Antenna Device With Permittivity-Modulated Dielectric Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna apparatuses for high-frequency electromagnetic waves struggle to influence the radiation characteristic and direction of emitted power efficiently, especially at gigahertz or terahertz frequencies, due to complex and costly mechanical displacement of components and high transmission power losses in antenna arrays.
Innovation Solution
The antenna apparatus uses a controller to create regions with different permittivities within the waveguide, allowing electromagnetic waves to propagate and be emitted in a preferred direction without mechanical displacement of components, by forming distinct first and second regions between parallel plates, enabling flexible adjustment of the propagation direction through the dielectric material's permittivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanically displaceable components are used to change radiation characteristic at low frequencies, then the radiation direction can be influenced, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical displacement of waveguide plates with electromagnetic field-based permittivity modulation of the dielectric material. Instead of physically moving components to change radiation characteristics, the invention uses controllable dielectric materials whose permittivity can be changed via electrical signals, thereby altering the electromagnetic wave propagation path and radiation direction without mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the permittivity parameter of the dielectric material to control radiation characteristics. By modulating the permittivity of the dielectric substance between the waveguide plates, the patent achieves dynamic control over the electromagnetic wave propagation and radiation pattern, replacing complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with simple electrical parameter control.
2Ease of operation
If antenna arrays are used for high-frequency waves, then the radiation direction can be controlled, but transmission power losses increase due to signal division and phase shifter losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the antenna array architecture with a single waveguide structure that uses permittivity-modulated dielectric material to achieve beam steering. This eliminates the need for multiple antenna elements, signal dividers, and phase shifters, thereby reducing transmission power losses while maintaining the capability to control radiation direction through electrical control of the dielectric material's permittivity.
3Speed
If the characteristic dimensions of antenna apparatuses are reduced to millimeters for gigahertz frequencies, then the antenna can emit high-frequency waves, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses controllable dielectric materials that can be manufactured in larger dimensions without the same level of precision requirements as traditional antenna elements. By changing the permittivity parameter of the dielectric material rather than reducing physical dimensions, the patent enables gigahertz frequency operation with simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing processes.
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 allows for efficient and cost-effective control of the radiation characteristic and direction of emitted power, reducing transmission losses and enabling precise adjustment of the preferred propagation direction with short reaction times, suitable for various frequency ranges and applications.
Implementation Method 1
the dielectric material can be influenced, by a controller of the antenna apparatus, such that at least one first region having a first permittivity and at least one second region having a second permittivity is formed, such that the electromagnetic waves coupled into the waveguide preferably propagate through the at least one first region
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device (1) for emitting electromagnetic waves has a waveguide (2), which in turn has two plates (3) made of an electrically conductive material and arranged parallel to one another, between which a dielectric material is arranged. The antenna device (1) has a feed-in device (4), with which electromagnetic waves can be coupled into the waveguide (2), which then propagate along the waveguide (2) and are emitted at an edge (5) of the waveguide (2) at a distance from the feed-in device (4). According to the invention, using a control device of the antenna device (1), the dielectric material can be influenced in such a way that a first region (9) having a first permittivity and at least one second region (10) having a second permittivity are formed, such that the electromagnetic waves coupled into the waveguide (2) propagate preferably through the first region (9) and are emitted in this preferred propagation direction (11). The waveguide (2) can be in the shape of a circle segment and the feed-in device (4) can feed-in the electromagnetic wave in the centre of the circle. The dielectric material is a fluid having an anisotropic permittivity. The control device can have multiple respective electrodes (12), arranged on the plates (3) of the waveguide (2) and insulated in relation to same, between which an electric field can be generated.