Flush-Mounted EBG Antenna for Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an antenna that is flush-mounted, has high gain, wide bandwidth, and can be beam-steered, all while being compact in volume, to meet the increasing communication requirements for aircraft and missiles, as existing solutions fail to provide these qualities effectively within the same volume and using standard fabrication processes.
Innovation Solution
A microstrip patch antenna with an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure is flush-mounted within a conductive cavity, utilizing a high relative dielectric material and a specific arrangement of unit cells to achieve wide bandwidth and beam-steering capabilities, with a compact form factor of 0.54λ×0.45λ×0.07λ, allowing for stable fixed beam steering and improved gain on the horizon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to minimize mass impact and fit within limited volume, then the volume and weight are reduced, but the gain and bandwidth performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters of the antenna system by introducing EBG structures with specific unit cell geometries and high dielectric constant materials (εr=10.2), which fundamentally alter the wave propagation characteristics and impedance matching, enabling enhanced performance in a compact volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by integrating multiple functional layers including EBG structures, high dielectric constant dielectric materials, microstrip feed lines, and radiating elements within a single substrate, creating a multi-functional composite antenna system that achieves superior performance in limited space
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna is made flush-mounted to minimize aerodynamic effects, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the beam-steering capability and gain are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional planar antenna designs to a three-dimensional flush-mounted structure by stacking EBG layers, dielectric layers, and radiating elements vertically, utilizing the third dimension to maintain beam-steering capability while achieving aerodynamic flush mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces EBG structures as intermediary elements between the feed network and radiating elements, which act as electromagnetic mediators to control surface wave propagation and enable beam steering without compromising the flush-mounted aerodynamic profile
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bandwidth is increased to satisfy communication requirements, then the frequency range is expanded, but the antenna volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves wide bandwidth by adjusting key parameters including the EBG unit cell dimensions (a=0.15λ0, b=0.15λ0, c=0.05λ0), dielectric constant (εr=10.2), and substrate thickness, which collectively broaden the impedance matching bandwidth while maintaining compact dimensions of 0.54λ0×0.45λ0×0.07λ0
4Ease of manufacture
If standard PCB materials and fabrication processes are used to reduce manufacturing complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the precision and performance control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific design parameters for standard PCB materials including dielectric constant εr=10.2, loss tangent tanδ=0.002, and substrate thickness h=0.07λ0, which provide sufficient performance control while remaining compatible with conventional PCB fabrication processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna into segmented unit cells with dimensions a=0.15λ0, b=0.15λ0, c=0.05λ0 that can be independently fabricated using standard PCB techniques, allowing modular manufacturing while maintaining overall performance through precise unit cell geometry
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 design provides significant improvements in gain, angular coverage, and impedance bandwidth, making it suitable for various communication applications, including datalinks, while maintaining a small footprint and minimizing aerodynamic impact, and can be fabricated using standard PCB materials and processes.
Implementation Method 1
The EBG structure is a physically realizable magnetic conductor having phase reflection and surface-wave band gap characteristics
Implementation Method 2
The EBG structure is a physically realizable magnetic conductor having phase reflection and surface-wave band gap characteristics
Implementation Method 3
The capacitance from the cavity walls and the EBG structure increases the bandwidth and enhances beam steering
Implementation Method 4
material having a high relative dielectric constant (e.g. Rogers TMM10i)
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna includes a radiating element that is held in a fixed orientation with respect to an underlying electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure. In one embodiment, the radiating element and the EBG structure are both housed within a conductive cavity. The radiating element, the EBG structure, and the cavity are designed together to achieve an antenna having improved operational characteristics (e.g., enhanced bandwidth, beam steering, etc.). In some embodiments, the antenna may be implemented as a flush mounted or conformal antenna on an outer surface of a supporting platform.