Horn Array Antenna Dual Polarization Size Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current horn antennas for dual linear polarization face challenges in achieving improved performance while maintaining a compact size, as larger apertures are typically required for better performance, leading to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a horn array antenna with inclined sections, polarization guides, and polarization filtering units featuring ledges and apertures to manage radio wave propagation efficiently, allowing for reduced size without compromising performance by optimizing the aperture ratios and waveguide configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the external aperture size is increased to improve antenna performance, then the radiation efficiency and gain are improved, but the antenna size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidantenna size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single aperture into multiple internal apertures (first internal aperture and second internal aperture) within the waveguide. This segmentation allows the antenna to achieve improved performance through multiple radiation paths while maintaining a compact external aperture size, directly resolving the contradiction between performance and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by forming ledges that protrude into the waveguide aperture and creating multiple internal apertures at different positions. This dimensional transformation allows the antenna to pack more functional elements within the same external footprint, improving performance without increasing overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the waveguide aperture is tapered to match impedance and maximize energy radiation, then the radiation efficiency is improved, but the antenna length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation efficiencyVSAvoidantenna length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single tapered waveguide into multiple shorter waveguide sections with internal apertures distributed throughout. This allows impedance matching to be achieved through the distributed aperture structure rather than requiring a long continuous taper, thus improving radiation efficiency while keeping the overall length compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures multiple internal apertures and ledges within the waveguide structure before final assembly. These pre-positioned features establish the impedance matching characteristics and radiation patterns without requiring post-adjustment or extended taper lengths, achieving efficient radiation in a compact form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual linear polarization is implemented to improve communication capability, then the versatility and performance are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual linear polarization capabilityVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines both linear polarizations into a single integrated waveguide structure with multiple internal apertures and ledges, rather than using separate antennas for each polarization. This merging approach achieves dual polarization capability while reducing overall structural complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the waveguide structure with multiple internal apertures and ledges that can support multiple polarization modes simultaneously. This universal structure can handle both linear polarizations through a single antenna system, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the external aperture is made wider to improve performance, then the gain and directivity are improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests multiple internal apertures and ledges within the compact external waveguide structure. This nesting approach allows the antenna to achieve the performance of a larger aperture through internal geometric complexity rather than external size expansion, simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This configuration enhances antenna performance while reducing its size, achieving improved radiation efficiency and gain while maintaining the same performance as larger antennas, with a height reduction of up to 10mm and improved parameter S11 values.

Implementation Method 1

The horn guides inputting and outputting radio waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

as the impedance between the waveguide and the air is not matching, it reflects a part of the radio wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching:

Implementation Method 3

it reflects a part of the radio wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

The first polarization guide is connected to the horn and guides a first polarization. The second polarization guide is connected to the horn, disposed in parallel with the first polarization guide, and guides a second polarization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave polarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP1930982B1Horn array antenna for dual linear polarization
Publication Date: 2010.10.20 IM SEUNG JOON
  • EP1930982B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1930982B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1930982B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The horn array antenna includes a horn (10), a first polarization guide (30), and a second polarization guide (50). The horn (10) guides inputting and outputting radio waves, and includes a inclined section (15) tapered along a propagation direction of a radio wave and having an internal aperture formed at one end having a narrower width and at least one of ledges (17) projected at the end toward an inside of the internal aperture. The first polarization guide (30) is connected to the horn (10) and guides a first polarization. The second polarization guide (50) is connected to the horn (10), disposed in parallel with the first polarization guide (30), and guides a second polarization having directivity perpendicular to the first polarization.