Concentric OAM Antenna Arrays with Unified Divergence Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional OAM antennas are limited to a single circular antenna array per OAM order, resulting in OAM beams diverging at different angles, making it difficult for receivers to detect and receive multiple OAM beams simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple concentric antenna arrays, each corresponding to a different OAM order and arranged at varying radii, with phase shifters configured to generate OAM beams with a consistent divergence angle, allowing for the generation of OAM beams with the same divergence angle regardless of the OAM order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single circular antenna arrays are used for each OAM order, then each OAM beam can be generated, but the beams diverge at different angles making reception difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple concentric circular arrays, each responsible for generating OAM beams of specific orders. By dividing the antenna elements into distinct concentric groups, each array can be independently controlled to produce beams with unified divergence characteristics, resolving the reception difficulty caused by angle variation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane circular array to a multi-plane concentric array structure by adding the radial dimension. Multiple circular arrays are arranged at different radii from the same phase center, creating a three-dimensional concentric configuration that enables unified divergence angle control across different OAM orders
2Device complexity
If multiple concentric antenna arrays are used to generate OAM beams with same divergence angle, then beam reception is simplified, but the number of antenna elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric antenna arrays are designed with universal functionality where each array can generate multiple OAM beam orders through phase shifting techniques. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of elements needed compared to having separate dedicated arrays for each OAM order, as the same physical arrays serve multiple beam generation purposes
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional OAM antennas are used, then the structure is simple, but the antenna cannot be easily expanded to support more OAM orders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested concentric array structure where multiple circular arrays are positioned at different radii from a common phase center. This nested configuration maintains structural simplicity while enabling easy expansion to support additional OAM orders by activating or deactivating specific concentric arrays or adjusting their phase parameters
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 simplifies the reception of OAM beams by maintaining a consistent divergence angle, reducing complexity and cost, and enabling the OAM antenna to be expandable by adding more concentric arrays, while minimizing the number of antenna elements required.
Implementation Method 1
An orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam is a type of orthogonal beam generated by an antenna array. The OAM beam may correspond to an OAM order that defines a number of times a phase of the OAM beam rotates around a beam axis.
Implementation Method 2
a helical phase front associated with an OAM beam may be generated by triggering elements of an antenna array based on linear phase precoding, such as digital precoding, an active phase shifter, or a Butler matrix.
Implementation Method 3
Each antenna array may include a different number of antenna elements and may be configured to radiate an OAM beam in a conical pattern with a same divergence angle.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure presents an orbital angular momentum (OAM) antenna that includes a plurality of concentric antenna arrays, each antenna array corresponding to a different respective OAM order and being comprised of a different respective set of antenna elements arranged at a different respective radius. The OAM antenna also includes a plurality of phase shifters, each phase shifter corresponding to a different respective antenna array of the plurality of concentric antenna arrays. Each phase shifter is configured to trigger the respective set of antenna elements of a corresponding antenna array to generate a respective OAM beam. According to aspects of the disclosure, each OAM beam generated by a respective antenna array has a same divergence angle as the other OAM beams generated by the other respective antenna arrays of the plurality of concentric antenna arrays.