Dipole Antenna with Parasitic Arrays for Millimeter-Wave Gain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slot antennas face challenges in miniaturization and radiation efficiency when used in high-frequency bands like the millimeter-wave band, due to difficulties in forming small feed portions and high ground current loss.
Innovation Solution
The antenna apparatus incorporates a dielectric substrate with a dipole antenna and multiple parasitic element arrays, where parasitic elements are arranged in a specific configuration to form pseudo-slot openings, allowing radio waves to propagate as magnetic currents, reducing current density and dielectric loss, and enhancing gain characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a slot antenna is used in the millimeter-wave band, then the antenna can operate at high frequency, but the feed portion becomes difficult to form with general etching processes and ground current loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous ground conductor into multiple discrete ground conductors arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the antenna to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies while using standard etching processes, as the discrete ground conductors can be easily formed with conventional manufacturing techniques. The segmented structure also reduces ground current loss by distributing the current path across multiple conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical feed structure with an electromagnetic coupling mechanism. Instead of using a physical feed portion that requires precise mechanical formation, the invention uses electromagnetic fields to couple energy between the dipole antenna and the ground conductor array, enabling millimeter-wave operation with standard etching processes.
2Speed
If a slot antenna is used in the millimeter-wave band, then the antenna can operate at high frequency, but ground current loss increases reducing radiation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous ground conductor is segmented into multiple discrete ground conductors arranged in an array. This segmentation distributes the ground current across multiple conductors, reducing the current density and associated losses in each individual conductor, thereby improving radiation efficiency at millimeter-wave frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces parasitic elements as intermediary components between the dipole antenna and the ground conductor array. These parasitic elements act as mediators that facilitate electromagnetic coupling while providing additional current paths, reducing the burden on individual ground conductors and minimizing ground current loss.
3Loss of energy
If parasitic element arrays are added to form pseudo-slot openings, then radiation efficiency and gain are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a unified structure. The dipole antenna, parasitic elements, and ground conductor array are integrated into a single antenna apparatus that operates as a cohesive system. This merging allows the complex structure to achieve improved radiation efficiency and gain while maintaining manufacturability through standard etching processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The parasitic elements serve multiple functions: they facilitate electromagnetic coupling between the dipole antenna and ground conductors, provide additional current paths to reduce losses, and contribute to forming the pseudo-slot openings that enhance radiation efficiency. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits simultaneously.
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 results in a smaller antenna size with higher gain characteristics and improved radiation efficiency, effectively addressing the limitations of prior art slot antennas in high-frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of first parasitic elements are arranged at predetermined first intervals so as to be electromagnetically coupled to each other
Implementation Method 2
The first pseudo-slot openings allows a radio wave from the dipole antenna to propagate therethrough as magnetic currents
Data Source
AI summary
In each parasitic element array, each of parasitic elements has a strip shape substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of a dipole antenna, and the parasitic elements are formed at predetermined intervals. For example, the interval is set to be equal to or smaller than ⅛ of a wavelength λ of a high-frequency signal to be fed to a feeder line. The parasitic element arrays are arranged so as to form a plurality of pseudo-slot openings that allow a radio wave from the dipole antenna to propagate therethrough as magnetic currents.