Symmetrical Antenna Elements with Selective Feeding for Dynamic Directivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
MIMO antenna systems face challenges in achieving dynamic directivity control and compact design due to the complexity of selecting micro-strip radiators and limited directivity in existing structures, which hinders efficient communication capacity across all directions.
Innovation Solution
The antenna device employs a circuit board with pairs of symmetrical first and second antenna elements and a feeding controller to selectively power these elements, generating multiple beam patterns that can be optimized for different communication environments, allowing for improved directivity and communication capacity through reflection from the circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of micro-strip radiators are disposed on a dielectric and a switch is used to select one radiator to change directivity, then the directivity of the antenna can be controlled, but the structure of the antenna becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple independent radiating elements (first and second antenna elements) that can be selectively activated. Each element can be independently controlled to radiate in different directions, enabling directivity change without complex switching mechanisms. The segmentation allows simple on/off control of each element to achieve different beam patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple radiating elements are combined in a symmetric configuration around the circuit board. By merging these elements and controlling them collectively or individually, the system achieves multiple beam patterns (first, second, third, and fourth beam patterns) with different directivities. The combination of elements creates constructive and destructive interference patterns that shape the radiation beams.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are mounted with a distance of about 0.5λ to secure directivity, then the directivity of each antenna is maintained, but the antenna device cannot be compact
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are arranged in a two-dimensional symmetric configuration on and around the circuit board rather than spacing them linearly by 0.5λ. The elements are positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right sides) of the circuit board, utilizing the board's surface area to achieve spatial diversity. This dimensional arrangement allows compact packaging while maintaining directional control through selective element activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs symmetric placement of antenna elements relative to the circuit board, but activates them in asymmetric patterns to create different beam directions. By selectively turning on specific elements (e.g., only front elements or only side elements), the system creates asymmetric radiation patterns that achieve various directivities from a symmetric physical structure.
3Reliability
If two patch antennas are disposed on both surfaces of a PC card and one is selected to improve communication performance, then communication performance is improved, but the directivity is limited and cannot be secured in every possible direction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two omnidirectional patch antennas, the system segments the radiation function into multiple directional elements distributed around the circuit board. Each element or pair of elements is responsible for a specific direction or beam pattern. By selectively activating different segments, the system achieves comprehensive directional coverage (first, second, third, and fourth beam patterns) that two patch antennas cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple antenna elements are designed to serve multiple functions: they can individually or collectively create different beam patterns for various communication scenarios. The same physical structure supports multiple beam patterns (first through fourth patterns) by different activation combinations, making the antenna system universal and adaptable to all communication directions without requiring separate antennas for each direction.
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 approach enhances communication capacity by dynamically adjusting directivity and maintaining sufficient performance across all directions with a simpler structure, improving communication efficiency in MIMO systems.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for improved directivity and communication capacity through reflection from the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device including a circuit board; a pair of first antenna elements disposed symmetrically to each other about both wide surfaces of the circuit board and a pair of second antenna elements disposed symmetrically to each other about the both wide surfaces of the circuit board; a feeding terminal installed on each of the first antenna elements and each of the second antenna elements; and; and a feeding controller which feeds power selectively to at least one of the first and second antenna elements.