Self-Cancelling Full Duplex Antenna Array With Varying Dielectric Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large antenna arrays for full duplex communications face significant mutual coupling between antenna elements, leading to interference and port-to-port isolation issues, which become cumbersome to manage as the number of coupled paths increases.
Innovation Solution
A parallel two-dimensional self-cancellation network is integrated into the antenna array, utilizing a substrate with a parallel plate waveguide having a core of varying dielectric constant to cause a phase offset between surface and parallel plate waves, effectively canceling mutual coupling between antenna elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If larger antenna arrays are used to achieve beam steering and high gain, then communication capacity and signal quality are improved, but mutual coupling between antenna elements increases causing interference in full duplex operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parallel plate waveguide with varying dielectric constant that generates a cancellation wave with opposite phase to the surface wave caused by mutual coupling. This converts the harmful surface wave into a beneficial cancellation effect, reducing mutual coupling interference while maintaining the benefits of large antenna arrays for beam steering and high gain
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel plate waveguide acts as an intermediary structure between antenna elements, introducing a cancellation wave that mediates the harmful interaction between transmit and receive signals. The varying dielectric constant in the waveguide core enables precise control of the cancellation wave's phase and amplitude to effectively counteract surface wave coupling
2Area of stationary object
If antenna elements are placed closer together to increase array density, then the physical size of the antenna array is reduced, but port-to-port isolation deteriorates due to increased mutual coupling
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the parallel plate waveguide with carefully designed varying dielectric constant, the patent converts the harmful near-field coupling between closely spaced antenna elements into a beneficial cancellation effect. The cancellation wave generated by the waveguide counteracts the surface wave, enabling high port-to-port isolation even when antenna elements are densely packed
3Reliability
If conventional topologies are used to cancel mutual couplings, then port-to-port isolation is improved, but device complexity becomes overwhelmingly cumbersome as the number of coupled paths multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mutual coupling cancellation function directly into the feed network substrate by integrating the parallel plate waveguide structure. This unified design eliminates the need for separate, complex cancellation networks for each coupled path, as the varying dielectric constant in the waveguide core provides omnidirectional cancellation for all antenna element interactions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel plate waveguide with varying dielectric constant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides impedance transformation, generates cancellation waves for mutual coupling reduction, and enables port-to-port isolation improvement. This universal structure replaces multiple specialized components that would otherwise be needed to address different coupling paths
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 significantly enhances port-to-port isolation, reducing unwanted coupling and improving the performance of full duplex communications in large antenna arrays by ensuring that the parallel plate wave and surface wave are 180° out-of-phase, thereby canceling each other out.
Implementation Method 1
the core may have a varying dielectric constant to cause a parallel plate wave that propagates from the first antenna element to the second antenna element to have a phase offset with a surface wave that propagates from the first antenna element to the second antenna element
Implementation Method 2
to cause cancellation of the parallel plate wave with the surface wave at the second probe
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna array for full duplex communications is described. The antenna array includes an array antenna elements supported by a substrate. The substrate includes a feed network and a parallel plate waveguide layered with the feed network. The parallel plate waveguide has a core of varying dielectric constant, wherein the varying dielectric constant varies from a first probe connected to a first antenna element to a second probe connected to a second antenna element.