Wideband Microstrip Antenna With Air Layer And Coupling Patch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microstrip antennas have narrow bandwidths, making them unsuitable for millimeter wave holographic imaging systems that require wideband, high directivity, and small size, as existing methods to broaden the band often compromise on size or efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wideband microstrip antenna design featuring a rectangular dielectric substrate with a radiation patch, a coupling patch, a metal support, and a layer of air between the substrate and ground, which enhances directivity and bandwidth while maintaining a small size, and can be arranged in an array for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional microstrip antenna design is used, then the structure is simple and size is small, but the bandwidth is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple patches (first patch, second patch, third patch, fourth patch) arranged in a specific pattern on the dielectric substrate. This segmentation allows each patch to contribute to different aspects of the radiation pattern and impedance matching, thereby achieving wide bandwidth without requiring complex external matching networks
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements (multiple patches, dielectric substrate, ground plane) are merged into a single integrated antenna structure. The patches are directly patterned on the substrate which is mounted on the ground plane, eliminating the need for separate feeding networks and matching circuits, thus achieving wide bandwidth with relatively simple overall structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If bandwidth is extended by adding parasitic patches or slots, then the bandwidth increases, but the directivity becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The four patches are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the coordinate axes, with specific dimensions and positions that create an optimized radiation pattern. The first and second patches have different dimensions from the third and fourth patches, and they are positioned at different locations on the substrate. This asymmetric arrangement maintains strong directivity while achieving wide bandwidth through enhanced impedance matching and radiation efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dielectric thickness is increased to broaden bandwidth, then the bandwidth increases, but the volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna achieves wide bandwidth by optimizing the dimensions, positions, and geometries of the patches rather than changing the dielectric thickness. By adjusting patch lengths, widths, and spacing, the impedance bandwidth is enhanced while maintaining a compact overall structure with limited 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 design achieves a relative bandwidth of over 20% with strong directivity, allowing effective millimeter wave imaging and improved antenna isolation, while maintaining a compact size and efficient energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation patch (120) and a coupling patch (130) which are formed on a top surface of the dielectric substrate
Implementation Method 2
a layer of air having a predetermined thickness being formed between the lower surface of the dielectric substrate and the ground
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a wideband patch antenna and an antenna array. The antenna includes a dielectric substrate of a rectangle shape, a radiation patch formed on a top surface of the dielectric substrate, a coupling patch formed on the top surface of the dielectric substrate and extending from a side of the dielectric substrate to a position from the radiation patch by a distance, a metal support arranged on the lower surface of the dielectric substrate and extending from the edge of the lower surface of the dielectric substrate downward to the ground, a layer of air having a predetermined thickness being formed between the lower surface of the dielectric substrate and the ground. According to the embodiments, it is possible to improve the directivity of the wideband microstrip antenna while maintaining its small size.