Series-Fed Patch Antenna Layout for Horizontal Polarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Series-Fed Patch Antennas (SFPA) are limited to vertically polarized waves and do not support horizontal polarization, which is necessary for applications like polarimetric radar that require orthogonal polarizations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a horizontally polarized SFPA antenna design where two successive planar radiating elements along the vertical axis are electrically connected by a pair of differential lines, each with a length equal to an integer multiple of the guided wavelength, to achieve horizontal polarization. Additionally, a single planar radiating element is provided with at least one horizontal excitation point off the vertical axis for differential excitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single micro-strip feed line is used to connect successive planar radiating elements, then the antenna operates in vertical polarization, but it cannot generate horizontal polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The single feed line is segmented into two separate differential feed lines. Each feed line connects to different edges of the planar radiating elements, allowing independent control of current distribution. This segmentation enables the antenna to support both vertical and horizontal polarizations by selectively exciting different current modes on the radiating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed line configuration transitions from a single-dimensional micro-strip line to a two-dimensional differential line structure with multiple connection points. The differential lines are positioned at different locations (edges) of the radiating elements, creating a spatial dimension that enables horizontal polarization while maintaining vertical polarization capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feed line length is set to half wavelength to reverse electric field, then vertical polarization is achieved, but horizontal polarization cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The excitation points are positioned asymmetrically at the edges of the planar radiating elements rather than at the center. The differential feed lines connect to opposite edges horizontally, creating an asymmetric current distribution that generates horizontal polarization. This asymmetric configuration allows the same antenna structure to support both vertical and horizontal polarizations by changing which edges are excited.
3Reliability
If all radiating elements have identical dimensions, then resonance frequency uniformity is achieved, but coupling variations due to different neighborhoods cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements exhibit local quality variations where elements at different positions (center vs. edges) have different dimensions. Specifically, central elements have different lengths compared to edge elements to compensate for the stronger coupling effects at edge positions. This local adjustment ensures that all elements resonate at the same frequency despite experiencing different coupling environments, improving overall resonance consistency without requiring complex manufacturing adjustments.
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 effectively generates a horizontally polarized wave, enabling the antenna to operate in both horizontal and vertical polarizations with similar radiation patterns and cross-polarization values, thus meeting the requirements for polarimetric radar applications.
Implementation Method 1
two successive planar radiating elements along the vertical axis are electrically connected to each other by a pair of differential lines, each line of the pair of differential lines having a length equal to an integer multiple of the wavelength guided in said line... the guided wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of the array antenna
Implementation Method 2
the antenna 101 results from the vertical series connection of a plurality of planar radiating elements 102 i , of length L i and width W i, making it possible to generate a vertically polarized wave
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This network antenna (1), which comprises a plurality of radiating elements (2i) supplied in series and arranged along a vertical axis (V), operates in horizontal polarization, by connecting two successive radiating elements (2i, 2i+1) along the vertical axis by a pair of differential lines (3i, 4i), each line having a length (d) equal to the wavelength guided in said line, one end of a line being connected to a horizontal edge of a radiating element and the other end of said line being connected to the horizontal edge opposite the other radiating element, a single radiating element being provided with at least one horizontal excitation point (PH), positioned outside the vertical axis (V), preferably close to a vertical edge of the single radiating element.