Depolarizing Metasurface Antenna Array for Wide-Angle Beam Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mm-wave antenna technologies face limitations such as small feed port distances, surface wave propagation, significant gain loss at wide scan angles, and stringent manufacturing requirements, which affect their applicability and performance in communication systems.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a steerable antenna array with a partially reflective depolarizing metasurface. This metasurface is a dielectric layer with conductive elements on both sides, orthogonally arranged to reflect part of the antenna array's radiation, reducing coupling between elements and enhancing gain at wide scan angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional mm-wave antenna arrays are used, then manufacturing is simple, but gain falls significantly at wide scan angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidantenna gain

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

A partially reflective depolarizing metasurface is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna array elements and the propagation medium. This metasurface mediates the electromagnetic field distribution, reflecting and depolarizing waves to compensate for gain degradation at wide scan angles while maintaining manufacturing simplicity of the antenna array itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The metasurface dynamically alters electromagnetic wave parameters (polarization state and propagation direction) through its partially reflective and depolarizing properties. By changing the polarization parameters of reflected waves, the system compensates for gain loss at wide angles without requiring complex antenna element structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If dual-polarized antenna elements are used, then polarization versatility is improved, but coupling effects between feed ports increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization capabilityVSAvoidcoupling effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The metasurface converts the harmful coupling effects and parasitic surface waves into beneficial reflected and depolarized waves. By reflecting waves with altered polarization states, the metasurface transforms coupling interference into constructive signals that improve overall system performance and reduce harmful interactions between feed ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If scanning sector is extended to increase coverage, then beam steering range is improved, but asymmetry in radiation pattern increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan angle rangeVSAvoidradiation pattern symmetry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The metasurface introduces controlled asymmetry in its reflective and depolarizing properties to compensate for the asymmetry that develops in the radiation pattern during wide-angle scanning. This deliberate asymmetric design in the metasurface parameters counterbalances the asymmetric radiation characteristics, maintaining overall pattern symmetry across the extended scan sector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 antenna array achieves high efficiency, low losses, compact size, and high gain, enabling wide-range volumetric scanning and operation across a broad frequency range, while simplifying the architecture for cost-effective mass production.

Implementation Method 1

a metasurface disposed above the antenna array so as to form a space therebetween, wherein the metasurface is dielectric layer having, on a first side thereof, conductive elements configured to reflect part of radiation of the antenna array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

partially reflective depolarizing metasurface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDepolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS12212066B2Antenna array with partially reflective depolarizing metasurface

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The disclosure relates to radio engineering, and more specifically, to a wide scan angle antenna array. Technical result consists in expanding the scanning range, increasing the efficiency of the antenna array and reducing losses. Antenna array is provided. The antenna array includes a plurality of antenna array elements, and a metasurface disposed above the antenna array, wherein the metasurface is a dielectric layer having, on a first side thereof, conductive elements configured to reflect part of radiation of the antenna array; the distance between the antenna array and the metasurface is based on an integer number of half wavelengths, an operating wavelength of the antenna array in a medium in the space between the antenna array and the metasurface, and a predetermined scanning angle of the antenna array.