Low Profile Antenna Tuning for Uniform Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low profile antennas face challenges in achieving uniform radiation pattern coverage and frequency bandwidth when operating at reduced heights, particularly at ISM frequency bands like 434 MHz or 915 MHz, especially when installed on the ground, leading to potential trip hazards and reduced production yield.
Innovation Solution
The antenna system features a radiating element positioned close to a ground plate with tuning elements, such as straps or a tunable capacitor, allowing for adjustable resonant frequency and dynamic radiation pattern adjustment, enabling omni-directional performance with vertical polarization without presenting a trip hazard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna height is reduced to eliminate trip hazards, then safety is improved, but uniform radiation pattern coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the antenna system by introducing tuning elements (inductive and capacitive) that adjust the resonant frequency and impedance matching. This allows the reduced-height antenna to achieve proper radiation characteristics at the operating frequency despite the physically constrained height, thereby maintaining uniform radiation pattern coverage while keeping the antenna low-profile for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable tuning elements including variable capacitors and inductors that can be adjusted during manufacturing or operation. This dynamic tuning capability allows the antenna system to adapt its electrical characteristics to compensate for the reduced height, ensuring optimal radiation pattern performance is achieved despite the compact physical dimensions.
2Length of stationary object
If the antenna height is reduced to a fraction of wavelength, then profile is improved, but frequency bandwidth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tuning elements with variable capacitance and inductance values to adjust the resonant frequency of the antenna. By changing these electrical parameters, the antenna can be tuned to operate efficiently at the desired frequency band, compensating for the limited bandwidth that typically results from reduced antenna height.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclusion of variable capacitors and inductors provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the antenna system to adapt its frequency response. This enables the low-profile antenna to achieve adequate bandwidth by tuning the resonant frequency and impedance matching across the operating band, despite the physically constrained height.
3Ease of operation
If ground level installation is used for M2M systems, then accessibility is improved, but trip hazard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the antenna from a vertical orientation (which would create a trip hazard at ground level) to a horizontal planar configuration. By changing the spatial dimension and orientation of the radiating element, the antenna achieves its required electrical length in the horizontal plane while maintaining a low vertical profile, thus eliminating the trip hazard while preserving ground-level installation accessibility.
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 configuration achieves efficient omni-directional radiation patterns and adjustable frequency response, addressing the limitations of existing low profile antennas by ensuring effective communication performance and reducing production costs through tunable components.
Implementation Method 1
a radiating element positioned close to a ground plate with tuning elements
Implementation Method 2
tuning elements, such as straps or a tunable capacitor, allowing for adjustable resonant frequency
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system is described where uniform radiation pattern coverage is provided in the plane of a low profile antenna element. A polarization that is orthogonal to the plane of the low profile antenna element can be achieved for the radiated field. Tuning mechanisms are described to provide a method for dynamically altering the radiation pattern and for adjusting the frequency response of the antenna during the manufacturing process as well as at field installation. The antenna system is capable of being implemented in applications such as local area network (LAN), cellular communication network, and machine to machine (M2M).