Branched Multiport Antenna Module for Multi-Band Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems require multiple designs and stock to accommodate various frequency bands, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, as they lack the ability to adaptively operate across multiple frequency bands with a single module.
Innovation Solution
A modular antenna system featuring a branched electrically conductive pathway with multiple arms, where the selection of the excitation terminal allows for adaptation of resonant frequencies, enabling a single module to operate across multiple frequency bands by adjusting the dimensions and configuration of the arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate antenna designs are used to cover different frequency bands, then each frequency band can be optimized independently, but the device complexity and stock requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single antenna module that can operate across multiple frequency bands (e.g., 700 MHz to 2.6 GHz) by selecting different excitation terminals. The branched conductive pathway with multiple arms allows the same physical structure to resonate at different frequencies depending on which terminal is excited, eliminating the need for multiple separate antenna designs while maintaining optimized performance across bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the antenna into a modular structure with a branched conductive pathway consisting of multiple arms (first arm, second arm, third arm, etc.) connected to a common feed point. Each arm can be independently dimensioned and configured, allowing selective excitation of different arms through different terminals to achieve different resonant frequencies. This segmented approach enables frequency band adaptation without requiring complete redesign of the antenna structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single antenna module is designed to operate across multiple frequency bands, then production costs and stock requirements are reduced, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a single standardized antenna module design that serves multiple frequency bands. The module includes a branched conductive pathway with multiple arms and multiple excitation terminals, allowing the same manufactured component to be used across different applications and frequency requirements. This eliminates the need to maintain multiple product variants in stock, simplifying manufacturing and inventory management while providing multi-band functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna's operational characteristics adjustable through terminal selection rather than fixed. The same physical antenna structure can dynamically adapt its resonant frequency and impedance characteristics by exciting different terminals, allowing a single manufactured module to serve multiple frequency bands without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna modules are connected to provide frequency selection, then adaptability across frequency bands is improved, but the loss of time for configuration and selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating multiple frequency band capabilities into a single antenna module with multiple excitation terminals. Instead of requiring separate antenna modules for different frequency bands, the universal module allows direct selection of the desired frequency band by choosing which terminal to excite. This eliminates the time-consuming process of physically connecting different antenna modules and provides immediate frequency band selection through simple terminal switching.
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 allows for a single antenna module to be used across multiple frequency bands, reducing production costs and enabling the creation of composite antenna systems with selectable performance characteristics from modular components, facilitating flexible and efficient antenna design.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant frequency or frequencies of the antenna module may be adapted by the choice of which terminal is excited
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a module for an antenna system, the module comprising a dielectric support and a branched electrically conductive pathway formed on or in the support. The pathway comprises at least three arms each having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal ends being joined together or each connected to at least one other of the at least three arms, and the distal ends being separate from each other and configured as terminals. The modules may be configured as chip antennas. A plurality of antenna modules can connected together in order to create antenna systems with particular desired characteristics.