3D Conformal Antenna Arrays for Wider Beam Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high gain antennas, such as reflectarrays and transmitarrays, have limited beamwidth coverage, typically up to 45°, due to their directive radiation properties, which is insufficient for providing effective mobile coverage in narrow streets and old city centers where steeper beam directions are required.
Innovation Solution
The development of three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiating elements for antenna arrays, including patches, dipoles, and loops, which are designed to be conformal on a hemispherical shape and made from conductive materials, allowing for increased beamwidth coverage up to 60° with minimal footprint and reduced gain drop from the broadside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional directive radiation elements are used in array antennas, then high gain is achieved, but beamwidth coverage is limited to 45°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spherical curvature to the radiating elements by conforming them to a hemispherical surface. This curvature transforms the radiation pattern to achieve wider beamwidth coverage (at least 60°) while maintaining high gain performance, directly resolving the contradiction between beamwidth expansion and gain preservation that plagues conventional planar array antennas
2Area of moving object
If beamwidth coverage is increased to cover narrow streets, then mobile coverage in challenging locations is improved, but antenna footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar arrays to three-dimensional spherical conformal structures. This dimensional transformation allows the antenna to achieve wider beamwidth coverage (at least 60°) without proportionally increasing the physical footprint, as the radiation elements are distributed across a curved surface rather than a flat plane
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The 3D conformal radiating elements enable antenna arrays to achieve a beamwidth coverage of at least 60° with a 3 dB gain drop from the broadside, enhancing mobile coverage in challenging locations while maintaining a small footprint, thus addressing the limitations of existing antennas.
Implementation Method 1
Each radiating element must be conformal on a hemispherical shape... The antenna array can have a beamwidth coverage of at least 60° with a gain beamwidth drop from the broadside of no more than 3 decibles (dB)
Data Source
AI summary
Antenna arrays with three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiating elements are provided, as well as methods of manufacturing and methods of using the same. An array can include a ground plane and a plurality of unit cells disposed thereon. Each unit cell can include a 3D conformal radiating element. The 3D conformal radiating elements can be, for example, patches (e.g., circular 3D patches), dipoles, or loops, and each radiating element is conformal on a hemispherical shape.