Non-Planar Stripline Transition for Antenna Interconnects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for non-planar antennas are expensive, labor-intensive, and result in large board footprints with limited reliability, making it challenging to design effective transitions between controlled impedance transmission lines in different planes.

Innovation Solution

A non-planar antenna system featuring a transition transmission line with flexible and rigid substrate layers, where the trace portion is located between flexible layers, allowing for energy transfer between two non-planar transmission lines while minimizing footprint and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional solutions are used for non-planar antenna transitions, then energy transfer between transmission lines is achieved, but the board footprint becomes large and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboard footprintVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar to three-dimensional space by routing the transition transmission line through the thickness of the substrate layers. The trace portion extends between flexible substrate layers positioned between rigid substrate layers, utilizing the Z-dimension to achieve compact transitions that reduce board footprint while maintaining controlled impedance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition transmission line is nested within the multi-layer substrate structure. The trace portion is embedded between flexible substrate layers that are themselves positioned between rigid substrate layers, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces overall footprint and integrates multiple functions within the same structural envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If conventional transitions are used, then connection between transmission lines is established, but reliability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition reliabilityVSAvoidtransition structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible substrate layers as part of the transition structure. These flexible layers can accommodate mechanical stresses and thermal expansions better than rigid structures, improving reliability. The flexible substrate layers are integrated between rigid substrate layers to provide both mechanical flexibility and electrical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The transition structure combines rigid substrate layers and flexible substrate layers into a composite construction. This composite approach leverages the strengths of both material types - the structural stability of rigid materials and the mechanical compliance of flexible materials - to improve overall transition reliability while managing complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid substrate layers are used throughout, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility for non-planar transitions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate stabilityVSAvoidtransition flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different substrate material properties in different locations within the transition structure. Rigid substrate layers provide structural stability in regions requiring mechanical strength, while flexible substrate layers are positioned in regions requiring bending or conformability for the non-planar transition. This localized differentiation of material properties optimizes both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The transition transmission line structure combines rigid and flexible substrate materials in a composite arrangement. The rigid substrate layers provide overall structural support and stability, while the flexible substrate layers enable the necessary geometric transitions. This composite construction allows the system to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and transition flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS7605679B1System and method for providing a non-planar stripline transition

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

The present invention is a system including a first transmission line oriented in a first plane and a second transmission line oriented in a second plane. Both the first transmission line and the second transmission line include a pair of rigid substrate layers, a pair of flexible substrate layers and a trace portion, the trace portion being located between the pair of flexible substrate layers, the pair of flexible substrate layers being located between the pair of rigid substrate layers. The system further includes a transition transmission line which is connected between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The transition transmission line includes a pair of flexible substrate layers and a trace portion, the trace portion of the transition transmission line being located between the pair of flexible substrate layers of the transition transmission line. The transition transmission line is configured for delivering energy from the first transmission line to the second transmission line and from the second transmission line to the first transmission line.