Circularly Polarized Loop Reflector Antenna for Low Wind Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication antennas require larger apertures for focusing energy, leading to increased size and wind load, which complicates their use in high wind locations and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact circularly polarized antenna design featuring a planar reflector with an array of parasitically drivable loop electrical conductors, driven by a circularly polarized feed to impart a traveling wave current distribution, providing higher gain while minimizing wind load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a larger aperture is used to focus energy, then the gain is improved, but the wind load and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector surface is segmented into multiple discrete loop elements arranged in an array, rather than using a continuous large aperture. Each loop element is individually driven to contribute to the focused energy, achieving high gain through coherent summation while keeping individual element sizes small to reduce wind load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional planar arrays to a three-dimensional volumetric arrangement of loop elements. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions allows for effective energy focusing while maintaining a compact overall structure with reduced wind profile compared to conventional large aperture designs.
2Power
If a larger aperture is used to focus energy, then the gain is improved, but the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large aperture function is achieved by segmenting the reflector into many small loop elements that are distributed in space. The collective radiation pattern of these segmented elements produces the focused beam equivalent to a large continuous aperture, but with a more compact physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop elements are arranged in a nested or hierarchical configuration where smaller loops are positioned within the spatial envelope of larger loops. This nesting allows multiple scattering centers to occupy a compact volume while maintaining the effective aperture area needed for high gain.
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 design achieves a compact, high-gain antenna with reduced wind load, suitable for satellite communications and portable applications, offering improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A compact circularly polarized antenna design featuring a planar reflector with an array of parasitically drivable loop electrical conductors, driven by a circularly polarized feed to impart a traveling wave current distribution
Implementation Method 2
A compact circularly polarized antenna design featuring a planar reflector with an array of parasitically drivable loop electrical conductors
Data Source
AI summary
The antenna may include a planar reflector having a plurality of loop electrical conductors defining an array of parasitically drivable antenna elements, and a circularly polarized antenna feed spaced from the planar reflector to parasitically drive the array of parasitically drivable antenna elements and impart a traveling wave current distribution therein. The antenna may have properties that are hybrid between parabolic reflectors and driven arrays, providing a relatively compact circularly polarized antenna capable of having low wind load. Closed circuit or loop elements may provide increased gain over antennas using dipole turnstile reflector elements.