Printed Board Antenna System with Integrated Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF wireless communications systems face challenges in providing directional control and radiation protection for sensitive electronics in phased-array antennas, as they often require bulky and heavy shielding to prevent radiation damage, which increases size, weight, and cost while compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
A printed board antenna system is developed, comprising multiple layers of printed boards with conductive resonator plates and shields, where conductive vias form coaxial resonators with axially offset ends, providing effective radiation shielding and directional control without the need for large, heavy shields, allowing for compact and lightweight designs suitable for phased-array communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If bulky and heavy shielding is used to prevent radiation damage in phased-array antennas, then radiation protection is improved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin conductive shield layers integrated into printed circuit boards instead of bulky metallic shields. These thin film shields provide effective radiation protection while minimizing weight and space requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining conductive materials with dielectric substrates in layered printed circuit board configurations. This composite approach provides shielding effectiveness through material properties rather than mass, achieving radiation protection with significantly reduced weight compared to traditional homogeneous metallic shields.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bulky and heavy shielding is used to prevent radiation damage, then radiation protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function with the printed circuit board structure itself, integrating conductive shield layers directly into the PCB layers. This consolidation eliminates separate shielding components and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining effective radiation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, electrical connectivity, and radiation shielding. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating dedicated shielding structures while maintaining protection capabilities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding structures are used, then radiation protection is provided, but size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thin conductive films deposited on printed circuit board substrates to provide radiation shielding. These thin film structures occupy minimal volume while maintaining effective shielding performance, directly addressing the contradiction between protection and compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional bulky shielding structures to two-dimensional planar shield layers integrated within the PCB. This dimensional reduction enables compact antenna system design while preserving radiation protection functionality.
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 printed board antenna system effectively transmits and receives wireless signals while mitigating radiation damage to sensitive electronics, offering reduced size, weight, and cost while maintaining performance and power efficiency, making it suitable for applications like spacecraft installations.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive via can cooperate with the resonator to at least one of transmit a wireless signal from the transceiver via the antenna system or receive the wireless signal at the transceiver via the antenna system
Implementation Method 2
The second printed board includes a shield... effectively transmits and receives wireless signals while mitigating radiation damage to sensitive electronics
Data Source
AI summary
One example includes an antenna system. The antenna system includes a plurality of printed boards arranged in layers and including a first printed board and a second printed board. The first printed board includes a resonator and the second printed board includes a shield. The antenna system also includes at least one conductive via that extends through each of the plurality of printed boards and is coupled to a transceiver. The at least one conductive via can cooperate with the resonator to at least one of transmit a wireless signal from the transceiver via the antenna system or receive the wireless signal at the transceiver via the antenna system.