Ring Line Radiator Antenna for Circular Polarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite antennas face challenges in efficiently receiving circularly polarized signals at high and low elevation angles with high gain and cross-polarization suppression, while also requiring economical production and compact design suitable for mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact antenna design featuring a horizontally oriented conductor loop with a ring line radiator and vertically oriented radiators, which supports circular polarization and allows for the reception of linearly vertically polarized waves, enabling efficient signal reception across a wide elevation angle range and simple manufacturability using bent sheet metal structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crossed dipole antennas are used for receiving circularly polarized satellite signals, then the antenna can receive signals at high elevation angles, but the construction volume is large and production complexity increases due to precise mechanical assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ground plane and radiating elements into a single integrated printed circuit board structure. The ground plane serves dual purposes as both the reference plane for impedance control and the mounting substrate for the dipole elements, eliminating the need for separate mechanical assembly of multiple components and reducing construction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical dipole structures with printed circuit board traces. The conductive traces on the PCB form the dipole elements, eliminating the need for mechanical wire or rod assemblies and reducing assembly precision requirements while maintaining the electrical characteristics needed for circular polarization reception.
2Volume of moving object
If patch antennas with dielectric materials are used to reduce construction volume, then the antenna size is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to dielectric losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric material from the antenna structure, using only the conductive ground plane and radiating elements on a PCB substrate. By eliminating the dielectric layer between the ground plane and radiating elements, dielectric losses are reduced while maintaining a compact planar structure suitable for mobile applications.
3Reliability
If antennas with crossed dipole structures are used to achieve circular polarization, then cross-polarization suppression can be improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to complex assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ground plane and dipole support structure into a single PCB layer, eliminating the need for separate mechanical assemblies. The 90-degree azimuthal orientation of the dipole elements is achieved through PCB trace layout rather than mechanical assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining cross-polarization suppression performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical dipole assemblies with PCB-trace-based dipoles. The conductive traces are fabricated directly on the PCB using standard printing and etching processes, eliminating the need for precision mechanical assembly of wire or rod elements and significantly reducing production costs for large-scale manufacturing.
4Manufacturing precision
If mechanically fixed crossed dipoles are used for satellite signal reception, then polarization purity can be maintained, but the antenna cannot be economically produced in large volumes for mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces precision mechanical dipole assemblies with PCB-fabricated trace structures. The dipole elements are created through standard PCB manufacturing processes (printing, etching, plating), which are highly suitable for automated mass production. This substitution maintains polarization purity through precise trace geometry while enabling economical production in the thousands or millions of units required for mobile satellite applications.
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 antenna achieves high gain in vertical direction and cross-polarization suppression over a large elevation angle range, with simplified production and reduced signal noise, making it suitable for satellite broadcasting and GPS applications, including mobile use.
Implementation Method 1
The conductor loop is designed as a ring line radiator (2) running through a polygonal or circular closed ring line in a horizontal plane with the height h above the conductive base area 6. The ring line radiator 2 forms a resonance structure and can be electrically excited by the electromagnetic excitation 3 in such a way that the current distribution of a running line wave in a circulation direction is established on the ring line, the phase difference of which over a circulation is exactly 2π.
Implementation Method 2
To support the vertically oriented components of the electromagnetic field, there are at least two further radiators 4 which are vertical on the ring line radiator 2 and run towards the conductive base area, which are electromagnetically coupled to both the ring line radiator 2 and the electrically conductive base area 6.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The antenna has a conducting loop that is designed as ring circuit emitter (2) with a height (h) over a conducting surface area (6) by a polygonal or circular closed ring circuit in horizontal plane. The ring circuit emitter forms a resonance structure and is electrically excited by an electromagnetic excitation unit (3).