Foldable Stacked Multi-Band Antenna for Space-Limited UAVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniature satellites and UAVs face space and weight constraints in integrating multi-band antennas, particularly for lower 5G microwave frequencies, as individual arrays occupy the entire surface, preventing simultaneous deployment of S- and C-band antennas.
Innovation Solution
A foldable and rollable stacked antenna structure with circularly polarized crossed dipole antenna elements on flexible sheets, separated by a ground plane and insulating material, allowing for compact packaging and deployment in orbit, enabling operation on multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual antenna arrays are deployed for each frequency band, then communication quality on specific bands is improved, but the surface area occupied increases, preventing simultaneous deployment of multiple bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple frequency band antenna arrays (L-band, S-band, C-band) into a single integrated antenna structure. The antenna elements are designed to operate across multiple frequency bands simultaneously, merging what would traditionally be separate antenna systems into one unified device that maintains communication quality across all bands while occupying a single surface location.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is designed with universal functionality to operate across multiple frequency bands (L-band 1-2 GHz, S-band 2-4 GHz, C-band 4-8 GHz). The same physical antenna structure serves multiple communication purposes simultaneously, allowing the satellite to maintain reliable communication on different frequency bands without requiring separate dedicated antenna arrays for each band.
2Adaptability or versatility
If antenna arrays are made larger to accommodate multiple frequency bands, then multi-band communication capability is improved, but the volume and weight increase, exceeding satellite constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frequency band operations into a single antenna array structure. By designing antenna elements that resonate across L-band, S-band, and C-band frequencies simultaneously, the system achieves multi-band adaptability without requiring separate physical arrays for each band, thereby avoiding volume multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (vertical stacking and layering) to accommodate multiple frequency band operations. By arranging antenna elements in stacked configurations and using vertical separation between different frequency band sections, the design achieves multi-band capability without proportionally increasing the horizontal surface area, thus controlling the overall volume footprint.
3Volume of moving object
If antenna structures are made compact for transport, then volume during transport is reduced, but deployment complexity increases for orbital deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs deployable antenna structures that transition from a compact stored configuration to an operational deployed configuration. The antenna array is designed to be folded or rolled during transport to minimize volume, then mechanically deployed in orbit to achieve the required operational dimensions for multi-band communication, dynamically adapting to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure is designed with nested or folded configurations that allow the large operational antenna array to be compacted into a small volume for satellite launch. The antenna elements are arranged in nested layers or folded sections that fit within the constrained launch vehicle payload volume, then unfold or expand to their full operational size once in orbit.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an antenna stack comprising a ground plane and a plurality of antenna layers for separate operating frequency bands, the antenna stack comprising i) an antenna on one antenna layer and at least one antenna array on at least one different antenna layer or ii) at least two antenna arrays, each on a different antenna layer. Each individual antenna layer comprises an antenna or an antenna array that operates on a frequency band that is specific to the respective antenna layer and different from frequency band or bands of other antenna layer or layers. The antenna layer comprises antenna elements manufactured by patterning conductor material on a respective flexible and/or bendable sheet of insulating material. Antenna elements on the respective antenna layer is a circularly polarized crossed dipole antenna element or a crossed dipole antenna element that is electrically configurable into circularly polarized or linearly polarized configuration. Each antenna layer has a predefined distance from the ground plane, wherein the predefined distance between the antenna or antenna array comprised on the respective antenna layer and the ground plane is defined based of the frequency band of the respective antenna or antenna array.