Liquid Crystal Multi-Beam Antenna for Faster Physiological Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring human physiological information, such as contact devices and optical sensing, face issues like discomfort and privacy concerns, while single-beam electromagnetic wave scanning is time-consuming and inefficient for large scanning spaces.
Innovation Solution
A multi-beam liquid crystal antenna is developed, comprising a liquid crystal modulation structure and a feeding structure, which generates multiple electromagnetic beams with a phase difference of 135-225 degrees, allowing for rapid scanning and real-time monitoring of human physiological information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-beam electromagnetic wave scanning is used, then the system structure is simple, but the detection time is long and scanning efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single beam into multiple beams (at least three beams) by using multiple patch antenna units with different radiation intensities. This segmentation allows simultaneous scanning of multiple spatial zones, transforming a sequential single-beam scanning process into a parallel multi-beam scanning process, thereby significantly reducing detection time and improving scanning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of beam control by using liquid crystal modulation to independently adjust the radiation intensity of each patch antenna unit. This enables spatial distribution of multiple beams in different directions simultaneously, adding a dimensional aspect to the scanning process that allows coverage of larger areas in the same time period.
2Productivity
If multiple patch antenna units with different radiation intensities are used, then multiple beams can be generated for rapid scanning, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each patch antenna unit multi-functional by enabling it to operate in at least two different radiation intensity states through liquid crystal modulation. This allows the same antenna structure to generate multiple beams with different characteristics, reducing the need for separate antenna elements and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high scanning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the radiation intensity parameter of each patch antenna unit dynamically using liquid crystal modulation. By controlling the liquid crystal layer between the ground plane and patch antenna units, the system can adjust the electromagnetic wave radiation characteristics without physically reconfiguring the antenna structure, thus achieving multiple beam patterns with controlled complexity increase.
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 multi-beam liquid crystal antenna significantly shortens scanning and detection times, enabling real-time monitoring of human physiological information while addressing privacy and comfort concerns.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the ground plane and the patch antenna units
Implementation Method 2
the liquid crystal modulation structure forms an amplitude interference pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-beam liquid crystal antenna and a method of multi-beamforming are provided. The method includes: providing a liquid crystal modulation structure; utilizing a feeding structure to receive a feeding signal and to generate substantially an equiphase feeding electromagnetic wave to patch antenna units of the liquid crystal modulation structure; generating, by the patch antenna units, first radiation intensities and second radiation intensities respectively when the patch antenna units are utilized to receive alternating-current (AC) voltages respectively, so that the liquid crystal modulation structure forms an amplitude interference pattern; and utilizing interference of the feeding electromagnetic wave and the amplitude interference pattern to form electromagnetic beams, in which arrangement positions of the first radiation intensities and the second radiation intensities corresponding to the amplitude interference pattern change an azimuth angle and a tilt angle of each of the electromagnetic beams.