Franklin Antenna Radiation Structure for Switchable Beam Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing omnidirectional antennas lack high gain patterns and have limited wireless coverage, while directional antennas with reconfiguration require complex structures and control circuits.
Innovation Solution
An antenna radiation device based on a Franklin antenna design with multiple radiation units, switches, and a serpentine inverter structure, allowing for different maximum gains and beam orientations through switch configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a directional antenna is used to achieve reconfiguration, then the beam direction can be changed, but the antenna gain at all angles except the maximum beam pointing is very low and the coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple radiation units (first, second, and third radiation units) arranged in different directions. By segmenting the antenna structure and using switches to selectively activate different radiation units, the system achieves both directional reconfiguration and omnidirectional coverage. The serpentine inverter further segments the feeding network to enable independent control of different antenna segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna employs dynamic reconfiguration through switches (first switch, second switch, third switch) that can change the operational state of different radiation units based on communication requirements. This dynamic switching enables the antenna to adapt between omnidirectional mode and directional beam modes, optimizing both coverage area and adaptability.
2Area of stationary object
If an omnidirectional antenna is used to achieve wider coverage, then the overall wireless coverage is improved, but the antenna does not have an omnidirectional high gain pattern and the wireless coverage range is small
Solution Approach 1:
Different radiation units are designed with different orientations and characteristics. The first radiation unit radiates in a first direction, the second radiation unit in a second direction, and the third radiation unit in a third direction. By activating specific radiation units locally, the antenna achieves high gain in specific directions while maintaining overall omnidirectional coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable architecture enables dynamic adjustment between omnidirectional high gain mode and directional beam mode. When omnidirectional high gain is needed, multiple radiation units are activated simultaneously; when directional coverage is needed, specific radiation units are selected, optimizing both coverage area and antenna gain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional pilot/reverser or reconfigurable feed network is introduced to realize reconfiguration of omnidirectional antenna, then the reconfiguration capability is achieved, but the size is large, structure is complex, and the number of switches increases leading to complex control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The serpentine inverter merges multiple feeding functions into a single integrated structure. It provides both phase inversion and signal distribution to multiple radiation units through its serpentine configuration, eliminating the need for separate pilot/reverser components and simplifying the feed network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The serpentine inverter performs multiple functions: it acts as a phase inverter, a signal distributor, and a structural support element. This multi-functional design reduces the overall component count and simplifies the control circuitry while maintaining full reconfiguration capability for omnidirectional and directional modes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an antenna radiation device. The antenna radiation device includes a first radiation unit, a second radiation unit, a third radiation unit, a feed point, an inverter and a first switch. The feed point is arranged between the first radiation unit and the second radiation unit, the inverter is arranged between the second radiation unit and the third radiation unit, and the first switch is arranged between the inverter and the second radiation unit. With the first switch turned off, the antenna radiation device is in a first mode having a first maximum gain and a first maximum gain planar orientation, and with the first switch turned on, the antenna radiation device is in a second mode having a second maximum gain and a second maximum gain planar orientation. The present disclosure also relates to an antenna having the antenna radiation device.