Antenna Unit With Anti-Feed Power Divider Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle radar antennas face challenges in enhancing antenna gain and minimizing size within the limited space of a vehicle bumper, especially in the high frequency range of 24 GHz to 77 GHz, while maintaining optimal radiation patterns.
Innovation Solution
The antenna unit incorporates dual metal vias of varying sizes and positions to control power ratio and phase difference, forming a microstrip antenna array with an anti-feed power divider function, which minimizes structure size and achieves hierarchical feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional microstrip type antenna array is used with a coupling structure minimizing the square measure, then the antenna structure size is reduced, but the antenna gain cannot be effectively enhanced in the high frequency range of 24 GHz to 77 GHz
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple antenna units, each comprising a microstrip antenna and a power divider structure. This segmentation allows each unit to be compact while the overall array achieves high gain through coherent combination of multiple radiating elements, resolving the contradiction between small size and high gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The power divider function is merged with the antenna radiating structure by integrating dual metal vias that serve both as feeding elements and as part of the radiating aperture. This merging eliminates the need for separate large-area coupling structures while maintaining high gain through constructive interference of radiated fields.
2Area of stationary object
If the antenna array size is minimized to fit within the vehicle bumper space, then the space constraint is satisfied, but the radiation pattern optimization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dual metal vias are positioned at specific locations with different sizes and orientations to create local field distribution variations. This local quality control allows optimization of the overall radiation pattern while keeping each antenna unit compact, enabling both small size and pattern optimization to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation pattern control is achieved by manipulating the phase and amplitude distribution across the antenna array elements rather than relying solely on physical spacing. This dimensional approach to wave control allows pattern optimization within a minimized physical footprint suitable for vehicle bumper integration.
3Power
If dual metal vias with varying sizes and positions are used to control power ratio and phase difference, then the antenna gain is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual metal vias serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as feeding elements, radiating elements, and phase/amplitude control elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby enhancing antenna gain while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The power ratio and phase difference are controlled by varying the geometric parameters (size, position, orientation) of the metal vias rather than using complex active control circuits. This passive parameter-based control achieves high gain while maintaining relatively simple device structure suitable for mass production.
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 solution effectively enhances antenna gain, optimizes radiation patterns, and reduces the necessary space for the antenna array, achieving a high gain of 24 dB at 76.5 GHz frequency with a minimized structure.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna array properly meeting all aspects of requirements is difficult to be provided... in the high frequency range of 24 GHz to 77 GHz
Implementation Method 2
By varying the size of dual metal vias, the interval distance therebetween, and the relative positions of the vias against the microstrip antenna, the power ratio and phase difference on two sides of the upper layer are precisely controlled
Implementation Method 3
a high impedance wire connecting the first microstrip antenna and the second microstrip antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna unit with anti-feed power divider function includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a microstrip antenna layer, a grounding layer, a microstrip wire layer and two vias. The microstrip antenna layer is disposed on an upper surface of the first substrate and has plural microstrip antennas and a high impedance wire connected to the microstrip antennas. The grounding layer is set on a lower surface of the second substrate. The two vias penetrates the first and the second substrates to electrically connect the microstrip wire layer and the microstrip antennas, wherein the two vias have different sizes. An antenna module thereof is also disclosed. The present invention precisely controls the power ratio and phase difference, utilizable for generating a symmetric and asymmetric feeding antenna array, thereby achieving a hierarchical feeding and minimizing the antenna structure.