Constant-Thickness Dielectric Lens for Wideband Lobe Deflection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna systems with passive devices for angular deviation of the main radiation lobe face limitations in maintaining constant behavior over wide frequency bands and suffer from polarization degradation, with integration challenges due to varying lens thickness and limited frequency range effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A passive device comprising a lens with a constant thickness and progressive dielectric properties, positioned above the radiating element, featuring a dielectric gradient that varies with distance from the center, ensuring stable angular deviation across the entire frequency band and compatibility with protective radomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lens with varying thickness is used for angular deviation, then the deflection angle remains relatively constant over a limited frequency range, but the device complexity and integration difficulty increase due to significant thickness variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection angle stabilityVSAvoidlens thickness variation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the lens thickness uniform while varying the dielectric constant locally across different regions of the lens. This allows the lens to maintain a simple geometric structure while achieving frequency-independent angular deviation through spatially varying electromagnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electromagnetic parameter (dielectric constant) instead of the geometric parameter (thickness) to achieve angular deviation. By varying the dielectric constant across the lens while maintaining constant thickness, the invention achieves frequency-independent performance without the integration difficulties of thickness variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a lens with varying thickness is used for angular deviation, then the deflection angle remains relatively constant over a limited frequency range, but the integration with protective radome becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection angle stabilityVSAvoidintegration with radome

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the lens thickness uniform while varying the dielectric constant locally across different regions of the lens. This allows the lens to maintain a simple geometric structure while achieving frequency-independent angular deviation through spatially varying electromagnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electromagnetic parameter (dielectric constant) instead of the geometric parameter (thickness) to achieve angular deviation. By varying the dielectric constant across the lens while maintaining constant thickness, the invention achieves frequency-independent performance without the integration difficulties of thickness variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a lens is used for angular deviation, then the main lobe direction can be controlled, but polarization purity degrades over wide frequency bands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemain lobe controlVSAvoidpolarization purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electromagnetic parameter (dielectric constant) instead of the geometric parameter (thickness) to achieve angular deviation. By varying the dielectric constant across the lens while maintaining constant thickness, the invention achieves frequency-independent performance without the integration difficulties of thickness variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution achieves stable angular deviation and preserved polarization purity over a wide frequency range, with the lens design allowing for integration without significant thickness increase, maintaining performance across the entire operating frequency band.

Implementation Method 1

the lens has a constant thickness and progressive dielectric properties, positioned above the radiating element, featuring a dielectric gradient that varies with distance from the center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4401239A1Antenna system comprising an antenna and a passive device for angular deviation of a main lobe of radiation from the antenna

Publication Date: 2024.07.17 THALES SA

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AI summary

This antenna system (1) comprises an antenna (10) and a passive device for angularly deflecting a main radiation lobe of the antenna, characterized in that the device consists of a lens (20), said lens having a constant thickness and exhibiting a progressive relative permittivity between an inner edge of the lens located on the side of the geometric center (C) of the antenna and an outer edge of the lens located on the side of a periphery of the antenna, the profile of the relative permittivity as a function of the distance to the geometric center of the antenna being adapted so that the lens deflects the main radiation lobe of the antenna by a predefined angle of deflection over at least a portion of an operating frequency band of the antenna.