Passive Reconfigurable Antenna for Environmental Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems require local power to operate and transmit data, limiting their deployment over large geographic regions due to bulkiness and cost, and are often obstructed by environmental factors like buildings and vegetation.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna system that modifies its resonance and electromagnetic radiation properties based on environmental and acoustic conditions, using capacitive or resistive connectors that change in response to local factors, allowing for passive and wireless data transmission without local power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If powered sensors are used to transmit data wirelessly, then data transmission capability is improved, but device bulkiness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna uses environmental energy (acoustic waves, electromagnetic radiation) to modulate its resonant frequency and transmit data passively, eliminating the need for local power sources and batteries, thus reducing device bulkiness while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical power transmission system with an acoustic field-based modulation system, where acoustic waves directly modulate the antenna's resonant frequency to encode and transmit data without requiring powered electronics
2Area of stationary object
If powered sensors are deployed over large geographic regions, then coverage area is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive antenna system harvests energy from the environment (acoustic waves, ambient electromagnetic radiation) to enable data transmission, eliminating the need for battery installation and replacement, thus simplifying large-scale geographic deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing element and the transmission antenna, while also serving as the energy harvesting mechanism through acoustic and electromagnetic coupling, reducing the number of components needed for deployment
3Use of energy by moving object
If acoustic energy is used to modulate antenna resonance, then local power requirement is eliminated, but transmission distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acoustic wave modulation with electromagnetic radiation transmission, where acoustic waves modulate the resonant frequency and the antenna simultaneously radiates electromagnetic energy to carry the modulated signal over extended distances
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna acts as an intermediary that converts acoustic energy modulations into electromagnetic radiation, using the electromagnetic field as a carrier to extend transmission distance beyond the direct acoustic wave range
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
Enables the deployment of sensors over large areas without the need for local power, allowing for remote monitoring and geographic mapping of environmental conditions, such as acoustic and chemical changes, through directional interrogation and efficient data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The connectors contain small parts or elements that move or change their electrical property in the presence of an environmental factor, acoustic energy or the like... These connector parts or elements change the capacitance or resistance of the connections, thus changing the resonant frequency and resonant mode of the antenna system
Implementation Method 2
The changing configuration of the antenna can be used to passively and wirelessly couple the local environmental condition or local acoustic wave to a receiver... The efficiency of absorption or reflection by the antenna will be modulated by the local environment or acoustic energy
Implementation Method 3
The changing configuration of the antenna can be used to passively and wirelessly couple the local environmental condition or local acoustic wave to a receiver
Implementation Method 4
By sending electromagnetic radiation of known frequencies to the sensing antenna, one can monitor the absorbed or reflected radiation at one or more frequencies. The efficiency of absorption or reflection by the antenna will be modulated by the local environment or acoustic energy
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna whose resonance and electromagnetic radiation properties can be modified by environmental conditions, acoustic conditions, and the like. The reconfiguring antenna acts to facilitate wireless transmission of information about the local environment without the need for local power.