Common Antenna Assembly Matrix Sharing for Gain Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna assemblies are limited in the number of antennas that can be arranged on a substrate, restricting their gain effect per unit area, as the gain is directly proportional to the number of antennas.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a substrate with patch antennas arranged in a matrix configuration, where adjacent antenna units share common units along perpendicular directions, and phase shifters are electrically coupled to adjust phases, allowing for improved gain without increasing antenna count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of antennas is increased to improve gain effect, then the gain effect is improved, but the area occupied by the antenna assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent antenna units share common antenna units (horizontal and longitudinal sharing), merging the functions of multiple antennas into a compact grid structure. This allows the system to achieve higher gain effect through cooperative signal processing while maintaining a smaller physical footprint compared to conventional non-sharing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional one-dimensional or sparse two-dimensional antenna arrangements to a dense two-dimensional grid structure with systematic sharing relationships. By organizing antennas in rows and columns with horizontal and longitudinal sharing, the system maximizes spatial utilization and achieves higher gain density per unit area.
2Power
If the number of antennas is increased to improve gain effect, then the gain effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is divided into multiple antenna units, each comprising four patch antennas arranged in a 2x2 configuration. This segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through modular units with standardized internal structures, reducing overall system complexity through repetition and standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared antenna units serve multiple functions simultaneously - they are part of both horizontal and longitudinal antenna sequences, enabling a single physical antenna to contribute to multiple gain calculations and beamforming operations. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of independent antenna elements needed while maintaining high gain effect.
3Adaptability or versatility
If phase shifters are added to each antenna unit for phase adjustment, then the direction switching capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates phase shifters that enable dynamic phase adjustment of signals from each antenna unit, allowing real-time beam steering and direction switching. This dynamic control capability enhances adaptability while the systematic arrangement of phase shifters corresponding to antenna units provides a structured approach to managing the control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A common antenna assembly and a common antenna structure are provided. The common antenna assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of patch antenna disposed on the substrate, a matching network disposed on the plurality of patch antennas, and a plurality of phase shifters electrically connected to the matching network. The substrate defines a first direction and a second direction that are perpendicular to each other. The patch antennas are defined into a plurality of antenna units. Each of the antenna units has four of the patch antennas. In each of the antenna units along the first direction, any one of the antenna units shares a longitudinal common antenna unit with each of the adjacent antenna units. In each of the antenna units along the second direction, any one of the antenna units shares a horizontal common antenna unit with each of the adjacent antenna units.