Half-Wavelength Antenna Array With Metasurface Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices struggle to meet the requirements of both communication and sensing functions due to differing beam configuration needs, with communication functions often prioritizing large antennas that hinder the implementation of half-wavelength spacing necessary for high angular resolution in sensing.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a phase modulation module using metasurface units to modulate wavefront phases, allowing for half-wavelength antenna spacing without the need for power dividers, and switches to manage antenna connections for efficient sensing and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large antennas are used to implement narrow beam communication, then communication function is improved, but antenna spacing cannot be set to half-wavelength, degrading sensing function
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple independent antenna elements with half-wavelength spacing, allowing each element to contribute to both narrow beam formation through phase modulation and high-resolution sensing through precise spatial sampling. This segmentation enables the system to achieve narrow beam width without requiring individually large antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter of antenna spacing to exactly one half of the target wavelength, which is critical for achieving both narrow beam communication and high angular resolution sensing. This precise parameter control allows the antenna array to function effectively for both communication and sensing purposes simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If power dividers are used to create narrow beams, then communication function is improved, but device size increases, making half-wavelength spacing difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional power divider-based beam forming mechanisms with a phase modulation module that uses metasurface units. This substitution eliminates the need for complex power dividing networks and large physical components, enabling compact device design while maintaining narrow beam capability through electronic phase control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes from power-based beam control to phase-based beam control. By modulating the phase of signals at each antenna element rather than using power dividers to split and combine signals, the system achieves narrow beams with significantly reduced device size and enables precise half-wavelength antenna spacing.
3Volume of moving object
If antenna spacing is reduced to fit device constraints, then device size is reduced, but angular resolution for sensing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes the optimal antenna spacing parameter as exactly one half of the target wavelength, which maximizes angular resolution for sensing. This precise parameter setting ensures that the antenna array maintains high spatial sampling density, enabling accurate direction-of-arrival estimation and high angular resolution regardless of the overall device size.
4Productivity
If existing network devices are designed based on communication requirements, then communication function is optimized, but sensing function performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal antenna array system with half-wavelength spacing that can simultaneously perform both communication and sensing functions with high performance. The same antenna elements and phase modulation module are used for both narrow beam communication and high-resolution sensing, eliminating the need for separate optimized systems and achieving multi-functionality without compromise.
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 simultaneous narrow beam communication and high angular resolution sensing, reducing device size and cost while maintaining performance in both functions.
Implementation Method 1
the phase modulation module is configured to modulate, based on a control signal of the processing module, a wavefront phase of signals transmitted or received through the M antennas
Implementation Method 2
The antenna module includes M antennas, a spacing between two adjacent antennas in the M antennas is one half of a target wavelength, the target wavelength is a wavelength of signals transmitted through the M antennas
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment of this application provides a network device, including a processing module, a signal transmission module, an antenna module, and a phase modulation module. The signal transmission module is electrically connected to the processing module and the antenna module. The signal transmission module is configured to: transmit a signal sent by the processing module to the antenna module, and the signal transmission module is configured to transmit a signal received by the antenna module to the processing module. The antenna module includes M antennas, a spacing between two adjacent antennas in the M antennas is one half of a target wavelength, and the M antennas are arranged in a planar configuration. The phase modulation module is electrically connected to the processing module, the phase modulation module is located on a plane perpendicular to a radiation direction of the antenna module, the phase modulation module includes a plurality of phase modulation units, and the phase modulation module is configured to modulate, based on a control signal of the processing module, a wavefront phase of signals transmitted or received through the M antennas. The network device can meet requirements of both communication and sensing functions.