Nested Multiband Antenna Feed for Dual-Band Waveguide Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave antennas operate in single frequency bands, limiting their ability to efficiently support high data rate communications required for future 5G networks and increasing tower leasing, installation, and structural costs, while existing multiband solutions are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A multiband antenna feed design that uses a coaxial waveguide surrounding an inner circular waveguide, with specific diameter selections for TE11 modes, and a network of coupling waveguides and T-junctions to propagate and convert signals between different frequency bands and polarizations, enabling efficient dual-band operation without polarization rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single frequency band microwave antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot support high data rate communications required for future 5G networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multiband antenna feed structure that can operate across multiple frequency bands (e.g., 3.5 GHz, 5 GHz, and higher frequencies) using a single integrated design. The feed incorporates waveguide structures with specific dimensional ratios that enable resonance at multiple frequencies, allowing one antenna to perform multiple frequency band functions simultaneously, thus supporting high data rate 5G communications while maintaining structural simplicity
2Productivity
If separate single-band antennas are deployed for different frequency bands, then each antenna can be optimized for its specific band, but tower leasing costs, installation time, and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple single-band antenna feeds into a single multiband feed structure. The design integrates waveguide components with carefully selected dimensional relationships that allow simultaneous operation at multiple frequencies. This consolidation reduces the number of separate antenna units from multiple single-band antennas to one unified multiband antenna, thereby reducing tower leasing costs, installation time, and structural complexity while maintaining communication efficiency across all frequency bands
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing multiband antenna solutions are implemented, then frequency band support is enhanced, but the structures become complex and installation becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested waveguide structure where smaller waveguide components are positioned within larger waveguide structures. The inner waveguide dimensions are related to outer waveguide dimensions by specific ratios (e.g., 0.5 to 0.8) that enable resonant frequencies to be harmonically related. This nested arrangement allows multiple frequency bands to be supported within a single compact structure, achieving frequency band coverage enhancement without proportionally increasing structural complexity or installation difficulty
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 solution provides a compact, efficient, and cost-effective multiband antenna feed that supports high-frequency communications, reduces tower requirements, and optimizes signal transmission and reception across multiple frequency bands and polarizations, enhancing wireless transport capabilities for future 5G networks.
Implementation Method 1
A network couples the first port with a coaxial waveguide of an antenna feed port and is configured or dimensioned to allow the signal to propagate between the first port and the coaxial waveguide of the antenna feed port
Implementation Method 2
The network typically conveys the signal in one mode and conveys the signal in the coaxial waveguide in another mode
Data Source
AI summary
A multiband antenna feed, an antenna incorporating the multiband antenna feed and a method are disclosed. An apparatus, comprises: a first port which may be configured to convey a first signal at a first frequency. A second port may configured to convey a second signal at a second frequency. The second frequency may be higher than the first frequency. A third port may be configured to convey the first signal and the second signal with a feed for a multiband antenna. The third port may have an inner waveguide and a coaxial waveguide. A first network may couple the first port with the coaxial waveguide and may be configured to propagate the first signal between the first port and the coaxial waveguide. A second network may couple the second port with the inner waveguide and may be configured to propagate the second signal between the second port and the inner waveguide.