Aperture-Coupled Patch Antenna Feed Layout With Air-Gap Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aperture coupled patch antennas face challenges in connecting to radio components behind the antenna, leading to increased cost and power loss due to the need for cables and connectors, and suffer from dielectric losses and distortion from adjacent components.
Innovation Solution
A patch antenna arrangement with a distribution element suspended at a distance from the box, eliminating the need for connectors and reducing dielectric losses by using an air gap, and incorporating support elements for mechanical stability and efficient shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the antenna is integrated with the radio in the same layer, then connection complexity is reduced, but dielectric losses increase due to proximity to lossy substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution element is positioned in a third dimension (air space) between the ground plane and the patch, rather than being planar on the substrate. This vertical arrangement creates an air gap that reduces dielectric losses while maintaining integrated construction, resolving the contradiction between connection simplicity and energy loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables and connectors are used to connect antenna to radio, then connection flexibility is improved, but cost and power loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the feed network and the mounting interface by directly contacting the ground plane. This merging eliminates the need for separate cables and connectors, reducing power loss while maintaining connection flexibility through direct integration.
3Manufacturing precision
If the distribution element is placed close to the box, then manufacturing precision is improved, but shielding effectiveness decreases leading to distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap acts as an intermediary space between the distribution element and the box, providing electromagnetic isolation that shields the distribution element from adjacent antennas. This intermediate air region reduces distortion while the distribution element remains precisely positioned through its contact points with the ground plane.
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4A~4C
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
It is provided an aperture coupled patch antenna comprising a substrate comprising a planar electrically conductive ground plane, an electrically conductive box arranged on and electrically connected to the ground plane to form an air filled cavity between the box and the ground plane, the box comprising an aperture in the form of at least one elongate slot. The antenna further comprises an electrically conductive patch arranged in parallel with the ground plane and at a distance from the box such that the aperture of the box is located between the patch and the ground plane and a distribution network comprising at least one elongate distribution element arranged in parallel with the ground plane between the ground plane and the patch, at a distance from the substrate and the ground plane and at a distance from the box such that a gap is formed between the distribution element and the box, wherein the extension of the distribution element intersects the extension of the aperture.