Multi-beam Patch Antenna Design Mustafa Konca Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Sener Uysal

Project Statement Design of a multi-beam patch antenna Design of a multi-beam patch antenna To be used in a security system To be used in a security system Software simulations Software simulations Field tests Field tests Modifications Modifications Lab tests Lab tests

The Security System H.Q. RF Link Surveillance Solar Panel Multi-Directional Patch Antenna

The Security System Autonomous Modules Autonomous Modules – Solar panels – Batteries – Intelligent software Reliable Design Reliable Design Flexibility Flexibility Fast Communication Fast Communication – Requires a well designed antenna

The Module Hexagonal pyramid design Hexagonal pyramid design – Self Cleaning – Sturdy – Moving Sides

Why Multi-Beam? The Pyramid will be stationary The Pyramid will be stationary Minimum number of moving parts required Minimum number of moving parts required Antenna needs to transmit in different directions Antenna needs to transmit in different directions Antenna should cover a whole hemisphere Antenna should cover a whole hemisphere This can be achieved with an antenna that has 5 beams in different directions at 45 degrees to each other This can be achieved with an antenna that has 5 beams in different directions at 45 degrees to each other The antenna direction can be finely adjusted by moving the sides of the pyramid The antenna direction can be finely adjusted by moving the sides of the pyramid

Why Patch? Low profile Low profile – Resists wind and wear Flexibility Flexibility – Conformal shapes possible Lightweight Lightweight Inexpensive Inexpensive Ease of manufacture Ease of manufacture

Why Multiband? Reliability Reliability – Interference – Diversity Environmental conditions Environmental conditions Speed Speed

Specification Objectives Single design for all modules and locations Single design for all modules and locations Dual band (ISM) Dual band (ISM) – 2.4–2.5 GHz – 5.725–5.875 GHz Five beams to cover a whole hemisphere Five beams to cover a whole hemisphere – Selectable beams – Simultaneous if possible Narrow beam-width for longer range Narrow beam-width for longer range High Gain High Gain Wide bandwidth for fast communication Wide bandwidth for fast communication

Design Approach Option 1: A multilayer approach with many beams and a technique for suppressing the other Option 1: A multilayer approach with many beams and a technique for suppressing the other Option 2: Five antennas integrated as one antenna. Option 2: Five antennas integrated as one antenna. Both approaches are very challenging; such an antenna does not exist Both approaches are very challenging; such an antenna does not exist

Design Steps Use an existing element design Use an existing element design Design 5 separate antennas Design 5 separate antennas Try to combine the antennas Try to combine the antennas – Phased array Design micro-strips to get necessary phase shift Design micro-strips to get necessary phase shift – Multilayer Several antennas on top of each other Several antennas on top of each other Switching to control the beam direction Switching to control the beam direction Design a better element if time permits Design a better element if time permits Investigate the possibility of having more than one beam operational at the same time Investigate the possibility of having more than one beam operational at the same time

Simulations First step will be simulating the single element which has high gain and directivity First step will be simulating the single element which has high gain and directivity Then the single element will be used in different configurations to get beams in 5 directions Then the single element will be used in different configurations to get beams in 5 directions Design Parameters: Design Parameters: – Material – Distance to the ground plane – Shape – Feed type – Stability – Placement on the module

Building the Antenna Cost? Cost? Hand made or fabricated? Hand made or fabricated? – Hand made design may not give accurate results – Multilayer design has to be fabricated Need two for field tests Need two for field tests Connectors Connectors Source and receiver Source and receiver

Practical Tests and Tuning Field tests Field tests – Confirm simulation results Gain Gain Efficiency Efficiency Bandwidth etc. Bandwidth etc. – Test under different conditions Harsh weather Harsh weather Landscape and obstacles Landscape and obstacles Different distances Different distances Signal integrity Signal integrity Interference from other devices Interference from other devices – Tune and redesign if necessary and repeat all tests

End of Presentation…. Thank you for you time! Thank you for you time!