Array Antenna Dummy Load Layout for Consistent Radiation Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array antennas with irregular arrangements face challenges in maintaining unit pattern consistency and radiating efficiency due to lack of space for dummy antennas, leading to occupied layout space and distorted radiation patterns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing carbon oil buried resistors at the inner layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board as dummy antenna loads, which are connected via feeders, maintains unit pattern consistency and radiating efficiency without occupying additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dummy antennas are disposed around the array to improve unit pattern consistency, then unit pattern consistency is improved, but layout space of the PCB is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the dummy antenna loads from the surface layer to the inner layer of the multi-layer PCB, utilizing the third dimension (layer depth) to resolve the space conflict. This allows dummy antennas to be disposed around the array for improved unit pattern consistency while the loads are hidden inside the PCB structure, freeing up surface layout space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the carbon oil buried resistor loads within the inner layers of the PCB structure, nesting them inside the existing PCB architecture. This allows the dummy antenna loads to be contained within the PCB volume rather than occupying external surface space, resolving the contradiction between maintaining unit pattern consistency and preserving layout space.
2Manufacturing precision
If loads of dummy antennas are surface-mounted at the bottom layer to improve unit pattern consistency, then unit pattern consistency is improved, but there is no sufficient space for compact irregular arrays with large quantity of dummy antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface mounting to three-dimensional inner-layer embedding, allowing a larger quantity of dummy antenna loads to be accommodated within the PCB volume. This enables compact irregular arrays with large quantities of dummy antennas to achieve unit pattern consistency without surface space constraints.
3Area of stationary object
If carbon oil buried resistor is used as load for dummy antenna, then unit pattern consistency is maintained without occupying layout space, but the resistor needs to be disposed at inner layer requiring multi-layer PCB structure
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer PCB structure serves multiple functions: it provides the necessary inner-layer space for embedding carbon oil buried resistor loads, maintains structural integrity for compact irregular array arrangements, and enables both radiating and dummy antennas to coexist without surface space conflicts. The added structural complexity enables multiple simultaneous objectives to be achieved.
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 solution ensures consistent radiation patterns and scanning performance similar to regular arrays while preserving layout space, using carbon oil buried resistors to absorb energy and prevent secondary reflections.
Implementation Method 1
the carbon oil buried resistor is made of a carbon oil material with a wave-absorbing characteristic. Based on such a design, the dummy antenna may have a good wave-absorbing characteristic.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose an array antenna and a communication device. The array antenna includes a plurality of radiating antenna units, a plurality of dummy antennas, and a printed circuit board. The plurality of radiating antenna units are configured to radiate or receive electromagnetic signals. The plurality of dummy antennas are arranged in an array, and the plurality of dummy antennas do not radiate the electromagnetic signals or do not receive the electromagnetic signals. Each dummy antenna includes a carbon oil buried resistor and a feeder, the feeder is connected to the carbon oil buried resistor, and both the carbon oil buried resistor and the feeder are disposed at an inner layer of the multi-layer printed circuit board. According to embodiments of this application, a unit pattern consistency characteristic the same as or similar to that of a regular array antenna can be implemented without affecting radiating efficiency and scanning performance of the array antenna.