Dielectric Block Antenna Openings for Wide-Angle Millimeter-Wave Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing millimeter wave antennas face challenges in achieving wide viewing angle detection while maintaining a thin form factor, as conventional post-wall waveguides limit directivity to a forward direction.
Innovation Solution
The antenna element and array utilize a dielectric block with opposing conductor layers and antenna openings in orthogonal directions, allowing for wide viewing angle detection and thinning by eliminating the post-wall waveguide structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a post-wall waveguide structure is used to thin the antenna, then the antenna thickness is reduced, but the directivity is narrowed to a forward direction only
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the post-wall waveguide structure from the antenna system. By eliminating the conductor posts that sectioned the waveguide, the patent enables radio waves to propagate in multiple directions without the directional constraints imposed by the post-wall structure, thus resolving the contradiction between thinning and wide viewing angle capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional two-dimensional patch antenna radiating perpendicular to the substrate to a three-dimensional horn antenna structure with antenna openings on side surfaces. This dimensional change allows the antenna to radiate in multiple axial directions (forward, backward, left, right) while maintaining a thin profile, effectively resolving the viewing angle limitation
2Ease of manufacture
If a phased patch antenna is used for millimeter wave detection, then the antenna structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the radiation direction is limited to perpendicular to the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of radiating perpendicular to the substrate as in conventional patch antennas, the invention inverts the radiation pattern by creating horn antenna openings on the side surfaces of the dielectric block. This inversion enables forward, backward, and lateral radiation directions while keeping the overall structure compact and manufacturable
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric block antenna structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the antenna body, the waveguide, and the radiation element. The single dielectric block with strategically positioned antenna openings provides omnidirectional radiation capability (forward, backward, left, right) that a conventional patch antenna cannot achieve, making the structure universally applicable for wide-area detection
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
This configuration enables wide viewing angle detection with improved directivity and gain, supporting applications that require broad object detection without increasing thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric block; a power feeding terminal provided in the dielectric block... an antenna opening portion which forms, in a plane direction along the pair of conductor layers, a first antenna opening opened in a first axial direction as viewed from the power feeding terminal and a second antenna opening opened in a second axial direction orthogonal to the first axis
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna element according to an embodiment of the present technology includes: a dielectric block; a power feeding terminal provided in the dielectric block; a pair of conductor layers opposing each other with the dielectric block interposed therebetween; and an antenna opening portion which forms, in a plane direction along the pair of conductor layers, a first antenna opening opened in a first axial direction as viewed from the power feeding terminal and a second antenna opening opened in a second axial direction orthogonal to the first axis.