Multiplexed Ultra-Wideband Antenna Element for Low-Profile Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full band antenna arrays sacrifice antenna-element efficiency to increase bandwidth, and struggle with impedance-matching bandwidth, especially in low-profile designs required for wideband systems, which limits their performance and size efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of a microstrip feed network with multiple feedlines coupling into the antenna at different locations to increase bandwidth beyond 12:1 fractional bandwidth, and a multiplexing interface to multiplex sub-band signals with high isolation, allowing the same excitation volume to be reused across different frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a low-profile radiating antenna element is used, then the antenna meets the low-profile requirement for wideband systems, but the impedance-matching bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna element is segmented into multiple radiating slots (first slot, second slot, third slot) along the transmission line, each contributing to different frequency bands. This segmentation allows the low-profile structure to achieve wide impedance-matching bandwidth by distributing the radiating function across multiple slots rather than relying on a single large aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the transmission line are assigned different characteristics: the first transmission line segment has a first impedance and supports a first frequency band, while the second transmission line segment has a second impedance and supports a second frequency band. This local differentiation of electrical properties enables the low-profile antenna to match multiple impedance bands simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple apertures are used to cover different frequency bands, then the bandwidth coverage is improved, but the Size, Weight, and Power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single antenna element performs multiple functions by radiating across multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The first and second transmission line segments, with their different impedances, enable the same physical aperture to cover both first and second frequency bands, eliminating the need for separate apertures for different bands and thereby reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple frequency band functions are merged into a single antenna element structure. The first slot, second slot, and third slot are combined in one continuous transmission line, allowing the antenna to cover multiple bands through a unified structure rather than requiring multiple separate aperture elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple apertures are used to cover different frequency bands, then the bandwidth coverage is improved, but the overall system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single antenna element serves multiple frequency bands through its multi-segment transmission line structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate apertures. The first and second transmission line segments together provide coverage for both frequency bands within one compact aperture area.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna extends in the dimensional direction along the transmission line rather than requiring additional aperture area. By arranging slots and transmission line segments along the length of the antenna, the design achieves multi-band coverage through dimensional extension rather than area expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna element includes a radiator element, a plurality of feed circuits and a multiplexing interface. The radiator element can transceive radio-frequency (RF) signals. The feed circuits, which include impedance and multiplexing features, are realized on multiple feed locations of the radiating element feed slot. The multiplexing interface is electrically coupled to the plurality of feed circuits and can multiplex a number of sub-band signals associated with the feed circuits. The multiplexing interface can provide a high isolation between the feed circuits.