Surface-Wave Antenna With Horizontal Wire Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antennas for emitting and receiving surface waves are expensive, large, and not discreet, with significant ionospheric radiation issues leading to fading phenomena, especially in hectometric bands.
Innovation Solution
An antenna design featuring a horizontal wire element and multiple vertical wire elements connected to a conducting medium, allowing for directional surface wave radiation with reduced ionospheric radiation and compact vertical dimensions, along with an antenna array configuration for enhanced directivity and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If large radiating towers are used to emit high power within hectometric bands, then transmission power is improved, but cost, installation area, and discretion are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical tower structures to a horizontal antenna configuration with total length L ≥ λ/2, where the antenna elements are arranged horizontally rather than vertically. This dimensional change allows the antenna to achieve high transmission power while having a compact vertical profile, thus reducing installation area and cost while maintaining discretion.
2Power
If vertically polarised antennas are used, then radiation capability is improved, but ionospheric radiation increases causing fading phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs horizontal polarization for the main radiation elements while using vertical polarization only for ground connection elements. This localized differentiation of polarization types allows the antenna to achieve good ground coupling through vertical elements while the horizontal elements produce minimal ionospheric radiation, thus reducing fading phenomena.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure uses asymmetric polarization configuration where horizontal elements (length L ≥ λ/2) provide the main radiation with minimal ionospheric interaction, while vertical elements (height h ≤ λ/4) provide ground connection. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes radiation capability while suppressing harmful ionospheric radiation.
3Reliability
If conventional surface wave antennas (whip or biconical) are used, then surface wave propagation is achieved, but radiation directivity and bandwidth are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable impedance matching networks and variable ground plane configurations that can be adapted to different frequency bands and propagation conditions. This dynamic adjustability allows the antenna to maintain reliable surface wave propagation across varying operational requirements while optimizing bandwidth and directivity for specific applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal antenna structure with total length L ≥ λ/2 can operate effectively across multiple frequency bands by adjusting the active element length and grounding configuration. The same basic structure provides both surface wave propagation and space wave radiation capabilities, making it a universal solution that adapts to different operational requirements without requiring complete redesign.
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 enables efficient propagation of surface waves over long distances with reduced ionospheric radiation and improved directivity, making the antenna more discreet and cost-effective while maintaining performance across a wide frequency band.
Implementation Method 1
at least three vertical wire aerial elements of the same length between 0.03λ0 et 0.1λ0, arranged in a same plane and each comprising an upper end and a lower end, said upper ends being connected to the horizontal wire aerial element, said lower ends being designed to be connected to a conducting medium having a substantially horizontal surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an antenna designed to emit and/or receive surface waves with a decametric, hectometric or kilometric central wavelength λ0, characterised in that it comprises at least one horizontal wire aerial element of between 0.5λ0 and λ0 in length, and at least three vertical wire aerial elements of the same length between 0.03λ0 and 0.1λ0, arranged in a same plane and each comprising an upper end and a lower end, said upper ends being connected to the horizontal wire aerial element, said lower ends being designed to be connected to a conducting medium having a substantially horizontal surface. The invention also relates to an antenna, an antenna array and a use of an antenna or of an antenna array.