Planar Spiral Transmitter Layout for Broadband Compact Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing long range radio technology requires compact transmitters that operate over a wide frequency range, but traditional spiral antennas with external driving circuits and power sources are bulky and interfere with transmission, making them unsuitable for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A planar transmitter design featuring a centralized ground plane with spiral radiating elements that wrap around it, allowing for a compact integration of the antenna, driving circuit, and power source within a small footprint, with electrical isolation to prevent interference and support a broad frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional spiral antennas with external driving circuits and power sources are used, then bandwidth is achieved, but device volume increases and transmission interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving circuit and power source into the same planar substrate as the spiral radiating elements, creating an integrated transmitter assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for external connections via coaxial cables and reduces overall device volume while maintaining broadband performance across the 902-928 MHz range.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving circuit is positioned within the central region enclosed by the spiral radiating elements, effectively nesting the circuit inside the antenna structure. The power source is similarly integrated within the planar assembly, allowing compact arrangement that minimizes footprint while preserving electrical isolation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional spiral antennas with external driving circuits are used, then bandwidth is achieved, but transmission interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the driving circuit and power source from external positions and relocates them within the planar substrate, but maintains electrical isolation between these components and the radiating elements through careful layout and grounding strategies. This eliminates interference while preserving integration benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized ground plane serves as an intermediary structure that provides electrical isolation between the driving circuit, power source, and spiral radiating elements. The ground plane acts as a shield and reference potential, preventing harmful electromagnetic coupling while maintaining signal integrity.
3Volume of moving object
If compact transmitters are designed for applications like animal tags, then device size is reduced, but integration of power source, antenna, and driver becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The planar substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the spiral radiating elements for broadband operation, provides mounting area for the power source, accommodates the driving circuit, and offers grounding paths. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the need for integration of multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional stacked arrangements to a two-dimensional planar layout, allowing all components (antenna, circuit, power source) to be arranged on the same substrate plane. This dimensional change simplifies integration while maintaining compact footprint suitable for applications like animal tags.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitter comprising a planar antenna including a ground plane and first and second spiral radiating elements wrapping around the ground plane, and a driving circuit. Proximal ends of the spiral radiating elements terminate near points located along a perimeter of the ground plane. Exactly one of the first and second spiral radiating elements are electrically isolated from the ground plane. The first and second spiral radiating elements are wound in the same direction for approximately a single turn and increase in thickness for approximately three-fourths of the turn. The driving circuit drives one of the first and second spiral radiating elements.