Method and apparatus for mitigating array antenna performance degradation caused by element failure
First Claim
1. A method for managing operation of an array antenna system, comprising the steps of:
- providing an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in fixed relation to one another;
activating a predetermined number of said plurality of antenna elements to form an antenna beam for use in communicating with an exterior environment, said predetermined number being less than a total number of elements in said plurality of antenna elements;
monitoring active antenna elements in said plurality of antenna elements to detect whether an element failure has occurred; and
when an element failure is detected, activating a previously inactive antenna element in said plurality of antenna elements to replace a failed element.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An array antenna (10) having a plurality of antenna elements (12) keeps only a subset of elements active during normal antenna operation. When a failure of one of the active elements in the array (10) is detected, one of the previously inactive elements (46) is activated to operate as a replacement for the failed element (50). The number of elements that are active during normal operation is selected to achieve a level of antenna performance required by an underlying antenna application. Thus, a desired level of antenna performance is maintained during the life of the array antenna (10) without the consumption of excess power by spare elements in the antenna. Redistributions of inactive element locations are periodically performed during the life of the array antenna (10) to enhance antenna performance in light of failed element locations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for managing operation of an array antenna system, comprising the steps of:
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providing an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in fixed relation to one another; activating a predetermined number of said plurality of antenna elements to form an antenna beam for use in communicating with an exterior environment, said predetermined number being less than a total number of elements in said plurality of antenna elements; monitoring active antenna elements in said plurality of antenna elements to detect whether an element failure has occurred; and when an element failure is detected, activating a previously inactive antenna element in said plurality of antenna elements to replace a failed element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An array antenna system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements arranged in fixed relation to one another; a controller for activating a predetermined number of antenna elements within said plurality of antenna elements to generate an antenna beam for use in performing signal transfer functions with an exterior environment, said predetermined number being less than a total number of elements in said plurality of antenna elements; a monitor for monitoring active antenna elements within said plurality of antenna elements to determine when an element failure has occurred; and means for activating a previously inactive antenna element within said plurality of antenna elements for use in generating said antenna beam in response to detection of an element failure by said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An array antenna system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements having a total number of elements that is greater than a number required to achieve a desired level of antenna performance; a plurality of solid state modules, each of said plurality of solid state modules being coupled to at least one of said plurality of antenna elements; and a controller for controlling operation of said array antenna system, said controller including means for individually activating and deactivating each of said plurality of solid state modules, said controller maintaining only a subset of said plurality of solid state modules in an active condition during operation of said array antenna system, said subset of said plurality of solid state modules including a predetermined quantity of solid state modules that is less than a total quantity of solid state modules in the plurality of solid state modules, said controller including means for automatically activating an inactive solid state module in said plurality of solid state modules when an active solid state module indicates that a failure has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification