Radome with Absorbing Elements for Concave Reflector Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Parabolic reflector antennas without a skirt suffer from high spillover losses and environmental pollution due to lateral radiation, increasing costs, size, and complexity, while existing solutions like absorber skirts are costly and complicate transport.

Innovation Solution

A radome is fixed directly to the edge of the reflector with absorbent parts, preferably triangular in shape, covering less than 15% of the radome's surface, to reduce overflow without a skirt, maintaining performance and minimizing gain impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a skirt is added to the periphery of the parabolic reflector to limit overflow, then spillover losses are reduced and antenna performance is improved, but the cost, dimensions, and packaging complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespillover lossesVSAvoidpackaging complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radome and overflow control function are merged into a single integrated structure. The radome is fixed directly to the edge of the reflector, eliminating the need for a separate skirt component while maintaining overflow control through its peripheral edge design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The radome serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the reflector from environmental elements and controls overflow through its peripheral edge design. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate skirt, reducing complexity and packaging requirements

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

2Loss of energy

If a skirt is added to the periphery of the parabolic reflector to limit overflow, then spillover losses are reduced and antenna performance is improved, but the wind resistance and risk of pollution accumulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespillover lossesVSAvoidwind resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radome and overflow control function are merged into a single integrated structure, eliminating the skirt that created wind resistance and pollution accumulation problems while maintaining overflow control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If absorbent material is placed at the top of the reflector to reduce overflow, then spillover losses are reduced, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespillover lossesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Absorbent parts are placed only at specific locations on the inner surface of the radome (peripheral edge areas), rather than covering the entire surface or adding complex structures. This localized approach reduces overflow while minimizing cost and complexity increases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simplified absorbent parts with basic geometric shapes (triangular, rectangular, or circular) that can be easily manufactured and installed, rather than complex absorbent structures. These simple shapes are positioned strategically to achieve overflow control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 solution effectively reduces overflow losses, ensuring transmission/reception quality, reducing antenna size, cost, and simplifying transport, while maintaining radiation pattern performance within standard limits.

Implementation Method 1

the inner surface of the radome comprising at least one absorbent part partially covering its surface and arranged along its peripheral edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2804259B1Radome for a concave reflector antenna
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 ALCATEL LUCENT SHANGHAI BELL CO LTD
  • EP2804259B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2804259B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2804259B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A radome for a concave reflector antenna is fixed directly to the edge of the reflector. The inner surface of the radome includes at least one absorbing element partially covering its surface and positioned along its peripheral edge. The area of ​​the radome covered by the absorbing element(s) is less than 15% of its total surface area. The radome may include two absorbing elements in diametrically opposed positions. Each absorbing element may have a substantially triangular shape, with its base rounded to the edge of the radome, and a portion of its surface removed laterally on each side of the triangle in a circular arc.