Reconfigurable Antenna Ground Plane Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reconfigurable antenna structures with small ground planes and short distances between active and passive radiating elements suffer from current coupling issues, leading to unwanted tilt of radiation patterns, reduced gain, and poor coverage, especially in point-to-point communication devices.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna structure with a ground plane structure that includes regulating means, such as slots or cut-outs, to control current distribution and prevent unwanted electromagnetic radiation, allowing selective connection/disconnection of passive radiating elements with the ground plane to maintain optimal radiation patterns along the azimuth and elevation planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ground plane is made small and distances between radiating elements are shortened to achieve compact geometry, then the antenna structure becomes more compact and easier to manufacture, but current coupling between active and passive elements increases causing radiation pattern tilt and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The ground plane is segmented into multiple separate ground plane elements rather than forming a continuous plane. This segmentation disrupts the current coupling path between active and passive radiating elements, preventing the ground plane from acting as a parasitic radiator that causes pattern tilt, while still maintaining the compact overall antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different electrical characteristics to different regions of the ground plane by creating slots and cut-outs at specific locations. These local modifications prevent current flow in critical areas where coupling would occur, while maintaining ground plane continuity in other regions where it is beneficial for impedance matching and structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If passive radiating elements are electrically connected to ground plane to function as directors or reflectors, then radiation characteristics can be varied, but induced currents in the ground plane create unwanted electromagnetic radiation that tilts the radiation pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The ground plane is divided into multiple separate elements with gaps and slots between them. This segmentation prevents continuous current flow along the ground plane that would generate unwanted electromagnetic radiation, while still allowing the passive radiating elements to be electrically connected to ground plane elements for controlled operation as directors or reflectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces slots and cut-outs as intermediary structures between the active radiating element and the ground plane. These slots act as mediators that control and limit current flow paths, preventing the ground plane from becoming a parasitic radiator while still maintaining the necessary electrical connections for reconfigurable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switching devices are used to connect/disconnect passive radiating elements with ground plane, then radiation pattern can be reconfigured, but the complexity of the antenna structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs switching devices to dynamically reconfigure the electrical connections between passive radiating elements and ground plane elements. This allows the antenna to adapt its radiation characteristics by changing the operational state of the switches, enabling different radiation patterns and beam directions without physical reconfiguration of the antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground plane elements serve multiple functions: they provide the reference potential for impedance matching, act as parasitic radiators for pattern control, and serve as connection points for the switching devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure despite the reconfigurable capabilities.
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 antenna structure effectively reduces radiation pattern tilt, enhances directivity, and maintains high performance with compact planar geometries, suitable for industrial production and use in communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
passive radiating elements which are equivalent electrical lengths shorter than operating wavelengths... the passive radiating elements can be electrically connected/disconnected with a ground plane
Implementation Method 2
current coupling between the active and passive radiating elements is determined by the received/emitted electromagnetic radiation as well as by the currents flowing along the ground plane, which are conveyed by said received/emitted electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a reconfigurable antenna structure. The antenna structure comprises an active radiating structure comprising at least an active radiating element, a passive radiating structure comprising at least a passive radiating element, a ground plane structure comprising at least a ground plane element and at least a first circuitry element to selectively electrically connect/disconnect said passive radiating element with/from said ground plane element. The ground plane structure comprises regulating means of the current distribution along said ground plane structure, when said antenna structure emits/receives an electromagnetic radiation.