Electromagnetic Micro-Truss Antenna for Conformal Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave and millimeter-wave frequency antennas are cumbersome and lack design flexibility, making them unsuitable for applications requiring steerable beams and integration into complex shapes, such as moving communication devices and radar systems.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetically operational micro-truss structure comprising a grid of interlocking elements with a selectively coated metallic coating that resonates electromagnetic energy, allowing the structure to be formed into various shapes, including conformal and holographic antennas, and frequency selective surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional waveguides, dish antennas, and helical coils are used, then antenna functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes cumbersome and lacks design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is divided into discrete micro-truss elements that can be independently configured and arranged to form different antenna geometries. Each truss element acts as a modular unit that can be selectively coated with metallic material to create the final antenna structure, enabling flexible design without complex monolithic structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a lightweight micro-truss framework with selective metallic coating. The micro-truss provides structural support while the metallic coating provides electromagnetic functionality, creating a composite material system that achieves both mechanical strength and antenna performance with reduced overall complexity.
2Measurement precision
If phased array antennas are used for electronic beam steering, then beam steering accuracy and speed are improved, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-truss structure incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that can dynamically change the antenna's geometric configuration. This dynamic capability enables electronic beam steering by physically repositioning truss elements to alter the antenna's radiation pattern, achieving precise beam control through structural adaptability rather than complex phased array electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-truss structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the antenna geometry, and enables beam steering through reconfiguration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical steering mechanisms or complex phased array systems, simplifying the overall antenna structure while maintaining beam steering capability.
3Weight of moving object
If conformal antennas are integrated into complex shapes, then design flexibility and weight are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-truss structure is pre-fabricated as a modular framework before being coated with metallic material. This preliminary construction of the truss geometry allows for precise configuration of the antenna shape, and the subsequent metallic coating process is simplified because it only needs to coat the pre-formed truss structure rather than creating the complex geometry from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic coating is applied selectively to specific regions of the micro-truss structure rather than uniformly coating the entire framework. This selective coating approach allows the antenna to achieve conformal integration into complex shapes by coating only the necessary truss elements, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the desired antenna geometry and electromagnetic performance.
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 micro-truss structure provides design flexibility, reduced weight, increased strength, and the ability to integrate antennas into complex shapes, enabling efficient beam steering and frequency selectivity without the need for physical motion or separate antenna structures.
Implementation Method 1
The metallic coating is configured to resonate an electromagnetic energy
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetically operational micro-truss structure and methods are disclosed. A micro-truss structure comprises a grid of interlocking elements, and a metallic coating selectively coats the grid. The metallic coating is configured to resonate an electromagnetic energy.