Rotating Millimeter Wave Scanner Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter wave imaging systems require complex and expensive devices for generating and detecting electromagnetic radiation, lacking suitable receiving devices to record multiple pixels simultaneously, leading to serial pixel generation and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a motor-driven rotating scanner, where transmitting and receiving antennas are arranged to rotate at the same speed, featuring a cover with a through-hole that allows only one beam path to pass through, simplifying the system and providing full frequency bandwidth for each pixel, reducing costs by using more transmitting and receiving antennas than devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex transmitting and receiving devices are used for millimeter wave imaging, then imaging capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple simple transmitting antennas and receiving antennas arranged in arrays, replacing complex single-device millimeter wave generators and detectors. Each antenna element operates independently at lower complexity, collectively achieving the imaging function through coordinated operation and signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of simple antenna elements instead of complex millimeter wave devices. By arranging multiple identical or similar transmitting and receiving antennas in arrays, the system achieves millimeter wave imaging capability through the collective action of these simpler copied elements, reducing individual component complexity while maintaining overall system capability.
2Device complexity
If serial pixel generation is used due to lack of simultaneous recording devices, then device simplicity is maintained, but imaging speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas to generate multiple pixels at the same time. The synchronized rotation of all antenna arrays maintains continuous useful action across all elements, allowing parallel pixel generation that dramatically increases imaging speed while keeping individual antenna elements simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from serial (one-dimensional time sequence) pixel generation to parallel (multi-dimensional spatial arrangement) pixel generation. By utilizing the spatial dimension with multiple antenna elements arranged in arrays, the system generates multiple pixels simultaneously across different spatial positions, converting a time-sequential process into a spatially-parallel process that increases productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple transmitting and receiving antennas are used instead of complex devices, then manufacturing cost decreases, but system configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each antenna element universal by designing them to perform the same function with identical or similar characteristics. All transmitting antennas are equivalent and all receiving antennas are equivalent, allowing interchangeable positioning and simplified configuration. This universality reduces manufacturing cost through standardized components while the regular geometric arrangement simplifies the overall system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the system configuration from complex individual devices to multiple simple elements by altering key parameters: using lower frequency antennas instead of complex millimeter wave devices, arranging elements in regular geometric patterns, and operating all elements at the same rotation speed. These parameter changes reduce manufacturing cost while the systematic arrangement keeps configuration manageable.
4Manufacturing precision
If a cover with through-hole is introduced to control beam paths, then frequency bandwidth purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam path control function from complex electronic filtering or switching systems and implements it through a simple physical cover with through-holes. The cover selectively allows electromagnetic radiation to pass only through designated through-holes corresponding to active antenna pairs, while blocking other paths. This extracts the essential beam control function into a simple mechanical structure, improving frequency bandwidth purity without adding significant complexity.
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 configuration simplifies the apparatus, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows for simultaneous generation of multiple pixels with full frequency bandwidth, enhancing imaging efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transmitting antennas connected to the transmitting device for emitting the electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of receiving antennas for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitting antennas, a receiving device connected to the plurality of receiving antennas for receiving the electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing an image of an object by electromagnetic radiation includes a transmitting device for producing the electromagnetic radiation, a plurality of transmitting antennas connected to the transmitting device for emitting the electromagnetic radiation, a plurality of receiving antennas, which receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitting antennas, and a receiving device, connected to the plurality of receiving antennas, for receiving the electromagnetic radiation and a motor-driven rotating scanner. The transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are arranged on the scanner. The scanner is set up in such a way that the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are rotatable at the same speed about an axis of rotation. The transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are arranged in relation to one another in such a way that the object can be moved past them, and so in an operating mode of the apparatus the electromagnetic radiation is transported through the object or is reflected by the object.