Conformal Antenna Coupling Plate for Low-Elevation Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conformal antenna systems in vehicles produce insufficient radiation at low elevations due to their smaller vertical height, which can impede communication effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A conformal antenna assembly with a carrier, antenna, coupling plate, and switching system is designed, where the coupling plate is spaced away from the antenna by protrusions and coupled to a PCB via a switching system that adjusts lumped element values to increase peak resonant frequency and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conformal antenna systems are used instead of sharkfin antenna systems, then vehicle height is reduced and bandwidth is increased, but low elevation radiation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the conformal antenna and the ground plane. The coupling plate includes protrusions that extend toward the antenna, creating an intermediate structure that enhances the radiation pattern at low elevation angles without increasing the antenna's vertical height. This mediator structure allows the conformal antenna to achieve improved low elevation coverage while maintaining its space-saving benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the antenna system by adding a coupling plate with specific geometric features (protrusions extending toward the antenna). This structural parameter change alters the electromagnetic field distribution and radiation characteristics, enabling enhanced low elevation radiation. Additionally, the switching system changes electrical parameters (lumped element values) to adjust peak resonant frequency and bandwidth, further optimizing performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conformal antenna systems are used instead of sharkfin antenna systems, then bandwidth of low frequency band is increased, but low elevation radiation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate serves as a mediator that works synergistically with the wideband conformal antenna structure. By positioning protrusions at specific heights and distances from the antenna, the coupling plate enhances low elevation radiation across the entire low frequency bandwidth without compromising the broadband characteristics. This allows the system to maintain adaptability across frequency bands while improving reliability at low elevation angles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing vertical height to improve low elevation radiation, the patent introduces a horizontal dimension element - the coupling plate with protrusions extending laterally toward the antenna. This dimensional approach creates additional radiation paths and field interactions that enhance low elevation coverage while preserving the conformal antenna's compact vertical profile and wide bandwidth characteristics.
3Quantity of substance
If conformal antenna systems are used instead of sharkfin antenna systems, then resource demand is reduced, but low elevation radiation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is designed as a low-resource addition compared to alternative solutions. Rather than requiring a completely different antenna structure or significant additional materials, the coupling plate uses a simple planar structure with protrusions that can be integrated into the existing conformal antenna assembly. This intermediary structure provides the necessary low elevation radiation enhancement while maintaining the resource efficiency benefits of conformal antenna systems.
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 assembly enhances low elevation radiation, maintaining the advantages of conformal antennas like reduced vehicle height and lower resource demand while improving communication efficiency and bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
a peak resonant frequency of the antenna is higher when the switching system is in the switched mode
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided for conformal antenna assemblies for increased low elevation radiation. The conformal antenna assembly includes a carrier of a base and a plurality of protrusions extending vertically therefrom, wherein the carrier is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna in face sharing contact with the base and electrically coupled to the PCB, a coupling plate spaced away from the antenna by the plurality of protrusions, and a switching system adapted to electrically couple the coupling plate to the PCB in a default mode or a switched mode.