Ridge Waveguide Phased Array Antenna With Thin Circular Polarization Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phased array antennas with waveguide-feed structures have a large thickness due to the size of the waveguide rectangular-circular converters used for converting linear polarized radiation signals to circular polarized signals, which occupies significant space and increases the overall thickness of the antenna.
Innovation Solution
A phased array antenna design that includes a dielectric substrate with radiation patches and ridge waveguide feed structures on either side, where the radiation patches and waveguide feed structures work together to convert linear polarized signals into circular polarized signals without the need for large waveguide converters, reducing the overall thickness by minimizing the space occupied by the waveguide radiation and power dividing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a waveguide rectangular-circular converter is used to convert linear polarized radiation signals to circular polarized signals, then signal conversion is achieved, but the antenna thickness increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the waveguide rectangular-circular converter from the antenna structure. Instead of using the traditional converter, the invention integrates the circular polarization function directly into the radiation element through a specific geometric design (rectangular patch with fed edges positioned at specific locations), thereby removing the thickness-contributing component while maintaining signal conversion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the waveguide feed and the polarization conversion into a single integrated structure. The radiation element is designed such that it simultaneously serves as both the radiating component and the polarization converter, eliminating the need for separate converter components and reducing overall antenna thickness
2Adaptability or versatility
If a waveguide rectangular-circular converter is used for signal conversion, then circular polarized radiation is achieved, but the space occupied by the waveguide radiation unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bulky waveguide rectangular-circular converter from the waveguide radiation unit. The circular polarization capability is achieved instead through the geometric configuration of the radiation element itself (specifically, a rectangular patch with fed edges positioned at specific locations), dramatically reducing the volume occupied by the radiation unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local geometric modifications to the radiation element to achieve circular polarization. By positioning the fed edges at specific locations on the rectangular patch and designing the local geometry appropriately, the element locally generates the necessary field distribution for circular polarization without requiring a large-volume converter 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
This design reduces the overall thickness of the phased array antenna while maintaining efficient signal conversion, minimizing loss and ensuring a low insertion loss between the phase shifter unit and the waveguide radiation unit, with the antenna thickness not exceeding 30 mm and achieving good axial ratio and gain performance.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first waveguide feed structure and the second waveguide feed structures includes a ridge waveguide structure; the ridge waveguide structure has at least one sidewall that defines a waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure
Implementation Method 2
the radiation element adopts a waveguide rectangular-circular converter to convert the linear polarized radiation signal at an output terminal of the first waveguide feed structure in the shape of rectangular into a circular polarized radiation signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a phased array antenna, including a waveguide radiation unit, a phase shifter unit and a waveguide power dividing unit, a radiation patch and a first waveguide feed structure in the waveguide radiation unit are the same in number, and a first transmission port of each first waveguide feed structure is arranged corresponding to the radiation patch; the waveguide power dividing unit includes second waveguide feed structures, and a first transmission port of each second waveguide feed structure corresponds to a second feed region of at least one phase shifter; each of the first waveguide feed structure and the second waveguide feed structures includes a ridge waveguide structure; the ridge waveguide structure is provided with at least one sidewall; defining a waveguide cavity of the ridge waveguide structure; at least one ridge protruding toward the waveguide cavity is arranged on the at least one sidewall.