Low-Profile Antenna with Dual Phase Surfaces for 2D Beam Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-dimensional scanning antennas are bulky, complex, and require significant maintenance, consume high power, and have complex control networks, making them unsuitable for compact integration and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional beam-scanning antenna using a waveguide with a first and second electronically reconfigurable phase-shifting surface, each with elementary cells or bands controlled by a minimal number of lines, allowing beam orientation in two orthogonal planes without mechanical scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical scanning is used for two-dimensional beam control, then the antenna can be oriented along two axes, but the antenna becomes bulky, heavy, and requires significant maintenance and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an electronic phase-shifting system. Two phase-shifting surfaces (first and second) are used to electronically control beam orientation in two orthogonal planes without any mechanical moving parts. The phase shifters modify the phase of electromagnetic waves to achieve beam steering, eliminating servomotors, gimbal joints, and other mechanical components that cause complexity, weight, and maintenance issues.
2Speed
If phased array antennas are used for electronic scanning, then rapid angular scanning is achieved, but the electronics become particularly complex and manufacture expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phase-shifting function into two separate surfaces, each responsible for one orthogonal plane. The first phase-shifting surface controls beam orientation in one plane while the second surface controls the other plane. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the electronic control network compared to a full two-dimensional phased array, as each surface can be controlled independently with fewer elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by using two separate phase-shifting surfaces positioned at different locations. Instead of using a single complex two-dimensional array, the solution distributes the phase-shifting function across two surfaces, effectively using the spatial arrangement to reduce electronic complexity while maintaining two-dimensional scanning capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid mechanical/electronic scanning is used, then some electronic scanning capability is achieved, but mechanical pointing remains slow and the size is too large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely eliminates mechanical scanning components by using two electronic phase-shifting surfaces. Both orthogonal planes are controlled electronically through phase modulation, achieving rapid angular scanning in both dimensions without any mechanical moving parts. This pure electronic approach resolves the contradiction by removing the mechanical subsystem that limited scanning speed.
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 achieves compact size, low power consumption, and simplified control electronics, enabling easy integration and efficient beam scanning with reduced control complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide intended to be fed by a microwave source and to provide a quasi-plane wave propagating in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
a first electronically reconfigurable phase-shifting surface comprising a first plurality, M, of elementary phase-shifting cells arranged periodically along the second direction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a two-dimensional beam scanning antenna comprising: a folded parallel-plate waveguide (240) that emits a quasi-planar wave in a first direction (Ox); a linear array of stubs (230) extending in a second direction (Oy) perpendicular to the first; a first and a second phase-shifting surface which comprise elementary phase-shifting cells (221) and elementary phase-shifting bands (221), respectively, each band being associated with a stub; and a first and a second set of control lines, controlling the phase shifts of the elementary phase-shifting cells and bands, respectively, so as to control the orientation of the beam in a plane orthogonal to the first and the second direction, respectively. The first phase-shifting surface is a reflective phase-shifting surface, which receives the planar wave propagating in the first direction and reflects it in the opposite direction after phase-shifting.