Metasurface Antenna Layout With Single-Feed High-Gain Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microstrip patch antennas require complex and lossy feed networks due to individual feeding of each radiating element, and they have natural limits in terms of gain for a given size or compactness for required gain.
Innovation Solution
A compact, high gain broadband antenna is achieved using a metasurface antenna unit with a radiating structure arranged in an m×n grid, a feeding structure with a single strip feedline, and a grounding structure with a coupling aperture, allowing for simplified feeding and increased gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional microstrip patch antennas use individual feeding for each radiating element, then the antenna can achieve required radiation performance, but the feed network becomes complicated and lossy
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radiating elements are fed through a single common feedline rather than individual feed networks. The feed network is merged into a unified structure that distributes energy to all radiating elements simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate feed lines and reducing overall system complexity and losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The single feedline serves multiple functions: it provides the common ground reference for all radiating elements, distributes RF energy to multiple elements, and establishes the grounding structure. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated feed networks for each element.
2Reliability
If conventional microstrip patch antennas increase element-to-element spacing for isolation, then isolation between radiating elements is improved, but the overall antenna size increases
Solution Approach 1:
A grounding structure with coupling aperture is introduced as an intermediary between radiating elements. This grounding structure provides isolation between elements through the coupling aperture mechanism while allowing the elements to maintain closer spacing, thus achieving isolation without increasing overall antenna size.
3Power
If conventional patch antenna designs are optimized for high gain, then gain performance is improved, but compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design transitions from traditional planar patch elements to a metasurface configuration with radiating elements arranged in an m×n grid pattern. This dimensional reorganization allows for more efficient space utilization and higher gain achievement within a compact footprint by distributing radiating elements across multiple rows and columns in a structured array.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna employs a composite structure combining radiating elements, grounding structure with coupling aperture, and feed network in a integrated metasurface configuration. This composite design enables high gain performance in a compact size by synergistically combining multiple functional components in a unified structure.
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 metasurface antenna unit provides a compact, high gain, and broadband antenna with a simplified feed network, achieving high directivity and broad bandwidth while maintaining a low profile.
Implementation Method 1
The grounding structure includes a ground plane having a coupling aperture therethrough. The feeding structure includes a single strip feedline for feeding the radiating elements. The strip feedline passes across the coupling aperture and feeds the radiating structure through the coupling aperture.
Implementation Method 2
The radiating structure includes radiating elements arranged in an m×n grid of m rows of radiating elements and n columns of radiating elements, where n is greater than m. The radiating elements are separated by radiating slots with edges of the radiating elements facing each other across the radiating slots.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna assembly includes a metasurface antenna unit including a radiating structure, a feeding structure, and a grounding structure therebetween. The radiating structure includes radiating elements arranged in an m×n grid of m rows of radiating elements and n columns of radiating elements, where n is greater than m. The radiating elements are separated by radiating slots with edges of the radiating elements facing each other across the radiating slots. The grounding structure includes a ground plane having a coupling aperture therethrough. The feeding structure includes a single strip feedline for feeding the radiating elements. The strip feedline passes across the coupling aperture and feeds the radiating structure through the coupling aperture. At least one of the radiating elements is fed through at least one other radiating element across the corresponding radiating slot.