Stacked-Disk Antenna Element With Wings for Mutual Coupling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna arrays face challenges in achieving high power aperture efficiency, low sidelobe levels, and reduced mutual coupling between elements, which affects their performance in transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, especially in large arrays where wind loading and environmental factors like solar heating become significant.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a planar antenna element with concentric electrically conductive disks, a thermally conductive element, and wings that are either metallic or dielectric, with a radome for thermal management, to enhance signal transmission and reception by reducing mutual coupling and increasing bandwidth and scan ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the antenna array size is increased to improve power aperture efficiency, then the power transmission capability is improved, but mutual coupling between elements increases and sidelobe levels worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces parasitic elements that are segmented from the driven elements, allowing independent control of coupling effects. These parasitic elements are strategically positioned to segment and redirect electromagnetic fields, reducing mutual coupling between adjacent antenna elements in large arrays while maintaining overall array aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parasitic elements as intermediary structures between driven elements. These intermediaries manipulate the electromagnetic field distribution, acting as mediators that reduce direct mutual coupling between active elements while maintaining the desired radiation pattern and reducing sidelobe levels.
2Power
If the antenna array size is increased to improve power aperture efficiency, then the power transmission capability is improved, but sidelobe levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parasitic elements segment the radiation pattern into controlled lobes, allowing the main beam to be sharpened while sidelobes are suppressed through strategic positioning and impedance control of these segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts parameters such as the impedance, length, and positioning of parasitic elements to change the overall radiation characteristics. By tuning these parameters, the array achieves lower sidelobe levels while maintaining high power aperture efficiency through optimized element distribution.
3Device complexity
If conventional antenna elements are used without thermal management, then the structure is simpler, but solar heating and wind loading effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The radome structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aerodynamic protection against wind loading, thermal management through solar reflection, and electromagnetic transparency. This multi-functional approach protects antenna elements without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome acts as an intermediary protective layer between the antenna elements and the external environment. It mediates the effects of solar heating by reflecting thermal radiation and protects against wind loading, isolating the sensitive antenna elements from harmful environmental factors.
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 improves the antenna array's ability to radiate power efficiently, reduces sidelobe levels, and mitigates the effects of wind loading and environmental heating, leading to enhanced performance and reliability in scanning and signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
An elongated thermally conductive element is thermally coupled to a first location on the ground plane, extends perpendicular to the ground plane along a central axis, and makes thermal contact with the center of the first planar disk and with the center of the second planar disk
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna element includes a ground plane, a first conductive disk lying parallel with the ground plane and spaced therefrom, and a second conductive disk, larger than the first disk, more remote from the ground plane than the first disk. A electrical and thermal conducing element may make electrical and thermal contact with the ground plane and the first and second disks. A radome extends over the element and in thermal communication with the thermal element. A conductive or high-dielectric-constant planar wing is supported by the ground plane outside of the projection of the disks, with a central axis of the element lying in the plane of the wing. If two wings are present, one may be electrically conductive or dielectric and the other conductive or dielectric. The wings, when the element is arrayed, lie part-way between the centers of adjacent array elements.