Tapered Loop Antenna Assemblies for Broadband HDTV Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna designs for receiving high definition television (HDTV) signals are not optimized for broadband applications, often compromising between gain, impedance bandwidth, and physical size, and lack efficient methods to combine VHF and UHF signals without significant signal loss due to impedance mismatches and phase cancellation.

Innovation Solution

The development of antenna assemblies featuring tapered loop antenna elements with offset diameters and integrated reflectors, along with a printed circuit board balun, which are configured to enhance impedance bandwidth and directivity while allowing for efficient reception of HDTV signals across a broad frequency range, and the inclusion of a UHF balun diplexer to combine VHF and UHF signals without performance degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional antenna designs are used for HDTV signals, then the antenna can receive television signals, but the antenna compromises between gain, impedance bandwidth, and physical size without optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance bandwidthVSAvoidantenna physical size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the antenna elements, specifically using tapered loop elements with varying width along their perimeter. This tapering parameter change enables the antenna to achieve broader impedance bandwidth while maintaining a compact physical footprint, resolving the contradiction between bandwidth adaptability and size constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dimensionality change by transitioning from traditional planar antenna elements to three-dimensional tapered loop structures with offset diameters. This spatial dimensionality enhancement allows the antenna to achieve superior impedance bandwidth performance within a reduced physical volume by utilizing spatial configuration rather than simply scaling up element size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If VHF and UHF signals are combined in traditional antennas, then both signal types can be received, but signal loss occurs due to impedance mismatches and phase cancellation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-band signal receptionVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the antenna system into distinct VHF and UHF signal paths with separate feeding mechanisms. This segmentation prevents impedance mismatches and phase cancellation between bands by treating each frequency range independently, allowing both VHF and UHF signals to be received without energy loss while maintaining adaptability across multiple bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary feeding structure that acts as a mediator between the transmission line and the dual-band antenna elements. This intermediary design provides impedance transformation and phase compensation, enabling efficient coupling of both VHF and UHF signals to the receiver without the signal loss that would result from direct coupling in traditional designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If antenna size is reduced for compact applications, then portability and indoor use are improved, but gain and signal reception performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna sizeVSAvoidsignal gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the dimensional parameters of the tapered loop elements, specifically controlling the taper ratio and offset diameter within precise ranges. These parameter optimizations enable the antenna to achieve high signal gain within a compact volume by maximizing the electromagnetic efficiency of each unit of physical space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite structural design by combining conductive antenna elements with dielectric supporting structures in an integrated assembly. This composite approach allows the antenna to achieve high gain performance in a compact form factor by utilizing the complementary properties of different materials to enhance electromagnetic radiation efficiency within constrained physical dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8994600B2Antenna assemblies with tapered loop antenna elements
Publication Date: 2015.03.31 ANTENNAS DIRECT INC
  • US8994600B2 patent drawing
  • US8994600B2 patent drawing
  • US8994600B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of antenna assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna assembly generally includes one or more tapered loop antenna elements.