Multi-layer Spiral Antenna Low-profile Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional four-arm spiral antennas have large volumes and high profiles, making them unsuitable for miniaturization and modern communication equipment requirements, where a low-profile design is necessary to maintain performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer low-profile four-arm spiral antenna design featuring three coaxially arranged cylindrical dielectric substrates with four spiral metal strips on each layer, connected by metal bridges, which increases the arm length to match a quarter wavelength and reduces the antenna's profile height, while maintaining good axial ratio and beam width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional four-arm spiral antenna structure is used, then radiation performance is achieved, but antenna volume and profile height become large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar single-layer structure to a three-dimensional multi-layer configuration. By stacking multiple dielectric substrate layers with spiral metal strips at different heights and connecting them with bridging structures, the antenna achieves compact volume while maintaining the necessary current paths for radiation. This dimensional transformation allows the current to flow through multiple layers, effectively creating a larger electrical aperture within a smaller physical volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where multiple dielectric substrate layers are stacked coaxially, with each layer containing spiral metal strips that are nested within the vertical space of adjacent layers. The bridging structures connect corresponding spiral arms between layers, creating a nested three-dimensional structure that consolidates multiple current paths into a compact arrangement, thereby reducing overall antenna volume while preserving radiation performance.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional four-arm spiral antenna structure is used, then radiation performance is achieved, but profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes the spiral arm length across multiple vertical layers rather than extending it horizontally in a single plane. By configuring spiral metal strips on multiple dielectric substrate layers separated by small gaps and connecting them with vertical bridging structures, the antenna achieves the required current path length for radiation while maintaining a compact profile height suitable for modern communication equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the continuous spiral arm structure into discrete segments located on separate dielectric substrate layers. Each layer contains a portion of the spiral arm, and these segmented sections are electrically connected through bridging structures. This segmentation allows the total current path length to be distributed vertically, reducing the horizontal footprint and profile height while maintaining the electrical length necessary for radiation performance.
3Volume of moving object
If multi-layer structure is adopted to reduce profile height, then antenna miniaturization is achieved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs identical dielectric substrate layers and spiral metal strip configurations repeated across multiple levels, with standard bridging structures connecting corresponding arms. This modular, universal design allows the same structural pattern to be replicated vertically, reducing design complexity despite the multi-layer configuration. Each layer serves multiple functions: providing a current path, offering mechanical support, and maintaining precise spacing through the dielectric substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into integrated components. The dielectric substrates serve both as mechanical support structures and as spacing elements that maintain precise distances between layers. The bridging structures simultaneously provide electrical connection between spiral arms on adjacent layers and act as mechanical support for the multi-layer assembly. This merging of structural and electrical functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a multi-layer low-profile four-arm spiral antenna, including a metal grounding plate, and a top surface of the metal grounding plate is fixedly connected with three layers of cylindrical dielectric substrates; the three layers of dielectric substrates are coaxially arranged, and the three layers of dielectric substrates are coaxially arranged with the metal grounding plate, and a gap is set between two adjacent layers of dielectric substrates; four spiral metal strips with a same rotation direction are respectively arranged on each layer of dielectric substrate, the four spiral metal strips on each layer of dielectric substrate form spiral radial arms, and a phase difference of the four spiral metal strips on each layer of dielectric substrate is 90°; the corresponding spiral metal strips on the two adjacent layers of dielectric substrates are connected by connecting bridges, the connecting bridges are arranged in the gap.