Conical UWB Antenna Assembly for Uniform Gain and Phase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas fail to provide uniform gain and phase across a wide range of frequencies, particularly from 3 GHz to 10 GHz, which is essential for applications like angle of arrival and time of flight determinations over short distances.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-wideband antenna assembly featuring a substrate with a ground plane, a curved conical portion, and an undulating annular ring on the top portion, providing omnidirectional radiation patterns and uniform gain and phase across the specified frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antenna designs are used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the gain and phase uniformity across wide frequency range (3 GHz to 10 GHz) is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved conical portion instead of a flat planar structure. The curvature of the conical surface helps to achieve omnidirectional radiation patterns and improves gain uniformity across the wide frequency range from 3 GHz to 10 GHz, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving reliable uniform performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar antenna structure to a three-dimensional curved conical structure. This dimensional change enables the antenna to achieve uniform gain and phase characteristics in all directions (omnidirectional radiation) while maintaining a relatively compact form factor, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna operates across a wide frequency range (3 GHz to 10 GHz), then the bandwidth is increased, but the gain and phase uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The curved conical portion with its specific geometric curvature is designed to maintain consistent electromagnetic radiation characteristics across the wide frequency band from 3 GHz to 10 GHz. The curvature helps to preserve gain and phase uniformity even as the operating frequency varies, enabling wide bandwidth operation without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the undulating annular ring structure with specific geometric parameters (amplitude, wavelength, number of undulations) that are optimized to maintain uniform radiation characteristics across the wide frequency range. By carefully selecting and adjusting these geometric parameters, the antenna achieves both wide bandwidth (35% to 65% bandwidth) and maintained gain/phase uniformity.
3Measurement precision
If uniform omnidirectional radiation is achieved, then angle of arrival and time of flight determination accuracy is improved, but the antenna design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved conical portion provides omnidirectional radiation patterns that are consistent in all horizontal directions. This curvature-based design achieves uniform radiation characteristics necessary for accurate angle of arrival and time of flight measurements without requiring complex multi-element arrays, thus improving measurement precision with moderate design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides omnidirectional radiation for both angle of arrival determination and time of flight measurement simultaneously. The curved conical structure with undulating annular ring achieves uniform gain and phase characteristics that support both measurement types, reducing the need for separate specialized antenna systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Example antenna assemblies are provided. In one example implementation, the antenna assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The antenna assembly includes a ground plane. The antenna assembly includes a curved conical portion and a top portion. The top portion includes an undulating annular ring disposed on the curved conical portion.