Vehicle Antenna Array Layout for High Gain Without Coverage Nulls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle-mounted antennas face challenges with low gain performance, aesthetics, and directional limitations, particularly in driverless and sensor-augmented vehicles, where precise signal interrogation is necessary, and omnidirectional antennas are unsuitable due to shadowing effects and nulls in angular coverage.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle antenna apparatus comprising a distributed array of directional antenna elements powered in-phase with an omnidirectional antenna, which combines to provide a high-gain radiation pattern that mitigates nulls and maintains continuous angular coverage, enhancing both long and short-range communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If omnidirectional antennas are used for all-direction communication, then angular coverage is maintained, but gain performance deteriorates and shadowing effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular coverageVSAvoidgain performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is segmented into multiple directional antenna elements (at least two) arranged in a distributed array around the vehicle, each pointing away from the vehicle. These segmented directional elements replace the single omnidirectional antenna, providing both high gain in specific directions and comprehensive angular coverage when combined with the omnidirectional antenna.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines directional antenna elements with an omnidirectional antenna in a hybrid configuration. The directional elements provide high gain for specific communication directions, while the omnidirectional antenna fills in the angular coverage gaps, achieving both high gain performance and complete angular coverage simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If directional antenna elements are placed close together on a vehicle, then device complexity is reduced, but radiation pattern stability deteriorates due to nulls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna array configurationVSAvoidradiation pattern stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The omnidirectional antenna acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the directional antenna elements. It fills the radiation nulls created by the closely-spaced directional elements, stabilizing the overall radiation pattern and ensuring continuous coverage without severe gain variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If directional antennas are used for precise signal interrogation, then measurement precision improves, but angular coverage deteriorates due to nulls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal direction discriminationVSAvoidangular coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges directional antenna elements with an omnidirectional antenna to create a hybrid system. The directional elements provide precise signal direction discrimination for sensor applications, while the omnidirectional antenna ensures complete angular coverage by filling in the null regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves significantly increased gain performance without compromising angular coverage, providing stable and consistent wireless communication in all directions, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional antennas.

Implementation Method 1

the omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna elements deliver a combined radiative performance radiating away from the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

powering means configured to power the directional antenna elements in-phase with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase coherence: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS12046827B2Vehicle antenna apparatus, method of use and manufacture

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 THE SEC OF STATE FOR DEFENCE IN HER BRITANNIC MAJESTYS GOVERNMENT OF THE UK OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND

AI summary

A vehicle antenna apparatus, including directional antenna elements arranged to be mountable in a distributed array around and pointing away from a vehicle, a powering means configured to power the directional antenna elements in phase with each other, and a method of use and manufacture of the same. The antenna apparatus further includes an omnidirectional antenna arranged to be mountable with the vehicle, with the powering means being further configured to power the omnidirectional antenna in-phase with the directional antenna elements. This provides a combined radiative performance radiating away from the vehicle suitable for communications applications.