Flexible Substrate Antenna Array for Dynamic Beam Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Directional antenna arrays with fixed configurations on multilayer printed circuit boards have limited beam coverage range, restricting their applications and sensing performance due to their non-deformable nature.

Innovation Solution

An antenna system with a flexible substrate and a driving mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of antenna unit positions, enabling variable configurations in response to commands or default settings, using a control device and servo motors to change the relative positions of antenna units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a multilayer printed circuit board is used to mount antenna units, then the overall beam direction is stabilized, but the beam coverage range is limited due to the non-deformable nature of the board

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam direction stabilityVSAvoidbeam coverage range

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static, non-deformable multilayer printed circuit board with a flexible substrate that can be dynamically deformed. The flexible substrate allows the antenna units to change their relative positions and orientations, enabling the beam coverage range to be adjusted while maintaining beam direction stability through controlled deformation. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent directly applies the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible substrate instead of a rigid multilayer printed circuit board. The flexible substrate can be deformed into various configurations, allowing the antenna units to be positioned differently to achieve different beam coverage ranges while maintaining stable beam direction through controlled deformation. This resolves the contradiction between the stability provided by rigid boards and the coverage range needed for versatile applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If the antenna array configuration is fixed, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the sensing performance is restricted due to limited coverage range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsensing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a reconfigurable antenna array where the flexible substrate can be deformed into different configurations. While the manufacturing process remains relatively simple compared to complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, the array can dynamically adjust its configuration to optimize sensing performance for different applications, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and sensing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the antenna units are positioned in a fixed manner, then the structure is simplified, but the coverage range and application versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidcoverage range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible substrate that can be deformed into various configurations. This allows the antenna units to be positioned in different arrangements to achieve different coverage ranges and application versatility while maintaining relatively simple structural design. The flexible substrate itself provides the complexity needed for reconfiguration without requiring additional complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the antenna array to transition between different configurations. The flexible substrate allows dynamic repositioning of antenna units, providing coverage range and application versatility without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3621155B1Dynamically adjusted antenna system and antenna array included therein

Publication Date: 2021.07.07 ALPHA NETWORKS INC

Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3

AI summary

An antenna system includes an antenna array (10), a control device and a driving mechanism. The antenna array (10) includes a plurality of antenna units (110, 210, 212, 214) disposed on a flexible substrate (100), wherein a configuration of the flexible substrate (100) is variable so as to change relative positions of at least two of the antenna units (110, 210, 212, 214). The control device determines the configuration of the flexible substrate (100) according to a default setting or in response to a dynamic input. The driving mechanism (3100, 3110, 3200, 3300) is connected between the flexible substrate (100) and the control device (3000, 3100) for driving the change of the configuration of the flexible substrate (100) in response to a command from the control device.