Planar Tx/Rx Horn Antenna Layout for Compact Millimeter-Wave Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio wave sensor apparatuses face challenges with low antenna gain, wide directivity, and increased size due to long transmission lines and large horn antennas, which affect detection distance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a configuration where the transmitting and receiving horn antennas are disposed on the same plane with a separating wall portion, reducing the size of the sensor circuit region and shortening transmission lines, while maintaining high antenna gain and directivity through a horn antenna structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a patch antenna is used for the transmitting and receiving antennas, then the antenna size is reduced and connection to integrated circuit is easier, but the antenna gain becomes low and detection distance becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The horn antenna is divided into a transmitting horn section and a receiving horn section that are disposed adjacently on the same plane, allowing each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining compact overall size
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure transitions from a conventional three-dimensional horn antenna to a two-dimensional planar configuration where the transmitting and receiving horn sections are arranged on the same plane, reducing the required space while maintaining antenna performance
2Power
If a patch array antenna is used to enhance antenna gain and extend detection distance, then the antenna gain improves, but a long transmission line is required connecting the patch antennas which causes loss and reduces antenna efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting horn section and receiving horn section are merged into a single integrated structure disposed adjacently on the same plane, eliminating the need for separate transmission lines and reducing transmission loss
Solution Approach 2:
A ground plane is introduced as an intermediary structure between the transmitting and receiving antenna sections, serving as both a reference plane for impedance control and a means to reduce mutual coupling while minimizing transmission line requirements
3Loss of energy
If a horn antenna is used to obtain high antenna efficiency and reduced noise, then the antenna efficiency improves and sensitivity is enhanced, but the antenna size and sensor circuit region size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The horn antenna is segmented into transmitting and receiving sections disposed adjacently on the same plane, allowing compact integration while maintaining the high efficiency characteristics of horn antenna structure
Solution Approach 2:
The horn antenna structure is reconfigured from a traditional three-dimensional form to a two-dimensional planar arrangement on the same plane, significantly reducing the sensor circuit region size while preserving antenna efficiency
4Volume of moving object
If the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna are disposed close to each other, then the device size is reduced, but mutual coupling between the antennas increases causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
A ground plane is positioned between the transmitting and receiving horn sections, acting as an electromagnetic shield that reduces mutual coupling and interference while allowing the antennas to be disposed adjacently on the same plane for compact size
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is segmented into distinct transmitting and receiving sections with clear spatial separation on the same plane, reducing mutual coupling while maintaining compact overall device size
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 configuration enhances antenna efficiency, reduces the size of the sensor circuit region, and allows for sharper directivity and improved detection capabilities, particularly in millimeter wave bands.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting antenna to radiate the high frequency signal into a space
Implementation Method 2
a receiving antenna to receive a reflected wave of the high frequency signal from an object
Implementation Method 3
a mixer to mix the high frequency signal and the reflected wave received by the receiving antenna to produce a reception signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radio wave sensor apparatus comprises: an oscillator; a transmitting antenna; a receiving antenna; a mixer, and a signal processing device. The transmitting antenna has a transmitting antenna section and a transmitting horn section and the receiving antenna has a receiving antenna section and a receiving horn section; the transmitting antenna section and the receiving antenna section are disposed on the same plane in a spaced manner; each inner wall of the transmitting horn section and the receiving horn section has a wall portion separating the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna; this wall portion has a wall surface region vertical to the plane from open end sides of the transmitting horn section and the receiving horn section toward the transmitting antenna section and the receiving antenna section, respectively; and the transmitting horn section and the receiving horn section are disposed adjacent to each other via the wall portion.