Compact Helical Antenna on PCB for UAV Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular polarized antennas are bulky, fragile, and costly, making them unsuitable for unmanned vehicle telemetry and video broadcasting applications where weight and space are concerns, and they have significant fabrication errors.
Innovation Solution
A compact circular polarized omnidirectional helical antenna is developed using a lightweight printed circuit board (PCB) with a feed network and radiative components shaped as helices, providing improved size, weight, and cost efficiency while minimizing fabrication errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional circular polarized antennas are made lightweight for aircraft use, then weight is reduced, but the antennas become fragile and have fabrication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental construction parameters from traditional wire/rod assemblies to printed circuit board traces. The antenna elements are formed as conductive patterns on PCB substrates, transforming the physical state and manufacturing parameters. This allows lightweight construction while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid PCB support, eliminating fragility issues associated with thin wire assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical wire/rod assembly methods with printed circuit board fabrication processes. Instead of manually assembling and securing thin metal wires into helical shapes, the antenna elements are created through standard PCB manufacturing techniques (photolithography, etching), which provide consistent precision and eliminate manual assembly errors.
2Reliability
If traditional circular polarized antennas are designed with proper size for performance, then radiation performance is improved, but the antenna occupies substantial space in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional wire helix structures to two-dimensional printed circuit board traces. The helical antenna elements are formed as flat conductive patterns on the PCB surface, collapsing the vertical dimension while maintaining the electrical length and radiation characteristics through optimized trace routing and layer stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the antenna elements within the multi-layer PCB structure. Conductive traces on different PCB layers are stacked vertically to form the helical geometry, nesting multiple conductive paths within the compact PCB thickness. This allows the antenna to maintain its electrical dimensions while occupying minimal physical space.
3Reliability
If traditional circular polarized antennas are fabricated with multiple wires or thin metal sheets, then circular polarization is achieved, but fabrication costs increase and tolerances errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements, feed networks, and grounding structures into a single integrated PCB assembly. All conductive elements are formed simultaneously during PCB manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate fabrication and assembly of individual wire components. This integration reduces part count, assembly steps, and associated costs while ensuring consistent electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses photolithographic patterning to create precise reproductions of the antenna geometry. The conductive trace patterns are defined by photographic masks that accurately replicate the designed helical shapes, ensuring consistent dimensions and angles across all production units without manual measurement or adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit board for an antenna comprising at least one antenna bay comprising an input port; a feed network and a radiative component is provided. The feed network has a center node connected to the input port; a printed circuit board (PCB), comprising an active surface having at least two feed micro-strips and a reference surface having at least two first reference micro-strips, the reference surface being opposite to the active surface. The radiative component has at least two dipoles, each of the at least two dipoles being shaped as a helix and being uniformly disposed about an antenna axis, each of the at least two dipoles comprising a dipole fed portion connected to one of the at least two feed micro-strips and a dipole reference portion connected to one of the at least two first reference micro-strips.