Dual-Polarized Patch Array Mixed Feeding for Isolation and Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna arrays with dual-polarized patch antenna elements face manufacturing complexity and performance issues due to technological constraints, particularly at mm-waves, leading to reduced bandwidth, unequal port impedances, poor port-to-port isolation, and non-optimal radiation patterns.
Innovation Solution
A mixed feeding scheme is employed for dual-polarized antenna elements, combining single-ended and differential feeding on a single layer, avoiding jumpers or crossovers, to achieve identical input impedances, wide bandwidth, high port-to-port isolation, and symmetrical radiation patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If differential feeding is used for both polarizations on a single layer, then port-to-port isolation and cross-polar discrimination are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to trace width and trace-to-trace gap constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding network is segmented into two independent subsystems: a first feeding subsystem for feeding first polarization elements, and a second feeding subsystem for feeding second polarization elements. Each subsystem can be independently designed and optimized, reducing the overall complexity while maintaining performance requirements for port-to-port isolation and cross-polar discrimination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar trace-based feeding to three-dimensional probe-based feeding. Probes extend vertically through the substrate to contact patch elements, eliminating the need for complex trace routing on a single layer and reducing manufacturing constraints related to trace width and gap
2Reliability
If multiple feeding network layers or jumpers are used, then dual-polarized feeding performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding network is divided into separate first and second feeding subsystems that can be independently implemented. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized separately and simplifies the manufacturing process by avoiding the need to integrate multiple complex layers and jumpers
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves as an intermediary medium that enables probe-based feeding. The probes pass through the substrate to establish electrical connections with patch elements, eliminating the need for complex multi-layer trace routing and jumpers while maintaining feeding performance
3Ease of manufacture
If single-ended feeding is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but bandwidth and radiation pattern stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding system is segmented into specialized first and second feeding subsystems, where each subsystem is optimized for its specific polarization. This allows each subsystem to achieve better bandwidth and radiation pattern stability while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through independent design and implementation
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention relates to an antenna array, which comprises dual-polarized antenna elements connected to the same feeding network. The dual-polarized antenna elements comprise at least a first and a second patch antenna element, which are connected in a mixed feeding scheme to the feeding network a feeding network. A first feeding arrangement of the first feeding network for the first polarization is configured to feed the first patch antenna element by single-ended feeding and the second patch antenna element by differential feeding. A second feeding arrangement of the feeding network for the second polarization is configured to feed the first patch antenna element by differential feeding and the second patch antenna element by single-ended feeding.