Planar Antenna Using Metallic Mesh Cap for Millimeter-Wave Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-gain antennas for millimeter-wave applications face challenges such as size constraints, expensive low-loss substrates, and complex feeding networks, making them difficult to integrate and fabricate cost-effectively.
Innovation Solution
A single-feed planar antenna system utilizing a frequency selective surface (FSS) with periodic slots over a ground plane, which simplifies the feed network and reduces losses by using a micromachining process, allowing for high radiation gain without the need for expensive substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If horn antenna is used to achieve high radiation gain, then radiation gain is improved, but size increases and integration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional horn antenna structure to a two-dimensional planar antenna structure. The horn antenna's volumetric radiation mechanism is replaced by a planar frequency selective surface with periodic slots that radiates in the planar dimension, achieving high gain without increasing volume constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical horn structure with an electromagnetic resonance-based planar system. Instead of relying on the physical horn's geometric taper for impedance matching and radiation, the planar antenna uses electromagnetic resonance in a cavity formed by the frequency selective surface and ground plane to achieve high radiation gain.
2Power
If planar array antenna is used to achieve high radiation gain, then radiation gain is improved, but feeding network complexity increases and loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the feeding function into a single centralized feed point rather than requiring separate feeds for each array element. The single feed excites the entire cavity structure, and the frequency selective surface distributes the energy across the planar array, eliminating the need for complex individual feeding networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structure acts as an intermediary between the single feed point and the frequency selective surface. The feed excites the cavity, which then couples energy to the periodic slots in the frequency selective surface, providing a simple yet effective feeding mechanism that avoids complex direct feeding networks.
3Loss of energy
If low-loss substrate is used to reduce feeding network loss, then loss is reduced, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses conventional, inexpensive substrates instead of expensive low-loss substrates. The design compensates for potential substrate losses by optimizing the electromagnetic resonance of the cavity and the geometry of the frequency selective surface, achieving high gain with cost-effective materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters and structural geometry to optimize performance with standard substrates. By carefully designing the cavity dimensions, slot geometries, and periodic structures in the frequency selective surface, the system achieves high radiation gain that compensates for the higher loss characteristics of conventional substrates.
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 provides high radiation gain with reduced size and fabrication costs, operating effectively across millimeter-wave frequencies with minimal loss and interference, suitable for high-data-rate applications like wireless video connections.
Implementation Method 1
a frequency selective surface (FSS) including a plurality of slots and covering at least a portion of the ground plane to form a cavity
Implementation Method 2
the antenna is configured to resonant at or about the central frequency of the cavity
Implementation Method 3
high radiation gain planar antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and/or method for a single planar feeding structure or antenna that may be integrated with one or more other system blocks is provided. The antenna may provide high radiation gain due to a large number of the radiating elements, which may be represented by one or more periodic openings or slots in a partially reflective surface (PRS). A feed network for the antenna may be provided by a wave bouncing between a ground plane and the PRS. The feed may be substantially in air, thereby suffering little to no loss. The fabrication process and/or method for the antenna is simple and low-cost. In one embodiment, the antenna may be formed at least in part by micromachining. The antenna may be designed at least in part using the Fabry-Pérot Cavity (FPC) method.