Asymmetric Wall Antenna Array for Aeronautic Satellite Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas for aeronautic satellite communication face challenges in maintaining small dimensions and low weight while ensuring reliable transmission characteristics, as they suffer from aerodynamic losses and interference issues due to movement, leading to reduced performance at resonance frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The antenna design features a plurality of single emitters arranged in an array with asymmetrical separating walls, allowing for closer spacing in one direction and a lamella structure in the other, along with phase control elements and dielectric material, to adjust emission characteristics and impedance, thereby minimizing resonances and enhancing aerodynamic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If horn radiators are used as single emitters in an antenna array, then the antenna can achieve small dimensions and broad bandwidth, but positive interference between neighboring radiators causes resonances that adversely affect input adjustment, emission behavior, and cross-polarization isolation at resonance frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic interference sites from the separating walls. By introducing asymmetry in wall thickness and positioning interference sites only on thicker walls, the design eliminates the symmetric interference patterns that cause resonances, thereby removing the harmful effect while preserving the compact horn radiator structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the separating walls have different thicknesses in different directions. The thicker walls are positioned to create asymmetric interference patterns that prevent resonances, while the thinner walls allow closer spacing of radiators. This asymmetric configuration breaks the symmetry that would otherwise cause problematic interference between neighboring horn radiators
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is rotated and pivoted to change radiation characteristics, then directional coverage is improved, but a large volume must be provided under the radome causing aerodynamic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic phase control elements that allow electronic adjustment of the radiation pattern without physical rotation. By dynamically changing the phase of signals fed to individual horn radiators, the antenna can electronically steer its beam and adapt radiation characteristics while maintaining a fixed, aerodynamically optimized position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation and pivoting system with an electronic phase control system. Instead of physically moving the antenna structure to change radiation characteristics, the system uses phase shifters and signal processing to achieve the same effect, eliminating the need for large radome volume and avoiding aerodynamic losses
3Device complexity
If standard horn radiator geometry is used, then the design is simple and broadband, but emission characteristics and input adjustment can only be adjusted to a limited extent independently of each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the horn radiator structure into modular components: standard horn radiators for broadband operation, asymmetric separating walls for interference control, and integrated phase control elements for independent adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional antenna system where the same structural elements serve multiple purposes. The separating walls simultaneously provide mechanical support, define radiator spacing, and control interference patterns. The phase control elements enable both amplitude and phase adjustment, providing versatile control without increasing overall device complexity
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 results in a compact, high-gain antenna with improved aerodynamic properties and reduced interference, enabling efficient electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of angles without significant tilting, thus reducing the need for a large radome and maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the separating walls features an interfering site that interrupts the otherwise planar aperture in the z-direction. The interfering sites can have the shape of a pin or a rectangular protrusion or a rectangular recess. Thus, there is a positive interference of neighboring horn radiators of the antenna
Implementation Method 2
electrically changing the emission characteristics of the antenna is known; in this case the phase control elements are used to adjust a phase difference between neighboring single emitters of the antenna
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of single emitters (1), which in the x- and y-direction form an antenna array with an aperture and emits electromagnetic radiation essentially in the z-direction
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna features a plurality of single emitters which in the x- and y-direction form an antenna array with an aperture. The single emitters are separated from each other by separating walls. At least a portion of the separating walls features an interference site that interrupts the otherwise planar aperture in the z-direction. However, the separating walls which cross the x-direction (and thus separate neighboring single emitters in the x-direction) differ from the separating walls in the y-direction with respect to their wall thickness. In addition, the single emitters feature a separation in the x-direction of less than A. The x-, y- and z-directions are each aligned orthogonal to each other. Due to the asymmetrical wall thickness the single emitters in the x-direction can be placed more closely to each other, so that when using the phase-controlled single emitters the emission characteristic can be displaced in this x-direction.