Lens-Enhanced Phased Array Antenna Panel Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antenna panels face challenges in increasing received power without expanding their size, especially in wireless communication systems where space is limited, especially in higher frequency applications like 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
The integration of lens-enhanced phased array antenna panels, where lenses are strategically placed over the antenna panels to focus incoming RF beams onto specific antenna segments, increasing the gain of each segment without adding physical size or increasing the number of antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the area of the phased array antenna panel is increased to receive more power, then the power received is improved, but the device size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
A lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the incoming RF beams and the antenna elements. The lens focuses the RF energy onto specific antenna segments, increasing the effective gain without requiring a larger antenna aperture. This mediator enables power concentration while maintaining compact panel dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the antenna system by introducing a lens with specific refractive index and curvature. This modifies the wavefront propagation and focusing characteristics, enabling enhanced gain through focal concentration rather than through increasing the physical aperture area.
2Power
If the number of antennas in the phased array is increased to improve power reception, then the power received is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens serves as a passive intermediary that performs the function of signal concentration without requiring additional active antenna elements or complex beamforming networks. By optically focusing the RF energy, the system achieves enhanced reception capability without increasing the number of antennas or their associated control complexity.
3Power
If the gain of antenna segments is increased through lens focusing, then the power processing capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple segments, each served by its own lens. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, where each lens-segment pair can be manufactured and tested independently before final integration. The segmented approach distributes the precision requirements across multiple smaller units rather than requiring one large, highly precise system.
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
This approach enhances the total gain of the phased array antenna panel, resulting in increased power processing capability without enlarging the panel's area or adding more antennas, effectively addressing the power reception limitations in compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
lenses are strategically placed over the antenna panels to focus incoming RF beams onto specific antenna segments
Data Source
AI summary
A lens-enhanced phased array antenna panel includes a phased array antenna panel and at least one lens situated over the phased array antenna panel. The phased array antenna panel has a plurality of antennas arranged in a plurality of antenna segments. Each lens corresponds to at least one of the antenna segments. Each lens is configured to increase a gain of its corresponding antenna segment. Each lens increases a total gain of the phased array antenna panel. Additionally, each lens can provide an angular offset to direct a radio frequency (RF) beam onto its corresponding antenna segment.