Low-Profile CTS Flat-Plate Array Antenna Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CTS plate array antennas have large size requirements, high machining complexity, and complex assembly processes due to the offset parabolic reflecting surface and multiple waveguide power dividing layers, making them difficult to manufacture and assemble while maintaining high gain and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile CTS flat-plate array antenna design featuring a radiating layer, mode switching layer, and feed network layer, with a compact mode switching cavity array and H-type single ridge waveguide power dividers, which reduces size, simplifies assembly, and achieves broadband high-efficiency feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an offset parabolic reflecting surface is used in the flat-plate reflector, then high gain and efficiency are achieved, but the antenna size becomes large and machining complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the offset parabolic reflecting surface from the antenna structure, replacing it with a flat-plate reflector. This extraction eliminates the large size requirement while maintaining the essential function of generating plane waves through a different structural approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a curved offset parabolic surface to generate plane waves, the patent inverts the approach by using a flat plate with strategically positioned tangent slots and waveguide structures to achieve the same plane wave generation function, thereby simplifying the structure.
2Reliability
If an offset parabolic reflecting surface is used, then high gain is achieved, but machining requirements become high
Solution Approach 1:
The complex offset parabolic reflecting surface is extracted and removed from the design. The patent replaces it with a flat-plate structure that is much easier to manufacture, eliminating the high machining requirements associated with precision curved surfaces while maintaining antenna performance.
3Ease of operation
If at least four waveguide power dividing layers are stacked, then power distribution is achieved, but the antenna size becomes large and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple waveguide power dividing layers into a more compact integrated structure. By combining the power division functions into fewer layers with a optimized layout, the antenna achieves the required power distribution capability with reduced size and simplified assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reorganizes the waveguide power dividing structure by changing the spatial arrangement from multiple stacked layers to a more planar or compact three-dimensional configuration, reducing the overall antenna size while maintaining power distribution functionality.
4Ease of operation
If multiple waveguide power dividing layers are independently machined and assembled, then power division is achieved, but assembly requirements become high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independently machined waveguide power dividing layers into an integrated structure with fewer assembly steps. This merging reduces the number of precision alignment requirements and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the power division function.
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 design results in a compact, easy-to-assemble antenna with high gain and efficiency, overcoming the size and machining complexity issues of traditional antennas while maintaining broadband performance.
Implementation Method 1
The mode switching layer comprises a first metal plate and a mode switching cavity array arranged on an upper surface of the first metal plate. The mode switching cavity array comprises 22n mode switching cavities which are arrayed in 2n rows and 2n columns
Implementation Method 2
the feed network layer comprises a second metal plate, 4n H-type single ridge waveguide power divider and a first E-plane waveguide power divider
Implementation Method 3
a radiating layer, a mode switching layer and a feed network layer which are sequentially arrayed from top to bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A low-profile CTS flat-plate array antenna includes a radiating layer, a mode switching layer and a feed network layer which are sequentially arrayed from top to bottom. The mode switching layer comprises a first metal plate and a mode switching cavity array arranged on an upper surface of the first metal plate and comprising 22n mode switching cavities arrayed in 2n rows and 2n columns, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each mode switching cavity includes a first rectangular cavity, a second rectangular cavity, a third rectangular cavity, a fourth rectangular cavity and a fifth rectangular cavity which are sequentially connected from left to right. The 2n mode switching cavities located in each row are sequentially connected end to end.