Compact Directional Antenna Using Phase Shifted Monopoles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional directional antennas are often large, complex, and costly due to their design requirements, and they lack the necessary compactness and simplicity for efficient directional gain in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact directional antenna system utilizing two monopoles connected by a phase shifter, where the monopoles and phase shifter are designed to achieve a desired impedance and phase shift, allowing for adjustable beam directionality through controllable switch modules, effectively creating a two-element phased array for optimized directivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional directional antennas (Yagi, phased arrays) are used to achieve directional gain, then directional performance is improved, but device size and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into two separate monopole elements positioned at right angles to each other, with each element fed by independent phase shifters. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in structure while the combination provides directional gain through phase-controlled interference patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system uses electronically controllable phase shifters to dynamically adjust the phase relationship between the two monopole elements, enabling electronic beam steering without mechanical movement or complex physical reconfiguration of the antenna structure.
2Reliability
If conventional directional antennas with multiple elements and spacing are used, then directional gain is achieved, but the overall antenna size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The two monopole elements are positioned perpendicular to each other in a compact arrangement, effectively nesting the antenna elements in three-dimensional space rather than requiring linear extension. This allows the antenna to achieve directional gain without occupying large planar or linear space.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna transitions from a planar or linear element arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration with monopoles oriented at right angles to each other. This dimensional change enables compact packaging while maintaining the spacing necessary for directional radiation patterns.
3Ease of operation
If electronic scanning technologies (phased arrays) are used to provide directive gain, then directional control is improved, but loss and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex amplitude modulation circuitry and multiple independent feed networks found in conventional phased arrays. Only two simple monopole elements with phase control are retained, removing unnecessary loss-inducing components while maintaining electronic scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna uses simple monopole elements rather than expensive, complex phased array components. The design favors inexpensive, simple structures that can be easily manufactured and integrated, reducing both cost and RF loss while achieving the desired directional control through clever geometric arrangement and phase shifting.
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 system provides improved directional gain, compactness, and simplicity by optimizing the directivity and beam pattern control, reducing the need for complex electronic scanning and excessive loss, while maintaining low RF loss and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The phase shifter provides a phase shift, or delay, of a desired amount for an RF beam radiated from the delayed element relative to the RF beam radiated from the driven element
Implementation Method 2
the RF beam radiated from the delayed element will constructively, or additively, combine with the RF beam radiated from the driven element to form an RF beam radiating in a desired direction
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a directional antenna and methods for manufacturing the same are described. One system and method includes a plurality of antenna elements. Groups of the antenna elements cooperate to form a directional antenna. In one configuration, a first element is configured as a driven element and a second element is configured as a delayed element. The elements are separated by a distance such that an RF signal radiated from the driven element constructively combines with a delayed RF signal radiated by the delay element. In another configuration, the second element can be configured as the driven element and the first element configured as the delayed element.