Reflect Array Cell Layout for Low-Component Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflect arrays require an equal number of parasitic resonators and diodes for each main resonator, leading to increased components and higher power consumption and failure frequency, especially when dealing with vertically polarized waves.
Innovation Solution
A reflect array configuration with two main resonant elements and one parasitic resonant element per cell, where the parasitic resonant element adjusts the resonant frequency and reflection phase by interacting with adjacent main resonant elements, reducing the number of parasitic elements and diodes needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one parasitic resonator and one diode are provided for each main resonator, then the reflection direction can be adjusted, but the number of components increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple main resonators (specifically two or more) within a single cell structure and shares one parasitic resonator among them. This merging approach reduces the total number of parasitic resonators and diodes required, as one parasitic resonator can interact with multiple main resonators simultaneously to achieve the desired reflection direction control.
Solution Approach 2:
The parasitic resonator is designed to serve multiple functions by interacting with multiple main resonators within a cell. A single parasitic resonator can couple with multiple main resonators to control reflection directions for different signal beams, making the component universal and reducing the overall component count while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If one parasitic resonator and one diode are provided for each main resonator, then the reflection direction can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple main resonators into a single cell and sharing parasitic resonators among them, the patent reduces the overall device complexity. The shared parasitic resonator structure simplifies the array configuration compared to having dedicated parasitic resonators for each main resonator, while still enabling reflection direction control through the coupling mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If one parasitic resonator and one diode are provided for each main resonator, then the reflection direction can be adjusted, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple diodes into a single diode structure by sharing the parasitic resonator among multiple main resonators. Since each parasitic resonator is controlled by one diode, reducing the number of parasitic resonators directly reduces the number of diodes required, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining the ability to control reflection directions.
4Ease of operation
If one parasitic resonator and one diode are provided for each main resonator, then the reflection direction can be adjusted, but the failure frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
By sharing parasitic resonators and diodes among multiple main resonators, the patent reduces the total number of components in the system. Fewer components mean fewer potential failure points, thereby improving reliability and reducing failure frequency while still maintaining the functional capability to adjust reflection directions through the coupled resonator structure.
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
Reduces the number of parasitic resonant elements and diodes, lowering power consumption and component failure rates while maintaining effective beam direction control.
Implementation Method 1
the parasitic resonant element being configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the parasitic resonant element and adjust a reflection phase of a surface of the reflect array by adjusting a resonant frequency of the at least two main resonant elements each adjacent to the parasitic resonant element, to which the parasitic resonant element is coupled
Implementation Method 2
parasitic resonant element coupled to the at least two main resonant elements
Data Source
AI summary
A reflect array that sets a reflection angle of a radio wave to an angle that is different from an angle of specular reflection. The reflect array includes a plurality of cells arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of cells includes at least two main resonant elements and a parasitic resonant element coupled to the at least two main resonant elements. The parasitic resonant element is configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the parasitic resonant element and adjust a reflection phase of a surface of the reflect array by adjusting a resonant frequency of the at least two main resonant elements each adjacent to the parasitic resonant element, to which the parasitic resonant element is coupled.