Dielectric Resonator Antenna with Sub-Wavelength Passive Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for receiving and emitting electromagnetic waves are large in size and lack directional specificity, with passive reflective elements spaced at distances greater than or equal to the wavelength, and reactive type antenna devices without a preferred direction for wave emission.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating a medium of dielectric material with passive resonant elements spaced less than λ/4 and an active resonant element connected to an electronic device, utilizing a hybridization band-gap to concentrate electromagnetic energy and achieve directional emission/reception, with the active resonant element having a second resonance frequency within the band-gap of the passive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive reflective elements are spaced at a distance of λ/2 or greater to achieve proper electromagnetic wave reflection, then the device achieves functional performance, but the device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spacing parameter from conventional λ/2 or greater to less than λ/4 by utilizing resonant elements with specific resonance frequencies. This parameter change enables sub-wavelength spacing while maintaining functional performance through resonant coupling between elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple passive resonant elements with different resonance frequencies within a compact volume. This composite arrangement creates effective medium properties that enable wavelength control and directional emission without requiring large physical dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If reactive type antenna elements are surrounded by metallic diffusers to focus electromagnetic waves, then the electromagnetic wave is focused at a sub-wavelength distance, but the device lacks a preferred direction for wave emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different resonance frequencies to different passive resonant elements positioned at specific locations around the active element. This local differentiation of resonant properties creates spatially varying electromagnetic responses that produce directional emission patterns while maintaining sub-wavelength focusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement of passive resonant elements with different resonance frequencies relative to the active element. This asymmetric configuration breaks the symmetry of the electromagnetic field distribution, thereby establishing a preferred direction for wave emission while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If passive resonant elements are spaced closely (less than λ/4) to reduce device size, then the device becomes compact, but achieving proper electromagnetic wave control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes electromagnetic resonance analogous to mechanical vibration, where passive resonant elements are designed with specific resonance frequencies. This resonant behavior simplifies the control of electromagnetic waves at sub-wavelength separations by exploiting natural resonant modes rather than requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive resonant elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as scattering elements, create band-gap effects, enable resonant coupling, and contribute to directional emission patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each 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 device is compact, efficient, and sensitive, capable of emitting/receiving electromagnetic waves in specific directions with improved sensitivity and efficiency, allowing for greater distance transmission and multi-input multi-output applications.
Implementation Method 1
The device uses a band-gap that is known as an hybridization band-gap
Implementation Method 2
each passive resonant element having at least a first resonance frequency, the plurality of passive resonant elements comprising a frequency band-gap
Implementation Method 3
said active resonant element having a second structure comprising at least a second shape and second physical parameters, said second structure being different from the first structure so that said active resonant element has at least a second resonance frequency comprised inside the frequency band-gap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6
AI summary
A device (10) for receiving and/or emitting an electromagnetic wave, comprising a medium (11) of dielectric material, a plurality of passive resonant elements (12) incorporated inside said medium, the plurality of passive resonant elements (12) comprising a frequency band-gap, two neighbour passive resonant elements belonging to the plurality being spaced apart from each other of a first distance lower than ?/4, and at least one active resonant element (13) incorporated inside said plurality, said active resonant element (13) having a second structure different from a first structure of the passive resonant elements (12), so that said active resonant element (13) has at least a second resonance frequency comprised inside the frequency band-gap of said plurality of passive elements (12).