Reconfigurable Antenna Elementary Cell 2-Bit Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reconfigurable transmitter antennas can only generate two phase states for the transmission of incident waves, limited by 1-bit quantization, which restricts their performance in terms of directivity and secondary lobe level.
Innovation Solution
An elementary cell of a transmitter network with a planar reception and transmission antenna, featuring two phase shift circuits with switches that allow for 2-bit quantization, enabling the generation of four phase states (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) by using a delay line and dielectric substrates for improved phase shifting and polarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single phase shift circuit with two switches is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the phase quantization is limited to 1-bit (two phase states at 0° or 180°)
Solution Approach 1:
The single phase shift circuit is segmented into two independent phase shift circuits, each controlling a separate switch pair. This segmentation allows each circuit to handle one bit of phase quantization, achieving cumulative 2-bit precision (four phase states: 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) while keeping each individual circuit relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The phase control is extended from a single-dimensional (one circuit) to two-dimensional (two circuits operating in parallel), where each circuit contributes one bit of phase information. This dimensional expansion enables 2-bit quantization without proportionally increasing the complexity of each individual circuit component
2Device complexity
If 1-bit quantization with two phase states is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the directivity and gain performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase control system is segmented into two independent circuits, each providing 1-bit precision. The combined effect of both circuits achieves 2-bit precision (four phase states), which improves the antenna's directivity and gain performance while maintaining relatively simple circuit structures
Solution Approach 2:
Two separate phase shift circuits are merged into a unified system where their outputs are combined at the transmission antenna. Each circuit contributes one bit of phase control, and their combination achieves improved directivity and gain performance through 2-bit quantization
3Device complexity
If only one phase shift circuit is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the focusing capacity and secondary lobe control performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase control is segmented into two independent circuits that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation enables more precise control over the phase distribution across the antenna elements, improving focusing capacity and secondary lobe level control while keeping each individual circuit configuration simple
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static 1-bit phase control to dynamic 2-bit phase control through the addition of a second phase shift circuit. This dynamic enhancement allows for more flexible and precise beamforming control, improving focusing capacity and SLL performance
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 enhances the focusing capacity and gain of the transmitter network, improving directivity and reducing secondary lobe levels, while maintaining minimal space requirements and electromagnetic shielding.
Implementation Method 1
a first phase shift circuit, configured to define a first pair of phase states for the incident wave; the first phase shift circuit comprising first and second switches having respectively an on state and a blocked state, alternately; the on or off states of the first and second switches of the first phase shift circuit corresponding to a circulation of a current, respectively authorized or blocked, between the first and second separate radiation surfaces of the transmission antenna
Implementation Method 2
a planar reception antenna intended to receive an incident wave; a planar transmission antenna, intended to transmit the incident wave with a phase shift
Implementation Method 3
the elementary cell comprises a first dielectric substrate comprising: a first surface, provided with the reception antenna; a second surface, opposite the first surface, and provided with polarization lines arranged to polarize the first and second switches of the second phase shift circuit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
This elementary cell (1) comprises: - a planar receiving antenna (2); - a planar transmitting antenna (3), comprising first and second radiating surfaces (30, 31) that are disjoint; - a first phase-shifting circuit, comprising first and second switches (40, 41) having respectively a conducting state and a blocking state, alternately, between the first and second radiating surfaces (30, 31) of the transmitting antenna (3); and is remarkable in that the receiving antenna (2) comprises first and second receiving surfaces (20, 21) that are disjoint; and in that the elementary cell (1) comprises a second phase-shifting circuit comprising first and second switches (50, 51) having respectively a conducting state and a blocking state, alternately, between the first and second receiving surfaces (20, 21) of the receiving antenna (2).