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EP-3984097-B1 - INTERLOCKING MODULAR BEAMFORMER

EP3984097B1EP 3984097 B1EP3984097 B1EP 3984097B1EP-3984097-B1

Inventors

  • WILDER, Kevin
  • NUFIO-MOLINA, JONATHAN E.
  • THIESSEN, Phillip W.
  • SIKINA, THOMAS V.
  • BENEDICT, James E.
  • SOUTHWORTH, ANDREW R.
  • KLEK, Erika

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20200605

Claims (11)

  1. An array (20) comprising: a support structure (22) configured to support columns of beamformer assemblies (24); and a plurality of beamformer assemblies (24) supported by the support structure (22), each beamformer assembly (24) including at least one beamformer (40, 50) having at least one first beamformer segment (42) and at least one second beamformer segment (44) configured to interconnect with the at least one first beamformer segment, wherein the at least one first beamformer segment is configured to function as a transmission, TX, line and the at least one second beamformer segment is configured to function as a combiner, wherein each beamformer segment of the at least one first beamformer segment (42) and the at least one second beamformer segment (44) is secured to another by a SNAP-RF edge interface, and wherein, for each beamformer segment of the at least one first beamformer segment (42) and the at least one second beamformer segment (44), the edge interface is provided along each side edge of the segment and comprises interlocking step features to enable adjacently placed segments to be snap-fit connected to one another to connect exposed stripline transmission lines of the at least one first beamformer segment with overlapping exposed stripline transmission lines of the at least one second beamformer segment.
  2. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beamformer assemblies (24) includes a randomized assortment of beamformers (40, 50) with varying numbers of inputs from 3 to 8.
  3. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein each beamformer (40, 50) further includes terminal segments (46) provided at ends of the beamformer.
  4. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein the at least one beamformer (40, 50) further includes between two and eight ports.
  5. The array (20) of claim 4, wherein each first beamformer segment (42) includes a first input (48) provided on a side of the segment and a second input (49) provided on an opposite side of the segment.
  6. The array (20) of claim 5, wherein each second beamformer segment (44) includes a first input (52) provided on a side of the segment and a second input (54) provided on an opposite side of the segment.
  7. The array (20) of claim 6, wherein each second beamformer segment (44) further includes an output (56) provided on one side of the segment.
  8. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein the at least one beamformer (40, 50) further includes at least one of a vertical launch and a Faraday wall (160).
  9. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein the at least one beamformer (40, 50) includes one of a 3:1 beamformer, a 5:1 beamformer, and a 8:1 beamformer.
  10. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein a number of inputs of the at least one beamformer (40, 50) is configured to expand between 2 and 8 inputs by attaching additional TX line boards.
  11. The array (20) of claim 1, wherein each second beamformer segment (44) further includes an output (56) provided on one side of the segment, each second beamformer segment being configured to provide signal crossover to connect adjacent segments to support dual polarization.

Description

BACKGROUND Beamforming or spatial filtering is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. This is achieved by combining elements in an antenna array in such a way that signals at particular angles experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. Beamforming can be used at both the transmitting and receiving ends in order to achieve spatial selectivity. Beamforming can be used for radio or sound waves. It has found numerous applications in radar, sonar, seismology, wireless communications, radio astronomy, acoustics and biomedicine. Beamforming is used to detect and estimate the signal of interest at the output of a sensor array by means of optimal (e.g. least-squares) spatial filtering and interference rejection. Contemporary beamformer designs use several technologies responsible for a high-cost and long manufacturing process. Currently, beamformer designs involve a large number of coaxial cables. Specifically, expensive phase-matched radio frequency (RF) cables are used between RF panels and beamformers. Beamformers are designed uniquely for a particular phased array system and cannot fit in than allocated space, due to feature size and substrate thickness limitations. Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a conventional beamformer simulation model 10. Standard printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication processes have hundreds of process steps, extensive manual labor, and slow cycle turnaround. RF cables require routing, connection and inspection. Such cables are time-consuming to assemble and require in-place testing. Conventional PCBs cannot be processed in long lengths and sizes required for the most cost-effective beamformers, since as mentioned such processing involve many steps, significant costs both with manufacturing and materials, and significant cycle time. As assemblies are moved from one process to the next (e.g., lamination, conductive via backfill) labor cost is added to the overall assembly. The added labor cost adds cycle time which leads to long build times which extend any troubleshooting phase. Moreover, existing processes have feature sizes and substrate thickness limits that may preclude compliance with desired thicknesses. For further background, US 7,492,325B describes a modular electronic architecture according to which electrical components are distributed across substantially identical, interconnected circuit elements or assemblies. Scaling of the electronic device can be achieved by selecting different numbers of circuit elements. This also provides for a compact assembly, formed from interconnection of separate circuit boards in a stack. Particular applications include the provision of beam forming networks in connection with phased array antennas in which the beam forming networks are formed on circuit boards having an area that is about the same size as the area of a circuit board on which the antenna elements are formed. SUMMARY According to the invention, there is provided an array according to appended claim 1. There is described herein an array comprising a support structure configured to support columns of beamformer assemblies, and a plurality of beamformer assemblies supported by the support structure. Each beamformer assembly includes at least one beamformer having at least one first beamformer segment and at least one second beamformer segment configured to interconnect with the first beamformer segment. Each beamformer segment of the first beamformer segment and the second beamformer segment is secured to one another by a SNAP-RF edge interface. For each beamformer segment of the first beamformer segment and the second beamformer segment, the edge interface is provided along each side edge of the segment to enable adjacently placed segments to be snap-fit connected to one another. Embodiments of the array further may include a randomized assortment of beamformers with varying numbers of inputs from 3 to 8. The first beamformer segment functions as a TX line and the second beamformer segment functions as a combiner. Each beamformer further may include terminal segments provided at ends of the beamformer. The at least one beamformer further may include between two and eight ports. Each first beamformer segment may include a first input provided on a side of the segment and a second input provided on an opposite side of the segment. Each second beamformer segment may include a first input provided on a side of the segment and a second input provided on an opposite side of the segment. Each second beamformer segment further may include an output provided on one side of the segment. The at least one beamformer further may include at least one of a vertical launch and a Faraday wall. There is described herein a beamformer comprising at least one first beamformer segment, and at least one second beamformer segment configured to interconnect with the first beamformer segment. E