Patch Antenna Array Feed Structure for Wide-Angle Beam Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional base station antennas struggle to achieve large scan angles and wide beamwidths due to narrow radiating element patterns, poor active return losses, and poor isolation between polarizations and adjacent elements, while multi-layer air-filled patch antennas suffer from high cost and structural instability.
Innovation Solution
The development of antenna arrays using reduced-size patch-type radiators with a cross-polarized feed signal network, a ring-shaped support frame, and a polymer-based patch carrier that includes a dielectric loading extension to tune the center frequency, along with a metallized polymer structure for improved electromagnetic shielding and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional base station antennas use conventional radiating elements, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but the scan angle and beamwidth are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple independently controllable radiating elements arranged in a specific geometry. Each element can be individually fed and controlled, allowing the overall array to achieve wide scan angles through phased array beam steering while maintaining a compact physical structure that would be impossible with a single conventional element
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar arrays to a three-dimensional tetrahedral geometry. This spatial dimensionality change enables the antenna to achieve superior scan performance and beamwidth characteristics by utilizing volume rather than just surface area, allowing electromagnetic energy to be distributed and controlled in three-dimensional space
2Duration of action of stationary object
If multi-layer air-filled patch antennas are used to achieve wide bandwidth, then bandwidth is improved, but cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves wide bandwidth by optimizing the geometric parameters of the tetrahedral radiating elements, including edge lengths, angles, and relative positioning. By carefully controlling these dimensional parameters and the feed network phase relationships, the antenna achieves broad operational bandwidth without requiring multiple dielectric layers or complex stacked configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hybrid construction combining metal conductive elements for radiation with dielectric materials for feeding and support structures. This composite approach allows the integration of feed networks directly into the radiating structure, achieving wide bandwidth through the interaction of different material properties rather than through multi-layer patch configurations
3Volume of moving object
If reduced-size patch-type radiators are used to decrease antenna size, then device size is reduced, but radiating efficiency and bandwidth may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional tetrahedral radiating elements that efficiently radiate from volume rather than surface. This allows compact sizing while maintaining effective radiating area through the volumetric distribution of electromagnetic energy, preventing the bandwidth degradation that typically occurs when planar patches are miniaturized
Solution Approach 2:
The tetrahedral radiating elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as resonant radiators, provide structural support for the feed network, and enable beam steering through phased array control. This multi-functionality allows the compact structure to achieve wide bandwidth without requiring separate components that would increase size
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional patch antennas are used, then manufacturing is simple, but isolation between polarizations and adjacent elements is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The tetrahedral radiating elements exploit the inherent asymmetry of the three-dimensional geometry to achieve superior polarization isolation. The non-planar configuration naturally separates orthogonal polarization modes in space, providing inherent isolation without requiring complex filtering or shielding that would complicate manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
By moving from two-dimensional planar patches to three-dimensional tetrahedral elements, the patent creates spatial separation between different polarization modes and adjacent radiating elements. This volumetric arrangement provides natural isolation through three-dimensional space, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable polarization discrimination
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 enables wider scan angles and beamwidths, reduces the size of radiating surfaces, and improves bandwidth and impedance matching, while maintaining structural stability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer-based patch carrier that includes a dielectric loading extension to tune the center frequency
Implementation Method 2
a metallized polymer structure for improved electromagnetic shielding and reduced size
Implementation Method 3
A patch-type radiating element is also provided, which is electrically coupled by the feed signal pedestal to the first and second pairs of feed signal output ports
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna includes a cross-polarized feed signal network configured to convert first and second radio frequency (RF) input feed signals to first and second pairs of cross-polarized feed signals at respective first and second pairs of feed signal output ports. A feed signal pedestal is provided, which is electrically coupled to the first and second pairs of feed signal output ports, and a patch radiating element is provided, which is electrically coupled by the feed signal pedestal to the first and second pairs of feed signal output ports. This patch radiating element may be capacitively coupled to first and second pairs of feed signal lines on the feed signal pedestal, which are electrically connected to the first and second pairs of feed signal output ports.