Coupled SLSP Resonator Layout for Miniaturized Direction Finding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wireless direction-finding devices struggle to meet the requirements of high detection performance and miniaturization, making it difficult to satisfy the current development needs.

Innovation Solution

A direction-finding device based on coupled and detuned spoof localized surface plasmons (SLSPs) is designed using two evenly grooved metal discs of different sizes or materials on a dielectric substrate with a metal coating, forming a coupled and detuned SLSP system to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional direction-finding devices are used, then detection performance can be achieved, but device miniaturization cannot be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddetection performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical antenna systems with a planar resonator structure that utilizes surface plasmon resonance. This substitution enables miniaturization while maintaining detection performance through electromagnetic field confinement and enhancement effects at the subwavelength scale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs detuned resonators with different resonance frequencies to achieve direction-finding functionality. By adjusting the resonance frequency mismatch parameter between the two resonators, the system achieves both compact size and high detection accuracy through the resulting phase difference measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If traditional direction-finding devices are used, then detection can be performed, but device miniaturization and low cost cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical antenna structures with a planar resonator design that can be fabricated using standard printed circuit board techniques. This substitution significantly simplifies manufacturing while achieving device miniaturization and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes thin-film metal structures and planar geometries that can be easily deposited and patterned on substrate materials. This approach enables cost-effective manufacturing of miniaturized devices while maintaining the necessary electromagnetic properties for direction-finding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If coupled and detuned SLSP resonators are used, then direction-finding accuracy and sensitivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection-finding accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the direction-finding function into two independent but coupled resonator elements, each with specific resonance frequencies. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high accuracy through phase difference measurement while keeping each individual resonator structure relatively simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device achieves miniaturization, improved sensitivity, and enhanced direction-finding accuracy by utilizing subwavelength SLSP structures and phase differences between coupled resonators, supporting adjustable frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

The present application provides a direction-finding device based on coupled and detuned spoof localized surface plasmons (SLSPs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpoof localized surface plasmons:

Implementation Method 2

The two SLSP resonators, i.e., SLSP1 and SLSP2, support SLSP modes with different phase differences, in response to the incoming waves from different directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase difference:

Data Source

PatentUS20250277883A1Direction-finding device based on coupled and detuned spoof localized surface plasmons

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 ZHEJIANG UNIV

AI summary

A direction-finding device based on coupled and detuned spoof localized surface plasmons, comprising a dielectric substrate with a metal coating at the bottom and two evenly-grooved metal discs with different sizes or materials. The two grooved metal discs represent two spoof localized surface plasmonic resonators, i.e., SLSP1 and SLSP2, with different resonance frequencies due to their different sizes or materials. SLSP1 and SLSP2 are distributed on the dielectric substrate along the diagonal of the dielectric substrate, with the center of the dielectric substrate as a symmetrical center, to form a coupled and detuned spoof localized surface plasmonic system. In response to the incoming waves from different directions, SLSP1 and SLSP2 support spoof localized surface plasmonic modes with different phase differences. According to the phase difference, the incident angle of the incoming waves can be determined uniquely.