Superposed Parallel-Plate Beam Former for Lower Overlap Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quasi-optical beam formers suffer from significant overlap losses due to the compromise between source size and proximity, leading to reduced antenna gain in covered geographic regions.
Innovation Solution
A quasi-optical beam former design featuring superposed beam and network ports in multiple stages, with a resistive film placed between the stages to minimize coupling and a common parallel-plate waveguide, along with absorbing devices to reduce parasitic reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If two quasi-optical beam formers are used to double beam density, then beam overlap efficiency improves, but device complexity and mass increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple source stages into a single integrated quasi-optical beam former structure. Instead of using two separate beam formers with combining stages, the invention combines first, second, and third stages of sources within one device, achieving improved beam overlap efficiency while avoiding the complexity and mass penalties of multiple discrete systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where sources from different stages are positioned within the same physical structure at different spatial levels. The first, second, and third planes of sources are nested within a single beam former housing, allowing multiple source functions to be achieved without proportionally increasing external device complexity.
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 design effectively minimizes beam overlap losses, maintains high antenna gain, and reduces complexity and bulk, enabling high-throughput transmissions with improved beam overlap efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resistive film placed in the continuity of the conductive plane
Implementation Method 2
The parallel-plate waveguide 16 makes it possible for waves to be guided in TEM mode (TEM being the acronym of Transverse ElectroMagnetic)
Implementation Method 3
It converts the cylindrical waves emanating from the beam ports into planar waves radiated by the radiating panel of the multibeam active antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A quasi-optical beam former includes a set of beam ports, a set of network ports, a quasi-optical device and at least one parallel-plate waveguide extending between the beam ports and the network ports, the beam ports and/or the network ports being superposed in at least two stages, each of the at least two stages being separated by a conductive plane common to two adjacent stages, the quasi-optical beam former comprising a resistive film placed in the continuity of the conductive plane.