Antenna Array with Metal Loops for Beam Width Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antenna arrays face challenges in designing large beam widths and improving communication performance, particularly in supporting multiple frequency bands and polarization directions while maintaining a compact size.

Innovation Solution

The proposed antenna array consists of a dielectric substrate with four antenna units, each featuring a metal loop and feeding metal element, optimized for millimeter-wave operations across two frequency bands (28GHz and 39GHz), allowing for adjustable polarization and beam direction through phase differences between signal sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antenna arrays are used to achieve high directivity and high gain, then communication performance is improved, but beam width becomes narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidbeam width
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna array is divided into four independent antenna units, each comprising a metal loop and feeding metal element. Each unit can be independently controlled with separate signal sources, allowing individual phase and amplitude adjustment to shape the overall radiation pattern and achieve both high gain and large beam width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna array employs dynamic phase control through independent signal sources for each antenna unit. By adjusting the phase differences between signal sources, the beam direction and width can be dynamically changed, enabling the system to adapt between high directivity and large beam width requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If antenna arrays are designed to support multiple frequency bands, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each antenna unit is designed with a metal loop structure that inherently supports wideband operations. The loop structure with hollow portions can resonate at multiple frequencies, allowing a single antenna unit to cover both first and second frequency bands of millimeter-wave operations without requiring separate antenna elements for each band

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna array achieves multi-frequency band support by utilizing the resonant characteristics of the metal loop structures. The hollow portions within the loops create multiple resonant modes, allowing the same physical structure to operate across different frequency bands by exploiting different resonant frequencies of the loop configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves a large beam width, omnidirectional radiation patterns, and supports wideband operations, making it suitable for next-generation 5G communication devices with improved communication performance and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

The first antenna unit includes a first metal loop and a first feeding metal element. The first feeding metal element is coupled to a first signal source and is adjacent to the first metal loop.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3817146B1Antenna array
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 WISTRON CORP
  • EP3817146B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3817146B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3817146B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An antenna array (100) includes a dielectric substrate (110), a ground metal plane (120), a first antenna unit (130), a second antenna unit (140), a third antenna unit (150), and a fourth antenna unit (160). The first antenna unit (130) includes a first metal loop (131) and a first feeding metal element (132). The first feeding metal element (132) is adjacent to the first metal loop (131). The second antenna unit (140) includes a second metal loop (141) and a second feeding metal element (142). The second feeding metal element (142) is adjacent to the second metal loop (141). The third antenna unit (150) includes a third metal loop (151) and a third feeding metal element (152). The third feeding metal element (152) is adjacent to the third metal loop (151). The fourth antenna unit (160) includes a fourth metal loop (161) and a fourth feeding metal element (162). The fourth feeding metal element (162) is adjacent to the fourth metal loop (161).