Miniaturized Antenna Array With Bent Parasitic Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart antennas formed by multiple directional antennas are difficult to miniaturize due to their large size, which hinders the improvement of anti-interference capabilities and directional control of electromagnetic waves.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a compact antenna array with microstrip dipole antenna elements and parasitic microstrip reflectors, where each directional antenna includes a switch-controlled feed line and reflector, allowing for a smaller form factor and configurable radiation patterns by arranging these components on separate printed circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple directional antennas are used to form a smart antenna, then anti-interference capability and directional control are improved, but the volume and size increase making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is positioned inside the region enclosed by the antenna element, creating a nested configuration where the reflector fits within the spatial envelope of the antenna structure. This nesting allows both components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces, reducing the overall antenna volume while maintaining the directional radiation pattern formed by the antenna-reflector pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar antenna layouts to a three-dimensional configuration where the reflector is bent into a specific shape and positioned at a defined distance from the antenna element. By utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions and bending the reflector surface, the design achieves compact volume while preserving the electromagnetic wave focusing capability necessary for directional control.
2Volume of moving object
If reflectors are placed inside the enclosed region of antenna elements, then antenna size is reduced, but reflectors may overlap with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is designed with an asymmetric bent shape rather than a simple planar configuration. This asymmetric geometry allows the reflector to fit within the enclosed region of the antenna element without overlapping with adjacent reflectors or antenna components, optimizing the compact arrangement while avoiding interference between neighboring elements in the antenna array.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector is bent into a curved surface with specific geometric characteristics, transforming from a flat planar structure to a three-dimensional curved form. This curvature allows the reflector to occupy a more efficient spatial volume, nest within the antenna element's enclosed region, and prevent overlap with adjacent reflectors while maintaining effective electromagnetic wave reflection properties.
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
This configuration results in a miniaturized smart antenna that maintains directional control and anti-interference capabilities, with a reduced size and complexity in design, enabling efficient wireless communications.
Implementation Method 1
The first reflector is a parasitic microstrip antenna element... Two ends of the first reflector are bent toward the first antenna element
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna array and a wireless communications device are disclosed. The antenna array includes at least two directional antennas in different directions. Each directional antenna includes an antenna element, a reflector, a feed line connected to the antenna element, and a switch for controlling the feed line. The antenna element is a microstrip dipole antenna element. The reflector is a parasitic microstrip antenna element. A length of the reflector is greater than a length the antenna element. Two ends of the reflector are bent toward the antenna element. A distance between midpoints of reflectors of any two directional antennas is less than a distance between midpoints of antenna elements thereof. Because the reflectors of the antenna array are located on an inner side of a pattern enclosed by the antenna elements of directional antennas, a size of the antenna array is small.