Omnidirectional Antenna with Constant Phase for High-Velocity GPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna configurations are not suitable for vehicles traveling at high velocities and experiencing extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, as they require limited operating conditions and may not maintain accurate GPS satellite positioning.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile metal rings antenna (MRA) with a five-ring configuration, comprising a large outer ring and four smaller rings, along with stand-off grounding posts and a conical feed, designed to maintain constant phase and operate effectively in high-velocity and extreme environmental conditions, allowing for accurate GPS satellite positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antenna configurations are used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the antenna cannot maintain accurate GPS satellite positioning under extreme environmental conditions and high velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is divided into multiple conductive rings (first conductive ring, second conductive ring, third conductive ring, etc.) arranged in sequence along the propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave. Each ring serves as an independent receiving element, and their combined output provides enhanced positioning accuracy under extreme conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive rings are nested concentrically with respect to the propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave, with each ring having a different diameter. The first conductive ring has the largest diameter, followed by progressively smaller rings. This nested arrangement allows multiple receiving elements to be compactly integrated while maintaining their individual functionality for accurate positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional antenna configurations are used, then the antenna is easy to manufacture, but the antenna requires limited operating conditions and cannot operate with vehicles traveling at high velocity or experiencing elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure with multiple conductive rings is designed to function effectively across a wide range of operating conditions including high velocities and elevated temperatures. The multi-ring configuration provides universal adaptability to different environmental extremes while maintaining positioning accuracy, making it suitable for various vehicular applications without requiring condition-specific modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna utilizes multiple conductive rings with different diameters and positions along the propagation direction, creating variations in electrical parameters that enable the antenna to maintain performance across different operating conditions. The specific dimensions and spacing of the rings are optimized to provide broad operational adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a multi-ring configuration is implemented, then the antenna maintains constant phase and accuracy while rotating at high velocities, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into multiple conductive rings positioned at different locations along the propagation direction, with each ring contributing to the overall signal reception. This segmentation allows the antenna to maintain constant phase characteristics during rotation by distributing the receiving function across multiple elements, thereby achieving phase stability without requiring overly complex structural arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive rings are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the propagation direction, with each ring having a specific diameter and position optimized for phase stability during rotation. The first ring has the largest diameter and is positioned to receive the strongest signal, while subsequent rings have progressively smaller diameters and are positioned to maintain phase coherence, creating an asymmetric but functionally optimized configuration.
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 MRA maintains constant phase and accuracy while rotating, enabling reliable GPS signaling even at high velocities and extreme temperatures, ensuring stable navigation and positional determination.
Implementation Method 1
The conical feed can be a conical section that is attached at its largest diameter (e.g., its base) to the center region of the upper plate while leaving a gap between the smallest diameter of the cone (e.g., its apex) and the lower plate
Implementation Method 2
The antenna can comprise an upper plate made up of multiple conductive rings, a lower ground-plane plate, a plurality of stand-off grounding posts, a conical feed, and a radio frequency (RF) feed connector
Data Source
AI summary
Various technologies presented herein relate to constructing and/or operating an antenna having an omnidirectional electrical field of constant phase. The antenna comprises an upper plate made up of multiple conductive rings, a lower ground-plane plate, a plurality of grounding posts, a conical feed, and a radio frequency (RF) feed connector. The upper plate has a multi-ring configuration comprising a large outer ring and several smaller rings of equal size located within the outer ring. The large outer ring and the four smaller rings have the same cross-section. The grounding posts ground the upper plate to the lower plate while maintaining a required spacing/parallelism therebetween.