Antenna Radiation Collimator Using Resonator Circuit Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas struggle to convert omni-directional electromagnetic radiation into collimated beams efficiently, often resulting in significant signal loss and requiring costly, heavy components like convergent lenses or guided wave horns, which are undesirable in portable applications.
Innovation Solution
An antenna radiation collimator structure composed of resonator circuit boards with dielectric material spacers and conductive unit resonator cells and strip lines, redirecting radiation into collimated beams with increased intensity without increasing output power, providing a lightweight and compact solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If convergent lenses or angular filters are used to convert omni-directional radiation to collimated beam, then collimated beam is produced, but significant signal loss occurs and system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the circuit board structure by introducing resonator cells with specific geometric configurations and spacing. The resonator cells are designed with particular dimensions and arrangements that manipulate electromagnetic wave parameters (phase, amplitude, direction) to achieve collimation without the energy losses associated with conventional lenses or filters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of convergent lenses or angular filters with an electromagnetic resonant system implemented through circuit board traces. Instead of using physical optical elements that block or absorb energy, the invention uses resonant electromagnetic fields to redirect and collimate the radiation, substituting a field-based mechanism for a material-based mechanism
2Shape
If horns are used to convert omni-directional radiation to collimated beam, then collimated beam is produced, but system weight increases making it undesirable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the heavy metallic horn structure into a lightweight circuit board implementation by changing the physical form factor while maintaining the electromagnetic function. The resonator cells are etched directly onto thin circuit board substrates, reducing weight by orders of magnitude compared to traditional horn antennas while achieving the same collimation effect through resonant field manipulation
3Adaptability or versatility
If convergent lenses or angular filters are used to provide bidirectional collimated beam, then bidirectional coverage is achieved, but system cost increases due to requiring pairs of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric resonator cell configurations on the circuit board that inherently produce bidirectional radiation patterns. By designing the resonator geometry and positioning to exploit electromagnetic symmetry principles, a single circuit board structure generates collimated beams in opposite directions simultaneously, eliminating the need for paired components and reducing system complexity and cost
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 structure effectively converts omni-directional radiation into collimated beams with greater intensity and power, reducing signal loss and system weight, while maintaining a compact and portable design.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of conductive unit resonator cells may be disposed on first planar surfaces (e.g., top surfaces) of each of the number of resonator circuit boards. Furthermore, a plurality of conductive strip lines may also be disposed on second planar surfaces (e.g., bottom surfaces) of each of the number of resonator circuit boards.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna radiation collimator structure is provided as including a number of resonator circuit boards oriented to form a block structure. A sheet of dielectric material is disposed between each of the number of resonator circuit boards to maintain a substantially uniform spacing between each of the resonator circuit boards. A plurality of conductive unit resonator cells may be disposed on first planar surfaces of each of the number of resonator circuit boards and a plurality of conductive strip lines may also be disposed on second planar surfaces of each of the number of resonator circuit boards. In this arrangement, radiation applied to a substantially central location of the block structure interacts with the plurality of conductive unit resonator cells and the plurality of conductive strip lines for redirecting the radiation out of front and rear facing surfaces of the block structure as respective first and second substantially collimated beams.