WO2006130993A1 - Lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system - Google Patents
Lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system Download PDFInfo
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- WO2006130993A1 WO2006130993A1 PCT/CA2006/000960 CA2006000960W WO2006130993A1 WO 2006130993 A1 WO2006130993 A1 WO 2006130993A1 CA 2006000960 W CA2006000960 W CA 2006000960W WO 2006130993 A1 WO2006130993 A1 WO 2006130993A1
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
- H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
- H01Q21/0018—Space- fed arrays
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
- H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
- H01Q1/288—Satellite antennas
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
- H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
- H01Q21/0025—Modular arrays
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
- H01Q21/29—Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q23/00—Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them
-
- 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
- H01Q3/44—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 electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
- H01Q3/46—Active lenses or reflecting arrays
Definitions
- phased array antennas are their ability to steer the beam electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical pointing and alignment. Another benefit is that the beam steering can be performed quickly, which allows tracking of rapidly moving targets, and tracking of multiple targets. The rapid beam steering also facilitates applications where an antenna on a moving platform (e.g. a ship at sea) it to maintain contact with a fixed entity such as a communications or broadcast satellite.
- a moving platform e.g. a ship at sea
- phased array antennas are in the implementation of radar systems, especially synthetic aperture radar systems.
- Radio detection and ranging has been in existence since World War Il and is used for a wide variety of applications.
- radars are used for tracking the position of objects such as airplanes, ships and other vehicles or monitoring atmospheric conditions.
- Imaging radars have been developed for constructing images of terrain or objects.
- Basic radar systems operate by transmitting a radio frequency signal, usually in the form of a short pulse at a target.
- a basic radar system is limited in both range resolution and azimuth resolution.
- Various techniques have been developed to overcome the limitations of a basic radar system. For example, to improve range resolution techniques such as pulse compression can be used.
- Synthetic Aperture Radars are now commonly used in both airborne and spaceborne (e.g. an airplane or satellite) based applications.
- the size of the antenna generally prohibits launching the antennas in their operational configuration, as it is too large to fit within the available payload volume of the launch vehicle.
- the antenna is to be folded and stowed for launch, then deployed once in orbit.
- Complicated and expensive mechanisms to deploy the antenna and hold it rigid when deployed are to be specially designed.
- Special purpose mechanisms may also be designed and constructed to securely hold the antenna panels while stowed during launch and ensure that that the antenna is not damaged by the stresses incurred during launch.
- the high mass of the antenna makes the task of stowing and deploying it much more difficult.
- the elements of the active phased array require a complex set of interconnections between the main bus structure and the antenna elements. Connections are needed for power, control, monitoring and distribution of radio- frequency signals for both transmit and receive. Complicated azimuth and elevation beam forming devices and interconnects are required. These interconnections further add to the overall mass, complexity and cost of the antenna. In addition, the interconnections may be made to bridge the hinges between the panels of the antenna adding to the manufacturing complexity and cost, and reducing the overall reliability. [0011]
- the RADARSAT-2 spacecraft is an example of a state-of-the-art Synthetic Aperture Radar System using an active phased array antenna. The antenna in this instance is 15 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width.
- each panel consists of two wings, each containing 2 panels with each panel approximately 3.75 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width. Each panel contains 4 columns with each column containing 32 transmit/receive modules each with an associated sub-array with 20 radiating elements. A total of 512 transmit receive modules are used in the antenna.
- the overall mass of the antenna is approximately 785 kg.
- the extendible support structure required to deploy the antenna panels and maintain them in place has a mass of approximately 120 kg.
- the total mass required by the antenna is approximately 1025 kg. This large mass in turn drives the design of the spacecraft bus structure and attitude control systems, resulting in a larger, heavier spacecraft.
- Figure 1 shows an overall view of one spacecraft configuration.
- Figure 2A shows a block diagram of an antenna system.
- Figure 2B shows a timing diagram for the antenna system.
- Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an active antenna node.
- Figure 4 shows a block diagram of radio frequency circuit functions contained within the active antenna node.
- Figure 5A shows the rear face of one antenna panel.
- Figure 5B shows a detailed view of a portion of the rear face of an antenna panel.
- Figure 5C shows a detailed view looking from the edge of a portion of the rear face of an antenna panel.
- Figure 5D shows a detailed view of a portion of the front (radiating) face of an antenna panel.
- Figure 6A shows a cut-away view of a portion of the front face of an antenna panel.
- Figure 6B shows a section view through a portion of an antenna panel.
- Figure 7 shows targets used for a geometry compensation system and optical paths within a satellite bus for collecting images.
- Figure 8A shows a detailed view of a fore boom mounted illuminated target.
- Figure 8B shows an arrangement of illuminated targets on two antenna panels.
- Figure 8C shows a detail of one of the targets.
- Figure 9 shows a view of one wing, showing a location of targets on the antenna panels. It shows the view observed by the imaging system (bottom of figure) and arrangement of targets such that nearer targets do not obstruct more distant targets.
- Figure 10 shows components of the geometry compensation system. Geometry compensation is used to adjust phase settings of antenna elements to compensate for mechanical distortions in the antenna.
- Figure 11A shows the spacecraft with the antenna panels and booms stowed for launch.
- Figure 11 B shows the spacecraft during deployment of one antenna wing and boom.
- Figure 11C shows the spacecraft in its operational configuration with both wings and booms deployed.
- Figure 12A shows an alternative bus structure configuration.
- Figure 12B shows another alternative bus structure configuration.
- Figure 12C shows another alternative bus structure configuration.
- Figure 13 shows a sequence of operations for the active antenna node.
- Figure 14 shows an overall sequence of operations for an active phased array antenna.
- Figure 15 shows a timing relationship between active antenna node control signals and signals transmitted and received from the active phased array antenna.
- Figure 16 shows a sequence of operations for performing geometry compensation.
- Figure 17 shows a block diagram of the radio frequency circuit functions contained within the active antenna node for an active phased array antenna with multiple polarization capability.
- antenna fore wing consisting of one or more antenna panels (four panels are shown in this example)
- antenna aft wing consisting of one or more antenna panels (four panels are shown in this example)
- OO signal routing device e.g. circulator, switch, coupler, etc
- 1-20 signal routing device e.g. circulator, switch, coupler, etc.
- signal routing device e.g. circulator, switch, coupler, etc.
- signal routing device e.g. circulator, switch, coupler, etc
- signal routing device e.g. circulator, switch, coupler, etc
- phase shifted reference frequency (vertical receive polarization)
- Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for constructing a spaceborne active phased array antenna system that retains operational capabilities of traditional phased array antenna systems, but at lower mass, lower manufacturing complexity and hence lower overall mission cost.
- a space feed distributes signals to active antenna nodes, active antenna nodes contain local power generation and storage capability, construction method producing lightweight antenna panels, and a compensation system measures and compensates for mechanical distortions in the antenna geometry.
- FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a spacecraft using a lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system.
- a phased array antenna 150 is comprised of multiple antenna panels 105. Each panel has a front surface referred to as a radiating face 120 for transmitting a signal towards a target, and receiving the return signal reflected from the target.
- a rear face 125 of each panel contains multiple active antenna nodes 300 that form the active phased array.
- the antenna panels 105 are arranged into two groups, which will be referred to as wings.
- a leading wing 110, relative to the direction of flight of the spacecraft, is referred to as the fore wing.
- the other wing 115 is referred to as the aft wing.
- a frequency translated signal to be transmitted is distributed to the fore wing active antenna nodes through a space feed arrangement using antenna 250 contained in a boom antenna assembly 140 mounted on a deployable boom 130.
- the signal for the aft wing is distributed using another boom antenna assembly 140 mounted on a similar deployable boom 135.
- the antennas located on the two boom antenna assemblies also receive frequency translated signals transmitted from active antenna nodes.
- the received frequency translated signal contains the return signal from the target received at the radiating face of the phased array antenna.
- Each boom antenna assembly 140 also contains a second antenna 255. This second antenna is used to broadcast a stable reference frequency to each of the active antenna nodes.
- antennas 250 and 255 are patch antennas, however other types of antenna can also be used.
- a bus structure 100 provides mechanical support for the active phased array antenna system.
- the bus contains within it systems commonly found on most spacecraft to perform functions including communications, attitude control, spacecraft monitoring and control, thermal control, data handling, propulsion, etc.
- Solar arrays 145 mounted on the sun facing surfaces of the bus structure provide power for all parts of the spacecraft except active antenna nodes 300 that may provide their own power.
- FIG. 2A The block diagram of Figure 2A shows major components of the active phase array antenna system and how they interact with each other. For simplicity only a single antenna panel of a single wing is shown. The other antenna panels are similar in construction and operation.
- a receiver/exciter 210 is contained within the bus structure 100.
- the receiver/exciter generates a reference frequency and modulated transmit signals employed for the radar application.
- the receiver/exciter also receives a return signal from the panel and provides signal extraction and encoding functions to digitize and format received signal data.
- the receiver/exciter interfaces to a spacecraft bus systems 205 to receive power for operation and to transfer received data.
- An antenna controller 270 in the receiver/exciter is connected to the main spacecraft bus processor through control bus 260 to permit control and monitoring of the antenna system.
- control bus 260 There are no special requirements for the control bus and it can be implemented using any one of several available technologies such as MIL STD 1553B or CAN Bus.
- the antenna controller 270 provides control and monitoring of all units in the receiver/exciter and the active antenna nodes 300.
- a stable local oscillator 215 generates a stable, un-modulated reference frequency. This reference frequency is distributed locally to a transmit pulse generator 220 and receiver 225 and is also broadcast to all of the active antenna nodes 300 using antenna 255 in boom antenna assemblies 140.
- a single stable local oscillator is used to drive both boom antenna assemblies through a simple power divider.
- the transmit pulse generator 220 produces the waveform of the transmitted pulse. For radar systems this is usually a linearly modulated frequency pulse commonly known as a chirp. Techniques for generating this type of pulse are well known in the current art.
- the chirp is transmitted 240 from the boom antenna assembly 140 to all active antenna nodes 300 in the corresponding wing. Within each active antenna node the chirp is received, converted to the operating frequency of the antenna, adjusted for phase and amplitude, amplified and transmitted from the radiating face of the antenna.
- the active antenna nodes 300 receive the returned signal from the target and re-transmit this signal so that it can be received by the antenna 250 on the boom antenna assembly 140.
- the chirp and the received signals transmitted using the space-feed are converted to a separate carrier frequency according to a defined frequency plan to produce frequency translated versions of the original signals.
- a frequency plan for a typical SAR application would be as follows: SAR operating frequency of 5.400 GHz (C-band), stable local oscillator frequency of 2.400 GHz and carrier frequency for the frequency translated transmit chirp 240 and received signals 240 of 10.200 GHz (X- band). The description that follows assumes this example frequency plan.
- Figure 2B shows an example of a timing relationship between different signals.
- the stable local oscillator reference frequency is continuously broadcast 235 to each active antenna node.
- the transmit pulse generator 220 generates a baseband chirp signal 265 and a modulated chirp signal at X-band that is also broadcast 240 to all active antenna nodes.
- the X-band chirp signal is converted to C-band and is adjusted for phase prior to being transmitted 385 towards the target.
- the return signal 385 from the target is adjusted for phase and gain and is converted from C-band to X-band and transmitted 240 to the receiver 225.
- Gain adjustments 375 and 380 are used to compensate for space feed path differences.
- Gain adjustment 380 also provides antenna aperture apodization.
- the receiver 225 receives the converted broadcast signal 240, demodulates it and forwards the baseband signal to the signal extraction and encoding unit 230.
- the signal is digitized, encoded and formatted and the resulting digital data is transferred to the spacecraft bus systems 205 for processing, storage and/or transmission to a ground based receiving terminal.
- the phased array antenna 150 is comprised of multiple antenna panels 105. Each antenna panel contains multiple active antenna nodes 300 mounted on the rear surface 125 of the panel. As an example, an active phased array antenna for a synthetic aperture radar application would contain on the order of 8 antenna panels, with each panel containing on the order of 64 active antenna nodes, for a total of 512 active antenna nodes.
- FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an active antenna node 300.
- the active antenna node contains its own local power generation and storage means to provide power to all its components.
- a solar cell array 305 is mounted on the rear face of the antenna panel 125.
- the radiating face of the antenna panel 120 will be pointed at the earth at an angle of at least 30 degrees from nadir.
- the solar cell arrays on the rear of the antenna panels will be exposed to the sun when the spacecraft is placed in an appropriate orbit such as a sun-synchronous, dawn-dusk orbit.
- the spacecraft can be slewed to better orient the solar panels towards the sun for more efficient solar power generation and battery charging. This can occur in periods that do not require operation of the antenna system, such as intervals where SAR imaging is not requested.
- An integrated circuit battery charge regulator 310 regulates the power from the solar cell array 305 and charges a rechargeable battery 315.
- a regulated power supply with switching circuits 320 provides power to all other components of the active antenna node and allows elements of the active antenna node, for example the transmitter or receiver, to be independently powered on and off.
- the RF components of the active antenna node consist of two antennas 325 and 335, reference frequency processing circuit 330, transmitter circuit 340, receiver circuit 345 and subarray 350. Operation of the RF components of the active antenna node is described in the discussion on Figure 4 that follows.
- antennas 325 and 335 are patch antennas, however other types of antenna can also be used.
- subarray 350 is a slotted waveguide subarray, however other arrangements could also be used.
- One example of an alternative arrangement is a subarray consisting of multiple patch, conformal or planar radiators bonded to the font or back surface of the antenna panel. If bonded to the back, the panel would be RF transparent; this alternative would provide simplicity and reduced mass in mounting and feeding the radiating subarray elements, while also providing structural support.
- Control of the active antenna node can be achieved by using a microcontroller or other programmable logic element such as a field programmable gate array.
- the depicted embodiment uses a microcontroller 360 such as an Intel 8051 that incorporates a built-in CAN Bus interface.
- a two-wire CAN Bus interface connection 245 is used to provide control and timing signals from the antenna controller 270 to the active antenna node, and to monitor status of the node.
- a wired bus is both easier to implement and can be used to dissipate this electro-static charge.
- the microcontroller drives a digital-to-analog converter 365 that generates analog control signals 380, 375, 370 used to control transmitter gain, receiver gain and phase (both transmit and receive) respectively.
- FIG. 4 shows RF circuits of an active antenna node. Note that filters have been omitted from the diagram to make it simpler. There are no extraordinary requirements for the filters and their use, design and construction is well understood in the current art.
- Antenna 325 receives the broadcast stable local oscillator signal 235. This signal is amplified by low noise amplifier 440 and then doubled in frequency using frequency doubler 445, although other frequency adjustment may be employed.
- Direct modulator 450 is used to adjust the phase of the signal based on phase control signal 370 from the digital to analog converter 365. The phase adjusted reference signal is divided using power divider 455 (or switch) and phase adjusted reference signals 460 are routed to both transmitter 340 and receiver 345 sections of the active antenna node.
- An alternative embodiment could use a phase shifter in place of direct modulator 450, or two modulators in lieu of the power divider.
- the active antenna node receives the frequency translated chirp signal 240 using antenna 335.
- a signal routing device 400 routes the signal to variable gain amplifier 405 whose gain is set by the microcontroller through signal 375.
- Mixer 410 converts the signal to the operating frequency of the radar and phase adjusts the signal to form the beam.
- the signal is amplified using high power amplifier 415 and routed to subarray 350 through signal routing device 420.
- Signals reflected from the target are received by subarray 350 and routed to the receiver portion of the active antenna node through signal routing device 420.
- Low noise amplifier 425 amplifies the signal.
- Mixer 430 upconverts the signal and adjusts the phase of the signal to form the receive beam.
- the signal is amplified and its gain adjusted by variable gain amplifier 435, whose gain is set by the microcontroller through signal 380.
- Signal routing device 400 routes the signal to antenna 335 for transmission to receiver 225 in the receiver/exciter 210.
- An alternative embodiment could use a double or triple balanced mixer in place of either or both mixers 410 and 430.
- the beam pattern of the antenna is made narrower in elevation when in receive mode, resulting in an increased gain in this axis.
- the beam pattern is swept through the target area from near range to far range. The sweep is timed to point the beam in elevation to receive signals from targets at the near range edge at the start of the sweep, and targets at the far range edge at the end of the sweep.
- Microcontroller 360 controls the sweeping of the beam by using digital-to- analog converter means 365 to generate control signals 370 to adjust the phase of the received signal. This method of steering the beam during receive maintains the signal to noise ratio with lower transmitted power, allowing for fewer or lower power active antenna nodes to be used, further lowering mass and simplifying construction.
- the active antenna node signals over the space feed should be isolated from the signals transmitted/received from the front face of the antenna panels to/from the target. Such isolation is required to prevent coupling of signals between these two radio frequency links.
- the embodiment described above uses frequency translation to achieve this isolation. (although in one embodiment such frequency isolation is performed at the nodes rather than the bus structure 100, an alternative embodiment could employ the reverse.)
- Other techniques may also be used to achieve this isolation or for inhibiting interference between signals. Possible techniques can include one or a combination of any of the following: electromagnetic shielding, use of different signal polarizations, use of digital signal processing techniques, use of differently coded spread spectrum channels, use of time domain multiplexing alone or in conjunction with local signal storage.
- Figure 5A shows an arrangement of active antenna nodes on the rear face 125 of an antenna panel 105.
- the number and arrangement of active antenna nodes can be adjusted to suit the needs of the intended application.
- the arrangement shown is typical for a synthetic aperture radar application.
- This example arrangement has a total of 64 active antenna nodes per antenna panel, arranged as two columns of 32 active antenna nodes per column.
- Alternative arrangements are also possible, for example a six panel antenna with a total of 384 active antenna nodes, with panel dimensions adjusted to provide the desired aperture size.
- Figure 5A also shows node electronics modules 500 and solar cell arrays 505 for each active antenna node.
- Figure 5B shows a detailed view of a portion of the rear of the panel 125 with the node electronics module 500 and the solar cell array 505 identified.
- Figure 5C shows the edge view of a portion of the antenna panel with the antenna panel radiating surface 120 and rear surface 125 of the antenna, and the node electronics module 500 identified.
- Figure 5D shows the radiating face 120 of the antenna panel with slots 510 for a slotted waveguide subarray visible. The arrangement, size and number of slots is dependent on the operating frequency and operational requirements for the antenna and the means for determining these characteristics is well understood and documented in the prior art.
- FIG. 6A shows a cutaway view of a portion of an antenna panel to illustrate construction of the slotted waveguide subarray.
- the antenna panel frame 605 is constructed out of conducting material such as aluminum or conductively plated non-conducting material such as carbon fiber to form the structures for supporting the node electronics modules 500 and to form the cavities for the slotted waveguide subarray.
- the cavity of the slotted waveguide subarray may be filled with an RF transparent material 600 such as quartz honeycomb.
- the quartz honeycomb material is commercially available for space-qualified applications. Other RF transparent materials can also be used.
- Figure 6B shows a section thorough the antenna panel.
- Detail “B” shows construction of the panel with antenna panel frame 605 and RF transparent material 600 identified.
- An aluminum sheet or conductively plated carbon fiber sheet 610 with slots 510 is bonded to the antenna frame and RF transparent material using a conductive adhesive, forming the radiating face of the antenna and providing structural strength.
- Detail “A” shows a portion of node electronics module 500 and waveguide launcher element 615 used to couple RF signals between the node electronics module and the slotted waveguide subarray.
- the radiation patterns can be measured on the ground and compensation at each active antenna node can be computed. Compensation for the effects that are a function of the antenna geometry requires that the geometry be known while the antenna is operating. An ideal active phased array would have a front radiating surface that was planar and not subject to mechanical or thermal distortion. The antenna geometry would be constant and could be measured on the ground prior to launch, and necessary compensation at each active antenna node computed.
- geometry compensation means there are several possible approaches for implementing the geometry compensation means. For example, compensation can be implemented on-board the spacecraft to perform dynamic real-time compensation of antenna distortions.
- An alternative approach is to implement geometry compensation as a non real-time correction applied on the ground during processing of the acquired radar data. The selected approach depends on the size of the antenna aperture, the antenna dynamics and the application.
- the depicted geometry compensation means uses an optical technique to take multiple images of illuminated targets mounted on the rear face of the antenna panels and on the fore and aft booms to perform dynamic real-time geometry compensation on-board the spacecraft.
- FIG. 7 gives an overview for dynamic geometry compensation of the active phase array antenna.
- a cavity 700 within the spacecraft bus structure 100 houses optical and electronics assemblies that comprise a dynamic compensation system.
- Optical paths 705 and 710 are provided from the optical assembly cavity to the fore and aft wings and to the fore and aft booms respectively.
- Targets 715, 720 and 725 are attached to the back of the antenna panel and to the ends of the fore boom and aft booms respectively.
- the targets contain an internal light source to illuminate the surface of the target facing in the direction of the optical path. The light source can be switched on and off under control of the dynamic geometry compensation system.
- the shape of the illuminated surface of the targets is selected to facilitate accurate determination of the center of the target's position in an image of the target. For example a circular shape sized so that the resulting image of the target will be multiple pixels wide allows techniques to locate the centroid of the target's image to be used to improve position determination. Distortion of the booms and antenna panels in the dimension along their respective lengths is small, and the impact of this distortion is negligible, and the geometry compensation means does not need to measure in this dimension. Distortions are more pronounced in the other two dimensions and their impact is significant.
- the optical path is arranged to achieve high accuracy in these two dimensions by imaging along the length of the structures being measured.
- the targets may use solid-state light sources with a narrow spectral bandwidth.
- Optical filters with the corresponding bandwidth are placed in the optical assembly to filter out light that falls outside the filter's bandwidth.
- Figure 8A shows a detail of the mounting location of target 720 on the fore boom 130.
- Figure 8B shows two antenna panels 105. Each antenna panel, except the panels nearest to the spacecraft bus structure, have 4 targets mounted in the positions shown. The two panels nearest to the spacecraft (not shown) bus structure only have two targets mounted. The mounting positions for the targets for the nearer panel are arranged so as avoid a nearer target obstructing the view to a further target when viewed from the optical assembly. This is illustrated in Figure 9 with optical paths shown in dashed lines. Targets are mounted sufficiently above the surface of the antenna panel or boom so that they remain visible when the antenna wing or boom distorts or oscillates.
- Figure 8C shows an example target 800. Targets may be folded against the pane! when the panels are stowed prior to launch and may deploy using a simple spring or other means after the panels are deployed.
- Figure 10 shows the optical and electronic components of the geometry compensation system.
- Optical assembly 1000 receives light 1010 from the fore and aft booms and the fore and aft wings.
- the optical assembly combines the light from the four apertures so as to form a single, combined image 1015 that is projected onto the imaging surface of a solid state, two dimensional imaging array 1020.
- the output of the imaging array is received, processed and interpreted by computer based image processing unit 1025.
- Boom target controllers 1040 and 1045 control the illumination of the targets on the fore and aft booms respectively.
- Control signals 1055 for the boom target controllers are provided by a wired connection from image processing unit 1025.
- Control signals 1050 for the panel target controllers are provided by a control signal initiated by image processing unit 1025 and transmitted to each panel target controller using a CAN Bus signal.
- a coded infrared signal generated by the image processing unit 1025 and directed to and received by the panel target controllers could be used to affect this control function.
- Figure 11A shows the spacecraft with the fore and aft booms 130, 135 and fore and aft wing 110, 115 antenna panels in their stowed position, inside the launch vehicle's payload fairing 1100.
- FIG. 11B shows the spacecraft on orbit with the fore boom 130 and the fore wing 110 partially deployed.
- Figure 11C shows the spacecraft in its fully deployed, operational configuration.
- the radar is operated intermittently, being active (collecting image data in this example) over areas of interest and remaining inactive at other times.
- the active phased array antenna system is placed into a standby state with its internal units either switched off completely, or put into a low power state that allows them to respond to commands. In this state, the spacecraft will generally be slewed to an attitude that improves the efficiency of solar power generation.
- circuits of the units that comprise the receiver/exciter 210 are powered off, except for those elements to respond to signals on control bus 260 that instruct the units to power up and become active.
- phased array antenna A similar approach is used for the phased array antenna. As there are many active antenna nodes in the antenna, each node is designed to consume a minimum of power when not in use. This standby state is achieved by powering down all circuits within the node, except for the battery charging and power supply circuits and the microcontroller. The microcontroller is placed into a very low power standby state that will allow it to respond to a wakeup signal sent to it via the CAN Bus interface.
- Figure 13 shows the sequence of events to bring an active antenna node from the inactive state to the operational state.
- the figure illustrates one embodiment, and alternative approaches and sequences can also be used to accomplish a similar purpose. It is assumed that the node is in the standby state described above at the start of the sequence.
- the microcontroller circuits monitor the CAN Bus for a wakeup signal (step 1). When the wakeup signal is received, microcontroller clocks are enabled and it exits the standby mode and resumes execution of its software programs (step 2). The microcontroller then begins execution of a self-test sequence that verifies correct operation of the microcontroller itself, and powers up the remaining circuits in the node and determines their operating condition. Temperatures and voltages are also measured to determine if they are within the acceptable range.
- step 5 If a significant fault is detected, then the fault is reported to antenna controller 270 (step 5) and the node enters a maintenance mode (step 6).
- the maintenance mode puts the node into a safe state and permits further diagnostic testing and the uploading of instructions or software patches to correct the fault.
- a command on the CAN Bus interface from the antenna controller causes the microcontroller to exit maintenance mode (step 7). The microcontroller then returns the node to its low power standby state (step 8).
- the node waits for a command to put it into operational mode (step 9). If this command is not received within a specified period of time, the node will enter maintenance mode. If the command is received, the node enters operational mode (Step 10). In operational mode, the node responds to control and timing messages from the antenna controller and processes the transmitted and received radar signals. Further detail is provided in the discussion on Figure 14 below.
- the microcontroller monitors node operation to detect any faults or non-nominal conditions such as a temperature that is too high (step 10). If a fault is detected, the node exits operational mode (step 11), reports the fault condition (step 5) and enters maintenance mode (step 6). Operation in maintenance mode is as previously described. [00108] If no fault was detected while in operational mode, the microcontroller determines if a shutdown signal has been received from the antenna controller (step 12). If no shutdown signal has been received, operational mode continues. If a shutdown signal has been received, the microcontroller returns the node to its low power standby state (step 8) and the radar operation session is complete at the node.
- a shutdown signal has been received from the antenna controller
- Figure 14 shows the overall operation of the phased array antenna system. It is assumed that the system is in the standby state at the start of the sequence.
- Operation of the radar is scheduled to occur at specific times when the spacecraft is in the correct position in its orbit for the desired imaging operation.
- the scheduling is accomplished by using time- tagged commands issued from the spacecraft control center on the ground.
- the receiver/exciter 210 hardware located in the spacecraft bus is powered up (step 1).
- the antenna controller 270 sends a wake up signal to the active antenna nodes (step 2).
- the active antenna nodes begin to execute their start-up sequence and self-test activities as described above.
- the antenna controller begins a self-test sequence for the entire phased array antenna system, verifying correct operation of all units mounted in the bus structure and receiving status from the active antenna nodes (step 3). If a major fault is detected (step 4), the antenna controller reports the fault in antenna telemetry (step 5) and the antenna enters maintenance mode (step 6). The maintenance mode puts the antenna system into a safe state and permits further diagnostic testing and the uploading of instructions or software patches to correct the fault. When maintenance activities are completed, the antenna controller exits maintenance mode (step 7). A shutdown signal is sent to the active antenna nodes (step 8) and the receiver/exciter is powered down and returned to its standby state (step 9).
- the antenna controller determines if the scheduled activity for the antenna is a maintenance activity or an operational activity (step 10). If it is a maintenance activity, then maintenance mode is entered (step 6). If not a maintenance activity, the antenna begins its nominal operation. [00113] The first step of nominal operations is to initialize the active antenna nodes with beam parameters and other operational parameters, for example transmit and receive window timing and duration, required for this image (step 11). The geometry compensation process is started to measure the geometry of the antenna and determine the phase and amplitude compensation for each active antenna node (step 12). The operation of the geometry compensation process is described below.
- the active phased array antenna begins to operate (step 13).
- the operation is controlled by timing and control messages 1400 broadcast on the CAN Bus to all active antenna nodes by the antenna controller 270.
- the messages are sent at a transmit pulse repetition frequency.
- Figure 15 shows an example of timing relationships.
- the CAN Bus timing and control message is sent shortly before the next transmit pulse.
- the message defines a timing reference point for the next pulse cycle.
- the active antenna node microcontroller uses the received timing and control message to establish two timing windows, a transmit timing window represented by the transmit mode enable 1405, and a receive timing window represented by the receive mode enable 1410. These windows are made slightly larger than required to allow for timing jitter in the CAN Bus messages. Precise timing for the transmitted pulse is established by the transmit pulse generator 220.
- step 15 Operation continues (steps 15 and 16) until either the scheduled end time is reached (step 14) or a major fault is detected (step 17).
- the radar operations and geometry compensation processes are terminated (step 19).
- a shutdown signal is sent to the active antenna nodes to return them to their standby state. Components within the receiver/exciter are also powered to conserve battery power (step 9).
- FIG. 16 shows the sequence of operations for performing geometry compensation and describes how the geometry compensation system operates. Other sequences that collect reference images more or less frequently or collect images of the targets in a different order are possible, but the overall concept remains the same.
- the geometry compensation operation is initiated whenever the active phased array antenna is active.
- the lights of all targets 715, 720 and 725 are switched off (step 1) and a reference image is captured and stored (step 2).
- the reference image consists of the superimposed images of the fore and aft booms and the fore and aft wings. Lighting conditions of the booms and wings is not critical.
- the fore wing panel 1 lights are switched on (step 3) and an image is collected (step 4). This image also consists of the superimposed images of the fore and aft booms and the fore and aft wings, however the targets on one panel are now illuminated. Note that the specific panel designated as panel 1 is not important, as all panels will be imaged during each cycle.
- step 2 The reference image of step 2 is subtracted from the image of step 4 (step 5). Since the nominal position of the target is known, only the region of the image around the nominal target position needs to be processed. As the images are taken fractions of a second apart, the differences in the two images will be due solely to the illumination of the targets on fore wing panel 1. The resulting image will contain only the illuminated targets, effectively extracting the targets from the images.
- the targets are identified based on their relative position and the position of each target in the image is determined by applying an algorithm to locate the centroid of each target (step 6) and computing the two dimensional location. The third dimension is fixed and can be obtained by on-ground measurements prior to launch.
- the resulting 3-dimensional positions of the targets are stored (step 7).
- step 8 The lights on panel 1 are turned off (step 8) and the process of determining the target positions is repeated for panel 2 (step 9). Similarly panel 3 (step 10) and panel 4 (step 11) measurements are taken. The process of collecting a reference image, turning on the lamps for each panel in turn and determining the target positions is repeated for the four panels of the aft wing (step 12).
- step 13 A new reference image is collected and stored (step 13).
- the target on the fore boom is illuminated (step 14) and the position of the fore boom target is determined (step 15).
- step 16 To reduce noise in the measurements and improve the overall accuracy, several measurements are taken (step 17) and averaged (step 18) to produce a final position determination for each target (step 19).
- a geometric model of the antenna is constructed (step 20). This model is used to compute the phase errors introduced by mechanical distortions and oscillations in the antenna at each active antenna node position and the phase correction required to compensate for these errors (step 21). For each active antenna node, the latest computed phase compensation value is compared to the previously computed value for that node to determine which nodes require updated correction information. The updated correction information is transmitted to those nodes that require it using the CAN Bus interface (step 22).
- This process of measuring and updating phase compensation of the antenna nodes operates continuously as long as the antenna is active (step 23).
- FIG. 12A shows a triangular bus structure 1200 with the solar arrays used to provide bus power mounted on the surface 1205.
- Figure 12B shows a variation of the triangular shape that provides more internal volume within the bus structure 1210. Solar cells to provide bus power may be mounted on surface 1215.
- Figure 12C shows an alternate arrangement in which the phased array antenna is mounted outboard of the bus structure 1220. In this arrangement only a single boom assembly 1230 is required. Solar cells to provide bus power are mounted on surface 1225.
- One embodiment of the invention produces a radar that operates with the same polarization in both transmit and receive, for example vertical polarization on transmit and vertical polarization on receive.
- the present system can be implemented to provide a radar capable of operating with selective polarization for transmitted signals, and dual polarizations for received signals.
- transmit signals can be selected to be either horizontal polarization or vertical polarization
- receive signals can be selected to be horizontal polarization, vertical polarization, or both polarizations simultaneously.
- a quad- polarization radar can thus be achieved by transmitting horizontal and vertical polarizations on alternate transmit pulses, and simultaneously receiving both horizontal and vertical polarizations on for all pulses.
- a slotted waveguide arrangement can be constructed for dual polarization, it may have the disadvantage of resulting in a thicker antenna panel, increasing the mass and makes the stowing and deployment more difficult.
- a thin subarray assembly 1720 consisting of multiple patch radiators bonded to the front surface of the antenna panel. Each patch radiator element is driven by two feed assemblies, one for the horizontal polarization 1716 and the other for the vertical polarization 1718.
- the mechanical construction of the antenna panel is simplified by eliminating the conductive cavities under the slotted waveguide.
- a means is provided to select which of the two feeds is driven on a pulse by pulse basis, with the control signals generated by the microcontroller in the active antenna node.
- two receive channels are provided, both in the active antenna node and in the receiver/exciter.
- FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of the radio frequency circuit functions contained within the active antenna node for an active phased array antenna with multiple polarization capability.
- the frequency translated transmit pulse is received by antenna 1700 and directed to the transmitter circuits by signal routing device 1702.
- the received signal is first amplified by variable gain amplifier 1704 and then converted to the operating frequency of the radar by mixer 1706.
- the amplitude and phase are adjusted using gain control signal 1764 and phase control signal 1752.
- High power amplifiers 1710 and 1712 are selectively enabled to drive either the horizontal or vertical feed of the subarray respectively, by polarization select signal 1762.
- Signal routing devices 1714 and 1728 connect the transmit signal to the horizontal and vertical feed assemblies 1716 and 1718 respectively.
- the reflected signal returned from the target is received by the patch radiators in the subarray and the horizontal and vertical polarizations are routed to the two separate receive channels by signal routing devices 1714 and 1728.
- the horizontal polarization is amplified by low noise amplifier 1722 and frequency converted and phase adjusted by mixer 1724.
- the signal is amplified by variable gain amplifier 1726, and routed by signal routing device 1702 to antenna 1700 for transmission to a boom antenna assembly 140.
- the amplitude and phase are adjusted using gain control signal 1766 and phase control signal 1752.
- the vertical polarization is similarly processed using signal routing device 1728, low noise amplifier 1730, mixer 1732 and variable gain amplifier 1734.
- Antenna 1736 is used to transmit the signal to the boom antenna assembly.
- the amplitude and phase are adjusted using gain control signal 1768 and phase control signal 1754.
- a frequency plan for a typical multiple polarization SAR application would be as follows: SAR operating frequency of 5.400 GHz (C-band), stable local oscillator frequency of 2.400 GHz, carrier frequency for the frequency translated transmit chirp and horizontal received polarization signal 1770 of 10.200 GHz and carrier frequency for the frequency translated vertical received polarization signal 1772 of 7.8 GHz.
- the broadcast stable local oscillator signal is received by antenna 1738, amplified by low noise amplifier 1740 and divided into two signals by power divider 1742.
- One output of the divider directly provides the reference frequency used for the received vertical polarization.
- the other output of the divider is doubled in frequency by frequency doubler 1744 to provide the reference frequency used for downconverting the frequency translated chirp and upconverting the received horizontal polarization.
- the phase of the reference frequencies is adjusted by direct modulators 1748 and 1746 based on control signals 1754 and 1752 respectively. Since transmit and receive do not occur simultaneously, direct modulator 1746 can be used to provide the phase adjusted reference frequency to both the transmitter and horizontal polarization receive circuits through power divider 1750.
- Phase control signal 1752 is adjusted during the pulse period to first produce the required phase for the transmit pulse and then the required phase for the received signal.
- the geometry compensation system can alternatively be implemented using passive targets whose surface is covered by highly directional reflective material.
- the targets are selectively illuminated by narrow beams of light projected from light sources located in the vicinity of the optical assembly. Light sources with a narrow spectral bandwidth and corresponding filters in the optical path are used. Operation is similar to that described for the targets with the built in light sources, except that the light sources in the bus structure are illuminated in sequence instead of the light sources in the targets.
- This approach simplifies the design of the targets and eliminates the need for control circuits and power sources for the targets on the antenna panels.
- the disadvantage is a more complicated optical assembly, because it is to incorporate the light sources close to the optical axis.
- Antenna distortion can be decomposed into two components, a fixed distortion and a varying distortion.
- the fixed distortion can be measured and compensated for using a classic calibration approach traditionally used in such a system.
- a beam pattern can be measured over a well-selected target area and distortion can be determined and removed by applying phase compensation using the same phase shifters used to shape the beams.
- Compensating for the varying component involves making on-orbit measurements over the period that the antenna is in use and applying a dynamic compensation. Geometry compensation that takes advantage of this characteristic can also be used in place of an optically based compensation approach.
- a set of measurements is made immediately prior to and following the collection of data for an image.
- the measured results are transmitted to the ground and are post-processed to determine the antenna geometry present during the imaging operation. This geometry information is then used to compensate for antenna distortion during the processing of the image data.
- Another alternative means of geometry compensation is to measure temperature at numerous points across the antenna as a means to determine the varying distortion.
- Classical techniques would be used to determine and compensate for the fixed distortion as described above.
- a calibration campaign would then be conducted to characterize the antenna distortion as a function of temperature. This calibration campaign would involve repeated measurements of antenna pattern over a well-selected target area. Temperature of the antenna prior to these measurements would be varied, for example by heating the antenna by reorienting the spacecraft or by using the antenna for varying lengths of imaging prior to taking the measurement (thus dissipating more or less power from Transmit Receive modules into the antenna structure).
- On-ground analysis of the resulting antenna patterns would yield distortion compensation calibration data. Compensation of antenna distortion could then be applied either as a real time correction on the spacecraft (measure temperatures and apply corresponding phase correction at each point in the antenna) or as part of the on-ground processing of the SAR data.
- an active lens configuration is used. Because a lens configuration is intrinsically less sensitive to physical antenna distortion than a direct fed array or a reflector, it is particularly suited to either of the above alternative geometry compensation approaches.
- the construction of the active phased array antenna for radar applications takes advantage of the antenna not needing to support simultaneous transmit and receive functions.
- the antenna can be adapted for uses in applications other than radar systems, for example, in a communications system, where simultaneous and continuous transmit and receive is required.
- the approach is to use two carrier frequencies, on each of the space feed and the active phased array antenna face, one frequency for the signal to be transmitted, and one for the received signal.
- the basic structure of the active antenna node remains unchanged.
- An example frequency plan is as follows: Communications link transmit operating frequency of 5.700 GHz, receive frequency of 5.100 GHz, stable local oscillator frequency of 2.400 GHz, carrier frequency for the frequency translated transmit signal of 10.5 GHZ, and frequency translated receive signal 9.900 GHz.
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Abstract
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Priority Applications (6)
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CA2610937A CA2610937C (en) | 2005-06-09 | 2006-06-09 | Lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system |
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ES06752794.5T ES2489765T3 (en) | 2005-06-09 | 2006-06-09 | Multi-element active phase antenna system powered by space and light weight |
JP2008515016A JP4951622B2 (en) | 2005-06-09 | 2006-06-09 | Lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system |
EP06752794.5A EP1889327B1 (en) | 2005-06-09 | 2006-06-09 | Lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system |
IL186982A IL186982A (en) | 2005-06-09 | 2007-10-29 | Lightweight space-fed active phased array antenna system |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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RU2007149233A (en) | 2009-07-20 |
JP4951622B2 (en) | 2012-06-13 |
KR20080021645A (en) | 2008-03-07 |
WO2006130993B1 (en) | 2007-02-01 |
US7889129B2 (en) | 2011-02-15 |
CA2610937A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
IL186982A (en) | 2012-01-31 |
CA2610937C (en) | 2012-01-31 |
EP1889327B1 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
IL186982A0 (en) | 2008-02-09 |
EP1889327A4 (en) | 2009-07-08 |
JP2008542768A (en) | 2008-11-27 |
RU2367068C1 (en) | 2009-09-10 |
US20090009391A1 (en) | 2009-01-08 |
EP1889327A1 (en) | 2008-02-20 |
ES2489765T3 (en) | 2014-09-02 |
KR100971096B1 (en) | 2010-07-20 |
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