Leaky-Wave Antenna Structure for Dual-Polarized Beam Sweeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas, such as metallic waveguide-based orthogonal mode dual-polarized leaky-wave antennas and active phased array antennas, struggle with complex structures, high costs, and high power consumption while lacking the ability to implement dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping.
Innovation Solution
A leaky-wave antenna structure with a rectangular waveguide and radiating elements, including slots and a control component, allows for dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping by controlling slots to be open-circuited or short-circuited, and incorporates a slow-wave structure for improved signal conversion and a feeding structure for orthogonal mode feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an active phased array antenna is used to implement dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping, then beam sweeping capability is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase significantly due to large quantity of T/R components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex T/R components and phase shifters from the antenna system. Instead of using active electronic components for beam control, the invention uses a passive leaky-wave antenna structure where beam sweeping is achieved through frequency tuning of the leaky-wave mode, eliminating the need for complex active components while maintaining beam sweeping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic control system (T/R components, phase shifters) with a waveguide-based leaky-wave mechanism. The beam direction is controlled by adjusting the frequency of the leaky-wave mode propagating along the waveguide, substituting electronic active control with a passive electromagnetic wave propagation mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If an active phased array antenna with T/R components is used, then beam sweeping is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to large quantity of electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes expensive electronic components (T/R modules, phase shifters, amplifiers) from the antenna system. The beam sweeping function is achieved through a passive waveguide structure with frequency-selective surfaces and leaky-wave modes, dramatically reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining the required beam sweeping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex electronic components with simpler, cheaper waveguide structures and frequency-selective surfaces. The beam control is achieved through frequency tuning rather than complex electronic switching, using inexpensive passive components instead of costly active electronics
3Adaptability or versatility
If an active phased array antenna is used to achieve dual-polarized beam sweeping, then beam control is achieved, but power consumption increases due to large quantity of active components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates power-hungry active components (T/R amplifiers, phase shifters, frequency synthesizers) from the system. The beam sweeping is achieved passively by tuning the frequency of the leaky-wave mode along the waveguide, requiring minimal power only for frequency synthesis rather than for active beam control at each antenna element
Solution Approach 2:
The leaky-wave antenna structure is self-controlling in that the beam direction automatically follows the frequency of the excited leaky-wave mode. The structure itself provides the beam sweeping function through its distributed coupling along the waveguide, without requiring external active control components at each element, thereby reducing power consumption
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 structure achieves dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping with a simple structure, low profile, and low costs, enhancing communication capacity and reducing the number of antennas needed, while improving gain and bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
a leaky-wave antenna naturally has characteristics of high directivity, a low profile, and beam sweeping with frequency
Implementation Method 2
the radiating part 12 is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy
Implementation Method 3
the first rectangular waveguide 13 and the second rectangular waveguide 14 have different cross-sectional sizes, and are respectively configured to excite electromagnetic signals in two orthogonal modes: TE 10 and TE 01
Implementation Method 4
the control component is connected to the radiating element, and the control component is configured to control the first slot and the second slot to be open-circuited or short-circuited
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna structure and a communication device. The antenna structure includes a feeding structure and a leaky-wave antenna. The leaky-wave antenna includes a rectangular waveguide and a radiating element, and the radiating element is located on any side wall of the rectangular waveguide. The radiating element includes slot elements, and a plurality of groups of slot elements are arranged at intervals in an extension direction of the rectangular waveguide. The slot element includes a first slot and a second slot, the first slot and the second slot are arranged with an included angle, and the first slot and the second slot are arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the rectangular waveguide. The leaky-wave antenna further includes a control component connected to the radiating element.