Ring Balun Dual-Polarized Antennas for High Isolation Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antenna arrays suffer from high coupling among adjacent antennas, leading to impedance variation and reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to co-polarization and cross-polarization coupling, which degrades performance, especially in phased array communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual-polarized antenna design incorporating a ring balun with conductive segments connected in a ring structure that receives single-ended RF signals of different polarizations and outputs differential signals to the antenna element, providing high isolation and suitable for phased array communication systems, manufacturable using printed circuit board (PCB) technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antenna arrays are used, then antenna coverage and signal transmission are achieved, but high coupling among adjacent antennas causes impedance variation and reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single antenna element into multiple antenna elements (e.g., four elements arranged in a 2x2 configuration). Each element is independently fed through separate feed networks, allowing individual control and reducing mutual coupling effects between adjacent antennas in the array.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces ring baluns as intermediary components between the feed ports and antenna elements. The ring baluns transform single-ended signals from feed ports into differential signals that excite the antenna elements, providing isolation and reducing coupling between adjacent antennas while maintaining impedance matching.
2Reliability
If dual-polarized antenna design is implemented, then signal isolation is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple feed networks and baluns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into the ring balun structure, which simultaneously performs signal transformation from single-ended to differential, provides isolation between ports, and enables dual-polarization operation. This integration reduces the overall system complexity compared to using separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring balun structure serves multiple purposes: it transforms signal modes (single-ended to differential), provides port isolation, supports dual-polarization operation, and enables compact integration. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall feed network design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compact balun design is used, then suitability for phased array systems is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for PCB fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a ring-shaped balun structure with curved geometries that are well-suited for PCB fabrication using standard curved trace technologies. The ring configuration provides compact size while maintaining electrical performance, and the curved paths can be accurately manufactured using conventional PCB routing techniques with standard tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
Dual-polarized antennas with ring balun excitation are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a dual-polarized antenna includes an antenna element and a ring balun for providing excitation of the antenna element. The ring balun includes conductive segments electrically connected in a ring, a first input port that receives a first single-ended RF signal of a first signal polarization, and a second input port that receives a second single-ended RF signal of a second signal polarization. The ring balun further includes a first output port and a second output port that collectively provide a first differential RF signal of the first signal polarization to the antenna element, and a third output port and a fourth output port that collectively provide a second differential RF signal of the second signal polarization to the antenna element.