Cavity Antenna With Integrated Impedance Surface for Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional antennas are complex, energy-consuming, and lack compactness and spatial radiation range due to the positioning of adaptable surfaces away from the radiating elements, leading to inefficiencies and limited control over electromagnetic waves.
Innovation Solution
The adaptable surface is integrated within the antenna's housing, allowing multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves within the cavity, enabling precise control and efficient beam steering with adjustable elements distributed freely, reducing size and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the adaptable surface is positioned at a distance from the radiating element, then the electromagnetic wave can be reflected and steered, but the antenna becomes very large and has limited spatial radiation range
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptable surface is integrated within the housing that contains the radiating element, creating a nested configuration where the adaptable surface is positioned inside the housing rather than at a distance from it. This nesting allows the antenna to maintain beam steering capability while significantly reducing the overall antenna volume and eliminating the shadow area problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous radiating elements are used in phased array antennas, then directional radiation with inclinable direction can be generated, but the antenna becomes complex and consumes a lot of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the directional control function from the radiating element itself and transfers it to the adaptable surface. Instead of using multiple radiating elements with individual phase and amplitude control, a single radiating element is used whose radiation pattern is controlled by the adaptable surface's reflection characteristics, significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptable surface serves multiple functions: it reflects electromagnetic waves, steers the beam in different directions, and controls the radiation pattern. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple radiating elements with individual control mechanisms, simplifying the overall antenna structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the adaptable surface is integrated inside the housing, then the antenna becomes compact, but the electromagnetic wave must be reflected several times which may cause energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts what would normally be harmful multiple reflections into a beneficial mechanism. By designing the adaptable surface with high reflectivity and positioning it strategically within the housing, the multiple reflections are used to achieve precise beam control and steering while minimizing energy loss. The reflections that would otherwise cause energy dissipation are instead harnessed to create the desired radiation pattern.
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
The solution results in a compact, highly efficient directional antenna with a tiltable main lobe and reduced side lobes, capable of wide-angle radiation patterns and multi-frequency operation, overcoming the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
the electromagnetic wave is reflected several times inside the case to impact several times adjustable elements of the adaptable surface
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna for transmitting and/or receiving an electromagnetic wave, comprising a radiating element, an adaptable surface with variable impedance, and a controller that is linked to the adaptable surface and controls it based on a desired direction of the electromagnetic wave. The radiating element and the adaptable surface are integrated within a housing, the housing forming a recess for the waves and comprising an opening in order for the electromagnetic wave to be emitted to the outside.