Radial Line Slot Array Antenna Spiral Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radial line slot array antennas have a narrow usable frequency band and complex configurations, making it difficult to achieve uniform electrical characteristics such as gain and axial ratio over a wide frequency range.

Innovation Solution

A radial line slot array antenna with a slotted conductor plate featuring slots arranged in a spiral pattern, where the radial arrangement distance changes gradually between two frequencies, with distances based on the guide wavelengths of each frequency, allowing for interpolation between slot arrangements to optimize antenna performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If slots are arranged in concentric circles spaced apart by distances corresponding to multiple frequency bands, then the usable frequency band is widened, but the configuration becomes complicated and production becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusable frequency bandVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spiral curvature to the slot arrangement, replacing the conventional concentric circular pattern with a continuous spiral trajectory. This curved arrangement allows slots to be distributed across multiple frequency bands while maintaining a unified, simple structure that is easier to manufacture. The spiral path naturally creates the required spacing variations for wideband operation without needing multiple separate circular arrays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spacing parameter between slots along the spiral arrangement to optimize performance across different frequency bands. By varying the radial distance between adjacent slots in the spiral pattern, the antenna achieves wideband operation with uniform electrical characteristics. This parameter modulation allows a single continuous structure to replace complex multi-circle configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the number of concentric circles is increased to obtain uniform electrical characteristics over wide frequency range, then frequency characteristics are improved, but the configuration becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of electrical characteristicsVSAvoidnumber of sections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple concentric circular arrangements into a single continuous spiral structure. Instead of using separate concentric circles for different frequency bands, the spiral pattern integrates all frequency band requirements into one unified arrangement. This merging reduces the number of discrete sections while maintaining uniform electrical characteristics across the wide frequency range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spiral arrangement can be viewed as segmenting the continuous structure into multiple slot groups that correspond to different frequency bands. Each segment along the spiral path provides the appropriate spacing for specific frequency optimization, while the overall continuous spiral maintains simplicity and uniformity across all bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If slots are arranged to fit a specific central frequency, then electrical characteristics at that frequency are optimized, but the usable frequency band becomes narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical characteristic precisionVSAvoidusable frequency band
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically changes the spacing parameter between slots along the spiral arrangement to accommodate multiple frequency bands. By modulating the radial distance between adjacent slots, the antenna maintains optimized electrical characteristics at the central frequency while extending usability across a wide frequency range. This parameter variation allows the same structure to serve multiple frequency requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spiral slot arrangement provides multi-functionality by serving as a single structure that optimizes performance across multiple frequency bands simultaneously. Rather than requiring separate antenna configurations for different frequencies, this universal spiral pattern handles the entire frequency range with uniform electrical characteristics, making the antenna adaptable to various operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplifies the antenna design while achieving uniform frequency characteristics and gain over a wide frequency band, making it easier to produce and maintain desired electrical performance.

Implementation Method 1

a radial line slot array antenna having a slotted conductor plate in which a plurality of slots are formed and arranged in a spiral

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2475044B1Radial line slot array antenna
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 NEC SPACE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP2475044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2475044B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A radial line slot array antenna has a slotted conductor plate in which a plurality of slots are formed and arranged in a spiral. The plurality of slots are arranged in the slotted conductor plate such that the arrangement distance in a radial direction between the slots varies gradually between a first portion determined based on a first frequency and a second portion determined based on a second frequency that is different from the first frequency.