Multi-Layer Waveguide Antenna for 360° Radar FoV Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna devices lack the capability for wide-angle, bidirectional radiation, particularly in radar systems, leading to blind spots and inefficiencies in signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide antenna structure with multiple layers, including waveguide and backed cavity layers, and radiating layers, configured to provide overlapping fields of view in opposite directions, allowing for 360° coverage with reduced size and signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional single-direction antenna is used, then the device complexity is low, but the field of view coverage is limited and blind spots exist
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple waveguide layers (first waveguide layer, second waveguide layer) with different orientations. Each layer provides radiation in specific directions, and together they achieve comprehensive 360° coverage. The segmentation of the antenna structure into layered waveguides allows each segment to contribute to different portions of the total field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane antenna configuration to a three-dimensional multi-layer waveguide structure. The waveguide layers are arranged at different heights and orientations (including perpendicular arrangements), adding vertical and angular dimensions to the radiation pattern. This dimensional expansion enables omnidirectional coverage that cannot be achieved with conventional planar antennas.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple separate antennas are used to achieve 360° coverage, then the field of view coverage is complete, but the device size and component quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waveguide layers that would traditionally require separate antenna assemblies are merged into a single integrated waveguide antenna structure. The first and second waveguide layers are combined with backed cavity layers and radiating layers to form one unified antenna device that provides 360° coverage, eliminating the need for multiple discrete antennas and reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer waveguide antenna structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides omnidirectional radiation coverage, integrates multiple radiation patterns from different layers, and achieves compact form factor. The same structural elements (waveguide layers, backed cavity layers, radiating layers) collectively provide both the directional diversity needed for 360° coverage and the spatial compactness required for small device size.
3Reliability
If the waveguide antenna includes multiple layers with backed cavity and radiating layers, then the field of view coverage and signal transmission are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into distinct functional layers (first waveguide layer, second waveguide layer, backed cavity layers, radiating layers) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured using appropriate processes, then combined to form the complete multi-functional antenna structure, managing manufacturing complexity through modular construction.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact antenna design is used, then the device size is reduced, but the field of view coverage and radiation capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact size by utilizing the vertical dimension through stacked waveguide layers rather than expanding horizontally with larger single-plane antennas. The multi-layer configuration packs the radiation elements vertically, maintaining a small footprint while achieving 360° horizontal coverage through the combined radiation patterns of layers oriented at different angles including perpendicular arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide layers, backed cavity layers, and radiating layers are nested within each other in a compact stacked configuration. Each layer is positioned within the three-dimensional space efficiently, with layers arranged to maximize radiation coverage while minimizing overall volume. The nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial regions, achieving compact integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna device according to an embodiment comprises: a substrate; and a waveguide antenna disposed adjacent to at least a part of the substrate, wherein the waveguide antenna may have a field of view (FoV) in a first direction and a FoV in a second direction different from the first direction and have at least two layers.