Wideband Antenna Array Side Lobe Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Broadband antenna arrays face challenges in maintaining optimal radiation characteristics due to varying electrical gap distances as frequency increases, leading to increased undesired side lobes, which affect data rates and interference suppression.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating additional radiators in antenna gaps with a smaller gap distance for higher frequency bands, powered by high-pass filters to maintain a more constant electrical gap distance across the frequency range, thereby reducing side lobes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If broadband radiators are used to cover a wide frequency range, then the frequency coverage is improved, but the electrical gap distance between antenna gaps varies significantly with frequency, causing increased side lobes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidside lobes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The broadband frequency range is segmented into multiple sub-bands, with different radiator groups operating in different frequency sub-bands. Each radiator group is optimized for its specific sub-band, allowing the antenna array to maintain optimal electrical gap distance characteristics within each sub-band while covering a wide overall frequency range. This segmentation approach prevents the generation of excessive side lobes that would occur if a single broadband radiator operated across the entire frequency range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different radiator groups are assigned to different spatial positions and frequency sub-bands, with each group having locally optimized characteristics for its specific operating conditions. The radiators in each group are positioned and configured to achieve optimal electrical gap distance for their designated sub-band, ensuring low side lobe levels locally while maintaining broadband coverage globally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the gap distance between antenna gaps is reduced to maintain constant electrical gap distance across frequency, then side lobe suppression is improved, but the physical size of the antenna array is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside lobesVSAvoidantenna array size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna array employs a dynamic configuration where different radiator groups are activated depending on the operating frequency sub-band. By dynamically switching between different radiator groups with different spatial positions and electrical characteristics, the system maintains optimal electrical gap distance across the broadband range without requiring a fixed physical gap distance that would compromise performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional radiator groups are introduced for different frequency sub-bands, then the frequency coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidantenna array structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna array is designed with multi-functional radiator groups that can operate across multiple frequency sub-bands, either simultaneously or selectively. Each radiator group is configured to provide universal coverage for its designated sub-bands, reducing the total number of separate radiator groups needed compared to a fully dedicated approach. This multi-functionality approach maintains broadband coverage while limiting the increase in structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach significantly reduces side lobes and improves radiation characteristics, enabling higher data rates and better interference suppression across a wide frequency range.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilter (electronic): Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS9991594B2Wideband antenna array

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

An improved antenna array is distinguished inter alia by the following features: each of at least two antenna columns contains at least one supplementary antenna element, the at least two supplementary antenna elements are arranged such that the centers of the at least two supplementary antenna elements are arranged with a horizontal lateral spacing (b) that is smaller than the lateral spacing (a) between the centers of the antenna element groups or of the antenna elements in the two antenna columns, the wideband antenna elements in a respective antenna column are fed jointly together with the at least one supplementary antenna element, and a distribution network is provided for the at least one antenna element group with the at least one associated antenna element with an associated filter function (F) for the at least one associated supplementary antenna element, which radiate in a higher frequency subband than the wideband antenna elements.