Millimeter Wave Patch Antenna Beam Steering With Switched Parasitics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing millimeter wave antennas lack efficient beam steering capabilities to optimize transmission quality and efficiency in wireless communication.
Innovation Solution
A millimeter wave patch antenna assembly with active beam steering, utilizing a substrate, ground plane, active patch antenna elements, and parasitic patch elements, coupled via a switching circuit and controlled by a control circuit to dynamically adjust beam direction based on channel quality indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional millimeter wave antennas are used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the beam steering capability is insufficient to optimize transmission quality
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into one active patch antenna element and four parasitic patch elements positioned at its corners. Each parasitic element can be independently coupled to or decoupled from the ground plane via switching circuits, allowing selective activation to steer the beam in different directions while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system incorporates switching circuits that dynamically couple or decouple the parasitic patch elements to the ground plane based on channel quality indicators. This dynamic reconfiguration enables real-time beam steering to optimize transmission quality without requiring mechanical movement of the entire antenna structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If parasitic patch elements are added for beam steering, then the beam steering capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parasitic patch elements serve multiple functions: they reflect the radiation pattern of the active element to enable beam steering, maintain a compact antenna footprint, and can be independently controlled through switching circuits. This multi-functionality allows the antenna to achieve adaptable beam steering while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground plane acts as an intermediary between the active patch antenna element and the parasitic elements. By coupling or decoupling the parasitic elements to the ground plane, the system can control their interaction with the active element's radiation pattern, enabling beam steering without direct complex interconnections between all elements.
3Productivity
If dynamic coupling of parasitic elements is implemented, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses channel quality indicators (CQI) as feedback to control the switching circuits. The CQI information indicates the quality of connection between the antenna and receiving entities, allowing the control circuit to automatically determine which parasitic elements should be coupled to the ground plane to optimize transmission efficiency without requiring complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system automatically adjusts its own configuration by using the switching circuits to couple or decouple parasitic elements based on real-time channel conditions. This self-service capability allows the antenna to optimize its own transmission efficiency without requiring external intervention or complex centralized control systems.
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
Enhances transmission quality and efficiency by dynamically steering the radiation pattern to improve signal quality and connectivity with receiving entities.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of parasitic patch elements is configured to reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna configured to operate at millimeter wave frequencies is provided. The antenna includes a substrate and a ground plane. The antenna includes one or more active patch antenna elements that collectively define four corners, wherein the active patch antenna element(s) are positioned on a first surface of the substrate. The antenna includes four parasitic patch elements coplanar to the active patch antenna element(s) and adjacent to each respective corner of the active patch antenna element(s). The antenna includes a switching circuit configured to dynamically couple, to the ground plane, the first parasitic patch element, the second parasitic patch element, the third parasitic patch element, and/or the fourth parasitic patch element.