Leaky-Wave Antenna Slot Control for Dual-Polarized Beam Sweeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaky-wave antennas struggle with implementing dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping due to their complex structure, high cost, and high power consumption, which limits their applicability in modern communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A leaky-wave antenna structure with a feeding structure and radiating elements, including slots and a control component, allows for dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping by controlling the slots to be open-circuited or short-circuited, utilizing a slow-wave structure for signal conversion, and incorporating a primary radiation structure for amplification.
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 system complexity increases 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 alone, eliminating the need for complex feeding networks and control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic control system (T/R components, phase shifters) with a frequency-based beam control mechanism. The leaky-wave antenna inherently provides beam sweeping capability through frequency modulation, substituting electronic active components with a passive frequency-dependent radiation mechanism.
2Adaptability 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 cost increases due to large quantity of T/R components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive T/R components and silicon chips from the antenna system. The simplified leaky-wave antenna structure requires only basic waveguide components and slot openings, dramatically reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining dual-polarized beam sweeping functionality.
3Adaptability 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 power consumption increases due to large quantity of T/R components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the power-hungry electronic T/R components with a passive frequency-based beam control mechanism. The leaky-wave antenna requires no active electronics for beam sweeping, as frequency modulation alone controls the beam direction, eliminating continuous power consumption associated with active components and phase shifters.
4Device complexity
If a conventional leaky-wave antenna is used, then simple structure and low cost are achieved, but dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic frequency tuning capability to the leaky-wave antenna structure. By making the operating frequency variable, the antenna achieves dynamic beam sweeping capability while maintaining the simplicity of the passive leaky-wave structure. The frequency-dependent radiation characteristics enable beam direction control without mechanical movement or complex electronics.
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 design, low profile, and low costs, enhancing communication device performance and capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The feeding structure is configured to feed electromagnetic signals in two mutually orthogonal modes into the rectangular waveguide
Implementation Method 2
a leaky-wave antenna naturally has characteristics of high directivity, a low profile, and beam sweeping with frequency
Implementation Method 3
the control component is configured to control the first slot and the second slot to be open-circuited or short-circuited
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide 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, 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. The feeding structure is arranged at an end of the rectangular waveguide, and the feeding structure is configured to feed electromagnetic signals in two mutually orthogonal modes into the rectangular waveguide. The antenna structure provided in embodiments of this application can implement dual-polarized fixed-frequency beam sweeping, and has a simple structure, a low profile, and low costs.