Microstrip Antenna Transceiver Switchable Polarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite communication antenna transceivers require two separate antenna modules for left-handed and right-handed polarized signals, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for a large hybrid circuit with ¼ wavelength dimensions, which is inefficient for low-frequency satellite signals.
Innovation Solution
A microstrip antenna transceiver with switchable polarizations, featuring a substrate with switch elements and a radiation patch with pattern slots that adjust the phase difference between vertically and horizontally polarized signals, allowing for the generation of both polarizations using a single antenna module by controlling the switch elements and feed-in points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional antenna transceiver uses a hybrid circuit to handle both orthogonal signals, then both polarizations can be received simultaneously, but the hybrid circuit requires large plate area (1/4 wavelength dimensions) and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate antenna modules into a single antenna module by using a shared radiation patch with two feed-in points. The radiation patch serves both left-handed and right-handed polarization reception simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate antenna structures and reducing overall device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation patch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can receive both left-handed and right-handed polarized signals simultaneously through its two feed-in points. This multi-functional design allows a single antenna structure to replace what would traditionally require two separate antenna modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two independent antenna modules are used for left-handed and right-handed polarized signals, then both polarizations can be received, but the device occupies more space and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two independent antenna modules into one unified antenna module. The single radiation patch with dual feed-in points integrates the functionality of both left-handed and right-handed polarized antenna modules, reducing device complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified antenna module is designed with universal capability to receive both left-handed and right-handed polarized signals through its two feed-in points, eliminating the need for separate specialized antenna modules for each polarization type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hybrid circuit is used to partition signals with 90-degree phase difference, then both orthogonal signals can be processed, but the circuit length and width must be 1/4 wavelength increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal partitioning function from the traditional hybrid circuit and implements it directly at the antenna feed-in points. The radiation patch structure itself performs the signal separation function, eliminating the need for a separate hybrid circuit component with its associated 1/4 wavelength dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation patch acts as an intermediary structure that directly converts incident electromagnetic waves into separated signal paths for left-handed and right-handed polarizations. This eliminates the need for intermediate hybrid circuit components that would otherwise be required to achieve the same signal separation.
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 handling of both polarizations with a compact design, reducing costs and energy loss while maintaining high antenna gain and isolation, allowing for the same antenna to handle both orthogonal signals simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
the patch antenna generates a vertically polarized signal and a horizontally polarized signal and radiates the vertically polarized signal and the horizontally polarized signal to the air
Implementation Method 2
a first pattern slot wherein a size and a displacement of the first pattern slot are related to a reflection phase of the first switch element and a reflection phase of the second switch element in order to generate a right-handed polarized signal or a left-handed polarized signal
Data Source
AI summary
A microstrip antenna transceiver with switchable polarizations includes a substrate, a first switch element, a second switch element and an antenna module. The first switch element and the second switch element are disposed on a first surface of the substrate; the antenna module is disposed on a second surface of the substrate and includes a radiation patch including a first pattern slot, a vertical polarization feed-in point and a horizontal polarization feed-in point. The vertical polarization feed-in point and the horizontal polarization feed-in point are symmetric with respect to a symmetrical axis. Size and displacement of the first pattern slot are related to reflection phase of the first switch element and the second switch element in order to generate a right-handed polarized signal or a left-handed polarized signal.