Wide Bandwidth Antenna with Tapered Cavity Resonator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas face challenges in achieving high gains and wide frequency bandwidths while being compact enough to fit within the size restrictions of missiles and UAVs, often requiring multiple antennas which increases size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A directive, instantaneous wide bandwidth antenna design featuring a ground plane with a recess and tapered region, an elongate dielectric feed, and conductive plating in a wedge configuration, which facilitates electromagnetic field propagation over a range of frequencies and minimizes scattering, allowing for a single antenna to cover a wide frequency band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are used to achieve wide frequency bandwidth and high gains, then antenna performance is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single antenna structure that performs multiple functions: it operates across wide frequency bandwidths (VHF through microwave bands), provides high gain through the cavity resonator design, and achieves linear polarization. The tapered cavity resonator with conductive plating and dielectric feed structure enables this multi-functional performance, eliminating the need for multiple specialized antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar antenna elements to a three-dimensional tapered cavity resonator structure. The cavity extends into the ground plane with a tapered configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to create resonant modes that provide wide bandwidth and high gain. This 3D structure allows a single antenna to achieve performance that would traditionally require multiple 2D antenna elements.
2Volume of moving object
If antenna size is reduced to fit within missile and UAV restrictions, then compactness is improved, but antenna performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the tapered cavity resonator within the ground plane structure itself. The cavity is formed as a recess in the ground plane, with the dielectric feed nested within the cavity and conductive plating positioned strategically inside. This nested configuration allows the antenna to achieve wide bandwidth and high gain performance while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for missile and UAV applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter optimization including the tapered geometry of the cavity (with specific taper angles), the dielectric constant of the feed material, and the positioning of conductive plating to achieve wide bandwidth performance in a compact volume. By carefully controlling these parameters, the antenna achieves frequency bandwidth coverage from VHF through microwave bands while maintaining a small physical footprint.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional antenna connections are used, then fabrication is simplified, but connection reliability and performance consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the feed connection structure directly into the antenna assembly. The dielectric feed with its conductor is positioned within the tapered cavity, and the conductive plating is configured to make direct contact with the feed conductor. This integrated design eliminates separate connection components and reduces assembly steps while improving connection reliability through direct, stable electrical contact between the feed and radiating elements.
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 antenna provides very wide bandwidth, high directivity, and linear polarization in a shallow conformal package, reducing the need for multiple antennas and minimizing fabrication tolerance issues, while being scalable for different frequency ranges.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate dielectric feed disposed in the recess, the dielectric feed having a tapered portion proximate the tapered region to guide the electromagnetic field into the recess through the radiating aperture
Implementation Method 2
a conductive plating disposed at least partially about the dielectric feed in a wedge configuration to influence pattern beam width, and having a taper to facilitate propagation of the electromagnetic field over a range of frequencies
Implementation Method 3
the absorber comprises a magnetic material disposed toward the rearward end of the recess relative to the elongate dielectric feed to minimize electromagnetic scattering off a back wall of the recess
Implementation Method 4
the absorber comprises a non-magnetic material disposed to a side of the elongate dielectric feed to minimize interference from electromagnetic scattering off a side wall of the recess
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for a directive, instantaneous wide bandwidth antenna including a ground plane having a recess with a tapered region accessible by an electromagnetic field via a radiating aperture at a forward end of the recess. The dielectric feed can have a tapered portion proximate the tapered region to guide the electromagnetic field into the recess through the radiating aperture and influence pattern directivity. The antenna can further include a conductive plating disposed at least partially about the dielectric feed in a wedge configuration to influence pattern beam width. The dielectric feed can include a conductive portion on a bottom of the wedge coupled to the conductive plating and to a grooved trace.