Smart Antenna Adjustable Radiation Pattern Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional smart antennas with tunable phase shifters are costly and difficult to miniaturize, making them unsuitable for use in information electronic products due to high design costs and spatial constraints.
Innovation Solution
A smart antenna design featuring a metal layer with slot antennas, an insulated layer, a coaxial feeding structure, microstrip lines, switches, and bias circuits allows for adjustable radiation patterns by controlling the operation status of slot antennas, enabling miniaturization and versatility in electronic products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional phase shifters are used to achieve adjustable radiation patterns, then the radiation pattern can be controlled, but the design cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive phase shifter component from the antenna system. Instead of using phase shifters to control radiation patterns, the invention uses a simpler slot antenna array with fixed phase relationships, achieving radiation pattern control through element selection rather than phase adjustment, thereby eliminating the costly phase shifter hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex phase shifter components with simpler, cheaper slot antenna elements. The system uses multiple fixed slot antennas that can be selectively activated through switching mechanisms, substituting costly adjustable components with inexpensive fixed elements controlled by simple switches
2Adaptability or versatility
If antenna elements are separated by half wavelength spacing, then the radiation pattern can be controlled, but the antenna size increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of element spacing from the traditional half-wavelength separation to a compact quarter-wavelength spacing. This parameter change enables the antenna elements to be positioned much closer together, allowing the overall antenna structure to be miniaturized while maintaining radiation pattern control capabilities through the slot antenna array configuration
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 solution allows for adjustable radiation patterns, enabling efficient reception and transmission while maintaining miniaturization, thus making the smart antenna suitable for use in various light and small information electronic products.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of slot antennas are formed at the metal layer which is grounded. The openings of the slot antennas point to different directions.
Implementation Method 2
The coaxial feeding structure is provided through the insulated layer and the part of the coaxial feeding structure is electrically connected to the metal layer.
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of the microstrip lines are formed at the other surface of the insulated layer, and the microstrip lines can feed the radio frequency (RF) signals to each slot antenna, respectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart antenna with an adjustable radiation pattern is described. A plurality of slot antennas are formed at a metal layer which is grounded, wherein openings of the slot antennas point to different directions. One surface of an insulated layer is covered by the metal layer. A coaxial feeding structure is provided through the insulated layer. A plurality of microstrip lines are formed at the other surface of the insulated layer and can feed the radio frequency signals to the slot antennas, respectively. Pluralities of switches are connected to each microstrip line and the coaxial feeding structure. A plurality of bias circuits are electrically connected to each switch, respectively, to control the status of the switch and adjust the operation statuses of the slot antennas individually to form an adjustable radiation pattern.