Bulk Acoustic Wave Multiferroic Antenna Low-Profile Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional antennas face challenges with radiation efficiency when placed close to a conducting plane due to the platform effect, which increases the radiation Q factor and makes it difficult to match the antenna.
Innovation Solution
The use of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) mediated multiferroic antennas, which translate electromagnetic resonance characteristics into acoustic resonance characteristics through mechanical coupling, forming vertical resonance modes across layers, allowing for low-profile antennas with high radiation efficiency by utilizing high permeability and strong magnetomechanical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional antennas are placed close to a conducting plane, then the antenna structure can be compact, but the radiation efficiency deteriorates due to platform effect and high radiation Q factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiferroic material as an intermediary layer between the antenna and the conducting plane. This material mediates the interaction by providing magnetic coupling that reduces the harmful platform effect while maintaining compact structure. The multiferroic material acts as a buffer that transforms the electromagnetic field interaction, allowing the antenna to operate efficiently at low heights above the ground plane.
2Length of stationary object
If traditional antennas are placed close to a conducting plane, then the antenna profile can be low, but the radiation Q factor increases making impedance matching difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique electromagnetic parameters of multiferroic materials, specifically their high permeability and electric field-controlled magnetic properties. By changing the magnetic permeability parameter of the intermediate layer, the patent achieves better impedance matching and reduces the radiation Q factor. The electric field control allows dynamic adjustment of magnetic properties to optimize performance for low-profile configurations.
3Loss of energy
If multiferroic material is used to reduce radiation Q factor, then bandwidth and efficiency can be improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite multiferroic materials that combine piezoelectric and magnetostrictive properties in a single integrated layer. This composite structure achieves the desired electromagnetic performance (high permeability, electric field control) while maintaining a relatively simple layered configuration. The composite nature allows simultaneous optimization of magnetic and electric field interactions without requiring multiple separate functional layers.
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 approach significantly lowers the radiation quality factor, enabling the creation of low-profile antennas with high radiation efficiency, even when proximal to a conducting plane, by effectively coupling electric, magnetic, and mechanical fields.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piezoelectric material layer having a first set of acoustic properties
Implementation Method 2
at least one magnetostrictive material layer coupled to the piezoelectric material layer
Implementation Method 3
injection of acoustic waves into the multiple layer strain media induces a resonance mode in the entire apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna apparatus utilizing bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonances to transfer dynamic strain across multiple layers, which include piezoelectric layers coupled to magnetostrictive material layers. In at least one embodiment, a piezoelectric layer is coupled to a magnetostrictive layer to which another layer having similar acoustic properties as the piezoelectric layer is coupled as an inertial buffer. These multiple layers comprise a strain media to provide a vertical multiferroic coupling which couples electric field, magnetic field, and mechanical fields. Electrodes are coupled to excite one of the piezoelectric layers for injecting acoustic waves into the structure from which electromagnetic radiation is generated out of the plane.