Partial-Cap UWB Antenna for Low-Profile Vehicle Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna designs, such as shark fin antennas, detract from vehicle aesthetics due to their height and placement, which is typically one quarter of a wavelength at the lowest operating frequency, making them undesirable from a styling viewpoint.
Innovation Solution
A ultra wide band (UWB) antenna design with a partial cap and tapered side portion that wraps around the outer edge, allowing for a low profile integration, reducing the height to approximately 1/20 of a wavelength, and incorporating a ground plane for signal reflection and operation in low frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shark fin antenna is used with height of one quarter wavelength, then the antenna achieves adequate signal performance, but it detracts from vehicle aesthetics and external design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the height parameter from the conventional one-quarter wavelength to a low-profile configuration, and modifies the geometric shape to a tapered design with wrap-around sides. This parameter transformation allows the antenna to achieve adequate signal performance while maintaining vehicle aesthetic appeal by reducing visual prominence.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna design transitions from a simple vertical element to a three-dimensional tapered structure with sides that wrap around the vehicle surface. This dimensional transformation allows the antenna to conform to vehicle contours, improving aesthetics while maintaining electrical performance through optimized current distribution.
2Shape
If the antenna height is reduced to one twentieth of wavelength for low-profile integration, then vehicle aesthetics are improved, but antenna performance at low frequencies may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into distinct functional portions: a cap portion for radiation, a tapered side portion for impedance transformation and current distribution, a connecting portion for ground plane integration, and a cylinder for structural support. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, enabling low-profile integration while maintaining low-frequency performance through proper current pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure employs a nested configuration where the tapered side portion wraps around and integrates with the ground plane, and the connecting portion nests within the overall structure to provide electrical connection. This nesting allows the antenna to achieve a compact low-profile form while maintaining the electrical length necessary for low-frequency operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A ultra wide band (UWB) antenna includes: a ground plane; and an antenna body including: a cap portion arranged above the ground plane; a tapered side portion extending perpendicular to the cap portion in a direction toward the ground plane, wrapping at least 50% around an outer edge of the cap portion and tapering in height from a feed side of the antenna body in a direction towards a back side of the antenna body; a cylinder connected to a bottom surface of the cap portion and to the ground plane; a connecting portion connecting the back side of the cap portion, opposite the feed side, to the ground plane; and an aperture through the cap portion disposed between the cylinder and the feed side of the antenna body.