Single-Radiator Multi-Port Antenna for Compact Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UWB direction finding technologies require multiple antennas spaced apart by half the wavelength, necessitating large installation spaces, face design challenges due to grounding plates and mutual coupling, and are sensitive to phase errors, with limited capability in Non-Line of Sight conditions.
Innovation Solution
A single radiator multi-port antenna with multiple ports and vias, configured in a CPW structure, to minimize interference and increase gain, allowing miniaturization and effective direction finding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are spaced apart by half the wavelength for direction finding, then direction finding capability is improved, but installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions into a single radiator structure with multiple feed ports. The single radiator is fed through multiple ports that are electrically connected to different antenna elements, enabling direction finding functionality of multiple antennas to be merged into one physical antenna structure, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining direction finding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single radiator antenna is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the radiating element and the directional sensing structure. By incorporating multiple feed ports that can be independently excited, the antenna achieves both omnidirectional radiation and directional finding capabilities in a single structure, eliminating the need for separate antennas for different functions
2Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are used for direction finding, then direction finding capability is improved, but mutual coupling and grounding plate interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple antenna functions into a single radiator, the patent eliminates mutual coupling between separate antennas. The multiple feed ports are all connected to one radiator structure, which is fed by a common ground, thereby removing the grounding plate interference issues that arise from multiple separate antennas requiring individual grounding
3Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are spaced apart for direction finding, then direction finding capability is improved, but phase errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna feed paths into a single radiator structure where all feed ports are electrically connected to the same radiating element. This configuration reduces phase errors because the electrical paths from different feed ports to the radiator are more consistent and controllable compared to physically separated antennas, improving reliability of phase-based direction finding measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A single radiator multi-port antenna includes a substrate, a radiator formed on the substrate, three or more ports connected to the radiator and configured to function as feed points for supplying a current to the radiator, and a plurality of vias formed on the substrate or at least one of the ports, wherein the plurality of vias includes at least one of a first via formed at a certain interval from the radiator and a second via formed in the three or more ports.