Wideband Dual-Polarized Patch Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wideband patch arrays have limited relative bandwidth and are not suitable for dual-polarized planar arrays due to radiation pattern distortion from connecting lines and asymmetrical designs.
Innovation Solution
A wideband dual-polarized patch antenna array with a flat, symmetrical design featuring a parasitic patch and a triple feed semi-reactive (TFSR) feed mechanism, which includes a central arm electrically connected to the patch and additional capacitive arms, allowing for impedance transformation and increased bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional wideband patch array design is used, then the structure is simple, but the relative bandwidth is limited (no more than about 20%)
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: ground plane, radiating patch, parasitic patch, and feed network layer. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer for bandwidth performance while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional single-layer or two-layer patch antenna to a multi-layer planar structure with vertical stacking of radiating and parasitic patches. This dimensional expansion in the vertical plane enables bandwidth enhancement without increasing horizontal footprint or overall structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stack antennae with multiple layers are used to increase bandwidth, then the relative bandwidth may increase, but the performance quality is sacrificed and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The parasitic patch serves multiple functions simultaneously: it extends the bandwidth of the antenna, acts as a radiation element itself, and influences the current distribution on the radiating patch. This multi-functionality achieves bandwidth enhancement without compromising performance quality or requiring excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters including the size, position, and spacing of the parasitic patch relative to the radiating patch. By carefully controlling these parameters, the antenna achieves over 20% relative bandwidth while maintaining high performance quality with VSWR better than 1.7:1 and isolation between ports greater than 25 dB.
3Adaptability or versatility
If asymmetrical patch designs are used, then the bandwidth may be improved, but the antenna is not suitable for dual-polarized arrays due to radiation pattern distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The feed structure employs asymmetrical TFSR (Triple Feed Semi-Reactive) elements with varying arm lengths and orientations to achieve impedance matching and bandwidth enhancement. Meanwhile, the overall patch geometry and parasitic patch arrangement maintain symmetry to preserve radiation pattern stability and enable dual-polarized array operation without distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies asymmetry locally in the feed network region where TFSR elements provide impedance transformation and bandwidth enhancement, while maintaining symmetry in the radiating patch and parasitic patch regions to ensure stable radiation patterns. This localized application of asymmetry resolves the contradiction between bandwidth improvement and radiation pattern stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flat antenna element including at least one radiating patch; and at least one impedance transformer including a feed-point arm connected to the patch which intersects between micro-strip feed lines and the radiating patch, wherein said arm has a first end electrically connected to an individual feed line and a second end which is electrically connected to the patch, and wherein said second end electrically connected to the patch has a width small enough to yield a level of impedance, for the arm, which is more than, e.g. more than twice, the level of impedance of the patch, and wherein the width of the feed line of end connected to patch is narrower than the end connected to the feed line.