Interleaved Dual-Polarized Multiband Antenna Arrays for mmWave Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiband antennas face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple frequency bands without increasing physical size, particularly in the millimeter wave frequency range, leading to compromised scanning performance and increased coupling between elements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a multiband antenna array with interleaved dual-polarized elements, where each type of element exclusively supports a band or set of bands, with varying spacings and configurations to optimize performance across different frequency bands, including the use of parasitic radiators and different feed structures to enhance bandwidth and reduce grating lobes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frequency bands are supported using traditional antenna designs, then the antenna must cover a wide frequency range, but the physical size of the antenna increases and coupling between elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple sub-arrays, where each sub-array is dedicated to specific frequency bands. This segmentation allows each sub-array to be optimized for its designated bands without requiring the entire antenna structure to be large enough to accommodate all bands simultaneously, thereby reducing overall antenna size while maintaining multi-band support capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs three-dimensional positioning of antenna elements with varying spacings in different dimensions. By utilizing vertical and horizontal spacing variations, the antenna achieves multi-band support through spatial diversity rather than simply increasing the planar footprint, effectively adding dimensional complexity to overcome the size limitation
2Volume of moving object
If antenna elements are placed closer together to reduce antenna size, then the physical footprint is reduced, but grating lobes increase and scanning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the antenna array have different element spacings tailored to specific frequency bands. Sub-arrays operating at different frequencies are positioned with spacings optimized for their respective bands, allowing the antenna to maintain small overall size while preventing grating lobes in each local region through band-specific spacing optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system dynamically selects and activates specific sub-arrays based on the operating frequency band. This dynamic configuration allows the effective aperture and element spacing to be optimized for the current operating band, maintaining scanning performance across different frequencies without requiring a uniformly large array structure
3Object-generated harmful factors
If antenna elements are spaced further apart to reduce coupling, then coupling between elements is reduced, but the antenna physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into segmented sub-arrays that are spatially separated and dedicated to different frequency bands. This segmentation naturally reduces coupling between elements operating at different frequencies since they are physically grouped into separate sub-arrays with adequate spacing, while the overall antenna footprint remains compact due to the focused arrangement of each sub-array
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna is described. The antenna includes a first plurality of first elements. Each of the first elements is dual polarized and configured to support a first set of bands and a second set of bands that is mutually exclusive from the first set of bands. The antenna also includes a second plurality of second elements. Each of the second elements is dual polarized and configured to support the second set of bands. The second plurality of second elements is interleaved with the first plurality of first elements.