Directional Multi-band Antenna with Common Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional antennas are limited in their ability to efficiently switch between optical and radio frequency communications, particularly in scenarios with obstructions, and lack compactness and security features for covert operations.
Innovation Solution
A directional multi-band antenna design that integrates optical and RF units with collimated beams, allowing simultaneous or independent operation across both bands, featuring a common aperture with planar lenses and surface relief elements that minimize size and obstruction, enabling secure and adaptable communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate optical and RF antenna systems are used, then each band can be optimized independently, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical and RF antenna functions into a single integrated structure with a common aperture. The optical lens and RF lens are integrated such that their surface relief elements are mounted on each other, allowing both optical and RF signals to be focused/separated at different focal points within the same physical housing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining independent optimization of each band
Solution Approach 2:
The common aperture structure serves multiple functions: it acts as the entrance for both optical and RF signals, houses both optical and RF lenses, and provides separate focal regions for both bands. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate antenna structures while maintaining optimal performance for both optical and RF communications
2Volume of moving object
If a common aperture is used for both optical and RF bands, then device compactness is improved, but focal field obstruction between bands may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves focal field obstruction by utilizing different spatial dimensions and focal depths. The optical lens focuses optical signals at an optical focal point, while the RF lens focuses RF signals at a separate RF focal point located at a different distance from the aperture. This dimensional separation in the focal plane allows both bands to operate simultaneously without mutual obstruction despite sharing the same aperture
3Reliability
If optical communication is used, then security and selectivity are improved, but operation is blocked by visual obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by enabling the antenna system to switch between optical and RF communication modes based on environmental conditions. When visual obstructions are detected or anticipated, the system can transition from optical communication (which provides higher security and selectivity) to RF communication (which can penetrate obstructions), thereby maintaining operational versatility while preserving security capabilities when conditions permit
4Volume of moving object
If surface relief elements are integrated on both lenses, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lens structure into two separate components: an optical lens with optical surface relief elements and an RF lens with RF surface relief elements. These segmented lenses can be manufactured independently with their respective precision requirements, then mounted on each other to form the integrated common aperture structure. This segmentation approach maintains device compactness while reducing the overall manufacturing precision burden compared to creating a single monolithic lens with both types of surface relief
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
The antenna provides secure, adaptable, and compact communication capabilities, capable of operating over 1km without visual obstructions and switching to RF when necessary, with improved security and selectivity in establishing links, suitable for covert operations and retrofitting existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The optical lens is provided with a lensing structure in the form of an array of surface relief elements each of which manipulates a portion of an incident beam by refraction
Implementation Method 2
The RF lens is provided with a lensing structure having an array of surface relief elements for manipulating an incident RF signal beam by refraction and/or diffraction
Implementation Method 3
The RF lens is provided with a lensing structure having an array of surface relief elements for manipulating an incident RF signal beam by refraction and/or diffraction
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 2c
Figure 3
AI summary
There is disclosed A directional multi-band antenna, the antenna comprising: —an optical unit comprising an optical sensor; —an RF unit comprising an RF sensor; —a substantially planar optical lens, the optical lens comprising surface relief elements for beam forming, the lens being arranged to focus optical signal beams, incident along a first optical axis, onto the optical sensor, the optical lens being substantially transparent to RF signals, —an RF beam forming device arranged to receive RF signals incident along the first optical axis and focus such RF signals onto the RF sensor.