Interleaved Subarray Planar Waveguide Antenna Sidelobe Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compact planar antennas for space-limited applications like aircraft and satellite communications have limited bandwidth and rectangular shapes with uniform amplitude distribution, leading to higher-than-desired antenna pattern sidelobe levels.
Innovation Solution
A planar antenna design featuring two sets of interleaved subarrays with shunt and series waveguides, allowing for a tapered amplitude distribution and increased bandwidth by reducing the number of antenna elements per subarray, enabling reduced sidelobe levels and dual polarization states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uniform amplitude distribution is used over the planar aperture, then the antenna structure is simple, but the antenna pattern sidelobe levels are higher than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a tapered amplitude distribution across the antenna aperture rather than uniform distribution. This is achieved through careful design of the feed network that provides different power levels to different antenna elements, with elements at the center receiving higher power and elements at the edges receiving lower power. This local variation in amplitude quality reduces sidelobe levels while maintaining overall system functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If rectangular shape is used for the planar antenna, then the manufacturing is straightforward, but the bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the geometric parameters of the antenna elements and their spacing to achieve broader bandwidth performance. The design includes varying the dimensions, shapes, and positions of antenna elements and feed structures to extend the operational frequency range while maintaining manufacturability through systematic parameter optimization rather than complex structural changes.
3Device complexity
If equal antenna element power levels are used, then the power distribution is uniform, but the sidelobe levels are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality in power distribution by designing a feed network that delivers tapered power levels to different antenna elements. The network includes impedance matching structures and power division elements that locally adjust the amplitude of signals fed to each element, creating a smooth amplitude taper across the aperture that reduces sidelobe levels while maintaining system complexity at acceptable levels.
4Area of stationary object
If more antenna elements per subarray are used, then the coverage area is increased, but the bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the number, size, and spacing of antenna elements to achieve a balance between coverage area and bandwidth. The design includes careful selection of element dimensions, inter-element spacing, and subarray configuration parameters to maximize bandwidth performance while maintaining adequate coverage area for the intended application.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna comprises: a first set of two subarrays and a second set of two subarrays, where each subarray comprises: a set of antenna elements; a set of shunt waveguides, where each shunt waveguide is coupled to a unique subset of antenna elements; and a series waveguide coupled to each shunt waveguide of the set of shunt waveguides; wherein all of the series waveguides are substantially parallel; wherein each subarray of the first set is interleaved with a unique subarray of the second set so as to form first interleaved subarrays and second interleaved subarrays; wherein the first interleaved subarrays and the second interleaved subarrays are adjacent; and wherein the series waveguides of the second set are disposed within the series waveguides of the first set without any interceding series waveguides.