Projected Artificial Magnetic Mirror Surface Wave Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electromagnetic circuitry lacks effective solutions for efficiently managing surface waves and electromagnetic interference across multiple frequency bands, particularly in the design of artificial magnetic conductors and frequency selective surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The development of a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) with conductive coils and a metal backing, arranged in a specific pattern and configuration, which forms an inductive-capacitive network to reduce surface waves and provide electromagnetic isolation, enabling efficient operation across multiple frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional ground planes or frequency selective surfaces are used to suppress surface waves, then electromagnetic isolation is improved, but the device complexity and loss of energy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface wave suppressionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground plane is segmented into discrete conductive elements (patches, rings, or dipoles) arranged in a periodic array, where each element is electrically isolated from others. This segmentation allows the ground plane to suppress surface waves through distributed capacitive coupling while reducing overall complexity compared to continuous ground structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical parameters of the ground plane by using discrete conductive elements with specific dimensions, spacing, and orientations that create frequency-dependent surface wave suppression characteristics, allowing optimization for specific frequency bands while reducing energy loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency selective surfaces are used to achieve band gap frequencies, then electromagnetic isolation is improved, but the loss of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive elements are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide ground plane functionality for signal reference, suppress surface waves through capacitive coupling, and create frequency-selective band gaps. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing overall energy loss and simplifying the structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of surface waves into a beneficial frequency-selective filtering effect. By carefully designing the spacing and dimensions of conductive elements, surface wave propagation is suppressed at unwanted frequencies while allowing desired frequency bands to pass, thus converting electromagnetic interference into a useful band-gap filtering mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 PAMM effectively reduces surface waves and enhances electromagnetic isolation, improving antenna performance and signal gain by reflecting electromagnetic signals, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies in managing electromagnetic interference across various frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

The PAMM effectively reduces surface waves and enhances electromagnetic isolation, improving antenna performance and signal gain by reflecting electromagnetic signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The conductive coils and a metal backing, arranged in a specific pattern and configuration, which forms an inductive-capacitive network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2375497B1Projected artificial magnetic mirror
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 BROADCOM INC
  • EP2375497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2375497B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2375497B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) includes conductive coils, a metal backing, and a dielectric material. The conductive coils are arranged in an array on a first layer of a substrate and the metal backing is on a second layer of the substrate. The dielectric material is between the first and second layers of the substrate. The conductive coils are electrically coupled to the metal backing to form an inductive-capacitive network that, for a third layer of the substrate and within a given frequency band, substantially reduces surface waves along the third layer.