Microstrip Antenna Feed Layout for Single-String Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automotive angle radars require complex beam steering solutions using multi-string antennas with power splitters, leading to increased design complexity and additional losses.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering antenna design utilizing a dielectric layer, metal layer, and ground plane layer with a feeding portion coupled between the center and edge of a radiation patch to achieve beam steering with a simpler structure, reducing antenna size and eliminating the need for power splitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional multi-string antennas with power splitters are used for beam steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but device complexity and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the power splitter component from the traditional multi-string antenna system. By using a single-string antenna configuration with a specifically designed radiation patch and feeding structure, the beam steering capability is achieved without requiring the power splitter, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the associated component while maintaining the essential beam steering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple antenna strings into a single antenna string with a specially designed radiation patch. The feeding portion is strategically positioned to excite different current distributions on the radiation patch, which enables beam steering functionality that traditionally required multiple separate antenna elements and their associated feeding networks to be combined into one integrated structure.
2Ease of operation
If traditional multi-string antennas with power splitters are used for beam steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power splitter from the system architecture. Power splitters inherently introduce insertion loss and signal attenuation. By eliminating this component through the single-string antenna design, the signal path is shortened and simplified, reducing the cumulative energy loss that would otherwise occur through the power splitter and multiple antenna feed networks.
3Device complexity
If single-string antenna is used, then device complexity is reduced, but beam steering capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform current distributions on the radiation patch through strategic feeding portion placement. The feeding portion is positioned at a specific location and oriented at a specific angle relative to the radiation patch edges, which locally excites different current patterns on different regions of the radiation patch. This localized control of current distribution enables beam steering functionality in a single-string configuration without requiring multiple antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the feeding portion's position and orientation parameters to achieve beam steering. By adjusting the location of the feeding portion relative to the radiation patch edges and changing its angular orientation, different current distributions are excited on the radiation patch, which changes the beam direction. This parameter-based control enables beam steering capability in a simplified single-string antenna 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 solution enables efficient beam steering with improved radiation efficiency and coverage range while minimizing antenna size and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
the feeding portion is configured to transmit a high frequency signal to the first radiation patch or to transmit a space radiation signal received by the first radiation patch
Implementation Method 2
the feeding portion is configured to transmit a high frequency signal to the first radiation patch or to transmit a space radiation signal received by the first radiation patch
Data Source
AI summary
A microstrip antenna, an antenna array, a radar, and a vehicle are provided. The microstrip antenna includes: a dielectric layer, and a metal layer and a ground plane layer disposed at two sides of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal layer includes a first radiation patch and a feeding portion; a length of a long side edge of the first radiation patch is determined based on an operating wavelength of the microstrip antenna, and a length of a short side edge of the first radiation patch is smaller than the length of the long side edge; the feeding portion is coupled between a center position of the long side edge of the first radiation patch and a short side edge, and the feeding portion is configured to transmit a high frequency signal to the first radiation patch or to transmit a space radiation signal received by the first radiation patch.