Dual Antenna Vehicle System for Omnidirectional Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle antennas fail to provide omni-directional coverage due to the shape of the vehicle's roof, leading to inadequate forward communication and increased antenna misalignments, especially with the trend towards higher operating frequencies and aesthetic/aerodynamic design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A dual-antenna system with a directive antenna for forward communication and a conventional antenna for backward communication, designed to provide omni-directional coverage and tolerate installation displacements, ensuring robust communication across various frequencies without altering the vehicle's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional monopole antenna is mounted on the roof of the vehicle, then the antenna structure is simple and easy to install, but the roof tilt acts as an obstacle causing the radiation pattern to be non-omni-directional and inducing antenna misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into two separate directive antenna devices, each optimized for specific radiation directions. The first antenna device is configured for forward radiation while the second is configured for backward radiation, eliminating the omnidirectional requirement for each individual antenna and allowing each to be optimized for its specific function without roof interference
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single omnidirectional antenna that suffers from roof interference, the patent inverts the approach by using two directive antennas with specific radiation patterns. Each antenna is designed to radiate in specific directions (forward and backward respectively), turning the roof from an obstacle into a non-interfering structure by avoiding omnidirectional radiation requirements
2Shape
If the vehicle roof is designed with aesthetic and aerodynamic considerations, then the vehicle appearance is improved and aerodynamic performance is enhanced, but the roof tilt obstructs the antenna radiation pattern and causes misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The communication function is segmented into two separate directive antenna systems, each handling specific directional requirements. This segmentation allows the roof design to maintain its aesthetic and aerodynamic shape without needing to accommodate omnidirectional radiation, as each antenna is optimized for specific radiation directions
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna device is designed with local quality optimized for its specific radiation direction. The first antenna device has radiation characteristics optimized for forward communication while the second has characteristics optimized for backward communication, allowing each to perform its specific function effectively without being constrained by overall roof geometry
3Device complexity
If a single omnidirectional antenna is used for all communication directions, then the antenna system is simple, but it cannot provide adequate forward communication due to roof interference and fails to achieve true omni-directional coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication coverage function into two separate directive antenna devices, each responsible for specific directional ranges. The first antenna device covers forward directions while the second covers backward directions, together providing complete omnidirectional coverage without requiring each antenna to be omnidirectional, thus maintaining simpler individual antenna structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two directive antenna devices to achieve the functional equivalence of an omnidirectional antenna. By merging the radiation patterns of the two directive antennas (one for forward, one for backward), the system achieves complete omnidirectional coverage while avoiding the roof interference problems that plague single omnidirectional antennas
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional antennas are used at higher operating frequencies, then new communication services can be provided, but the forward radiation is more affected by the roof tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-frequency communication function into two directive antenna devices, each optimized for specific directional radiation at the required frequency bands. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for forward or backward radiation respectively, eliminating the roof tilt interference that affects omnidirectional antennas at high frequencies
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 dual-antenna system achieves robust, omni-directional communication with reduced misalignments and flexibility in installation, maintaining performance across different frequencies and aesthetic requirements, enhancing driver safety and vehicle compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
the first directive antenna device being configured for radiating in a first direction of radiation, and the second antenna device being configured for radiating in a second direction of radiation, being said second direction of radiation an opposing direction to the first direction of radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
Antenna system for a vehicle comprising a first directive antenna device and a second antenna device for a frequency band of operation, and a reflector plane (3), wherein the first directive antenna device (7) comprises: a first ground plane (4), a first dielectric substrate (5), a first antenna group (1) shorted to the first ground plane (4) and comprising a first radiating conductor (6) and a second radiating conductor (8), forming a first configuration and are connected to the reflector plane (3) by transmission lines (9) electromagnetically coupled to the frequency band of operation, the reflector plane (3), disposed forming an angle with respect to the first dielectric substrate (5), the first directive antenna device (7) radiating in a direction of radiation, and the second antenna device, connected to the first directive antenna device (7), radiating in an opposing direction to the first directive antenna device (7).