Polymorphic Antenna Template for Cost-Effective Multi-Band Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for cost-effective antenna designs that maintain performance without increasing costs, as existing low-cost antennas do not adequately address the challenge of reducing production costs while maintaining efficiency and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A polymorphic antenna is created using a single sheet of conducting metallic material, which can be bent into various shapes to form different antennas, incorporating a common balun and dipole configuration, allowing for efficient operation across multiple frequency bands and orientations, and can be mounted on dielectric materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional antenna designs are used, then antenna performance is maintained, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single polymorphic template serves multiple functions: it can be bent into different shapes to create various antenna configurations (dipole, monopole, patch), and each configuration can operate at different frequency bands. The template includes integrated features such as feed points, baluns, and ground planes all in one piece, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The template is designed with distinct functional sections that can be independently configured through bending: radiating elements, feed points, balun sections, and ground planes are all separate regions on the same template. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall integration.
2Volume of moving object
If compact antenna designs are used, then device volume is reduced, but antenna performance and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna template is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through bending, allowing it to transform from a flat 2D structure into various 3D configurations. This dynamic transformation enables the same compact template to achieve different electrical lengths and radiation patterns suitable for different frequency bands, maintaining versatility while preserving compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The template transitions from a two-dimensional flat sheet to three-dimensional folded structures through controlled bending. This dimensional change allows the antenna to achieve the necessary electrical length for resonant operation at different frequencies without increasing the footprint area, enabling compact design with multi-band capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna types are produced, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
One universal template design can produce multiple antenna types (dipole, monopole, patch configurations) simply by varying the bending pattern, eliminating the need for different tooling, materials, or assembly processes for each antenna type. The template includes all necessary features (feed points, baluns, ground planes) integrated in a way that accommodates different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different antenna configurations are achieved by changing the bending parameters (bend locations, angles, and sequences) applied to the same template, rather than changing the template design itself. This allows a single manufacturing process to produce multiple antenna variants by simply adjusting the forming parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A polymorphic antenna, including a metallic template configurable in at least first and second possible different three-dimensional shapes, the antenna, when configured in the at least first and second different three-dimensional shapes, having a common antenna feed point, a common balun coupled to the common antenna feed point; and a common dipole coupled to the common antenna feed point and to the common balun. The antenna operates in a common frequency band when configured in either of the at least first and second different three-dimensional shapes when fed via the common antenna feed point.