Integrated Antenna Structural Support for UAV Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have limited payload lift and primary power capacities, making it challenging to implement effective radio frequency (RF) communications and countermeasures without overloading the aircraft's power and lift capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An antenna design that integrates structural support features with an aerodynamic surface, forming a half horn or half Vivaldi antenna configuration, which utilizes the conductive and reflective characteristics of the surface to reduce size and weight, allowing for dual functionality as both an antenna and a structural support for equipment pods, thereby conserving lift capacity and increasing RF gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional separate antenna and structural support designs are used, then structural strength is sufficient, but weight increases and lift capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna structure with the structural support into a single integrated component. The antenna elements are mounted directly onto the structural support members, eliminating the need for separate antenna mounting brackets and hardware. This merging of functions reduces overall weight while maintaining both antenna performance and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support members are designed to serve dual purposes: providing mechanical support for the aerodynamic surface and simultaneously serving as mounting structures for the antenna elements. This multi-functionality allows the same component to fulfill both structural and RF functions, reducing total system weight.
2Power
If larger antenna structures are used to improve RF gain, then communications performance improves, but weight increases and lift capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space available within the aerodynamic surface structure to mount antenna elements. By exploiting the vertical and lateral dimensions within the existing structural envelope, the design achieves effective RF gain without adding external antenna structures that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic surface structure itself serves as the mounting framework for the antenna system. The existing structural members provide both mechanical support and antenna mounting functions, allowing the structure to serve itself dual purposes without requiring additional weight-bearing components.
3Power
If more equipment components are added to enhance communications capability, then RF performance improves, but lift capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates antenna components directly into the structural support framework, combining what would traditionally be separate equipment into a single integrated assembly. This eliminates redundant mounting hardware and reduces overall equipment weight, preserving lift capacity while maintaining RF performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support members are designed to simultaneously provide mechanical support for aerodynamic surfaces and housing/mounting for antenna elements and associated electronics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate equipment bays and mounting structures, conserving lift capacity.
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
The antenna design achieves weight savings and enhanced RF gain, reducing the power required for RF communications and countermeasures, while allowing additional components to be housed within the UAV, thus optimizing the use of limited lift and power resources.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna can include an aerodynamic surface and a structure extending from the aerodynamic surface. The structure and at least a portion of the aerodynamic surface can form an antenna.
Implementation Method 2
utilizes the conductive and reflective characteristics of the surface to reduce size and weight
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna is disclosed. The antenna can include an aerodynamic surface and an antenna component comprising a structure configured to extend from the aerodynamic surface. The structure and at least a portion of the aerodynamic surface can form an antenna, such as a half double-ridge horn antenna or a half Vivaldi antenna. In one aspect, the structure can be configured to support a pod, thus integrating the antenna with a mechanical mounting structure for the pod.