US-12620709-B2 - Full-duplex circular parasitic array assembly

Abstract

A system may include a circular parasitic array (CPA) assembly including: a first CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; and a second CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over a first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth or a second bandwidth, wherein the first CPA and the second CPA are physically separated by a distance so as to provide on-frequency isolation.

Inventors

• James B. West
• Zackery M. Hamilton
• Jiwon L Moran
• James A. Stevens
• Joseph T. Graf

Assignees

• ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230719

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A system, comprising: a circular parasitic array (CPA) assembly, comprising: a first CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; and a second CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over a first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth or a second bandwidth; wherein the first CPA and the second CPA are physically separated by a horizontal distance so as to provide on-frequency isolation, wherein the CPA assembly is a full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is a single-band full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the first CPA and the second CPA are positioned over an at least partially conductive surface extending between the first CPA and the second CPA.
2. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the CPA assembly is a full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth.
3. 3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the CPA assembly is a multiple-mode CPA assembly configured to operate in a half-duplex mode and/or a full-duplex mode at a given time.
4. 4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the CPA assembly is a full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over a first frequency within the first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over a second frequency within the first bandwidth.
5. 5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly further comprises at least one high impedance surface (HIS), each of the at least one high impedance surface (HIS) positioned between (a) one or more of the first and second CPAs and (b) the at least partially conductive surface.
6. 6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising an unmanned aerial system (UAS) comprising the at least partially conductive surface, wherein the at least partially conductive surface is an at least partially conductive aerodynamic surface of the UAS.
7. 7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the CPA assembly is a stacked CPA assembly, wherein the first CPA is positioned above the second CPA, wherein the distance is a vertical distance, wherein the stacked CPA assembly further comprises a high impedance surface (HIS) positioned between the first CPA and the second CPA, wherein the HIS is configured to provide further on-frequency isolation.
8. 8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the HIS is a double-sided HIS.
9. 9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the stacked CPA assembly is a multiple band stacked CPA assembly, wherein the stacked CPA further comprises: a third CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; a fourth CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; a second HIS positioned between the second CPA and the third CPA; and a third HIS positioned between the third CPA and the fourth CPA; wherein the third CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth, the second bandwidth, or a third bandwidth while the fourth CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth, the second bandwidth, the third bandwidth, or a fourth bandwidth; wherein the second CPA is positioned above the third CPA; wherein the third CPA is positioned above the fourth CPA.
10. 10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the third CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over the third bandwidth while the fourth CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the third bandwidth.
11. 11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the stacked CPA assembly is a multiple band full-duplex stacked CPA assembly, wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth.
12. 12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the stacked CPA assembly further comprises: a fifth CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; a sixth CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; a fourth HIS positioned between the fourth CPA and the fifth CPA; and a fifth HIS positioned between the fifth CPA and the sixth CPA; wherein the fifth CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth, the second bandwidth, the third bandwidth, the fourth bandwidth, or a fifth bandwidth while the sixth CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth, the second bandwidth, the third bandwidth, the fourth bandwidth, the fifth bandwidth, or a sixth bandwidth; wherein the fourth CPA is positioned above the fifth CPA; wherein the fifth CPA is positioned above the sixth CPA.
13. 13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first bandwidth is in one of the Ku, Ka, or C bands.
14. 14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first bandwidth is in the Ku band, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to use a Ku Band Common Data Link (CDL) protocol.
15. 15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the CPA assembly is a full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to form at least one null in a radiation pattern of the full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to use the at least one null to further provide full-duplex isolation for classes of continuous waveforms that tolerate latency between transmit and receive.
16. 16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the radiation pattern includes an omnidirectional receive beam and a directional transmit beam, wherein the omnidirectional receive beam has the at least one null, wherein one or more of the at least null of the omnidirectional receive beam tracks the directional transmit beam to achieve the further full-duplex isolation.
17. 17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the radiation pattern includes a directional receive beam and a directional transmit beam, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is further configured to synchronously sweep the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam in a same direction with a time delay between the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam.
18. 18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the radiation pattern includes a directional receive beam and a directional transmit beam, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is further configured to synchronously sweep the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam in opposite directions with a time delay between the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam.
19. 19 . A system, comprising: a full duplex circular parasitic array (CPA) assembly, comprising: a first CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; and a second CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over a first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth or a second bandwidth; wherein the first CPA and the second CPA are physically separated by a distance so as to provide on-frequency isolation, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to form at least one null in a radiation pattern of the full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to use the at least one null to further provide full-duplex isolation for classes of continuous waveforms that tolerate latency between transmit and receive, wherein the radiation pattern includes a directional receive beam and a directional transmit beam, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is further configured to synchronously sweep the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam in a same direction with a time delay between the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam.
20. 20 . A system, comprising: a full duplex circular parasitic array (CPA) assembly, comprising: a first CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; and a second CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over a first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth or a second bandwidth; wherein the first CPA and the second CPA are physically separated by a distance so as to provide on-frequency isolation, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to form at least one null in a radiation pattern of the full-duplex CPA assembly, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is configured to use the at least one null to further provide full-duplex isolation for classes of continuous waveforms that tolerate latency between transmit and receive, wherein the radiation pattern includes a directional receive beam and a directional transmit beam, wherein the full-duplex CPA assembly is further configured to synchronously sweep the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam in opposite directions with a time delay between the directional receive beam and the directional transmit beam.

Description

BACKGROUND The current Ku Band Common Data (CDL) Link definition specifies full-duplex (e.g., simultaneous transmit and receive) transceiver operation. Full-duplex operation traditionally has been a very difficult problem where the radiated transmitter power “stomps on” and desensitizes the receive (Rx) chain, which may leave the Rx chain inoperable, or may even damage delicate Ku band receiver circuitry. Traditional full-Duplex CDL systems utilize relatively physically large and expensive antenna and expensive high-performance duplexers to isolate the transceiver's Rx chain from the transmit (Tx) chain, which can require additional mechanical volume that can be problematic for highly miniaturized, size, weight, and, power, and cost (SWaP-C)-challenged airborne payload packages. Currently, high performance duplexers are required due to the close Rx-to-Tx frequency separation of Ku Band CDL system requirements. Currently, high performance duplexers add undesirable mechanical packaging weight and volume since they are high Q waveguide filters of high order (e.g., 9-10 filter poles) to meet stringent Rx-to-Tx isolation requirements for highly miniaturized, SWaP-C-challenged airborne payload packages. Incumbent Ku Band CDL systems currently utilize heavy and expensive directional antennas that require direct current (DC) power-hungry two-axis mechanical positioning systems with complicated discovery and tracking algorithms; such incumbent Ku Band CDL systems are SWaP-C incompatible with small form factor unmanned aerial system (UAS) platforms. Incumbent directional Ku Band antenna systems are SWAP-C and aerodynamic-drag incompatible with small form factor UAS systems. Directional communications in connected battle space typically have multi-frequency multi-function data link communications capabilities, such as used in air platforms (e.g., SWaP-C-limited attritable assets and future vertical lift (FVL) air platforms). A circular parasitic array (CPA) is an example of a very SWaP-C optimized and very low-cost active electronically steered antenna (AESA) that can provide reconfiguration of omni and directional fan beam direction modes with 360° azimuthal beam steering, such as by means of on/off switch (e.g., diodes) actuation to or from azimuthal directional beam scanning. Typically, a CPA's beam steering controller is much simpler than that of a planar two-dimensional (2D) AESA, which cannot produce 360° azimuthal beam coverage with a single planar 2D AESA panel. Currently, existing CPAs cannot enable multi-band communication where frequency bands are widely separated, such as a separation between C band and Ka band. Currently, common-aperture full-duplex AESAs do not exist as common off the shelf (COTS) offerings. SUMMARY In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system. The system may include a circular parasitic array (CPA) assembly including: a first CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; and a second CPA configured to at least one of transmit or receive; wherein the first CPA is configured to one of transmit or receive over a first bandwidth while the second CPA is configured to another of transmit or receive over the first bandwidth or a second bandwidth, wherein the first CPA and the second CPA are physically separated by a distance so as to provide on-frequency isolation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Implementations of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some features may be exaggerated and some features may be omitted or may be represented schematically in the interest of clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar element, feature, or function. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are views of exemplary embodiments of the circular parasitic array assembly of the system of FIG. 1 according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. FIGS. 3A and 3B include views of exemplary embodiments of the circular parasitic array assembly of the system of FIG. 1 according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. FIG. 4 is view of exemplary embodiment of a first circular parasitic array of the circular parasitic array assembly of the system of FIG. 1 according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. FIG. 5 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B are views of exemplary embodiments of the circular parasitic array assembly of the system of FIG. 5 according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. FIGS. 9A and 9B are exemplary graphs of radiation patterns associated with exemplary embod