Continuous Phase Delay Antenna for Twisted Wave Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for generating twisted waves are unsophisticated and fail to produce reliable, accurate, and reproducible antennas capable of operating effectively with these waves, leading to issues with phase linearity, repeatability, and control over azimuthal gradation.

Innovation Solution

The development of antennas comprising a large number of parabolic segments with decreasing focal lengths around the azimuth, forming a smooth continuous reflective surface, which introduces varying phase delays to support twisted wave generation and reception, allowing for the creation of a dish structure that can generate and receive twisted waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional parabolic dishes are physically bent or modified to generate twisted waves, then twisted wave generation is achieved, but reliability, accuracy, and reproducibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwisted wave generation capabilityVSAvoidantenna performance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The parabolic dish is divided into multiple discrete segments, each with a specific focal length. This segmentation allows precise control over the phase delay introduced by each segment, enabling reliable and reproducible twisted wave generation while maintaining manufacturing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different segments of the dish are assigned different focal lengths to create the desired azimuthal phase gradient. This local variation in focal length allows each segment to contribute specifically to the twisted wave pattern, ensuring accurate and reliable performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If antenna array techniques are used for twisted wave generation, then twisted wave capability is achieved, but manufacturing precision and phase linearity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwisted wave generation capabilityVSAvoidphase delay precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dish maintains its curved parabolic shape but varies the focal length of different segments. This approach preserves the beneficial focusing properties of curved surfaces while introducing the necessary phase variation for twisted wave generation, achieving both precision and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If multiple orthogonal communication channels operate in the same frequency band, then communication volume increases, but crosstalk and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication volumeVSAvoidcrosstalk between channels

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is pre-configured with specific focal length variations that encode orthogonal modes into the transmitted signals. This preliminary encoding allows multiple channels to operate simultaneously without interference, as each channel is spatially distinguished by its unique phase pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables the generation and reception of twisted waves with reduced crosstalk, allowing for multiple orthogonal communication channels to operate within the same frequency band without interference, thereby increasing communication volume and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

signals reflected from various segments of the dish will have a different phase delays at the feed point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase delay:

Implementation Method 2

a reflective dish structure comprising a large number of parabolic segments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9608335B2Continuous phase delay antenna

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Antennas and other transducers for use in transmitting and receiving twisted waves are disclosed. A reflector includes numerous parabolic segments having focal lengths that decrease monotonically with azimuth angle. A feed is used that is located at a focal length associated with one of the segments. Thus, each segment has a phase delay that is related to a difference between the primary focal length and the focal length of the segment. This variation of phase delay with azimuth allows twisted waves to be transmitted and received.