Reflective Array Antenna Phase-Shifting Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reflective array antennas face challenges such as poor phase-shifting effects, limited beam modulation capability, restricted bandwidth, and warpage issues due to stringent design requirements for phase-shifting units and substrate thickness, which affect performance and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A reflective array surface is designed with a functional board and a reflection layer, where the functional board units and corresponding reflection units form phase-shifting units capable of modulating electromagnetic waves within a predefined angle range, and include a stress buffer layer to prevent warpage, allowing for reduced substrate thickness and improved flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a curved parabolic reflection surface is used, then the antenna achieves high gain and strong directivity, but the antenna becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a planar array reflection surface with periodically arranged phase-shifting units to simulate the curvature effect of a parabolic surface. Each phase-shifting unit introduces a specific phase delay to emulate the path length differences created by a curved surface, achieving similar focusing and directional properties without the physical curvature, thus reducing weight and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (phase shifting characteristics) of the phase-shifting units to achieve the desired radiation pattern. By adjusting the phase shifting range and distribution of these units, the antenna can achieve high gain and directivity equivalent to a parabolic antenna while maintaining a planar, lightweight structure.
2Weight of stationary object
If a planar array reflection surface with periodically arranged phase-shifting units is used, then the antenna achieves light weight and small volume, but the maximum phase-shifting range requirement becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection surface is segmented into multiple independent phase-shifting units arranged in a periodic array. Each unit can be designed and manufactured separately, and their collective phase-shifting effects combine to achieve the desired overall phase distribution. This segmentation allows the use of simpler individual units while maintaining the required performance through proper arrangement and coordination.
3Ease of manufacture
If the substrate thickness is reduced to decrease production costs, then the antenna becomes more cost-effective, but warpage occurs affecting surface smoothness and electrical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly designs for thin substrate structures and addresses warpage through the phase-shifting unit design and arrangement. The periodic structure and phase compensation capabilities allow the system to tolerate and correct for minor substrate deformations, enabling the use of thinner, more cost-effective substrates while maintaining electrical performance.
4Device complexity
If a metal reflection surface is used for phase correction, then the structure achieves simple design and wide working frequency band, but the appearance becomes bulky and production process precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/geometrical phase correction approach of traditional metal reflection surfaces with an electromagnetic approach using phase-shifting units. Instead of relying on precise geometrical shaping of a continuous metal surface, the system uses discrete phase-shifting elements that electronically control the phase of reflected waves, reducing requirements for geometrical precision while maintaining phase correction effectiveness.
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 enhances the phase-shifting effect, increases beam modulation capability, and reduces production costs by allowing for a wider bandwidth and improved adaptability, while preventing warpage and maintaining smooth surface integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection layer 2 disposed on one side of the functional board 1 and configured to reflect an electromagnetic wave
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a reflective array surface. The reflective array surface includes a functional board that is configured to perform beam modulation on an incident electromagnetic wave and a reflection layer that is disposed on one side of the functional board and is configured to reflect an electromagnetic wave, where the functional board includes two or more functional board units and the reflection layer includes reflection units, where the number of reflection units corresponds to the number of functional board units, where the functional board unit and a reflection unit corresponding to the functional board constitute a phase-shifting unit that is used for phase shifting. According to the reflective array surface in the present invention, a functional board unit and a reflection unit corresponding to the functional board unit constitute a phase-shifting unit that is used for phase shifting, which can solve a problem in the prior art that a phase-shifting effect is not exquisite enough and a beam modulation capability for an electromagnetic wave is poor, thereby affecting bandwidth and working performance of a reflective array antenna. In addition, the present invention further provides a reflective array antenna.