Triangular Dipole Array for Dual-Polarized Wideband Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phased array antennas face manufacturing and operational challenges in covering a wide range of frequencies, requiring multiple dedicated antenna apertures for different functions and struggling with efficient frequency coverage.

Innovation Solution

A dipole array assembly with triangularly shaped poles arranged in a two-dimensional array, featuring integrated baluns and contacts, allowing for dual polarized operation and enhanced coupling between dipoles, along with a feed arrangement at an angle to the dipole plane and a ground plane separated by a specific distance for improved frequency coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional techniques are used to assemble phased array antennas for wide frequency coverage, then multiple dedicated antenna apertures are required, but manufacturing complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal dipole array assembly that can operate across multiple frequency bands (L, S, C, X, Ku, K, Ka bands) using a single integrated structure. The dipole elements with triangular-shaped poles and integrated baluns provide multi-functional capability, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antenna apertures for different frequency functions while reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated assembly: dipole elements, baluns, and feed arrangements are merged into one unified structure. The feed arrangement integrates multiple feed elements and baluns that can simultaneously support dual polarization and wide frequency coverage, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated antenna apertures are used for different frequency functions, then frequency coverage is specialized, but system size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency specializationVSAvoidantenna system weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The dipole array assembly serves multiple frequency functions (L through Ka bands) and dual polarization modes within a single lightweight structure. By making the antenna universal rather than requiring separate specialized apertures for each frequency band, the overall system weight is significantly reduced while maintaining full functional capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple antenna functions are merged into one compact assembly, combining horizontal and vertical polarization capabilities, multiple frequency band support, and feed networks into a single integrated unit. This consolidation eliminates redundant structures and reduces total system weight compared to multiple separate dedicated apertures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated antenna apertures are assembled, then each function is specialized, but assembly time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional specializationVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional elements into a pre-integrated dipole array assembly that includes dipole elements, baluns, and feed arrangements. This integrated assembly can be installed as a single unit rather than assembling multiple separate apertures, significantly reducing assembly time and improving productivity while maintaining dual polarization and wide frequency coverage capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dipole array assembly is prepared in advance with all critical components (dipoles, baluns, feed elements) pre-integrated and configured. This preliminary integration allows the assembly to be deployed as a ready-made unit, eliminating time-consuming on-site assembly of multiple separate apertures and reducing installation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2504888B1Antenna array
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP2504888B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2504888B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2504888B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dipole array assembly (100), comprising a plurality of poles (22, 23, 24, 25, 27) arranged in a two-dimensional array to provide a plurality of dipoles, each pole being shaped such that adjacent edges (202, 272) of neighbouring poles (22, 27) that are from respective neighbouring dipoles are relatively long and relatively close to each other compared to the dimensions of the poles, thereby increasing coupling between different dipoles, and a feed arrangement provided in a plane that is at an angle to the plane of the dipoles wherein one or more baluns are integrated in the feed arrangement. Pairs of poles (22 & 23) forming dipoles of a first polarisation are orthogonally interlaced with pairs of poles (24 & 25) forming dipoles of a second polarisation, thereby allowing dual polarised operation to be performed independently between the two polarisations. The poles are preferably each substantially approximately triangular shaped.