Embedded Armor Antenna Parasitic Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna designs for armored vehicles face challenges in achieving optimal performance due to the close proximity of conductive surfaces, leading to limited bandwidth and gain, as well as vulnerability to damage from explosive attacks, and the need for apertures in armor panels that degrade performance.
Innovation Solution
A thin, embedded antenna system utilizing bowtie dipoles with a bottom parasitic element and an air gap between the parasitic element and the vehicle body, along with resistors to optimize performance, providing improved boresight gain and VSWR across a wide bandwidth without piercing the armor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a single parasitic element is used in a thin stacked element array, then the antenna structure remains thin and embedded in armor, but the boresight gain and VSWR performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into three distinct parasitic elements (first, second, and third parasitic elements) positioned at different locations relative to the driven element. This segmentation allows each element to contribute differently to the overall radiation pattern, improving boresight gain and VSWR performance while maintaining the thin embedded structure within the armor panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-element configuration to a three-element configuration by adding depth dimensionality within the thin armor panel. The elements are arranged in a stacked configuration along the thickness direction of the armor, utilizing the available space in the third dimension to achieve improved performance without increasing the overall footprint or compromising the thin-profile requirement.
2Reliability
If whip antennas are used on armored vehicles, then communication capability is achieved, but the antennas are vulnerable to damage from explosive attacks and ballistic penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is nested within the armor panel structure itself. The driven element and three parasitic elements are embedded within the thickness of the armor panel, with the armor material providing physical protection. This nesting approach allows the antenna to be protected by the armor against explosive and ballistic damage while maintaining full communication capability through the parasitic radiation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The armor panel acts as an intermediary medium between the antenna elements and the external environment. The parasitic elements radiate electromagnetic energy through the armor material, which serves as a mediator that provides mechanical protection while allowing electromagnetic transmission. This eliminates the need for external whip antennas that would be directly exposed to damage.
3Reliability
If apertures are created in armor panels for antenna installation, then antenna functionality is enabled, but the armor protection is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna functionality from the armor surface by embedding the elements within the panel thickness. Instead of creating apertures or openings in the armor, the antenna system is completely contained within the armor structure, with elements positioned at different depths. This extraction approach enables full antenna functionality through parasitic radiation while preserving the continuous, intact armor structure without any apertures or protective degradations.
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 achieves greater than −1 dBi gain and VSWR less than 3:1 across 225-450 GHz, enhancing antenna efficiency and resistance to ballistic penetration while maintaining the armor's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a driven bowtie dipole element to the inside of an armor layer and a first parasitically-driven bowtie dipole element to the outside of the armor layer... The first parasitic element is electromagnetically coupled to the driven element
Data Source
AI summary
For use with an armored vehicle, a wideband embedded armor antenna is provided. The antenna includes an armor layer mounted to the armored vehicle. A driven dipole is mounted between the armor layer and the vehicle, the dipole operating in the UHF band. A first parasitically driven dipole is mounted on the outside of the armor layer. A second parasitically driven dipole is mounted between the driven dipole and the vehicle. A feed for the driven dipole is provided which does not pierce the armor layer.