Patch Antenna Array Center Feeding to Minimize Lobe Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Series feeding in patch antenna arrays leads to lobe peak shift and reduced matching bandwidth due to accumulative phase errors, and center feeding requires significant surface space for routing feeding lines.
Innovation Solution
A system where electromagnetic waves are fed to patch antenna arrays from the center using a nonconductive waveguide and apertures in a shielded substrate integrated waveguide, eliminating the need for surface space and reducing phase errors by serially feeding antennas from the center towards the edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If series feeding is used to feed patch antenna arrays from one end, then the structure is simple, but lobe peak shift occurs due to accumulative phase errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar feeding (series feeding from one end) to three-dimensional feeding by routing transmission lines through the substrate thickness direction. The feeding lines are embedded in via holes penetrating the substrate, allowing the signal to reach antenna elements at different positions without traversing the surface plane, thus eliminating accumulative phase errors while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of feeding antennas from the edge along the surface (conventional approach), the patent inverts the feeding direction by transmitting signals from the opposite side of the substrate through via holes. This reverse routing approach through the substrate thickness allows symmetric feeding of antenna elements, canceling out phase errors that would otherwise accumulate along the feeding path.
2Manufacturing precision
If center feeding is used to reduce lobe shift, then phase error is reduced, but significant surface space is required for routing feeding lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space occupation problem by moving feeding lines from the two-dimensional surface plane to the third dimension through via holes in the substrate. Transmission lines are routed vertically through the substrate thickness to reach antenna elements at the center, eliminating the need for large surface area feeding networks while achieving accurate phase distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate itself acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates signal transmission from the bottom surface to the antenna elements on the top surface. By embedding via holes and transmission lines within the substrate volume, the system uses the substrate as a three-dimensional conduit, eliminating the need for surface-mounted feeding structures.
3Device complexity
If series feeding is used, then the feeding structure is simple, but antenna matching bandwidth is decreased as the number of radiating elements is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By routing feeding lines through the substrate thickness dimension rather than along the surface, the patent achieves independent impedance control for each antenna element. The via hole structures and embedded transmission lines allow precise tuning of feeding impedance without being constrained by the cumulative effects of series feeding, thereby maintaining wide bandwidth even as the number of elements increases.
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
This approach minimizes lobe shift and phase errors while allowing for a higher density of patch antenna arrays on a small surface, improving radar, communication, imaging, and sensing performance by central and serial feeding of antennas without occupying space for feeding lines.
Implementation Method 1
a nonconductive waveguide adapted to convey an electromagnetic wave from the second layer to the first layer
Implementation Method 2
an aperture in a wall of the second layer enabling the electromagnetic wave to reach the first layer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for feeding an antenna array may include a first layer including one or more antennas; a second layer adapted to convey an electromagnetic wave; and an aperture in a wall of the second layer enabling the electromagnetic wave to reach the first layer.