Adjustable Beamwidth Aviation Antenna with Directional and Omni-Directional Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF devices, such as TCAS and CISS antennas, are often large, narrowband, with poor impedance matching and smaller-than-desired beamwidths, limiting their effectiveness in providing omni-directional and directional coverage across a wide frequency range.
Innovation Solution
A monopole antenna array with capacitive hat elements and inductive shorting elements, configured for uniform or variable phase-fed operation, allowing for adjustable beamwidth and mode switching between omni-directional and directional beams, integrated with a processor for adaptive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If current RF devices (TCAS/CISS antennas) are used, then directional coverage is provided, but the antenna size is large and beamwidth is smaller-than-desired
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple monopole elements arranged in an array configuration. Each monopole element is a separate radiating unit that can be independently phase-fed, allowing the overall array to achieve broader beamwidth coverage while keeping individual elements compact in size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-element antennas to a multi-element array arrangement, adding spatial dimensionality to the system. This array configuration enables broader coverage patterns without increasing the physical footprint of individual radiating elements.
2Reliability
If current RF devices are used, then antenna functionality is provided, but impedance matching characteristics are less than desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs capacitive hat elements and inductive shorting elements that modify the electrical parameters of each monopole. These reactive elements tune the impedance characteristics of the antenna, achieving desirable impedance matching across the operating frequency range while maintaining a relatively simple monopole structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current RF devices are used, then antenna operation is provided, but bandwidth is intrinsically narrowband
Solution Approach 1:
The monopole antenna array with capacitive hat and inductive shorting elements is designed to operate across a wide frequency range (900 MHz to 10 GHz). The same antenna structure provides universal coverage for multiple frequency bands including GPS, XM, and TCAS/CISS operations, eliminating the need for separate narrowband antennas.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frequency bands are covered with separate antennas, then frequency coverage is provided, but size, weight, and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions into a single monopole array structure that can operate across GPS, XM, and TCAS/CISS frequency bands. By merging these functions into one unified antenna system with phase-fed capability, the patent reduces the total weight, size, and maintenance requirements compared to using separate antennas for each frequency band.
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 solution enables a compact, ultra-wideband antenna system with improved impedance matching and broader bandwidth, reducing size, weight, and maintenance costs while enhancing communication integrity by coalescing multiple frequency bands into a single antenna module.
Implementation Method 1
each monopole included in the plurality of monopoles being configured with a capacitive hat element
Implementation Method 2
an inductive shorting element
Implementation Method 3
the radiating element of each monopole included in the plurality of monopoles is configured for being variably and/or uniformly phase-fed, thereby allowing the antenna array to effect at least one of: a directional beam and an omni-directional beam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an adjustable beamwidth, loaded monopole antenna array. The array may include four monopole antennas. Each of the antennas may include a generally symmetric, tapered radiating element and an inductive shorting wall element. The array may further include a capacitive top hat element which may be connected to each of the antennas. The array may further include a ground plane element which may be connected to each of the antennas. The array may further include a plurality of feed posts which may be connected to the antennas. Further, each feed post may be connected to a power feed line. Each radiating element may be variably phase-fed and/or uniformly phase-fed for allowing the antenna array to effect a directional beam and/or an omni-directional beam.