Bow-Tie Antenna Unit Cell for Wideband Phased Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a lightweight phased array antenna with a wide frequency bandwidth and a wide angular scan range that is conformally mountable to a platform surface, suitable for applications such as satellite reception, remote sensing, and military communication, which existing printed circuit antennas do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The design features an antenna unit cell with a dielectric substrate and radiating elements arranged in a bow-tie shape on opposing sides, allowing for overlap and capacitively coupled feed networks, enabling the creation of ultra-wide band arrays with dual-polarization capabilities and conformal mounting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional printed circuit antennas are used, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but frequency bandwidth and angular scan range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple unit cells, each containing radiating elements on both sides of the substrate. This segmentation allows each unit cell to be independently designed and manufactured using standard PCB techniques, while the collective array achieves ultra-wide bandwidth through phased array beamforming capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Radiating elements are placed on both sides of the substrate rather than just one side, utilizing the third dimension (substrate thickness) to increase the effective radiating area. This dual-sided configuration enables broader frequency coverage and improved bandwidth without increasing the planar footprint.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional printed circuit antennas are used, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but angular scan range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple independently controllable unit cells with radiating elements on both sides of the substrate. This segmentation enables electronic beam steering across wide angular ranges by controlling the phase and amplitude of each element, while maintaining manufacturability through standard PCB fabrication processes.
3Device complexity
If traditional antenna designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but conformal mounting capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna utilizes a thin substrate with radiating elements printed on both sides, creating a low-profile structure that can conform to curved or irregular platform surfaces. The dual-sided element configuration maintains structural simplicity while enabling conformal mounting applications.
4Adaptability or versatility
If radiating elements are extended to edges of unit cell, then bandwidth is improved, but mutual coupling between elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
By placing radiating elements on both sides of the substrate and allowing them to extend to the edges, the design utilizes the substrate thickness dimension to achieve edge-to-edge coverage. The overlapping configuration in the third dimension (through the substrate) provides bandwidth enhancement while the alternating side arrangement helps manage mutual coupling effects.
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 configuration achieves ultra-wide bandwidth, wide scan angles, and effective gain, making it suitable for various RF communication and sensor systems, including electronic warfare and signal intelligence applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of radiating elements disposed on a first side of the dielectric substrate, and a second plurality of radiating elements disposed on a second side of the dielectric substrate, opposite the first side, wherein the second plurality of radiating elements extend to an edge of the unit cell, and the first plurality of radiating elements overlap portions of the second plurality of radiating elements
Data Source
AI summary
Antenna unit cells suitable for use in antenna arrays are disclosed, as are antenna array and mounting platform such as an aircraft comprising antenna unit cells. In one embodiment, an antenna unit cell comprises a dielectric substrate having a length extending along a first axis and a width extending along a second axis, a first plurality of radiating elements disposed on a first side of the dielectric substrate, and a second plurality of radiating elements disposed on a second side of the dielectric substrate, opposite the first side, wherein the second plurality of radiating elements extend to an edge of the unit cell, and the first plurality of radiating elements overlap portions of the second plurality of radiating elements. Other embodiments may be described.