Vivaldi Antenna Array Layout for Concurrent RF Transmit and Receive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing directional antennas with multi-arm sinuous or spiral designs suffer from low efficiency (50% or less) due to the need for a cavity and absorber disk, which increases complexity, cost, and reduces maximum power handling, while requiring oversized reflector areas to achieve mode 1 and mode 2 patterns.

Innovation Solution

The use of Vivaldi antenna elements arranged in arrays without a cavity-backed absorber, allowing for high efficiency (approximately 90%) and concurrent transmit and receive operations, with configurations such as pinwheel and octagonal arrangements that enable dual circular polarization and reduced complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-arm sinuous or spiral antennas are used to achieve mode 1 and mode 2 patterns, then directional radiation patterns are obtained, but antenna feed efficiency decreases to 50% or less

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional radiation patternVSAvoidantenna feed efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into multiple independent Vivaldi antenna elements (e.g., 4, 8, or more elements) arranged in specific geometric patterns. Each element operates independently to contribute to the overall radiation pattern, eliminating the need for a single complex multi-arm antenna structure and its associated efficiency losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity and absorber disk components are completely removed from the antenna system. The patent achieves unidirectional radiation patterns without requiring these traditional components, thereby eliminating the 50% efficiency loss that occurs when energy is absorbed by the cavity and absorber materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If cavity and absorber disk are added to maintain pattern performance, then radiation pattern is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation pattern performanceVSAvoidantenna structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity and absorber disk are extracted and removed from the antenna system. The patent achieves the desired radiation pattern performance using only the Vivaldi antenna elements themselves, arranged in specific geometric configurations, thereby dramatically simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of radiation and pattern shaping are merged into the Vivaldi antenna elements themselves through their geometric arrangement. The elements are positioned and oriented to directly produce the desired radiation patterns without requiring separate cavity and absorber components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If cavity and absorber disk are used to achieve mode 1 and mode 2 patterns, then pattern control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode 1 and mode 2 pattern controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The expensive cavity and absorber disk components are removed from the design. The patent achieves mode 1 and mode 2 pattern control using only the Vivaldi antenna elements and their geometric arrangements, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls radiation patterns by changing the geometric parameters of the Vivaldi antenna element arrangements (spacing, orientation, phase relationships) rather than using physical cavity and absorber structures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If oversized reflector area is used to meet performance targets, then performance requirement is satisfied, but system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance targetVSAvoidreflector area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter from reflector area to Vivaldi antenna element arrangement geometry. By optimizing the spacing, orientation, and phasing of the Vivaldi elements, the system achieves the required performance with a smaller overall aperture, eliminating the need for oversized reflectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent concentrates the radiating function in specific localized Vivaldi antenna elements with optimized geometries rather than distributing the function across a large reflector area. This localized optimization allows for smaller overall system size while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12355158B1Vivaldi antenna structures with concurrent transmit and receive

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

Provided herein are various enhancements for antenna systems and directed radio frequency energy structures. In one example, an apparatus includes an antenna array comprising a plurality of Vivaldi antenna elements arranged about an axis perpendicular to a baseplate. Feed elements are coupled to each of the Vivaldi antenna elements through the baseplate. First alternating ones of the Vivaldi antenna elements are configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) energy at a first RF band, and second alternating ones of the Vivaldi antenna elements are configured to receive RF energy at a second RF band.