Stacked Radiating Elements With Passive Phase Delay for Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna structures face limitations in directivity and impedance bandwidth due to the constraints of antenna width and the difficulty in achieving desired phase relationships between radiating elements, especially in massive MIMO applications.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a passive structure, such as a metasurface, between radiating elements to introduce a selected phase delay, which complements the existing phase difference between layers, thereby increasing the phase difference and enhancing the impedance bandwidth and directivity of the antenna structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the antenna width is increased to improve directivity, then the directivity is improved, but the antenna dimension exceeds local regulations and wind load limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters of the radiating elements by introducing phase shifting mechanisms and amplitude control between layers. This allows the antenna to achieve higher directivity through phase manipulation rather than physical size expansion, maintaining compliance with dimensional regulations while improving performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer radiating structure to a multi-layer stacked configuration. By adding the vertical dimension with multiple radiating layers separated by specific distances, the antenna achieves enhanced directivity and impedance bandwidth without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus complying with width restrictions
2Length of stationary object
If the phase difference between radiating elements is increased to improve directivity, then the directivity is improved, but the impedance matching becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feeding networks and phase shifting components as intermediary elements between the signal source and radiating elements. These intermediaries provide controlled phase differences and amplitude relationships, enabling high directivity while maintaining manageable impedance matching through systematic phase control rather than direct element coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically controls phase and amplitude parameters of signals fed to different radiating elements. By adjusting these electromagnetic parameters, the antenna achieves enhanced directivity while the feeding network design maintains acceptable impedance matching across the operating bandwidth
3Volume of stationary object
If the antenna reflector is miniaturized to reduce size, then the antenna dimension is reduced, but the directivity is limited by the reduced aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the radiating elements through phase shifting and amplitude control. This allows the miniaturized reflector to achieve effective directivity enhancement by manipulating the electromagnetic field distribution rather than relying solely on physical aperture size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for the reduced horizontal aperture by utilizing the vertical dimension with stacked radiating layers. This multi-layer configuration effectively increases the electrical aperture in the vertical direction, maintaining directivity performance despite the overall size reduction of the reflector
4Reliability
If the bandwidth is increased to improve signal coverage, then the bandwidth is improved, but the directivity and phase control become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the phase shifting and amplitude control mechanisms to operate effectively across a broad frequency range. By using broadband phase control techniques and optimizing the electrical distances between layers, the antenna maintains consistent phase relationships and directivity performance across the extended operating bandwidth
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 approach effectively increases the impedance bandwidth for a specified directivity, allowing for more flexible antenna design and improved performance in terms of directivity and signal quality in massive MIMO systems.
Implementation Method 1
a passive structure disposed between the first radiating structure and the second radiating structure configured to introduce a selected phase delay to a propagated field between the first radiating structure and the second radiating structure
Implementation Method 2
constructive and destructive superposition can be generated by controlling the phase of the radiated and impinging fields on each of the layers
Data Source
AI summary
A radiating element comprises a first radiating structure disposed in spaced relation from a ground plane, a second radiating structure disposed in spaced relation from the first radiating structure, and a passive structure disposed between the first radiating structure and the second radiating structure configured to introduce a selected phase delay to a propagated field between the first radiating structure and the second radiating