Directional Antenna with Segmented Radiating Elements for 180-Degree Beam Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional antennas used in mobile communication environments face insufficient lateral electric wave intensity, necessitating a design that achieves wide-range directivity while minimizing interference from metals and humans.
Innovation Solution
A directional antenna with a 3 dB beam width of 180 degrees or more, featuring a power-supply radiating element and paired non-power-supply radiating elements on a substrate, where the metal plate is positioned behind the power-supply radiating element to prevent rearward radiation, allowing for wide-angle electromagnetic wave radiation without interference from metals or humans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional directional antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the lateral electric wave intensity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple radiating elements with different functions: a power-supply radiating element and paired non-power-supply radiating elements. This segmentation allows each element to contribute differently to the radiation pattern, enhancing lateral electric wave intensity while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be formed as a single printed board.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna are assigned different properties: the power-supply radiating element receives electric power for primary radiation, while the non-power-supply radiating elements are positioned to specifically enhance lateral radiation without requiring separate power supply. This local differentiation optimizes lateral electric wave intensity without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the directivity range is expanded to cover wide angles, then the communication available range is improved, but the radiation intensity in specific directions may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation function is segmented across multiple elements: the power-supply radiating element provides strong forward radiation, while the paired non-power-supply radiating elements are strategically positioned to enhance lateral radiation. This segmentation enables the antenna to achieve a 3 dB beam width of 180 degrees or more while maintaining sufficient radiation intensity across the wide coverage range.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna design transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar arrangements to a configuration that effectively utilizes three-dimensional space through the vertical arrangement of radiating elements on the substrate. This dimensional approach allows wide angular coverage to be achieved without sacrificing radiation intensity in any particular direction.
3Reliability
If metal shields are added to block rearward radiation, then the directivity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding metal shields to block rearward radiation, the design extracts and utilizes the natural radiation characteristics of the radiating elements themselves. The paired non-power-supply radiating elements are positioned to naturally direct radiation forward and laterally, eliminating the need for additional metal shielding structures and maintaining ease of manufacture as a single printed board.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts what would traditionally be considered a problem (the need for metal shields to achieve directivity) into a benefit by using the radiating elements themselves to create the desired radiation pattern. The paired non-power-supply radiating elements naturally provide the directivity control that would otherwise require additional shielding components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving reliable directivity.
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 achieves sufficient lateral directivity with a 3 dB beam width of 180 degrees or more, ensuring effective communication while avoiding radiation interference from metals or humans, and can be easily formed as a single printed board.
Implementation Method 1
a 3 dB beam width which is a communication available range of electromagnetic waves is equal to or greater than 180 degrees
Implementation Method 2
Metal shields electric waves and decreases the intensity of the electric waves. Furthermore, metal reflects electric waves and decreases the intensity of electric waves on account of electric wave interference.
Implementation Method 3
a human absorbs electric waves and decreases the intensity of the electric waves
Data Source
AI summary
A directional antenna includes a substrate, a power-supply radiating element, paired non-power-supply radiating elements, and a metal plate. The power-supply radiating element is formed on the front surface of the substrate to be along the vertical direction. The power-supply radiating element receives electric power from the power-supplying portion. The paired non-power-supply radiating elements are provided along the vertical direction and oppose each other across the power-supply radiating element in a horizontal direction which is a direction along the front surface of the substrate on the horizontal plane, when viewed in a front-rear direction. A part of the metal plate is provided behind a part of the power-supply radiating element. The metal plate is not provided behind the paired non-power-supply radiating elements. The 3 dB beam width of the directional antenna on the horizontal plane is equal to or greater than 180 degrees including the range forward of the directional antenna.