Multiband Antenna Element With Coplanar Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular antenna systems face challenges in integrating multiple antenna elements for various frequency bands within a roof-top antenna assembly, leading to potential functionality limitations due to sizing and positioning constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design of an antenna element featuring a substrate with conductors forming a coplanar waveguide, including a monopole portion with a neck and head, and ground planes with stubs, which increases bandwidth to cover multiple frequency bands such as Bluetooth, WIFI, and V2X DSRC, allowing for efficient multiband operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna elements are positioned in the same roof-top antenna assembly, then communication functionality is enhanced, but the functionality of individual antenna elements is negatively affected due to sizing and positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna element is segmented into distinct functional portions: a monopole portion for radiation, a neck for transition, and a feed line portion for signal input. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness for roof-top installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna element is designed to operate across multiple frequency bands (Bluetooth, WiFi, V2X DSRC) through a universal monopole structure with adjustable dimensions. The coplanar waveguide configuration and ground plane arrangements enable the same antenna structure to serve multiple communication functions simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If antenna elements are sized to fit into the housing of the roof-top antenna assembly, then installation is enabled, but the bandwidth and operational flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna element utilizes parameter changes in the coplanar waveguide structure, including variable ground plane widths, adjustable stub lengths, and modified monopole dimensions, to achieve broadband operation across multiple frequency bands while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for roof-top housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional three-dimensional antenna structures to a planar coplanar waveguide configuration on a substrate. This dimensional change enables the antenna to achieve enhanced bandwidth and multiband operation while maintaining a low-profile, space-efficient design that fits within constrained roof-top housing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a coplanar waveguide structure with multiple ground planes and stubs is implemented, then bandwidth is increased to cover multiple frequency bands, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the feed line, ground planes, and impedance-matching stubs into a single integrated coplanar waveguide structure fabricated on one substrate. This consolidation achieves broadband multiband operation while reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying the overall assembly process.
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 element achieves effective operation across multiple frequency bands with low losses and an omni-directional radiation pattern, enhancing communication capabilities for vehicular applications like vehicle-to-everything communication.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second ground planes and the first and second stubs of the second conductor are arranged relative to the first conductor to form a coplanar waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The monopole portion includes a neck extending from the feed line portion and a head at a distal end of the neck. The head has a slot to increase a bandwidth of the first conductor to at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna element includes a first conductor at a first lateral surface of a substrate having a feed line portion and a monopole portion with a neck extending from the feed line portion and a head at a distal end of the neck. The head has a width greater than a width of the neck and greater than a width of the feed line portion. The head has a slot to increase a bandwidth of the first conductor to at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band. A second conductor is provided on the first lateral surface having first and second ground planes and first and second stubs. The ground planes are disposed adjacent to the feed line portion at opposite sides thereof. The stubs are disposed at opposite sides of the ground planes and extend in a direction essentially parallel to the feed line portion. The ground planes and the stubs are arranged relative to the first conductor to form a coplanar waveguide.