Multi-Sector Antenna Feed Network for Wideband Multi-Mode Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3-sector antennas face limitations in achieving higher and wider band performance due to bandwidth constraints, which can lead to inadequate inhibition of RF signals at output ports, affecting the front-to-back ratio and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode antenna design incorporating a cascaded arrangement of phase shifters and hybrid couplers, including a first and second phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair, with additional phase shifters and hybrid couplers to support multiple operating modes and arrays, allowing for fine adjustments to achieve higher and wider band performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional 3-sector antenna design is used, then the antenna can provide basic directional beam coverage, but the bandwidth performance is limited and the front-to-back ratio is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of antenna elements through phase shifters and hybrid couplers, allowing the antenna to adapt its radiation pattern and impedance matching across different frequency bands. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the antenna to maintain high front-to-back ratio while operating across extended bandwidth, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including phase shift values, signal distribution ratios, and impedance values across different operating modes. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the antenna achieves optimal performance across wide bandwidth while maintaining high front-to-back ratio, effectively resolving the technical contradiction
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna arrays are used to create directional beams for each sector, then coverage for multiple sectors is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal feed network using hybrid couplers and phase shifters that can serve multiple antenna arrays simultaneously. This multi-functional architecture allows a single feed network to control multiple sectors and operating modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-sector coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the feed network into modular components (hybrid couplers, phase shifters, signal distributors) that can be independently controlled and adjusted. This segmentation allows complex multi-sector operations to be managed through coordinated control of simpler modular units, effectively managing device complexity
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 multi-mode antenna design enhances performance by enabling seven distinct operating modes and intermediate settings, improving the front-to-back ratio and operational efficiency by effectively managing RF signal distribution across sectors.
Implementation Method 1
a cascaded arrangement of a first phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair, which is responsive to a radio frequency (RF) input feed signal
Implementation Method 2
hybrid couplers may be selected from a group consisting of parallel λ/2 open branch couplers, multi-segment hybrid couplers, and coplanar waveguide (CPW) circle hybrid couplers
Implementation Method 3
the first, second and third arrays may be configured to radiate in respective first, second and third sectors of a three-sector antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-mode antenna includes a feed network including a cascaded arrangement of a first phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair, which is responsive to a radio frequency (RF) input feed signal, and a second phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair, which is responsive to an RF feed signal generated at a second output port of the first phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair. First, second and third arrays of radiating elements are provided. The first array is responsive to a RF feed signal derived from a first output port of the first phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair; the second array is responsive to an RF feed signal derived from a first output port of the second phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair; and the third array is responsive to an RF feed signal derived from a second output port of the second phase shifter and hybrid coupler pair.