Structural Egg Crate Aperture for Conformal UAV Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave and millimeter-wave frequency antennas are cumbersome and limited in flexibility, making them unsuitable for steerable beam applications, especially in moving communication systems and radar applications, where traditional antennas are rigid and cannot be easily integrated into aircraft or small UAVs.
Innovation Solution
A structural wideband multifunctional aperture is designed, comprising a ground plane, a grid of circuit board planes, signal feed-lines, and a driven feed layer, which allows for electronic beam steering and provides wide bandwidth, polarization diversity, and flexibility in installation, enabling conformal arrays and larger apertures on aircraft and small UAVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional waveguides, dish antennas, helical coils, or horns are used, then antenna functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes cumbersome and rigid, limiting flexibility and ease of installation
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into discrete unit cells arranged in an egg-crate configuration, where each unit cell contains simplified radiating elements and feed structures. This segmentation transforms the complex traditional antenna structures into modular, manageable units that can be easily integrated into conformal arrays on aircraft surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The egg-crate circuit board structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, defines the radiating aperture geometry, integrates feed networks, and enables conformal mounting on curved surfaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural components, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If phased array antennas are used for electronic beam steering, then beam steering capability is improved, but the antenna structure becomes more complex and requires multiple elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the radiating elements, feed networks, and phase control structures into a single integrated egg-crate circuit board assembly. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining electronic beam steering capability through phase shifters implemented within the circuit board traces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid apertures are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the aperture size and location flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The egg-crate circuit board is constructed as a thin, flexible structure that can conform to curved aircraft surfaces while maintaining its structural integrity. The circuit board planes and ground planes form a rigid yet adaptable framework that can be mounted on various locations of the aircraft skin without requiring thick rigid substrates.
4Power
If larger aperture sizes are used, then antenna gain is improved, but the weight and structural load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure utilizes composite construction with circuit board planes, ground planes, and dielectric materials integrated into a lightweight assembly. The egg-crate configuration provides structural rigidity with minimal material usage, achieving large aperture areas without proportionally increasing weight.
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 provides effective gain within 2 to 3 dB of ideal gain for a surface area, supports wide-bandwidth coverage, and allows for arbitrary polarization, enabling larger apertures, increased flexibility in placement, and enhanced mission capabilities for small and medium UAVs.
Implementation Method 1
A ground plane is provided to ground radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) electrical fields
Implementation Method 2
Above the antenna layer is a dielectric cover used to tune the RF performance of structural wideband multifunctional aperture
Data Source
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AI summary
A structural wideband multifunctional aperture and methods are presented. A ground plane grounds radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) electrical fields. A structural egg crate circuit board comprises a grid of circuit board planes coupled to the ground plane and perpendicular to the ground plane around open boxes. A signal feed-line is coupled to the structural egg crate circuit board and couple-able to a signal transmission line. A driven feed layer parallel to the ground plane is coupled to the signal feed-line and to a side of the structural egg crate circuit board opposite to the ground plane.