Heterogeneous Multiband Antenna Array Face Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiband cellular antennas face challenges in achieving well-behaved gain patterns in both low and high bands, leading to interference between radiators, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs due to the need for complex cloaking elements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a multiband antenna with specific arrangements of first and second unit cells, each with distinct radiator configurations optimized for either low or high band performance, arranged along an elevation axis to balance and enhance both band performances, reducing interference and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If radiators are integrated with cloaking elements to reduce interference between LB and HB radiators, then interference is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cloaking function from the radiator structure by introducing separate parasitic elements that perform the cloaking function independently from the driven radiators. This separates the interference reduction function from the radiation function, allowing each to be optimized independently and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is segmented into distinct functional components: driven radiators for signal transmission/reception and separate parasitic elements for cloaking and interference reduction. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured independently, reducing complexity compared to integrated cloaked radiators.
2Reliability
If array face design is optimized for one band, then performance in that band improves, but performance in the other band deteriorates due to inter-band effects
Solution Approach 1:
Parasitic elements are introduced as intermediary components that mediate the interaction between LB and HB radiators. These elements act as intermediaries that reduce co-polarization interference, cross-polarization interference, and shadowing effects, allowing the array face to be optimized for one band without severely degrading the other band's performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the array face are designed with different local qualities: some unit cells have radiators configured for superior LB performance while others have radiators configured for superior HB performance. This local optimization allows the overall system to achieve consistent performance across both bands by distributing different functional specializations across the array.
3Reliability
If heterogeneous unit cells with different radiator configurations are used, then performance balance between LB and HB improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The array face is segmented into standardized first unit cells and second unit cells, each with defined radiator configurations optimized for different bands. This segmentation into modular, repeatable units simplifies manufacturing compared to completely custom heterogeneous designs, as each unit cell type can be manufactured using standardized processes and then assembled in alternating patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiband antenna has a plurality of first, unit cells and second unit cells. Each first unit cell has two high band radiator clusters and two low band radiators disposed approximately in the center of each of the high band radiator clusters. Each second unit cell has two high band radiator clusters and one low band radiator that is disposed between the two high band radiator clusters. The first unit cell is designed for a superior low band gain pattern, and the second unit cell is designed for a superior high band gain pattern. By selectively arranging the first and second unit cells in a specific heterogeneous pattern, the characteristics of the two unit cells may advantageously and constructively combine to form a high performance antenna gain pattern that is consistent across the low band and high band.