Radiating Element Asymmetrical Excitation Guides Uniform Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite antenna radiating elements fail to achieve a uniform electric field distribution while maintaining compactness and high radiation efficiency, due to limitations in wave propagation modes and horn designs.
Innovation Solution
A radiating element design featuring a common horn coupled with multiple asymmetrical excitation guides that promote the excitation and control of higher wave modes, ensuring a uniform electric field distribution by optimizing the flare profile and phase alignment of propagation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional horn structure is used to guide wave propagation, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electric field distribution at the radiating opening is non-uniform with maximum energy at the center and decreasing towards edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetrical excitation guides with different flare profiles to excite specific higher-order wave modes (TE20, TE02) in addition to the fundamental mode. This asymmetrical design enables precise control over the electric field distribution, transforming the non-uniform field pattern into a substantially uniform distribution across the radiating opening by carefully balancing the contributions of different propagation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the flare profile parameters of the excitation guides to control the amplitude and phase of different wave modes. By adjusting the flare angle, curvature, and other geometric parameters of the asymmetrical excitation guides, the invention optimizes the excitation of higher-order modes to achieve uniform electric field distribution while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple asymmetrical excitation guides are used to control wave modes, then the electric field distribution becomes uniform, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple excitation guides with different asymmetrical flare profiles into a single integrated horn structure. The excitation guides are positioned and configured to work together, with their respective higher-order mode excitations combining constructively to produce uniform electric field distribution. This merging approach achieves the desired field uniformity while consolidating the structure into a cohesive unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetrical excitation guides serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide wave propagation, excite specific higher-order modes, control phase and amplitude distribution, and shape the overall radiation pattern. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the increased precision requirements.
3Productivity
If the horn aperture is enlarged to improve radiation efficiency, then the radiating surface increases, but the profile length and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved asymmetrical flare profiles in the excitation guides rather than straight linear transitions. These curved profiles enable more efficient wave mode transformation and better field distribution control within a compact length. The optimized curvature of the flare sections allows the horn to achieve uniform electric field distribution and high radiation efficiency without requiring excessive profile length.
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 achieves a substantially uniform electric field distribution across the radiating aperture, enhancing radiation efficiency and compactness, while accommodating various frequency bands and polarization modes.
Implementation Method 1
each flare profile being configured to control, in amplitude and in phase, the modes of propagation of a radiating wave propagated from each access guide to the output of the horn
Implementation Method 2
so that the electric field obtained at the output of the horn is substantially uniform
Data Source
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AI summary
Radiating element (700) comprising at least two feed guides and a common horn (703) to at least two feed guides and having an excitation interface (704), each feed guide comprising an access guide (701,711) and an excitation guide (702,712) connected to the access guide (701,711) by an access interface and connected to the common horn (703) by the excitation interface (704), each excitation guide (702,712) being flared in the direction from the access interface to the excitation interface (704), each excitation guide (702,712) being devoid of an axis of symmetry, the two feed guides being arranged symmetrically with respect to each other.