Dual-Mode Parallel Waveguide Antenna Array for Dual-Band Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-band antenna systems are large and heavy due to separate design of frequency bands, which limits their miniaturization and integration in wireless communication devices, and there is a need for a solution that can efficiently manage dual-band operations with high integration, small size, and low weight.
Innovation Solution
A dual-band shared-aperture antenna array based on a dual-mode parallel waveguide, incorporating low-frequency and high-frequency waveguide-substrate integrated waveguide transitions, multi-stage power splitters, coupling slots, and matching through-holes, which allows for flexible frequency adjustment and high isolation between frequency bands by using transverse and longitudinal coupling slots to form fixed-beam and multi-beam leaky-wave antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antennas of different frequency bands are designed separately with each frequency band occupying one radiation interface, then each antenna can work independently with good performance, but the antenna system becomes large in size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frequency band antennas into a single shared radiation aperture. The dual-mode parallel waveguide structure allows TE10 mode for low-frequency bands and TE20 mode for high-frequency bands to coexist in the same physical aperture, eliminating the need for separate radiation interfaces for each frequency band while maintaining independent operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared-aperture antenna array achieves multi-functionality by supporting multiple frequency bands through a single radiation interface. The parallel waveguide structure with different mode excitations enables the same physical aperture to serve multiple frequency bands independently, making the antenna system universal across different communication standards.
2Reliability
If antennas of different frequency bands are designed separately with each frequency band occupying one radiation interface, then each antenna can work independently with good performance, but the overall size of the antenna system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frequency band antennas into a single shared radiation aperture. The dual-mode parallel waveguide structure allows TE10 mode for low-frequency bands and TE20 mode for high-frequency bands to coexist in the same physical aperture, eliminating the need for separate radiation interfaces for each frequency band while maintaining independent operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes modal dimensionality in the waveguide structure to differentiate frequency bands. Instead of spatial separation in the same dimension, it employs different electromagnetic modes (TE10, TE20) within the same waveguide cross-section, effectively adding a modal dimension for frequency band separation while maintaining compact physical footprint.
3Weight of stationary object
If a shared-aperture antenna array is used to reduce size and weight, then manufacturing costs are reduced and aperture utilization is improved, but isolation between different frequency bands becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveguide structure into parallel channels, each dedicated to a specific frequency band with its own power splitter network. This segmentation allows independent optimization and isolation control for each frequency band while sharing the common radiation aperture, simplifying the isolation mechanism compared to fully integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces power splitter networks as intermediary components between the waveguide input and the shared-aperture radiation elements. These intermediaries enable independent control and isolation of different frequency bands by selectively directing signals to appropriate radiating elements, simplifying the overall isolation implementation.
4Ease of manufacture
If substrate integrated waveguide technology is used for W-band antenna, then cost is reduced and integration is improved, but achieving dual-band operation with high isolation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the waveguide structure to achieve dual-band operation. By modifying the waveguide dimensions and introducing specific mode-selective structures, it enables TE10 mode for low-frequency bands and TE20 mode for high-frequency bands using the same substrate integrated waveguide technology, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving complex dual-band functionality.
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 solution enables a compact, high-gain dual-band antenna array with improved isolation and frequency flexibility, reducing overall size and weight while maintaining rich signal content, and can replace duplexer and broadband antennas in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
low-frequency waveguide-substrate integrated waveguide transition structure, high-frequency waveguide-substrate integrated waveguide transition structure
Implementation Method 2
low-frequency multi-stage cascaded power splitter, high-frequency multi-stage cascaded power splitter, divides the signal into 1/2N with an equal amplitude and a same phase
Implementation Method 3
transverse coupling slot, longitudinal coupling slot, transmitted through the transverse coupling slot to the shared-aperture dual-mode parallel waveguide
Implementation Method 4
shared-aperture parallel slot array is used to radiate an electromagnetic wave, to form a low-band fixed-beam slot array antenna
Implementation Method 5
high-band multi-beam long slot leaky-wave antenna is formed by radiating an electromagnetic wave by using the shared-aperture parallel long slot array
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-band shared-aperture antenna array based on a dual-mode parallel waveguide is applicable to the field of wireless communications technologies. The dual-band shared-aperture antenna array includes: a waveguide-substrate integrated waveguide transition structure, a multi-stage cascaded power splitter, a transverse coupling slot, a longitudinal coupling slot, a matching through-hole, a shared-aperture dual-mode parallel waveguide, and a shared-aperture parallel slot array. The entire structure includes two dielectric substrates. A signal is input to the multi-stage cascaded power splitter through the waveguide-substrate integrated waveguide transition structure located on a bottom-layer substrate. The foregoing dual-band shared-aperture antenna array based on a dual-mode parallel waveguide can separately implement a low-band fixed-beam slot array antenna, a high-band multi-beam long slot leaky-wave antenna, or a fixed-beam slot array antenna. It has a simple structure, multiple functions, high integration, a small size and light weight.