Patch Antenna Arrangement With Attachment Patch Capacitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch antenna assemblies require significant installation space and have limitations in efficiently receiving and transmitting circularly polarized electromagnetic waves, particularly for GPS and SDARS signals, due to stringent tolerance requirements for gap sizes between patch antennas.
Innovation Solution
A compact patch antenna assembly design where a central patch antenna is surrounded by an annular or frame-shaped patch with a spacing gap, both covered by a common passive attachment patch forming a plate capacitor, allowing for improved energy coupling and reduced manufacturing tolerances, enabling efficient reception and transmission of right- or left-circularly polarized waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional patch antenna assembly with multiple individual antennas is used, then various communication services (GPS, SDARS, mobile communications) can be provided, but the installation space required is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions (GPS patch antenna and SDARS annular patch antenna) into a single integrated antenna assembly. The GPS antenna and SDARS antenna share the same substrate and ground plane structure, allowing both services to be provided within a compact footprint while maintaining their respective radiation patterns and polarization characteristics
2Reliability
If the gap between the central patch antenna and annular patch antenna is reduced to improve coupling, then manufacturing precision requirements become excessively stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric layer as an intermediary element between the central GPS patch antenna and the annular SDARS patch antenna. This dielectric layer with specific permittivity and thickness controls the capacitive coupling between the two antennas, allowing for relaxed manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable signal coupling. The dielectric acts as a buffer that stabilizes the coupling characteristics against dimensional variations
3Area of stationary object
If a compact antenna design with small gap is used, then manufacturing deviations have large impact on performance, but larger gap reduces coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dielectric layer parameters (permittivity εr and thickness d) to achieve the desired coupling between the GPS and SDARS antennas while maintaining performance stability against manufacturing variations. By carefully selecting the dielectric constant and thickness, the design achieves a balance where the coupling is sufficient for compact size but the dielectric's electrical properties provide tolerance to dimensional deviations, stabilizing the overall antenna performance
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 solution allows for a compact, cost-effective antenna assembly that can receive GPS and SDARS signals with improved coupling efficiency, reducing the impact of manufacturing deviations and enhancing the reliability of signal transmission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
both patch antenna assemblies are covered by a common passive attachment patch. The attachment patch and the active radiation patch of the central patch antenna arranged therebelow form a plate capacitor, whereby capacitance is produced between the two patch surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a patch antenna assembly which is for receiving GPS signals, in which a patch surface of the patch antenna assembly is surrounded by an additionally provided annular patch or frame patch under formation of a spacing gap
Data Source
AI summary
An improved patch antenna arrangement includes a patch electrode and a frame patch electrode surrounding the patch electrode provided on a dielectric. A top patch is also provided. The top patch is arranged opposite the dielectric at a distance from the patch electrode surface and at a distance from the ring or frame patch electrode surface. The top patch has an extent in the longitudinal and transverse direction, such that the top patch covers both the patch electrode surface and the frame patch electrode surface at least in some sections.