Strip-Array Antenna Bandwidth Expansion via Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patch antennas have a narrow bandwidth due to their highly resonant characteristics, making it challenging to increase bandwidth without increasing size, which is a limitation in mass production and adds cost to portable wireless communication devices.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an electrically conducting ground plane with an array of electrically conducting strips offset from the ground plane, connected by pathways and lips, resulting in a smaller size than the wavelength of the fundamental radiation mode, thereby enhancing bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional patch antenna is used, then the antenna structure is compact and suitable for portable devices, but the bandwidth is narrow due to highly resonant characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conventional patch antenna into multiple parallel conducting strips separated by gaps. This segmentation transforms the single resonant structure into multiple interacting resonators, which collectively broaden the bandwidth while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension by offsetting the array of conducting strips from the ground plane at a specific distance. This dimensional change creates a capacitive coupling effect between the strips and ground plane, enabling bandwidth enhancement without proportionally increasing the antenna's planar area.
2Temperature
If the size of patch antenna is increased to broaden bandwidth, then the bandwidth increases, but the antenna becomes larger and less suitable for portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the patch into multiple strips, the antenna achieves broader bandwidth through increased resonant modes without requiring a proportional increase in overall area. The gaps between strips create additional capacitance that enhances bandwidth while keeping the antenna compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining conducting strips, dielectric substrate, and ground plane with specific geometric relationships. This composite configuration produces electromagnetic coupling effects that broaden bandwidth while maintaining a small form factor suitable for portable applications.
3Temperature
If external dipole or monopole antenna is used, then the bandwidth can be broader, but the antenna is more prone to breaking and increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of external antennas (broader bandwidth) with the advantages of integrated patch antennas (durability and low cost). The multiple conducting strips are integrated into the device housing or circuit board, providing both broad bandwidth and mechanical robustness while eliminating the need for separate external antenna components.
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 achieves a bandwidth about three times larger than comparably sized prior-art patch antennas, while maintaining a compact size and reducing the need for extensive dielectric substrate material, making it suitable for mass production.
Implementation Method 1
The size of the array is smaller than the wavelength of the fundamental radiation mode supported by the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A representative embodiment of the invention provides an antenna having an electrically conducting ground plane and an array of electrically conducting strips located at an offset distance from the ground plane. Electrically conducting pathways, each attached to the middle portion of the corresponding strip, connect the strips to the ground plane. Electrically conducting lips, each attached to an edge of the corresponding conducting strip, extend about halfway toward the ground plane. The size of the array is smaller than the wavelength of the fundamental radiation mode supported by the antenna. Advantageously, the antenna has a bandwidth about three times larger than that of a comparably sized prior-art patch antenna.