Vertical RF Antenna Structure for Timing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mat-based timing systems for sports events face challenges such as track obstruction during installation, substantial weight, and interference from athlete forces, while side antennas suffer from signal attenuation by the human body, leading to unreliable read rates for mass sports events.
Innovation Solution
A portable free-standing vertically-oriented RF antenna structure with two planar antenna units, one tilted at 10-50 degrees and the other at -20 to 20 degrees, positioned to generate radiation fields that activate tags at different heights, ensuring maximum read rates by avoiding human body interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mat-based timing systems are used, then reading reliability is improved (99.9-100%), but track obstruction and installation complexity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independent antenna elements (first antenna element, second antenna element, third antenna element, fourth antenna element) arranged vertically. Each element can be independently positioned and oriented at specific angles (10-50 degrees, -20 to 20 degrees) to create complementary radiation patterns that cover different spatial zones, eliminating the need for a continuous mat while maintaining high reading reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal mat-based antenna arrangement to a vertical antenna structure with elements oriented at different inclination angles. This dimensional change allows the radiation fields to extend horizontally across the track without requiring physical contact with the track surface, eliminating track obstruction while maintaining reading reliability.
2Ease of operation
If side antennas are used, then track obstruction is reduced, but signal attenuation by human body occurs leading to lower read rates
Solution Approach 1:
Different antenna elements are assigned specific inclination angles to create localized radiation patterns optimized for different spatial zones. The first antenna element (10-50 degrees) targets athletes at certain heights and distances, while the second antenna element (-20 to 20 degrees) targets different zones. This local optimization of radiation patterns ensures comprehensive coverage without requiring high signal power that would be attenuated by the human body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent acknowledges that the human body attenuates UHF signals, but converts this limitation into a benefit by designing the antenna system to read tags before athletes enter the attenuation zone. The inclined radiation patterns are specifically oriented to maximize readings at distances where signal attenuation by the human body is minimal, turning the harmful attenuation effect into a constraint that defines optimal reading zones.
3Reliability
If vertically-oriented antenna structure is used, then human body interference is minimized, but antenna positioning precision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are deliberately positioned asymmetrically with different inclination angles (10-50 degrees for first element, -20 to 20 degrees for second element) rather than symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement creates complementary radiation patterns that together provide robust coverage. The asymmetry ensures that even if individual elements are not perfectly positioned, the combined system maintains high reading reliability by covering multiple spatial zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies angle ranges (10-50 degrees, -20 to 20 degrees) rather than fixed angles, allowing for dynamic adjustment and tolerance in positioning. This dynamic approach acknowledges that perfect precision is difficult to achieve, but by providing ranges and using multiple elements within those ranges, the system maintains effectiveness even with variations in positioning, reducing the stringency of precision requirements.
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 configuration achieves read rates of 99.4 to 100% for high athlete densities, matching the reliability of mat-based systems without obstructing the track and minimizing interference, making it suitable for mass sports events.
Implementation Method 1
a first inclination angle between a main axis of a first radiation field of the first RF antenna and the horizontal surface is selected between 10 and 50 degrees... a second inclination angle between a main axis of a second radiation field of the second RF antenna and the horizontal surface is selected between -20 and 20 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
A portable free-standing vertical RF antenna structure for use in an UHF timing system comprises a base structure for supporting the vertical antenna structure on a substantially horizontal surface. At least a first antenna unit comprising a first planar RF antenna and at least a second antenna unit comprising a second planar RF antenna, the second antenna unit being located above the first antenna unit, are coupled to the base structure and form a vertical RF antenna structure. The first and second antenna unit is positioned such that the inclination angle between a main axis of the radiation field of the first RF antenna and the horizontal surface is selected between 10 and 50 degrees. The inclination angle between a main axis of the radiation field of the second RF antenna and the horizontal surface is selected between −20 and 20 degrees.