Reconfigurable Antenna Using Active Metamaterial Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems face challenges in achieving efficient beam-steering capabilities while minimizing size and cost, as multi-antenna arrays require complex electronics and mechanically steered antennas are limited by their size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna system utilizing active metamaterial panels shaped to approximate a surface of revolution, such as a parabola or ellipse, with a controller to adjust properties like transmissivity, reflectivity, and polarization, allowing for beam formation and steering over 360 degrees in azimuth and 180 degrees in elevation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If multi-antenna arrays are used to achieve beam-steering capabilities, then directional gain and communication range are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complicated electronics and control architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independently controllable antenna elements arranged in an array configuration. Each element can be individually controlled to achieve beam-forming and beam-steering capabilities, replacing the need for a single complex mechanically steered antenna while reducing overall system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical steering mechanisms with electronic beam-steering control. By electronically adjusting the amplitude and phase of signals across multiple antenna elements, the system achieves beam direction control without moving parts, eliminating the complexity and cost associated with mechanical systems
2Device complexity
If mechanically steered antennas are used to achieve simple beam direction control, then device complexity is reduced, but size and cost increase due to large moving dish reflectors
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independently controllable antenna elements arranged in an array configuration. Each element can be individually controlled to achieve beam-forming and beam-steering capabilities, replacing the need for a single complex mechanically steered antenna while reducing overall system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-dimension mechanical rotation to multi-dimensional electronic control of antenna elements. By controlling amplitude and phase across multiple elements in different spatial positions, the system achieves beam steering in multiple dimensions simultaneously without requiring large mechanical movement space
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 system enables flexible and efficient beam-steering with reduced size and cost, enhancing communication range and interference reduction by dynamically controlling RF energy transmission and reception across various directions.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is coupled to the panels and is configured to activate each one of the panels so as to control a property of each of the panels, the property being one of transmissivity, reflectivity, absorption, phase, polarization, bandwidth, angle sensitivity, resonant frequency
Implementation Method 2
The controller is coupled to the panels and is configured to activate each one of the panels so as to control a property of each of the panels, the property being one of transmissivity, reflectivity, absorption, phase, polarization, bandwidth, angle sensitivity, resonant frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable antenna systems includes a set of envelopes of active metamaterial panels, each envelope in the set being shaped to approximate a surface of at least partial revolution of a curve about an axis, wherein the surface defines a focal locus; a wideband antenna array disposed within the focal locus; and a controller, coupled to the panels, configured to activate each one of the panels, so as to control a property of each of the panels, the property selected from the group consisting of transmissivity, reflectivity, absorption, phase, polarization, bandwidth, angle sensitivity, resonant frequency, and combinations thereof.