Heat regulation for components of phased array antennas
Systems and methods are provided for regulating heat for a Phased Array Antenna (PAA). The system includes a PAA, which includes array elements to handle Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The PAA also includes a circuit. The circuit includes an amplifier that operates on a current to amplify signals for the PAA, and a sensor that measures temperature at the MMIC. The PAA also includes an array controller that adjusts the current for the amplifier based on a temperature measured by the sensor.
1. A system comprising:
a Phased Array Antenna (PAA) comprising:
a plurality of array elements that handle Radio Frequency (RF) signals; and
a circuit comprising:
an amplifier that consumes a bias current to amplify RF signals for the PAA; and
a sensor that measures temperature at the circuit; and
an array controller that adjusts the bias current for the amplifier based on a temperature measured by the sensor.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the array controller identifies a threshold value, and reduces the bias current for the amplifier in response to detecting that the temperature measured by the sensor exceeds the threshold value.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein:
the array controller scales the amount of reduction to the bias current based on a difference between the threshold value and the temperature measured by the sensor.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the array controller adjusts the bias current for the amplifier by directing a programmable Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) at the circuit to alter the bias current.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the PAA transmits the RF signals via the array elements, in response to receiving amplified signals via the circuits.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the PAA receives the RF signals via the array elements, and the circuits amplify the received RF signals.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
each circuit comprises a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC).
8. A method comprising:
measuring a temperature at a circuit of a Phased Array Antenna (PAA), wherein the circuit includes an amplifier configured to consume bias current to amplify Radio Frequency (RF) signals for the PAA;
determining an amount of adjustment to the bias current for the amplifier, based on the temperature; and
adjusting the bias current for the amplifier by the determined amount.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
identifying a threshold value; and
reducing the bias current for the amplifier in response to detecting that the temperature measured at the circuit exceeds the threshold value.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
scaling the amount of reduction to the bias current based on a difference between the threshold value and the temperature measured at the circuit.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
adjusting the current for the amplifier by directing a programmable Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) at the circuit to alter the bias current.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
transmitting RF signals via array elements of the PAA, in response to receiving amplified signals via the circuit.
13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
receiving RF signals via array elements of the PAA; and
operating the circuit to amplify the received RF signals.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the circuit comprises a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC).
15. A system comprising:
a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) for a Phased Array Antenna (PAA), the MMIC comprising:
an amplifier that consumes current to amplify Radio Frequency (RF) signals for an array element of the PAA;
a sensor that measures temperatures proximate to the amplifier; and
a programmable Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) that adjusts an amount of current for the amplifier in response to input, wherein the input is based on a temperature measured by the sensor, and an amount of reduction to the current is scaled based on a difference between a threshold value and the temperature measured by the sensor.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein:
the current is a bias current.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein:
the MMIC further comprises a data interface that includes registers that store information for controlling the DAC.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein:
the MMIC further comprises multiple amplifiers, and multiple sensors that are each proximate to a different amplifier.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein:
the MMIC further comprises multiple DACs each adjust an amount of current for a different amplifier.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein:
the MMIC further comprises multiple amplifiers, a phase shifter, an attenuator, and a polarizer that each modify the RF signals.