Antenna Tile Ground Cavities Integrated into Support Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antenna tile designs are hindered by high manufacturing costs and excessive mass, making them non-viable due to the use of expensive customized composite structures and separate ground-resonating cavity boxes.
Innovation Solution
Integrating resonating ground cavities into the support structure of the antenna tile, which reduces the need for additional parts and simplifies assembly, and using a stock aluminum honeycomb support structure to lower costs and mass, while improving thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ground-resonating cavity boxes are used in antenna tile designs, then antenna performance is maintained, but manufacturing cost and mass increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ground-resonating cavity boxes with the support structure into a single integrated component. The support structure includes integrated ground cavities that serve both structural support and electromagnetic resonance functions, eliminating the need for separate cavity boxes. This integration maintains antenna performance while significantly reducing mass and manufacturing cost.
2Strength
If customized composite support structures are used in antenna tiles, then structural requirements are met, but manufacturing cost increases by 90%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal support structure that serves multiple functions: mechanical support, thermal management, and electromagnetic resonance. The aluminum honeycomb structure with integrated ground cavities replaces customized composite structures, providing the same structural capability while being manufactured from standard materials and processes, reducing cost by 90%.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in antenna tiles, then functional requirements are met, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (support structure and ground-resonating cavity boxes) into a single integrated support structure with built-in ground cavities. This reduction in part count simplifies the assembly process, eliminates alignment issues between separate components, and reduces assembly time while maintaining all required functional performance.
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 approach significantly reduces the overall cost and mass of the antenna tile by 90% and simplifies the assembly process, enhancing both performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more ground cavities may resonate standing waves
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of an antenna tile and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. An antenna tile may include one or more antenna patch elements, a circuit board, and a support structure. The one or more antenna patch elements may radiate radio frequency (RF) signals, and each of the one or more antenna patch elements may include a conductive layer. The circuit board may be disposed between the one or more antenna patch elements and the support structure. The support structure may include one or more ground cavities. The one or more ground cavities may be integrated into the support structure and may be electrically conductive. The one or more ground cavities may resonate standing waves, and the one or more ground cavities may be disposed below the respective one or more antenna patch elements.