Capacitive Patch Antenna Miniaturization Without Dielectric Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patch antennas face challenges in achieving a small size, light weight, wide directional pattern, and wide operating frequency bandwidth while integrating auxiliary electronic assemblies, particularly due to the limitations imposed by high-permittivity dielectric substrates that increase weight and reduce performance.
Innovation Solution
A circularly-polarized micro-patch antenna design that utilizes capacitive elements with localized structures along the perimeter of the radiating element and ground plane, eliminating the need for high-permittivity dielectric substrates and allowing for geometric variations to suit specific applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If high-permittivity dielectric substrates are used to reduce antenna size, then the antenna length is reduced, but the antenna weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters by introducing capacitive loading elements that modify the resonant frequency and impedance characteristics. This allows the antenna to achieve miniaturization through capacitive reactance rather than relying solely on high-permittivity materials, thereby reducing weight while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces discrete capacitive elements as intermediary components between the radiating element and ground plane. These capacitors serve as electromagnetic mediators that enable miniaturization through reactive loading, providing the necessary phase shift and impedance transformation without requiring heavy high-permittivity dielectric substrates.
2Reliability
If dielectric substrate thickness is increased to widen operating frequency bandwidth, then the bandwidth is improved, but the antenna weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrical parameters by using capacitive loading to adjust the resonant frequency and bandwidth characteristics. The capacitive elements provide frequency selectivity and impedance matching that widens the operating bandwidth without increasing the physical thickness or weight of the dielectric substrate.
3Shape
If the radiating patch size is decreased to widen directional pattern, then the directional pattern is improved, but the antenna becomes more difficult to manufacture with standard processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna structure into discrete components: a radiating element, a ground plane, and separate capacitive loading elements. This segmentation allows the use of standard PCB fabrication processes for the planar structures while enabling flexible placement of capacitors to achieve the desired directional pattern, thus maintaining manufacturability.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional microstrip antenna designs are used, then the antenna can be manufactured with lithographic processes, but the presence of slots prevents integration of auxiliary electronic assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the capacitive loading function from the planar microstrip structure and implements it using discrete capacitor components. This extraction removes the slots from the radiating patch, creating a continuous surface that allows for the integration of auxiliary electronic assemblies such as low-noise amplifiers, while still achieving the desired electromagnetic performance through the separate capacitive elements.
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 achieves a small size, light weight, and wide bandwidth without the weight and performance degradation associated with high-permittivity substrates, enabling the integration of auxiliary electronic assemblies like low-noise amplifiers.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive elements with localized structures along the perimeter of the radiating element and ground plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed is a micropatch antenna comprising a radiating element and a ground plane separated by an air gap. Small size, light weight, wide bandwidth, and wide directional pattern are achieved without the introduction of a high-permittivity dielectric substrate. Capacitive elements are configured along the perimeter of at least one of the radiating element and ground plane. Capacitive elements may comprise extended continuous structures or a series of localized structures. The geometry of the radiating element, ground plane, and capacitive elements may be varied to suit specific applications, such as linearly-polarized or circularly-polarized electromagnetic radiation.