Modular Antenna Cell Assembly for Rapid Geometry Prototyping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna design methods are costly, time-consuming, and require multiple prototype iterations due to the need for simulation and physical production cycles, limiting accessibility and increasing costs, especially in educational settings and projects with changing requirements.
Innovation Solution
An antenna design hardware system using conductive, dielectric, and electromagnetic absorber cells that can be assembled and disassembled to create desired geometries, eliminating the need for simulation programs and reducing production costs by allowing direct physical construction and rapid redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If simulation programs and multiple prototype iterations are used for antenna design, then design accuracy and reliability are improved, but design cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is divided into modular cells with standardized interfaces, allowing independent design, testing, and assembly of individual units. This segmentation enables parallel development of multiple antenna components simultaneously, reducing overall design time while maintaining reliability through systematic integration of tested modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes adjustable geometric parameters of the cellular structures (such as cell size, shape, and arrangement) to optimize antenna performance. By changing these parameters rather than redesigning entire prototypes, the system achieves design flexibility and accuracy improvements without requiring complete re-manufacturing cycles.
2Reliability
If simulation programs and multiple prototype iterations are used for antenna design, then design accuracy and reliability are improved, but design cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is constructed from standardized, pre-designed cellular modules that can be independently manufactured and tested. This reduces overall design cost by reusing validated module designs across multiple antenna configurations, eliminating the need to pay full simulation and prototyping costs for each new antenna design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions, allowing the same basic cell types to be used across different antenna designs and applications. This universality reduces manufacturing costs through economies of scale and eliminates the need for expensive custom tooling for each new antenna project.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed-geometry antennas are manufactured using traditional methods, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to changing requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is divided into discrete cellular modules with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation allows precise manufacturing of individual modules while enabling flexible reconfiguration by simply changing the arrangement or number of modules, thus maintaining both manufacturing precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cellular design enables the antenna to dynamically adapt to changing requirements through reconfiguration of existing modules rather than requiring new manufacturing processes. Modules can be added, removed, or rearranged to change antenna geometry and performance characteristics while maintaining precise manufacturing standards for each module.
4Reliability
If ready-to-use antennas are purchased for each new project, then reliability of meeting project requirements is improved, but cost and waiting period increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system uses standardized modular cells that can be quickly assembled into project-specific configurations. This reduces acquisition cost by eliminating the need to purchase complete new antennas for each project, as modules can be reused across multiple projects while still meeting specific requirements through different arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cells are pre-designed and pre-tested for reliability before being used in actual projects. This preliminary validation ensures that when modules are assembled into new antenna configurations, the reliability of meeting project requirements is maintained without needing to purchase entirely new antennas for each application.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an antenna design hardware, which both allows antenna designers to realize antenna design in any geometry that they desire and also allows antenna users to build antenna that they desire, and which allows various antenna types to be built by using pieces designed in cell form. Cell is the general name given to the parts in any geometric shape that can form antenna. The invention particularly relates to antenna design hardware which allows for building antenna three-dimensionally and forming antenna design by integrating metal, dielectric, electromagnetic absorber cells and using connectors.