Patch Antenna Gain Shaping via Integrated Substrate and Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite transceivers face challenges in providing significant gain over a wide angle and reducing complexity and costs, particularly due to issues with circular polarization and component fabrication, leading to signal interference and high production expenses.
Innovation Solution
A satellite transceiver antenna design featuring a patch antenna with a metallic reflector and a dielectric substrate, incorporating a Wilkinson splitter for quadrature excitation, which provides right-hand circular polarization and reduces interference, while simplifying the fabrication process by using a suspended reflector and dielectric spacers to minimize component count and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional patch antennas use dedicated PCBs for polarizing circuit components, then circular polarization can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the polarizing circuit components directly onto the antenna substrate, merging what were previously separate dedicated PCB assemblies into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate polarizing circuit boards while maintaining the quadrature excitation capability for circular polarization, thereby reducing device complexity and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the radiating element support and the platform for polarizing circuit components. By making the substrate multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated PCBs for polarizing circuits, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining circular polarization performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional patch antennas use multiple separate PCB assemblies, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate PCB assemblies (antenna substrate and polarizing circuit board) into a single integrated substrate structure. This consolidation maintains all necessary functional capabilities including quadrature excitation and circular polarization while significantly reducing manufacturing steps, assembly complexity, and production costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If patch antennas operate at low elevation angles, then global coverage is achieved, but left-hand polarization causes signal fading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the reflected signal, which would normally cause harmful left-hand polarization and fading, as a beneficial component. By designing the antenna with specific polarization characteristics and using ground reflection, the system converts the potentially harmful left-hand polarized reflected waves into useful right-hand polarized signals, improving rather than degrading signal quality at low elevation angles.
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 design achieves significant gain over a wide angle from the boresight and globally, reduces interference from left-hand polarization, and lowers production complexity and costs, enhancing the performance and efficiency of satellite communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The patch antenna may comprise a reflector. The reflector may comprise a metallic material of a characteristic dimension and may be operable for shaping a pattern of the RF gain of the patch antenna
Implementation Method 2
The SAT-202 satellite transceiver comprises an L-band patch antenna with circular polarization that provides significant gain over low elevation angles
Implementation Method 3
The patch antenna comprises a reflector. The reflector comprises a metallic material of a characteristic dimension and is operable for shaping a pattern of the RF gain of the patch antenna
Implementation Method 4
The PCBA comprises a dielectric substrate, at least one electronic component disposed upon the dielectric substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
A terrestrial transceiver is described, which is operable for exchanging RF signals with communication satellites. The transceiver has a patch antenna sensitive to signals within an L-Band RF range and operable for providing a gain to the RF signals. A metallic reflector of a characteristic dimension is operable for shaping a pattern of the RF gain of the patch antenna. A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) has a dielectric substrate, an electronic component disposed upon the substrate, and a hole penetrating the substrate and disposed substantially within a central region thereof. Based on the dimension characteristic of the reflector and on a positioning and/or a dimension of the hole, the RF gain diverges over an angle from a boresight of the patch antenna.