Corrugated Panel Antenna Profile Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional VHF antennas are lengthy and protruding, making them vulnerable in hostile environments and aerodynamically challenging, while also compromising vehicle concealment and effectiveness in communication systems.

Innovation Solution

The development of wideband panel antennas with corrugated arms and passive filters that create varying signal loop paths, allowing efficient transmission and reception of longer wavelength signals within a reduced form factor, using a ferrite plane to suppress RF reflections and maintain performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional whip antennas are used to transmit VHF signals, then signal transmission and reception are achieved, but the antenna length becomes several feet long causing vulnerability and aerodynamic challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidantenna length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs nested resonant circuits where inner circuits are positioned within outer circuits. The inner resonant circuit is nested within the outer resonant circuit, allowing multiple resonant frequencies to be achieved within a compact antenna structure, thereby reducing the overall antenna length while maintaining signal transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear antenna structure to a multi-dimensional compact structure by stacking resonant circuits in vertical layers and using planar inverted-F antenna elements. This dimensional transformation allows the antenna to achieve the electrical length required for VHF operation without the physical length of conventional whip antennas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If lengthy antennas are used for VHF communication, then signal coverage is improved, but vehicle concealment effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidconcealment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nested resonant circuit configuration allows the antenna to maintain adequate signal coverage through multiple resonant modes while presenting a compact external profile that can be effectively concealed on vehicle surfaces without the need for lengthy protruding elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Length of moving object

If corrugated sections are added to increase electrical path length, then antenna profile is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna profileVSAvoidantenna structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses corrugated or folded sections in the antenna elements that create curved and folded paths for the electromagnetic current. These curved geometries increase the electrical path length within a reduced physical footprint, achieving profile reduction while the modular corrugation pattern keeps the structural complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution enables improved signal transmission and reception across a wider bandwidth with a reduced antenna profile, addressing the limitations of conventional antennas in size and vulnerability, while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and concealment.

Implementation Method 1

The panel antenna further includes a ferrite plane disposed between the ground plane and the antenna arms to suppress radio frequency (RF) signal reflections and to allow for a reduced antenna profile or thickness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF signal reflections suppression: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The antenna arms may include one or more corrugated sections to increase the electrical path of the antenna arms within fixed physical dimensions (e.g., length, width)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical path length increase through corrugation: Corrugation

Implementation Method 3

The panel antenna also includes passive filters that create current loop paths of varying lengths for selected frequency ranges by shunting sections of the antenna arms for those frequency ranges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency selective filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS10276931B1Panel antenna with corrugated arms for reduced profile

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION ANDELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC

AI summary

A reduced profile panel antenna is disclosed. A panel antenna configured according to an embodiment includes two opposing antenna arms disposed over a ground plane. The antenna arms include one or more corrugated or folded sections to increase the electrical path of the antenna arms within fixed physical dimensions (e.g., length and width) of the panel antenna. The panel antenna also includes passive filters to provide current loop paths of varying lengths for selected frequency ranges. Longer loop paths are employed for signals at lower frequencies (i.e., longer wavelengths) and shorter loop paths are employed for signals at higher frequencies (i.e., shorter wavelengths). The panel antenna further includes a ferrite plane disposed between the ground plane and the antenna arms to suppress radio frequency (RF) signal reflections and allow for a reduced antenna profile or thickness.