Handheld Locator Antenna Switching for Precise Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locating devices struggle to precisely determine the lateral position and viewing angle of objects within a medium, especially in scenarios where mechanical movement is not possible or desired, and space constraints limit the use of large antennas or arrays.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held locating device with a switching unit that allows switching between different transmission and reception characteristics of an antenna, utilizing antennas with varying directional characteristics achieved through excitation types or frequency changes, enabling precise location without mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical movement or large-area antennas are used to improve measurement precision, then the determination of lateral position and viewing angle becomes more accurate, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the antenna system by switching between different excitation modes (differential mode and common mode) of a single LCR antenna. This allows the antenna to generate different radiation patterns (main beam directions) without mechanical movement, thereby achieving precise lateral position determination while maintaining a simple, compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A single LCR antenna is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different excitation modes. The same antenna structure can generate different radiation characteristics (broadside and end-fire modes), eliminating the need for multiple antennas or mechanical scanning components while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If antenna arrays or large-area antennas with high gain are used to improve measurement precision, then the detection accuracy increases, but the device becomes too large for hand-held applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high measurement precision with a compact antenna by changing its radiation characteristics through electrical mode switching rather than increasing physical size. The LCR antenna in differential mode provides broadside radiation for one measurement dimension, while common mode provides end-fire radiation for another, enabling accurate positioning without requiring a large antenna array.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple radiation patterns that would traditionally require separate antennas are merged into a single LCR antenna structure. By combining differential and common mode excitations in one antenna, the device achieves multi-dimensional positioning capability while maintaining a compact, hand-held form factor.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical panning of the antenna is used to improve measurement precision, then the viewing angle determination becomes more accurate, but the device complexity and potential for mechanical failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical panning or scanning mechanisms with an electrical solution. By switching between different excitation modes of the LCR antenna, the radiation pattern is electronically steered to different directions, achieving accurate viewing angle determination without any moving mechanical parts, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating mechanical failure risks.
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
Enables precise determination of object position and angle in a structurally simple and space-saving manner, allowing for accurate detection of objects' arrangement, such as within walls, without the need for mechanical movement or large antennas.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting and/or receiving unit which has at least one antenna (18) and is provided for transmitting and/or receiving a locating signal
Implementation Method 2
antennas which have different directional characteristics depending on the excitation. The different directional characteristics can be achieved by different types of excitation of the antenna used
Implementation Method 3
A hand-held locating device with a switching unit that allows switching between different transmission and reception characteristics of an antenna
Implementation Method 4
After the detection of a target object, a decision is made by comparing the received signals, which result from the different radiation characteristics, whether a target object is located directly in front of the measuring system or at an angle to it
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a manual positioning device, in particular for positioning a measurement object (14) disposed in a wall (12), having a transmitting and/or receiving unit (16) comprising at least one antenna (18). According to the invention, the transmitting and/or receiving unit (16) comprises at least one switching unit (20) provided for switching between at least two transmitting and/or receiving characteristics (22, 24, 26). The invention further relates to a positioning device and to the underlying method for positioning.