Asymmetric Planar Antenna for Multi-Protocol Gain Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas in portable computing devices waste gain in the vertical direction due to a symmetrical radiation pattern, and they are unable to support multi-protocol systems like WiMAX and WiFi due to form factor restrictions.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetric planar multi-protocol antenna structure with elliptically tapering arms and an off-center feed point, optimized for different frequency bands to achieve a donut-shaped near-horizon radiation pattern, suitable for both WiMAX and WiFi applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional symmetrical antenna is used, then the antenna provides similar gain in both vertical and horizontal directions, but this causes waste of gain in the vertical direction since access points and base stations are located in horizontal directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing an antenna with two arms of different lengths (first arm and second arm with different dimensions) to create an asymmetric radiation pattern. This asymmetric structure directs the radiation gain primarily in the horizontal direction where base stations and access points are located, while reducing vertical radiation, thereby reducing wasted energy without compromising adaptability
2Loss of energy
If conventional antennas are used to achieve a donut-shaped radiation pattern with increased horizontal gain and reduced vertical gain, then the radiation efficiency is improved, but conventional antennas are generally unable to provide such pattern due to form factor restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into two distinct arms with different lengths and configurations. The first arm and second arm are designed with different dimensions to create specific current distributions that generate the desired donut-shaped radiation pattern. This segmentation allows each arm to contribute differently to the overall radiation pattern, achieving horizontal orientation without complex three-dimensional structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves the donut-shaped radiation pattern by manipulating current distribution along the planar arms rather than using three-dimensional spatial arrangement. The different arm lengths and feed point positions create phase and amplitude differences that shape the radiation pattern in the horizontal plane, effectively using dimensional manipulation in the current distribution to achieve what would traditionally require complex 3D structures
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional antennas are used, then the antenna structure is simple, but they are generally unable to support multi-protocol systems like WiMAX and WiFi
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design achieves multi-functionality by configuring the two arms with different lengths and the feed point to operate across multiple frequency bands. The asymmetric structure allows the antenna to support both WiMAX and WiFi protocols simultaneously through proper impedance matching and resonance design, enabling a single antenna structure to perform multiple communication functions without requiring separate antennas for each protocol
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a planar asymmetric antenna structure with shifted feed position for multi-protocol operations are disclosed The antenna structure includes two elliptically tapering right and left arms, each with a different radius, and an off-center feed point positioned between the right and left arms. One arm has a smaller elliptical tapering than the other arm and the feed point is positioned closer to one arm than the other arm. A method of synthesizing a multiprotocol antenna pattern is also disclosed. The method includes providing substantially equally surface currents on both arms of an antenna structure to generate a near-horizontal pattern in far-field at a lower frequency band, providing greater surface currents on the right arm to generate a far-field pattern with a large horizontal component at a higher frequency band, and providing greater surface currents on the left arm to generate an asymmetric far-field pattern at a middle frequency band.