Arc-Shaped Liquid Crystal Phased-Array Antenna Scanning Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased-array antennas have a limited scanning range of −45° to +45° relative to the array plane normal, which restricts their application and development due to significant gain reduction during scanning operations.
Innovation Solution
The phased-array antenna design incorporates an arc-shaped liquid crystal cell with bias electrodes and radiating elements arranged on convex surfaces, allowing for increased angular range of electromagnetic wave radiation and reduced gain loss during scanning, enabling scanning at larger elevation angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional phased-array antenna with planar substrates is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the scanning range is limited to −45° to +45° with dramatic gain reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the conventional planar substrates with arc-shaped substrates. The first and second base substrates are both formed as arcs, creating a curved liquid crystal cell structure. This curvature enables the radiating elements to be arranged on a curved surface, which allows the antenna to scan at larger elevation angles beyond the conventional −45° to +45° range while maintaining stable gain performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning angle is increased beyond −45° to +45°, then the spatial scanning capability is improved, but the gain reduces dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped substrate configuration enables the antenna to scan at larger elevation angles while maintaining stable gain. The curved arrangement of radiating elements on the arc-shaped substrate creates optimal radiation patterns for wide-angle scanning, preventing the dramatic gain reduction that occurs in conventional planar antennas when scanning beyond ±45°.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the substrate from planar to arc-shaped, fundamentally altering the spatial arrangement of radiating elements. This parameter change enables the antenna to maintain consistent signal gain across a wider scanning range by optimizing the radiation pattern for large elevation angles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If planar substrates are used in the liquid crystal cell, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the angular range of electromagnetic wave radiation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements curved substrates to expand the angular range of electromagnetic wave radiation. The arc-shaped first and second base substrates allow the liquid crystal cell to radiate electromagnetic waves over a wider angular range, enabling superior spatial scanning capabilities compared to conventional planar structures.
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 design enhances the scanning range of phased-array antennas, allowing them to operate effectively at low elevation angles and increasing their spatial scanning capabilities beyond conventional limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic signal is introduced into the liquid crystal cell, and liquid crystals are deflected, so as to shift the phase of the electromagnetic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A phased-array antenna and a multi-face array antenna device are provided. The phased-array antenna includes a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The upper substrate includes a first base substrate, a plurality of first bias electrodes arranged at a first surface of the first base substrate, and a plurality of radiating elements arranged at a second surface of the first base substrate. The lower substrate includes a second base substrate, a plurality of second bias electrodes arranged at a second surface of the second base substrate, and a ground electrode arranged at a first surface of the second base substrate. The first base substrate and the second base substrate of the liquid crystal cell are arc-shaped substrates so that the radiating elements are not coplanar. In addition, the radiating elements are arranged at a convex surface.