Antenna Array Layout for Low-Band Gain and Wide-Angle Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna arrays face challenges in achieving both high gain in low-frequency bands and wide-angle scanning in high-frequency bands due to the trade-off between center distances of antenna elements, which affects performance.
Innovation Solution
The antenna array design includes first and second antenna elements, where the second elements are inserted between adjacent first elements, with specific center distances set within a range to maintain high gain in low-frequency bands and enable wide-angle scanning in overlapping high-frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the center distance between antenna elements is increased to improve low-frequency gain, then the gain in low-frequency band is improved, but the scanning angle in high-frequency band becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into two types of antenna elements: first antenna elements arranged with larger center distances to provide high gain in low-frequency bands, and second antenna elements arranged with smaller center distances to enable wide-angle scanning in high-frequency bands. This segmentation allows each segment to optimize for its specific frequency band requirements without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna array have different local qualities: the first antenna elements have larger spacing optimized for low-frequency operation, while the second antenna elements have smaller spacing optimized for high-frequency operation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to perform its specialized function.
2Ease of operation
If the center distance between antenna elements is decreased to improve scanning angle in high-frequency band, then the scanning angle is improved, but the gain in low-frequency band becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into functional segments where second antenna elements with small center distances are dedicated to high-frequency bands for wide-angle scanning, while first antenna elements with large center distances are dedicated to low-frequency bands for high gain. This segmentation prevents the compromise that would occur with uniform spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array achieves multi-functionality by supporting both wide-angle scanning in high-frequency bands and high gain in low-frequency bands simultaneously through the coexistence of two types of antenna elements with different spacing characteristics, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements.
3Power
If the center distance between antenna elements is increased to meet low-frequency gain requirements, then the gain requirement is met, but grating lobes are generated in the antenna directivity pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array segments the large spacing configuration to only first antenna elements operating in low-frequency bands, while second antenna elements operating in high-frequency bands use small spacing to avoid grating lobes. This segmentation allows large spacing without grating lobe issues because each frequency band operates with appropriately scaled spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing parameter is changed based on frequency band: large spacing is used for low-frequency elements while small spacing is used for high-frequency elements. This parameter change resolves the grating lobe issue by ensuring that the electrical spacing remains appropriate for each frequency band's wavelength.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna array includes a plurality of first antenna elements and second antenna element(s). The first antenna elements operate at least in a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and any frequency in the second frequency band is higher than any frequency in the first frequency band. The second antenna element(s) operate at least in a third frequency band, and the third frequency band at least partially overlaps the second frequency band. The first antenna elements are arranged at intervals, and the second antenna element(s) is/are disposed between at least two adjacent first antenna elements. A center distance between every two adjacent first antenna elements is within a preset size range, so that a gain of the antenna array in the first frequency band is greater than or equal to a target value.