Cylindrical Feed Antenna for Stacked Collinear Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna systems face limitations in achieving wide bandwidth and high gain while allowing for the stacking of multiple antenna elements without interfering with RF performance, particularly due to constraints in feed distribution and impedance matching.

Innovation Solution

The development of a modified conical antenna system with a cylindrical feed region and tapered feed points around its circumference, enabling collinear and coaxial stacking of multiple antenna elements, allowing for the integration of various devices and feeds without degrading performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antenna elements are stacked collinearly in traditional conical antenna systems, then the bandwidth and gain can be improved, but the feed distribution and impedance matching are degraded due to the constrained conic tip region

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidimpedance matching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conical antenna is segmented into a conical radiating portion and a substantially cylindrical feed portion, allowing independent optimization of each section. The feed portion is further divided into multiple feed points distributed around the circumference, enabling multiple antenna elements to be fed independently while maintaining proper impedance matching for each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feed region transitions from a one-dimensional conic tip to a two-dimensional cylindrical surface with circumferential distribution. Multiple feed points are positioned around the circumference of the cylindrical feed portion, utilizing the additional circumferential dimension to accommodate multiple antenna elements without interfering with each other's impedance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conic tip region is enlarged to accommodate multiple feed points, then multiple antenna elements can be stacked, but the traditional conical shape and its associated RF performance are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of stacked elementsVSAvoidRF performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into distinct functional sections: a conical radiating portion that maintains the desired RF performance characteristics, and a substantially cylindrical feed portion that provides the structural support and feed distribution for multiple stacked elements. Each section is optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the antenna structure have different geometries optimized for their specific functions. The radiating portion maintains a conical shape with appropriate taper for optimal RF performance, while the feed portion adopts a cylindrical shape to accommodate multiple feed points and support stacked elements. Each local region has the quality needed for its particular purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single feed point is used in traditional conical antennas, then the structure is simple, but bandwidth coverage and gain are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed structureVSAvoidbandwidth coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single feed point is segmented into multiple feed points distributed around the circumference of the cylindrical feed portion. Each feed point can independently feed a stacked antenna element, and the distribution of multiple feed points enables broader bandwidth coverage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical feed portion with multiple feed points serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for stacked elements, distributes RF energy to multiple antenna elements, and enables broad bandwidth coverage. This multi-functional design achieves enhanced performance without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8228257B2Broadband antenna system allowing multiple stacked collinear devices

Publication Date: 2012.07.24 FIRST RF CORP

AI summary

A broadband antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system relates to a modified conical structure, wherein the feed region of the cone is cut away to form a hollow “coneless” cylinder, and the distribution of one or more tapered feed points around the circumference of the cylinder allows a plurality of feed lines, cables, piping, or other structures to be run through the center of the antenna without interfering with the performance of the antenna system. The invention further relates to a stacked broadband antenna system wherein additional coneless elements, as well as other types of antennas or devices, may be stacked collinearly on, or disposed coaxially to, the cylindrical antenna structure, and fed, powered or operated via the plurality of feed lines, cables, piping or other structures. The overall system may thus provide a wide range of transmitting, receiving, sensing and other capabilities. By stacking a plurality of coneless elements with other antennas, the antenna system of the present invention may provide a virtually infinite bandwidth.