Portable Antenna With Integrated Low Noise Amplifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio communication systems, particularly for military and portable use, face challenges with weak signal reception due to high insertion loss from transmission lines and the limitations of battery-operated transceivers, which are exacerbated in urban and hazardous environments, and require cumbersome high-gain directional antennas that compromise mobility and safety.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency antenna system incorporating a Turnstile antenna with electrically tunable impedance, a selective power separator, low noise amplifiers, and energy-efficient components like Schottky diodes and microcontrollers, along with a gravity orientation sensor and energy-generating means, to enhance signal sensitivity and reduce power consumption, allowing for efficient communication in challenging environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-gain directional antennas are used to improve signal reception, then signal sensitivity is improved, but mobility and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome deployment and orientation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal sensitivityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a low-gain antenna with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) into an integrated portable antenna system. The LNA is positioned close to the antenna element to amplify weak received signals before they are affected by transmission line losses, achieving high signal sensitivity without requiring a large high-gain directional antenna structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The low-noise amplifier acts as an intermediary component between the antenna and the receiver. It amplifies the weak incoming signals with minimal added noise, effectively bridging the gap between the low-gain antenna and the receiver's sensitivity requirements, thereby improving signal reception without compromising mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high-gain directional antennas are used to improve signal reception, then signal sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to deployment and orientation mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal sensitivityVSAvoidantenna system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the antenna and LNA into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for complex deployment mechanisms and orientation adjustments required by traditional high-gain directional antennas. This integration simplifies the overall system while maintaining high signal sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If transmission line length is increased to connect distant antenna, then antenna placement flexibility is improved, but insertion loss increases reducing signal strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna placement flexibilityVSAvoidinsertion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The low-noise amplifier performs preliminary amplification of the weak received signals immediately after they are captured by the antenna, before the signals traverse the transmission line. This preliminary action ensures that the signals are strong enough to withstand the insertion losses of longer transmission lines, thereby enabling greater antenna placement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If battery power is used to operate portable transceivers, then portability is improved, but power consumption limits signal transmission strength

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidtransmission power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for high transmission power with a low-noise amplifier that passively amplifies received signals. This substitution allows the system to maintain portability with battery power while achieving effective communication through signal amplification rather than relying on high-power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides improved signal sensitivity and reduced power consumption, enabling reliable communication in challenging environments with minimal mobility constraints and extended battery life, ensuring effective communication in high-traffic and hazardous situations.

Implementation Method 1

low noise amplifiers, to enhance signal sensitivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow noise amplification:

Implementation Method 2

energy-efficient components like Schottky diodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSchottky diode detection: Diode

Implementation Method 3

gravity orientation sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity sensing: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10122387B2Portable antenna with built-in amplifier for two-way or one-way communications

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 MYERS STEVEN LLOYD

AI summary

Disclosed are embodiments of portable antennae and systems for radio communications requiring low-noise receiving means, or in which interconnecting transmission line insertion loss between receiver or transceiver equipment and a distant antenna impairs such radio communications. A method of use is also disclosed, in which an antenna in a passive state may be turned on automatically upon the initiation by a radio operator of a transmission.