Phased Array Antenna Pattern Shaping for Wide-Angle Gain Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phased array antennas suffer from significant gain loss at large scan angles due to angular variation of the radiated field and inter-element coupling, leading to a severe gain drop when the beam steers in a wide range.
Innovation Solution
The antenna design includes a substrate with a radiation element and a radiation pattern shaping mechanism that reduces central radiation and increases beamwidth, achieved through structural components and dielectric elements that facilitate resonance and adjust field distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional phased array antenna is used to achieve wide scan range, then the beam can steer over a wide angular range, but significant gain loss occurs at large scan angles due to angular variation of radiated field and inter-element coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a radiation pattern shaping mechanism with specific geometric features (such as curved surfaces or asymmetric structures) that create non-uniform field distribution. This mechanism locally modifies the radiation characteristics of individual antenna elements to compensate for the angular variation of radiated field and inter-element coupling effects, thereby maintaining stable gain across wide scan angles while enabling adaptability for wide scan range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the geometric parameters of the radiation pattern shaping mechanism (such as curvature radius, position, or shape factors) to optimize the radiation pattern. These parameter adjustments enable the antenna to maintain consistent gain characteristics across different scan angles, resolving the contradiction between wide scan range and gain stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the radiation pattern is shaped to reduce central radiation and increase beamwidth, then gain stability over wide scan range is improved, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiation pattern shaping function with the existing antenna element structure by integrating the shaping mechanism directly into the antenna element design. This combination approach achieves the desired radiation pattern (reduced central radiation, increased beamwidth) while minimizing additional structural complexity, as the shaping features are incorporated rather than added as separate components
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 design enables a phased array antenna to maintain a nearly constant peak gain over a wide scan range, with gain fluctuations less than 0.9 dB, while providing a scan range of at least ±80°.
Implementation Method 1
dielectric elements that facilitate resonance and adjust field distribution
Implementation Method 2
radiation element arranged on the substrate... radiation pattern shaping mechanism operable to reduce central radiation provided by the radiation element
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna for a phased array antenna. The antenna includes a substrate, a radiation element arranged on the substrate, and a radiation pattern shaping mechanism operable to reduce central radiation provided by the radiation element during operation.