Planar Beam Steering Antenna for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mobile and wireless handsets face challenges in integrating large-sized phased array antennas with beam steering capabilities, which are not suitable for consumer electronic devices due to size constraints and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact, planar antenna apparatus with multiple balanced radiation elements and a phase shifter device that applies selectable phase shifts, allowing for beam steering and high gain, integrated with an RF transceiver on a single printed circuit board, utilizing a Wilkinson power splitter and Schiffmann phase shifter for ultra-wideband frequency operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If phased array antennas are used to provide beam steering capability, then beam steering property is achieved, but antenna size becomes large and integration into mobile devices becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple discrete radiating elements (first, second, third, and fourth radiating elements) arranged in a planar configuration. Each element can be independently controlled through separate phase shifters, allowing the overall antenna pattern to be steered by adjusting individual element phases while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for mobile devices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple radiation elements are used to achieve high antenna gain, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radiating elements are combined in a planar array configuration where their electromagnetic fields constructively interfere in desired directions. This merging of elements achieves high gain and improved power efficiency by concentrating radiated energy in specific beam directions, while the planar geometry keeps the overall structure relatively simple and integrable into mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Phase shifters are incorporated to dynamically adjust the phase of signals fed to each radiating element. This dynamic control allows electronic beam steering without mechanical movement, enabling the antenna to adaptively steer beams toward moving targets or optimize reception from different directions, thereby reducing power consumption in communication while maintaining a fixed compact structure.
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 a compact, high-gain beam steering antenna that reduces power consumption, improves signal reception in dead spots, and is suitable for integration into mobile devices, offering low production costs, small size, and mechanical resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a phase shifter device operable to apply relative phase shifts between at least two of said partial signals, whereby said relative phase shifts are selectable from a group of at least two relative phase shift values provided by said phase shifter device
Implementation Method 2
at least two balanced radiation elements forming a planar structure, for transmitting and/or receiving a corresponding number of partial signals
Implementation Method 3
a signal splitter and/or combiner for splitting a signal received from an attached transceiver circuitry into said partial signals and/or combining said partial signals into a signal to be transmitted to an attached transceiver circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna apparatus attachable to the front-end of a transceiver circuitry, includes at least two balanced radiation elements forming a planar structure for transmitting and/or receiving a corresponding number of partial signals. The antenna apparatus also includes a signal splitter and/or combiner for splitting a signal received from an attached transceiver circuitry into said partial signals and/or combining said partial signals into a signal to be transmitted to an attached transceiver circuitry, a phase shifter device that applies relative phase shifts between at least two of said partial signals. The relative phase shifts are selectable from a group of at least two relative phase shift values provided by the phase shifter device.