Overlapping Dual-Side Radiating Elements for Ultra-Wide Band Antenna Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for lightweight, wide-frequency bandwidth, and wide-angular scan range antenna arrays that can be conformally mounted on platforms, particularly for ultra-wide bandwidth applications in communication and sensor systems.

Innovation Solution

The design involves an antenna unit cell with a dielectric substrate and radiating elements on both sides, where the second plurality of radiating elements overlap the first, forming a dual-polarization structure, enabling the creation of ultra-wide band arrays with a 10:1 frequency band edge ratio and wide scan angles, suitable for conformal mounting on aircraft and other platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If radiating elements are arranged in overlapping pairs on both sides of the dielectric substrate, then ultra-wide bandwidth and dual-polarization capability are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth and polarization capabilityVSAvoidantenna structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radiating elements are combined into overlapping pairs on both sides of the dielectric substrate, merging their functions to achieve ultra-wide bandwidth and dual-polarization capability while maintaining a unified structural framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure transitions from planar to three-dimensional by placing radiating elements on both sides of the dielectric substrate with overlapping configurations, utilizing the vertical dimension to enhance performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the antenna array is designed for conformal mounting on platform surfaces, then adaptability to different platforms is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformal mounting capabilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna array is divided into modular unit cells that can be independently manufactured and then assembled, reducing the precision requirements for conformal mounting while maintaining adaptability to different platform surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9368879B1Ultra wide band antenna element

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Antenna unit cells suitable for use in antenna arrays are disclosed, as are antenna array and mounting platform such as an aircraft comprising antenna unit cells. In one embodiment, an antenna unit cell comprises a dielectric substrate having a length extending along a first axis and a width extending along a second axis, a first plurality of radiating elements disposed on a first side of the dielectric substrate, and a second plurality of radiating elements disposed on a second side of the dielectric substrate, opposite the first side. In some embodiments the first plurality of radiating elements extend to an edge of the unit cell, and the second plurality of radiating elements overlap portions of the first plurality of radiating elements. Other embodiments may be described.