Modular Vivaldi Antenna Coupling for Flexible Microwave Setup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems for microwave range, particularly in applications like theatrical performances and concerts, require multiple antennas due to varying needs, leading to increased costs, maintenance, and potential system failures from defects or disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A modular construction with a central unit that allows for interchangeable Vivaldi antennas and additional modules such as filtering, booster, calibration, and combiner modules, which can be easily plugged in based on application requirements, reducing the number of central units and enabling on-site configuration adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete antenna systems are maintained for different applications, then system reliability and adaptability improve, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into separate functional modules: a central unit with active electronic components and interchangeable antenna members with passive components. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and combined in different configurations for various applications, providing adaptability without requiring complete duplicate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit is designed as a universal platform that can work with multiple types of antenna members through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single central unit to serve multiple applications by simply changing the antenna member, eliminating the need for multiple complete antenna systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete antenna systems are maintained for different applications, then adaptability improves, but investment and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the antenna system into expensive active components (central unit) and inexpensive passive components (antenna members), the patent enables cost-effective adaptability. The expensive central unit is shared across multiple applications, while only the cheap antenna members need to be changed for different uses.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of duplicating entire antenna systems, the patent uses a single central unit that can be paired with different antenna members. This copying approach replicates only the necessary passive antenna structures rather than duplicating the expensive active electronics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete antenna systems are maintained for different applications, then adaptability improves, but storage and transportation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the antenna system allows the compact storage of individual antenna members, which are much smaller and lighter than complete antenna systems. The central unit remains stationary while only the small antenna members need to be stored and transported for different applications.
4Reliability
If multiple complete antenna systems are maintained for different applications, then system reliability improves through redundancy, but the risk of system-wide failures increases due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the system isolates potential failure points to individual antenna members rather than entire antenna systems. Since antenna members are passive and simple, failures are less likely and easier to diagnose and replace, improving overall system reliability without requiring complex redundant 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
This approach significantly reduces the number of expensive central units and antenna components needed, allowing for cost-effective and flexible system configurations, easy adjustments, and minimizing system failures by separating active and passive components with standardized interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Vivaldi antennas for the microwave range are known in prior art, and each antenna of this type has radiating members or short members, which are made of conducting plates
Implementation Method 2
The plugged-in antenna (1, 2) is capacitively coupled to at least one motherboard (3) of the central unit (20)
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~10
Figure 11~14
AI summary
The invention relates to an antenna system for electromagnetic waves in the microwave range, preferably with optionally at least one directional antenna, preferably a Vivaldi antenna (1) and/or an omnidirectional antenna, preferably a dipole antenna, with at least one central unit (20) having at least one active member (21) which is connectible with at least one reception/transmission system. In order to make such a system more flexible, the plugged-in antenna (1) is capacitively coupled to at least one motherboard of the central unit (20) and a booster module, an attenuation module, a calibration module, a combiner module, a filter module (16), or a passive module are optionally pluggable in the central unit (20). The functionality of the central unit (20) is determined depending on the plugged-in module (16).