Low-Profile Parasitic Patch Antenna With Quasi-Co-Planar Dual Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacked patch antennas are bulky, costly, and have limited bandwidth due to the vertical space constraints and complex assembly, making them unsuitable for compact and low-cost device designs, especially for applications requiring multiple frequency bands like satellite signal reception for 3D positioning.
Innovation Solution
The development of parasitically-coupled dual-band patch antennas with high-frequency and low-frequency patches that are quasi-co-planar, utilizing all available vertical space, where the inner conductor forms a high-frequency patch and the outer conductor forms a low-frequency patch, with feeds that pass through the inner conductor and connect to the outer conductor for efficient signal transmission and reception across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stacked patch antennas use multiple separate antennas stacked vertically, then multiple frequency bands can be covered, but the antenna height increases and bandwidth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple patch antennas into a single integrated structure where multiple patches are stacked in the vertical direction within one antenna unit. This merging approach allows multi-frequency band coverage while maintaining a compact overall height, as the patches share common feed structures and substrates rather than being separate antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where smaller high-frequency patches are positioned above larger low-frequency patches within the same antenna footprint. The feeds are nested hierarchically with outer feeds for lower frequencies and inner feeds for higher frequencies, allowing multiple frequency bands to be covered within a compact vertical space without proportionally increasing the antenna's overall dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stacked patch antennas use multiple separate antennas, then multiple frequency bands can be covered, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna functions into a single manufactured unit with shared substrates, feed structures, and housing. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining multi-frequency band coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal antenna structure where a single antenna unit can operate across multiple frequency bands by incorporating multiple patches with different electrical sizes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate antennas for different frequencies, reducing both material costs and assembly complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stacked patch antennas divide vertical space between multiple antennas, then multiple frequency bands can be covered, but the bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement of multiple antennas to vertical stacking of patches within a single antenna unit. By utilizing the vertical dimension more efficiently and sharing common feed structures, the design accommodates multiple frequency bands without proportionally increasing the vertical space required, thereby maintaining or improving bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests feeds hierarchically with outer feeds for lower frequencies and inner feeds for higher frequencies, allowing efficient utilization of vertical space. This nested feed arrangement enables multiple patches to be stacked compactly while maintaining proper impedance matching and signal transmission, optimizing the use of available vertical space for bandwidth enhancement.
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 design enhances the performance by allowing efficient operation across multiple frequency bands, improving bandwidth and reducing the overall height and cost of the antenna, making it suitable for compact device designs and applications like GNSS receivers.
Implementation Method 1
parasitically-coupled dual-band patch antennas with high-frequency and low-frequency patches
Data Source
AI summary
A parasitically-coupled dual-band patch antenna is described. The antenna includes an inner conductor having one or more feed holes. The antenna also includes an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor in a radial direction. The antenna further includes one or more feeds each having a vertical portion that passes through the feed holes and a horizontal portion that extends in an outward direction from the feed holes toward the outer conductor. The feeds are conductively connected to the outer conductor. The horizontal portion of each of the feeds is separated from and is conductively disconnected from a top surface of the inner conductor.