Dummy Antenna Array for Symmetric Radiation Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna apparatuses require a greater distance between antennas to achieve a predetermined radiation pattern, which can lead to reduced target detection accuracy due to phase return issues, necessitating a solution to shorten the antenna spacing while maintaining radiation pattern symmetry.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of dummy antennas on either side of the antenna array, powered by leaked electric fields, and connecting matching elements to these dummy antennas to ensure identical radiation patterns, allowing for closer antenna spacing without compromising radiation pattern symmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a choke is added between antennas to secure isolation, then the radiation pattern can be obtained, but the distance between antennas must be greater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dummy antennas that are copies of the actual antennas, positioned at the ends of the antenna array. These dummy antennas replicate the radiation characteristics of the main antennas, creating a symmetric radiation pattern without requiring additional isolation components like chokes between each antenna element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by adding dummy antennas only at the ends of the array rather than between all antenna elements. This selective placement creates the necessary radiation pattern symmetry through the end elements while allowing closer spacing of the main antenna elements.
2Reliability
If the distance between antennas is increased, then isolation between antennas is improved, but target detection accuracy deteriorates due to phase return
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy antennas serve as copies that replicate the radiation and reception characteristics of the main antennas. By positioning these copies at the ends of the array, the system achieves proper isolation and phase relationships without requiring increased distance between the functional antenna elements, thereby maintaining target detection accuracy.
3Length of moving object
If antennas are arranged closer together, then the apparatus size is reduced, but radiation pattern symmetry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places dummy antennas at both ends of the array that are identical copies of the main antenna elements. This copying approach creates symmetric radiation patterns even when the main antenna elements are closely spaced, because the end dummy elements balance the radiation distribution and maintain the required pattern symmetry.
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 enables a smaller antenna spacing while maintaining radiation pattern symmetry and reducing distortion, thereby improving target detection accuracy by minimizing phase return effects.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of dummy antennas that: i) are provided on opposite sides of the antenna array in the predetermined direction, ii) are supplied with power from an electric field leaked from the antennas of the antenna array
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna apparatus includes: an antenna array that: i) includes a plurality of antennas arranged next to each other in a predetermined direction, ii) is supplied with power from a power source, and iii) transmits radio waves; and a plurality of dummy antennas that: i) are provided on opposite sides of the antenna array in the predetermined direction, ii) are supplied with power from an electric field leaked from the antennas of the antenna array, and iii) transmit radio waves. Thus, it is possible to prevent an accuracy of detecting a target from deteriorating.