Waveguide Horn Array for Millimeter Wave Antenna Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microstrip antennas have narrow bandwidths, making them unsuitable for millimeter wave holographic imaging systems that require wideband, high directivity, and small size, as they either increase antenna volume or reduce efficiency when attempting to broaden the band.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide horn array is integrated with a microstrip antenna system, featuring a rectangular metal plate with rectangular holes forming waveguides and horns, and a groove on the top surface for coupling, which maintains bandwidth and directivity while enhancing isolation between transmitting and receiving antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a microstrip antenna is used to achieve small size and integration, then the volume is reduced and integration is facilitated, but the bandwidth becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a microstrip antenna with a waveguide horn array to create a hybrid structure. The microstrip antenna provides compact size and integration capability, while the waveguide horn array extends the bandwidth. The two components are merged into a single integrated antenna system that achieves both small volume and wide bandwidth performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining microstrip technology (planar, integrated) with waveguide technology (wideband, high directivity). This composite antenna system leverages the advantages of both technologies to resolve the contradiction between small size and wide bandwidth.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the band of a microstrip antenna is broadened by increasing dielectric thickness or adjusting permittivity, then the bandwidth is extended, but the loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna function into two parts: the microstrip antenna for compact radiation and the waveguide horn array for wideband operation with low loss. By dividing the antenna system into these functional segments, the design avoids the need to modify dielectric properties of the microstrip antenna, thereby preventing increased loss while achieving wide bandwidth.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a parasitic patch or electromagnetic coupling effect is used to extend bandwidth, then the bandwidth is broadened, but the directivity becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where the waveguide horn array provides strong directivity characteristics while the microstrip antenna maintains compact size. This composite design achieves wide bandwidth without compromising directivity, unlike parasitic patch methods that weaken the directivity pattern.
4Adaptability or versatility
If an impedance matching network is added to broaden bandwidth, then the bandwidth is extended, but the antenna size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bandwidth extension function into the waveguide horn array structure itself, rather than adding a separate impedance matching network. The waveguide horns provide both impedance transformation and wideband operation, achieving bandwidth extension without increasing the overall antenna volume.
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 a wideband operation with strong directivity and small size, maintaining antenna performance while improving isolation between antennas, thereby enhancing communication quality.
Implementation Method 1
a rectangular metal plate which is processed to have a cross section comprised of a plurality of rectangular holes arranged in the length direction of the rectangular metal plate, the lower part of each hole being formed as a rectangular waveguide
Implementation Method 2
the upper part of each hole being formed as a horn
Implementation Method 3
a groove extending in the direction along which the plurality of holes are arranged and having a predetermined depth, which is formed at two sides of the holes on the top surface of the rectangular metal plate
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a waveguide horn array, a method for forming the waveguide horn array, and an antenna system. The array includes a rectangular metal plate which is processed to have a cross section comprised of a plurality of rectangular holes arranged in the length direction of the rectangular metal plate, the lower part of each hole being formed as a rectangular waveguide, and the upper part of each hole being formed as a horn; and a groove extending in the direction along which the plurality of holes are arranged and having a predetermined depth, which is formed at two sides of the holes on the top surface of the rectangular metal plate. According to the embodiments, it is possible to maintain the good properties of the antenna in terms of bandwidth and directivity, while enhancing the isolation between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna in the system.