and is again guided to the scan switch 14 via the circulator 12111 and the signal line 1311. Note that the other transmitting / receiving module 12
12 to 12 mn have the same configuration.

On the other hand, the scan switch 14 is provided with a power distributor 41.
４4 m, and m × n phase shifters 1611 to 16 mn for adjusting the phases of n transmission signals for each of the power dividers 41 to 4 m, and each signal line 1311 to 13 mn, The reception signals from the lines 1311 to 13mn are respectively guided to the frequency converter 7 and the phase shifters 16
It has m × n changeover switches 1511 to 15 mn for guiding each of the transmission signals independently adjusted in phase by 11 to 16 mn to the transmission / reception modules 1211 to 12 mn via the respective signal lines 1311 to 13 mn.

These changeover switches 1511 to 15mn
Is realized by, for example, a PIN diode switch or the like. At the time of transmission, each of the phase shifters 1611 to 16mn has
At the time of reception, it is switched to the frequency converter 7 side. In addition,
The switching operation of each of the changeover switches 1511 to 15mn and the phase amount of the phase shifters 1611 to 16mn are controlled by an external control unit (not shown).

In the above configuration, transmission signals from the scanning switch 14 to the transmission / reception modules 1211 to 12mn are transmitted via one signal line 1311 to 13mn, respectively. Similarly, each transmission / reception module 1211-12
mn to the scan switch 14 are sent via one signal line 1311 to 13mn, respectively.

That is, each transmission / reception module 1211
For transmitting and receiving signals to and from 12 mn (each of the antenna elements 111 to 1 mn), one signal line is sufficient. Only half of the conventional configuration described above is required.

This produces various advantages such as weight reduction, simplification of the configuration, and reduction in size of the portion (including the transmission / reception modules 1211 to 12 mn and the antenna elements 111 to 1 mn) forming the antenna aperture. In particular, the effect is great in a phased array antenna having many antenna elements.

Further, in a radar apparatus of a type in which the antenna aperture is mechanically driven to rotate and scanning is performed over the entire periphery of the space (most of the radar apparatuses are of this type), the load on the rotary drive unit is reduced. Is possible,
This also provides advantages such as extension of operation time (saving of driving power) and suppression of mechanical wear.

Further, the effect is remarkable for a radar device mounted on an aircraft which is designed to have a lightweight design.

In this embodiment, the phase shifters 1611 to 16 mn for controlling the phases of the transmission signals are provided in the scan switching unit 14. The scanning switch 14 is usually provided not on the antenna opening but on, for example, an antenna base (not shown).

According to this, not only the same effect as described above can be obtained, but also another advantage is obtained. That is, the amount of phase shift in the phase shifters 1611 to 16 mn is not fixed, but must be dynamically changed in order to perform beam scanning or the like. The control for this is performed by giving a control signal by a control unit (not shown), and this control signal is also given through a dedicated line (not shown).

In the above configuration, since each of the phase shifters 1611 to 16mn is provided in the scan switch 14, it is easy to provide the control signal. In addition, since the control line can be stopped by the scan switch 14, the antenna aperture can be further reduced in weight, simplified in configuration, and reduced in size.

Further, even when a problem related to the phase control (a failure of the phase shifter, a disconnection of the control line, etc.) occurs, it is not necessary to modify the antenna opening. That is, when the above problem occurs, the scan switch 14 is opened, the state of each of the phase shifters 1611 to 16 mn and the control lines connected thereto is checked, and appropriate measures may be taken.

As a result, it is easy to take a measure against a defect, so that the maintainability is remarkably improved.

Thus, in this embodiment, the scanning switch 1
4 and phase shifters 1611 to 16
mn, each transmission / reception module 1211 to 1
The phase shifter is omitted from 2mn. Instead, a circulator (indicated by reference numeral 12111 in the transmission / reception module 1211) is provided in each of the transmission / reception modules 1211 to 12mn, and changeover switches 1511 to 15mn are provided in the scan switcher 14. By exchanging data, functions equivalent to those of the related art are achieved, and the configuration is simplified by concentrating functions (parts).

With this configuration, the number of signal lines can be reduced, and the size and weight can be reduced.
Further, since the phase shifters 1611 to 16 mn are provided in the scan switching device 14, not only the control thereof is easy, but also the maintainability is improved.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a phased array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different parts will be described.

The phased array antenna device shown in FIG.
With reflector 100, antenna elements 111 to 1 kh
The radio wave radiated from the object is reflected by the reflector 100 and directed to a desired direction, and the arriving radio wave is reflected by the reflector 10.
This is a so-called reflector antenna in which the light is reflected at 0 and given to the antenna elements 111 to 1 kh.

General advantages of providing a reflector include, for example, facilitating beam forming and concentration of transmission / reception power, but the same advantage can be obtained with the configuration of FIG. In addition, the number of antenna elements (and, of course, the number of transmission / reception modules, changeover switches, phase shifters, and the like) can be reduced in connection with concentration of transmission / reception power, so that further weight reduction and simplification can be achieved. .

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, each of the circulators of the transmission / reception modules 1211 to 12mn in each of the above embodiments may be replaced with a switch that is switched according to transmission / reception. Similarly, changeover switches 1511 to 15m
n may be replaced by a circulator.

Further, in the above embodiment, application to a DBF radar has been described, but the present invention is applicable not only to a DBF radar but also to all phased array antennas.

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, for example, the configuration of the antenna opening is a linear array.

[0047]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the input / output switching means is provided at a place different from the antenna opening, and the input / output switching means is provided with a control for controlling the phase of the transmission signal to each antenna element. Since the phase shifter and the first switching means for switching between transmission and reception are provided, a phased array antenna device having high maintainability and particularly achieving a small and light antenna opening is provided with a simple configuration. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a phased array antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of transmission / reception modules 1211 to 12mn according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a phased array antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional phased array antenna to which a DBF is applied.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of transmission / reception modules 211 to 2mn of a conventional phased array antenna device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 111 to 1 kh to 1 mn Antenna element 1211 to 12 kh to 12 mn Transmitting and receiving module 3 Power divider 41 to 4 k to 4 m Power divider 14 Scanning switch 1311 to 13 kh to 13 mn Signal line 7 Frequency converter 8 Analog / Digital converter (AD converter) 9 ... Beam former 10 ... Receive beam 12111 ... Circulator 2112 ... Transmission amplifier 2113 ... Circulator 2114 ... Reception amplifier 1511-15kh-15mn ... Changeover switch 1611-16kh-16mn ... Phase shifter 100 ... Reflector

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 8, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0013]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an antenna having a plurality of antenna elements arranged.
And the location different from the antenna aperture formation
And a transmission processing unit provided in the transmission processing unit.
A transmission signal for generating a transmission signal to each of the above antenna elements.
Signal generation means, and the transmission based on a given control signal.
Scanning beam direction by controlling signal phase
A plurality of phase shifters .

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the above configuration, the antenna aperture forming portion and
At different locations, such as antenna bases and control consoles
A transmission processing unit is provided, and the transmission processing unit
A number of phase shifters will be provided. For this reason,
Phase control for each transmission signal for frame scanning
It will be performed on the processing unit side.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Normally, a phase shifter controls the amount of phase shift.
Control signals must be provided for
It is necessary to connect a control signal line to the phase shifter. Conventionally
Control signal line extended to the antenna aperture formation
As a result, the weight of the antenna opening forming portion is increased. on the other hand,
By adopting the above configuration, the control signal line
It is not necessary to extend to the forming part, and the antenna opening type
The weight of the component can be reduced. Also, send processing
Part and the antenna aperture forming part are provided in different places.
In the event of a failure such as a phase shifter, replacement work can be performed easily.
It is convenient for inspection and maintenance.
That is, the maintainability can be improved.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the present invention, a plurality of antennas are arranged.
Connect the transceiver module directly to each element
Antenna opening forming part, and the antenna opening forming part
A transmission / reception processing unit provided at a different location,
Each of the transmission / reception modules is connected via a common transmission / reception signal line.
Transmission and reception signals between the transmission and reception processing unit
The transmission / reception processing unit sends and receives
Transmission signal generation means for generating a transmission signal to the tenor element,
Receive beam based on the received signal from each antenna element
Beam forming means for forming
Control the phase of the transmission signal based on the
A plurality of phase shifters for scanning in the
Connected to the signal lines from the
Sending the transmission signal to the signal line, and
A plurality of switches for guiding the received signal to the receiving beam forming means.
Means.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

As the receiving beam forming means,
Digitize the received signals sent from the switching means.
And digitally process this digital signal.
May be used to form a reception beam. Ma
In addition, the plurality of antenna elements are linearly arranged, and a linear
It may be an array.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the above configuration, the phase shift control of the transmission signal is performed.
Eliminates the need to perform at the antenna aperture formation
In addition to reducing the weight of the mouth forming section,
Of transmission signals and reception signals between the
The exchange can be performed via a common signal line.
You. That is, in the past, only for transmission signals and only for reception signals
And two for each transmission / reception module (control signal to the phase shifter
At least three signal cables, including wires)
On the other hand, in the present invention, signals can be transmitted and received with one signal.
become. This further reduces the weight of the antenna aperture formation
It is possible to promote downsizing, downsizing, and simplification.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, radiation from the plurality of antenna elements
Reflation that reflects in the desired direction by reflecting the radio waves
A kuta may be provided. In this way, the equivalent sex
The number of antenna elements can be reduced while maintaining the function,
It is possible to achieve further miniaturization, weight reduction and simplification.
Become.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0047

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0047]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a transmission processing section is provided at a location different from the antenna aperture forming section, and a plurality of phase shifters for controlling the beam directivity are provided in the transmission processing section. did. Further, in the present invention, a transmission / reception processing unit is provided at a location different from the antenna aperture forming unit, a plurality of phase shifters for controlling the beam directivity are provided in the transmission / reception processing unit, and a plurality of transmission / reception modules provided in the antenna aperture are provided. And the transmission / reception processing unit are communicated with each other via a transmission / reception shared signal line. By doing so, there is no need to extend the control signal line to each phase shifter to the antenna opening, and as a result, maintenance is high, and in particular, a phased array that achieves a small and lightweight antenna opening. An antenna device can be provided.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A plurality of antenna elements arranged in an antenna opening; and input / output switching means provided at a location different from the antenna opening. The input / output switching means comprises: an input / output terminal; A terminal, an output terminal, and outputs a signal input to the input / output terminal from the output terminal;
And outputting a signal input to the input terminal from the input / output terminal, wherein the input / output terminal is connected to the plurality of first switching units respectively connected to the antenna element, and the input terminal, A phased array antenna device comprising: a plurality of phase shifters each of which can individually control a phase shift amount and adjusts a phase of a given transmission signal to lead the input signal to the input terminal. 2. A plurality of transmitting / receiving modules provided between the plurality of antenna elements and input / output terminals of the plurality of first switching means, each of the transmitting / receiving modules comprising: an input / output terminal; An input terminal and an output terminal, a signal input to the input / output terminal is output from the output terminal,
And a signal input to the input terminal is output from the input / output terminal, and the input / output terminal is connected to the input / output terminal of the first switching means. An output terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal, wherein a signal input to the input / output terminal is output from the output terminal,
And a plurality of third switching means connected to the antenna element, wherein the input / output terminal outputs a signal input to the input terminal from the input / output terminal, and an output of the second switching means. A first amplifier which amplifies a signal from a terminal and inputs the amplified signal to an input terminal of the third switching means;
A second amplifier for amplifying a signal from an output terminal of the third switching means and inputting the amplified signal to an input terminal of the second switching means; The phased array antenna device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A beam forming means for converting a received signal output from each output terminal of the first switching means into a digital signal, and performing a numerical operation process on the digital signal to form a received beam. The phased array antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of antenna elements form a linear array arranged linearly.
The described phased array antenna device. 5. The phased array antenna device according to claim 3, further comprising a reflector for reflecting radio waves radiated from the plurality of antenna elements to direct the radio waves in a desired direction. .