Air-Cavity Stacked Patch Antenna for Lower Dielectric Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacked patch antennas are expensive and suffer from higher losses than desirable, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A stacked patch antenna design featuring a top and bottom patch supported by frames, with a director plate between them to reflect and guide energy, and additional director plates for enhanced performance, all while minimizing dielectric loss and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional stacked patch antenna design is used, then bandwidth for multiple frequencies is achieved, but loss increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional dielectric substrate from between the patches and replaces it with an air-filled cavity. This extraction of the dielectric material eliminates the primary source of dielectric loss while maintaining the stacked patch structure's ability to support multiple frequency bands through its resonant characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective plate (ground plane) at the bottom of the air cavity to serve as an intermediary that reflects electromagnetic energy back into the antenna structure. This reflective mediator compensates for the removed dielectric's energy-storing function while minimizing loss, thereby improving overall antenna effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stacked patch antenna design is used, then dual-frequency bandwidth is provided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the expensive dielectric substrate and replacing it with an air cavity bounded by simple metallic structures (frames and reflective plate), the patent significantly reduces material costs while maintaining the dual-frequency operational capability through the natural resonant properties of the air-filled stacked structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the medium between patches from dielectric material to air, which has lower cost and lower loss characteristics. The frequency bandwidth is maintained by adjusting the dimensions of the patches and the air cavity height, allowing cost-effective manufacturing while preserving adaptability.
3Strength
If dielectric substrate is used between patches, then structural support is provided, but dielectric loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric substrate entirely from the structure and replaces its support function with metallic frames that surround and hold the patches in place. This eliminates dielectric loss while providing adequate structural support through the rigid frame construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical support function of the dielectric substrate with a metallic frame structure. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for lossy dielectric material while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid frame that holds the patches at the appropriate spacing.
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 design achieves reduced loss and increased sensitivity compared to conventional stacked patch antennas, while also potentially lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A director plate can be placed between the top patch and the bottom patch to help reflect energy to the top patch and guide the energy of the bottom patch
Data Source
AI summary
A stacked patch antenna is disclosed that provides desirable performance in a cost effective and space efficient manner. A frame system is used to support a first patch and a second patch and a director plate that can be positioned between the first patch and the second patch. The design of the system allows for the first patch and the second patch to have a lower effective dielectric constant.