Ultralight Multilayer Cylindrical Lens for 5G Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Luneburg lens antennas face challenges such as complex manufacturing processes, high weight, mechanical deformation, and limited dielectric constant control, making them difficult to produce and apply in civilian sectors, especially for wide frequency coverage and low side lobes.
Innovation Solution
An ultralight artificial medium multilayer cylindrical lens with n concentric layers of varying dielectric constants, using a light foaming dielectric material and high dielectric constant additives, allowing for precise dielectric constant control and assembly into a seamless cylindrical structure, reducing weight and increasing frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional punching method is used to manufacture Luneburg lens, then the lens structure can be formed, but the manufacturing process is complex and time-consuming with poor hole positioning and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses foamed material with controlled porosity to manufacture the Luneburg lens. The foam structure naturally forms the required gradient dielectric constant distribution without complex punching operations. The pore density and distribution in the foamed material provide the gradual dielectric constant variation from center to edge, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the material from solid to foamed structure, and controls the foam density parameters to achieve the desired dielectric constant gradient. By adjusting foam expansion ratios and material composition, the lens achieves precise dielectric properties without complex mechanical processing.
2Weight of moving object
If foaming method is used to manufacture Luneburg lens, then the weight is reduced, but the dielectric constant is difficult to precisely control and material density cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs foamed material where the pore structure provides lightweight properties while the controlled pore distribution and density gradient achieve precise dielectric constant control. The foam material's inherent properties allow simultaneous optimization of weight and dielectric characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite foamed materials combining different substances to achieve both lightweight properties and precise dielectric constant control. The composite structure allows independent optimization of mechanical properties (weight) and electromagnetic properties (dielectric constant) through material composition control.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional foamed material is used, then the dielectric constant can be kept low, but the density increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses highly porous foamed material where air pockets replace solid material, dramatically reducing density and weight while maintaining low dielectric constant. The porous structure provides natural electrical insulation with minimal material mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air voids as a counterbalancing element that reduces material density without compromising dielectric performance. The air-filled pores provide electrical insulation equivalent to solid dielectric material but with fraction of the weight.
4Ease of manufacture
If foamed beads are used in manufacturing, then the material can be formed, but secondary foaming or shrinkage occurs causing gaps between materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary stabilization of the foamed material structure before final assembly and curing. The foam beads are pre-treated to prevent secondary foaming or shrinkage during the lens manufacturing process, ensuring uniform material composition and eliminating gaps between materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates stabilizing agents and control measures in advance to prevent secondary foaming or shrinkage of foam beads during manufacturing. The material composition is designed to maintain dimensional stability throughout the manufacturing process, preventing gaps and ensuring uniformity.
5Adaptability or versatility
If traditional Luneburg lens is used, then multi-beam capability is achieved, but the weight is heavy and manufacturing process is extremely complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses foamed material to manufacture the Luneburg lens, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process compared to traditional solid material methods. The foam structure allows easy formation of complex gradient dielectric profiles required for multi-beam capability, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material state to foam and controls density parameters to achieve both weight reduction and simplified manufacturing. The foam material's inherent gradability allows straightforward creation of the dielectric constant gradient needed for multi-beam operation without complex processing steps.
6Weight of moving object
If Matsine Luneburg ball is used, then the weight is reduced to 8 times lighter than natural media, but the vertical beam width is narrow requiring complex downtilt mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses foamed material to achieve ultralight weight while optimizing the lens geometry and dielectric gradient to provide wider vertical beam coverage. The cylindrical foam structure with controlled pore distribution enables both weight reduction and improved beam characteristics, eliminating the need for complex downtilt mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spherical to cylindrical lens geometry, changing the dimensional characteristics to achieve wider vertical beam coverage. The cylindrical foam structure provides different radiation patterns compared to spherical designs, naturally widening vertical beam width without additional mechanical components.
7Adaptability or versatility
If three-layer cylindrical Luneburg lens is used, then the dielectric constant can be changed macroscopically, but it is difficult to control the dielectric constant of each lens layer specifically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses foamed material where pore density and distribution can be independently controlled in different radial zones. This allows precise control of dielectric constant in each lens layer by adjusting foam characteristics during manufacturing, achieving both macroscopic variability and microscopic precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different foam densities and pore structures to different radial zones of the cylindrical lens. Each layer has locally optimized foam characteristics tailored to achieve the specific dielectric constant required for that region, enabling precise layer-by-layer control while maintaining overall adaptability.
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 results in an ultra-lightweight, ultra-wideband antenna with improved dielectric constant control, reduced mechanical deformation, and wider vertical plane coverage, suitable for 5G applications and reducing energy and site resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
n concentric layers having different dielectric constants... the dielectric constants of the n concentric layers gradually decrease from layer 1 to layer n
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in the present invention is an ultralight artificial medium multilayer cylindrical lens, comprising n concentric layers of different dielectric constants. The center cylindrical layer is expressed as layer 1 and is a solid cylinder. Layers 2 to n are in a sequentially outward nested arrangement surrounding the center cylindrical layer and respectively are n-1 concentric rings. The n concentric layers are assembled into a multilayer cylinder and are characterized in that the dielectric constants of the n concentric layers gradually decrease from layer 1 to layer n and vary specifically between 2.05 to 1.05. The n concentric layers are made of a base material of low dielectric constant added with a material of high dielectric constant and low specific gravity. The lens so manufactured has a total apparent density of 0.08-0.095 g/cm3.