基于巴特勒矩阵波束形成网络的快速原型设计

Rapid Prototype Design Based on Butler Matrix Beamforming Network

相控阵馈源(PAF)可以同时形成多个波束,有效扩大视场,提高扫描速度,是下一代射电望远镜的关键技术之一。波束形成网络是相控阵馈源的重要组成部分。为了使相控阵馈源的仿真结果误差更小,有必要把相控阵馈源和波束形成网络放在一起进行场路联合仿真。和有源相控阵相比,无源相控阵波束形成网络具有价格低廉、易于设计的优点。文中采用COMSOLMultiphysics多物理场仿真软件对巴特勒矩阵波束形成网络的原型设计进行仿真,相比于传统的电磁仿真软件,能极大减少建模和仿真时间,减小场路联合仿真的复杂性,更快地对相控阵馈源进行性能评估。

Phased Array Feed(Phased Array Feed,PAF)can form multiple beams at the same time,effectively expand the field of view and improve the scanning speed.It is one of the key technology of the next generation of radio telescopes.Beamforming network is an important part of phased array feed.In order to reduce the error of the simulation results of the phased array feeders,it is necessary to combine the phased array feeders with the beamforming network for the field-path joint simulation.Compared with active phased array,passive phased array beamforming network has the advantages of low cost and easy design.This paper adopts COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate the prototype design of butler matrix beamforming network.Compared with traditional electromagnetic simulation software,it can greatly reduce the modeling and simulation time,reduce the complexity of field-path joint simulation,and evaluate the performance of phased array feeders more quickly.