Bent Feeder Line Antenna for Wide Detection Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monopulse antennas face challenges in widening the detection angle range due to increased intervals between antenna elements, which restricts the phase folding angle and detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates bend portions in the feeder lines of the antenna elements to reduce the interval between them, allowing for a wider phase folding angle and enhanced detection range, while maintaining equal power distribution and antenna characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the interval between converters is increased to accommodate waveguide processing limitations, then the waveguides can be properly manufactured and assembled, but the antenna element interval increases which narrows the phase folding angle range and reduces detection angle range
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder line configuration transitions from a linear arrangement to a bent configuration, utilizing spatial dimensionality changes to reduce the antenna element interval. The bend portions allow the feeder lines to extend in a non-linear path, effectively reducing the straight-line distance between antenna elements while maintaining proper waveguide spacing for manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder lines incorporate bend portions with curved geometries instead of straight linear extensions. These curved paths allow the feeder lines to achieve the necessary electrical length while reducing the linear interval between antenna elements, thereby widening the detection angle range without compromising waveguide manufacturing requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna element interval is reduced to widen the detection angle range, then the phase folding angle range increases, but the converters require closer spacing which conflicts with waveguide processing limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The solution resolves the contradiction by changing the dimensional approach of the feeder line layout. Instead of reducing the converter spacing directly, the bent feeder lines achieve the equivalent effect of reduced antenna element interval through spatial reconfiguration, maintaining standard waveguide spacing while achieving the desired electrical performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bend portions are added to the feeder lines to reduce antenna element interval, then the detection angle range widens, but the feeder line structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bend portions are designed with smooth curved geometries that, while adding structural complexity, maintain symmetry between the first and second antenna elements. This symmetric curved design ensures equal power distribution to both elements, and the regular geometric patterns facilitate manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bend portions are configured asymmetrically relative to the waveguide center line, with each antenna element's feeder line bending in opposite directions. This asymmetric yet balanced configuration achieves the interval reduction while maintaining overall system symmetry for equal power distribution.
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 effectively widens the detection angle range and improves the accuracy of angle detection by reducing the interval between antenna elements and maintaining equal radiation patterns, thus enhancing the antenna's sensitivity and phase difference calculation precision.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna element including a feeder line extending from a first converter and a plurality of radiating elements which are fed with power from the feeder line
Data Source
AI summary
In an antenna, an antenna element interval is reduced without depending on an interval between converters, to widen the range of a phase folding angle to widen a detection angle range. The antenna includes a first antenna element including a feeder line extending from a first converter and a plurality of radiating elements. A second antenna element includes a feeder line extending from a second converter aligned together with the first converter and a plurality of radiating elements. The first and second antenna elements respectively include, at partial line portions of the feeder lines which extend from the converters to closest radiating elements, bend portions which are bent in directions which the bend portions come close to each other. The partial line portions of the first and second antenna elements are disposed so as to be linearly symmetrical about a virtual line.