Side-Lens Phased Array Antenna for Wide-Angle Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas experience high thermal and gain losses due to electromagnetic waves penetrating metamaterial layers for wide-angle scanning, and existing solutions do not effectively utilize side radiation energy or manage manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An antenna apparatus with a lens unit disposed in side regions, using dielectric or electromagnetic metamaterial layers to refract electromagnetic waves for wide-angle scanning, reducing thermal and gain losses, and enhancing side radiation capability while minimizing area and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a metamaterial layer is disposed on the aperture surface to implement wide-angle scanning, then the scanning capability is improved, but thermal loss and gain loss increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens unit from the traditional aperture surface position and relocates it to the side region of the antenna apparatus. This separation removes the harmful interaction between the electromagnetic wave and the lens material that occurs when the lens is placed on the aperture surface, thereby reducing thermal and gain losses while preserving the beam broadening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflector as an intermediary component between the radiating element and the lens unit. The reflector redirects electromagnetic waves that would otherwise be lost to the side regions, guiding them toward the lens unit for beam broadening. This intermediary structure enables the side-region lens to function effectively without requiring the electromagnetic wave to penetrate lossy materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a metamaterial layer covers the entire aperture surface, then wide-angle scanning is achieved, but manufacturing costs and device area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential beam broadening function from the full aperture surface configuration and relocates it to a compact lens unit in the side region. This extraction eliminates the need for large-area metamaterial coverage, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and device footprint while maintaining the wide-angle scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional aperture surface configuration to a three-dimensional side-region placement. By positioning the lens unit in the side region rather than on the aperture surface, the design utilizes spatial dimensionality to achieve the same functional goal with reduced material usage and lower manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens unit is disposed on the aperture surface, then wide-angle scanning is achieved, but the area occupied and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens unit from the aperture surface and relocates it to the side region, thereby freeing up aperture surface area and reducing the overall footprint of the antenna apparatus. This extraction maintains the beam broadening function while occupying minimal space in the side region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the lens unit from the two-dimensional aperture plane to the three-dimensional side region space. This dimensional transition allows the lens unit to perform its function without competing for aperture surface area, effectively reducing the area occupied by the lens while preserving wide-angle scanning capability.
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 lens unit enables wide-angle scanning with low thermal and gain losses, improves side radiation, and reduces manufacturing costs, enhancing the antenna's performance and practicality.
Implementation Method 1
When the electromagnetic wave signal passes through the lens unit, the lens unit refracts the electromagnetic wave, and changes an angle at which the electromagnetic wave signal is emitted from the lens unit
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an antenna apparatus and a communication device. The antenna apparatus includes a lens unit and a plurality of radiating elements. The plurality of radiating elements are arranged in an array to form an array structure. There are a plurality of side regions on a circumferential outer side of the array structure, and the lens unit is disposed in at least one of the plurality of side regions, so that an electromagnetic wave signal radiated from a side surface of the radiating element can be radiated after passing through the lens unit. Correspondingly, an electromagnetic wave signal may also be received by the radiating element after passing through the lens unit.