Waveguide Cavity Antenna for Multi-Aperture Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna devices with four radiation apertures face challenges in aligning the phases of radio waves while maintaining a compact size, as increasing the number of radiation apertures leads to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The antenna device incorporates a waveguide section and a cavity section with a power supply opening, featuring a side wall with a second-direction changing surface that adjusts the path length and reflection configuration of radio waves, allowing for easy alignment of phases at multiple radiation apertures without increasing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of radiation apertures is increased to achieve higher gain, then the antenna gain is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of radiation apertures to a three-dimensional cavity structure. The cavity extends in the depth direction (first direction) from the waveguide, allowing multiple radiation apertures to be arranged both laterally (second direction) and at different depths (first direction), effectively utilizing spatial volume rather than just surface area to achieve higher gain without proportional increase in footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structure nests multiple radiation apertures within a confined three-dimensional space. The side walls define a cavity volume that contains multiple apertures at different positions along the first and second directions, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes aperture density within the available space, thereby achieving higher gain without linear scaling of device dimensions.
2Power
If the number of radiation apertures is increased to achieve higher gain, then the antenna gain is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure is segmented into distinct functional components: side walls defining the cavity boundaries, a waveguide section for power input, and multiple radiation apertures for signal output. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall structural coherence, making the complex multi-aperture system more manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a resonant chamber, a distribution network for dividing power to multiple apertures, and a mechanical support structure. The side walls both confine the electromagnetic fields and provide the geometric framework for positioning apertures, reducing the need for separate supporting structures and simplifying the overall design.
3Power
If a stacked structure is used to achieve higher gain, then the antenna gain is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple stacked antenna elements into a single integrated cavity structure. Instead of stacking separate antenna modules vertically (which would increase height and complexity), the cavity consolidates multiple radiation apertures in a compact three-dimensional arrangement, achieving similar gain enhancement through spatial distribution within one unified structure rather than through stacking.
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 enables effective alignment of radio wave phases at a large number of radiation apertures, suppressing the increase in antenna device size and allowing for higher gain without the need for a stacked structure.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide section forming a waveguide path to propagate a radio wave
Implementation Method 2
the side wall has a second-direction changing surface on one side and the other side of the power supply opening in the second direction to face the cavity such that a distance from the power supply opening in the second direction increases toward the one side in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device includes: a waveguide section to propagate radio waves; and a cavity section forming a cavity to communicate with the waveguide path via a power supply opening located on one side of the waveguide section in a first direction. The cavity section includes: a first wall having the power supply opening; a second wall opposing the first wall and having radiation apertures, and a side wall that connects the first wall and the second wall. The side wall has an inclined surface on one side and the other side of the power supply opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction such that a distance from the power supply opening in the second direction increases toward the one side in the first direction.