Patent Publication Number: US-2023141422-A1

Title: Circular Disk with First and Second Edge Openings

Description:
GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The innovation described herein may be manufactured, used, imported, sold, and licensed by or for the Government of the United States of America without the payment of any royalty thereon or therefor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In a variety of situations, communications can be an important capability. In one example, a group, such as a military force, can decide to set up in a remote location; this remote location can be absent a modern communications infrastructure. Therefore, to achieve communication capabilities, equipment can be brought in from another location. The equipment can be employed at the remote location by this group for use in communications. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a circular disk can be capable of radiation. The circular disk can comprise a first edge opening configured to receive a first voltage source. The circular disk can also comprise a second edge opening configured to receive a second voltage source. The first edge opening and the second edge opening can be along a common axis. 
     In one embodiment, a method can be performed at least in part by a power system controller that is at least partially hardware. The method can comprise powering a first voltage source in a first edge opening of a circular disk to cause radiation. The method can also comprise powering a second voltage source in a second edge opening of the circular disk to cause radiation. The first edge opening and the second edge opening can be along a common axis. 
     In one embodiment, a power system, at least partially for a circular disk configured to radiate a signal, can comprise a first voltage source located in a first edge opening of the circular disk. The power system can also comprise a second voltage source located in a second edge opening of the circular disk. The first edge opening and the second edge opening can be along a common axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Incorporated herein are drawings that constitute a part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the detailed description. The detailed description will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates one embodiment of a circular disk with a first edge opening and a second edge opening; 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates one embodiment of the circular disk with the first edge opening and the second edge opening along with a third edge opening and a fourth edge opening; 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates one embodiment of the circular disk depicting current depth and concentration; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates one embodiment of a three dimensional configuration for the circular disk; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates one embodiment of a dipole mode pattern; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates one embodiment of a cardioid mode patter; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 D  illustrates one embodiment of the cardioid pattern in four states: a 0 state, a 90 state, a 180 state, and a 270 state; 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates one embodiment of a top-down view of the circular disk with a patch antenna; 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates one embodiment of a profile view of the circular disk with a patch antenna; 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates one embodiment of a three dimensional radiation pattern for the patch antenna; 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates one embodiment of an azimuth radiation pattern for the patch antenna; 
         FIG.  7 A  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for an Electrical Field Integral Equation; 
         FIG.  7 B  illustrates one embodiment a current and electromagnetic field interaction with a surface; 
         FIG.  7 C  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for current; 
         FIG.  7 D  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for an Characteristic Mode related to R and X with regard to Impedance portions; 
         FIG.  7 E  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for Modal Significance; 
         FIG.  7 F  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for Characteristic Angle; 
         FIG.  7 G  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for Characteristic Mode Orthogonality; 
         FIG.  7 H  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set for a rendered field; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates one embodiment of a system comprising a processor and a computer-readable medium; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates one embodiment of a method comprising two actions; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates one embodiment of a method comprising four actions; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates one embodiment of a method comprising two actions; and 
         FIG.  12    illustrates one embodiment of a method comprising four actions. 
     
    
    
     Multiple figures can be collectively referred to as a single figure. For example,  FIG.  3    illustrates two subfigures -  FIG.  3 A  and  FIG.  3 B . These can be collectively referred to as ‘ FIG.  3   .’ 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A circular disk configured to radiate a signal can have openings at its edge. These openings can receive power sources. When the power sources function, the disk can emit a radiation pattern, such as when flat on the horizontal plane, including when placed on a mast, on the ground, or on a vehicle. Depending on how the power sources function, the radiation pattern can be a dipole pattern or a cardioid pattern. 
     With a two source configuration, the openings can be across from one another. With a four source configuration, the sources can be 90 degrees from one another. 
     The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples. The examples are not intended to be limiting. 
     “One embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) can include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, or element, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, or element. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” may or may not refer to the same embodiment. 
     “Computer-readable medium”, as used herein, refers to a medium that stores signals, instructions and/or data. Examples of a computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so on. Volatile media may include, for example, semiconductor memories, dynamic memory, and so on. Common forms of a computer-readable medium may include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, other magnetic medium, other optical medium, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a memory chip or card, a memory stick, and other media from which a computer, a processor or other electronic device can read. In one embodiment, the computer-readable medium is a non-transitory computer-readable medium. 
     “Component”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software stored on a computer-readable medium or in execution on a machine, and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause a function or action from another component, method, and/or system. Component may include a software controlled microprocessor, a discrete component, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions, and so on. Where multiple components are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple components into one physical component or conversely, where a single component is described, it may be possible to distribute that single component between multiple components. 
     “Software”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to, one or more executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that cause a computer, processor, or other electronic device to perform functions, actions and/or behave in a desired manner. The instructions may be embodied in various forms including routines, algorithms, modules, methods, threads, and/or programs, including separate applications or code from dynamically linked libraries. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates one embodiment of a circular disk  100  with a first edge opening  110 A and a second edge opening  110 B. The first edge opening  110 A can be configured to receive a first voltage source  110 B. The second edge opening  120 A can be configured to receive a second voltage source  120 B. The first edge opening  110 A and the second edge opening  110 B can be along a common axis and thus be across from one another. 
     There can be a desire to have antenna beam steering, so an antenna can be employed to achieve antenna beam steering. The circular disk  100  can be employed to achieve this beam steering through a cardioid pattern (enhance gain where focused and antenna pattern null where not focused). Further, the voltage sources  110 B and  120 B can have their own orientations - first orientation for  110 B and second orientation for  120 B. These orientations can be opposite one another, with the first source  110 A having its positive on the right and second source  110 B having its positive on the left. 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates one embodiment of the circular disk  100  with the first edge opening  110 A and the second edge opening  110 B along with a third edge opening  110 C and a fourth edge opening  110 D. The third edge opening  110 C can be configured to receive a third voltage source  120 C and the fourth edge opening  110 D can be configured to receive a fourth voltage source  120 D. The third edge opening  110 C and the fourth edge opening  110 D can be along a second common axis, with the second edge opening  110 B and the third edge opening  110 C being about 90 degrees from one another. 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates one embodiment of the circular disk  100  depicting current depth and concentration  130 . The current depth and concentration can illustrate current maximums. The size of the circular disk  100  can be a diameter that is one quarter the wavelength for anticipated operation. The circular disk  100  can radiate a signal at a frequency and pattern. 
     The disk  100  can function in different modes. The first mode can result in the concentration  130  with current maximums. A second mode can include voltage maximums at 90 degrees from the current maximums. 
     The areas of maximum current density/concentration can be determined by characteristic mode analysis (CMA), such as performed by an analysis component. A determination component can determine a feed position for the disk  100  and this determination can employ the CMA result. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates one embodiment of a three dimensional configuration  200  for the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1   . This shows four generators: Gen1-Gen4. These generators can function as the voltage sources  120 A-D of  FIG.  1   : Gen1 being the first voltage source  120 A, Gen2 being the third voltage source  120 C, Gen3 being the second voltage source  120 B, and Gen 4 being the fourth voltage source  120 D. The configuration  200  can achieve 360 degree cardioid steering in 90 degree increments in view of specified feed configuration parameters. These parameters can be selected by a management component and implemented by a causation component. Equivalent gains can be observed in different steering states (e.g., 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree states). 
       FIG.  3 A  illustrates one embodiment of a dipole mode pattern  300 A and  FIG.  3 B  illustrates one embodiment of a cardioid mode patter  300 B. The disk  100  of  FIG.  1    can have a diameter of about a quarter wavelength of a preferred frequency for a radiating pattern of the disk  100  of  FIG.  1   . In one example, the patterns  300 A and  300 B can function at 30 megahertz (MHz). With this, the diameter of the disk  100  of  FIG.  1    can be 2.5 meters, with an opening length of 0.2 meters and an opening width of 0.03 meters. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 D  illustrates one embodiment of the cardioid pattern in four states: a 0 degree state at  400 A, a 90 degree state at  400 B, a 180 degree state at  400 C, and a 270 degree state at  400 D. At the 0 degree state  400 A (e.g., about 0 degree state), the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 1 imaginary (1 real voltage unit and 1 imaginary voltage unit), the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 0 imaginary, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be shorted. At the 90 degree state (e.g., about 90 degree state), the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be at shorted, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 1 imaginary, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 0 imaginary. At the 180 degree state (e.g., about 180 degree state), the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 0 imaginary, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 1 imaginary, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be shorted. At the 270 degree state (e.g., about 270 degree state), the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 1 imaginary, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be at about 1 real and about 0 imaginary. The 0 degree state, the 90 degree state, the 180 degree state, and the 270 degree state can cause the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    to radiate with the cardioid pattern of  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates one embodiment of a top-down view  500 A of the circular disk  100  with a patch antenna  510  and  FIG.  5 B  illustrates one embodiment of a profile view  500 B of the circular disk  100  with a patch antenna  510 . In one embodiment, the disk  100  can function in the very high frequency (VHF) band and the patch antenna  510  can function in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. VHF 30 MHz to 300 MHz can be while UHF can be 300 MHz to 3 gigahertz (GHz). 
     A feed  520  can supply a source  530  that powers the patch  510 . The feed  520  and the source  530  can function as an attachment point about centrally located upon the circular disk  100  configured to retain the patch  510 . Further, the feed  520  can pass through the circular disk  100  causing the patch antenna  510  to be coupled to the circular disk  100  (even if the feed  520  does not actually touch the circular disk  100 ). 
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates one embodiment of a three dimensional radiation pattern  600 A for the patch antenna  510  of  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6 B  illustrates one embodiment of an azimuth radiation pattern  600 B for the patch antenna  510  of  FIG.  5   . Radiation of the patch antenna  510  of  FIG.  5    can occur simultaneously with the disk  100  of  FIG.  5    due to mode orthogonality. In view of  FIG.  1 C , as one can see the concentration  130  is at the edge, so the patch  510  of  FIG.  1    being placed in the center would not cause physical interference. 
     The patch  510  is able to be placed in the middle of the VHF disk without substantially interfering with disk performance because of the principal of mode orthogonality. Certain regions of a structure can support current resonances at certain frequencies, while other regions of the structure support resonances at other frequencies. In the case of the disk  100 , the disk  100  supports current resonance in low VHF at its outer edges, as can be seen with  FIG.  1 C . The center portion of the disk  100  is not involved in the VHF radiation process. 
       FIG.  7 A  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 A for an Electrical Field Integral Equation (EFIE). The equation set  700 A can explain the electromagnetic (EM) principals for radiation from a current travelling in or over a structure, such as the disk  100  of  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  7 B  illustrates one embodiment a current and EM field interaction with a surface  700 B. Characteristic Modes (CM) can be described, in one embodiment, by an EM field and current interacting within/about a structure, where the field and current are arranged in a substantially diagonalized fashion according to the principals of Linear Algebra, as permitted by the structure’s geometry and applicable boundary conditions of the collective system of the structure and environment it is disposed within. 
     CMs and their analysis can refer to identification and specification of some level or degree to which a structure can support electromagnetic resonance, and how the currents/fields are arranged within/about the structure in instances where the resonance is supported. CMs can be a property of a structure and can be independent of voltage and/or current source (feed) magnitude(s) or location(s). In a form of CMA, currents can be considered as being discretized, wherein Induced currents are the superposition of characteristic currents. 
       FIG.  7 C  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 C for current in accordance with CMA.  FIG.  7 D  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 D for an Characteristic Mode related to R and X with regard to Impedance (Z) portions.  FIG.  7 E  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 E for Modal Significance (MS).  FIG.  7 F  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 F for Characteristic Angle (α n ).  FIG.  7 G  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 G for Characteristic Mode Orthogonality.  FIG.  7 H  illustrates one embodiment of an equation set  700 H for a rendered field. Equation set  700 H can employ Maxwell’s equation (Amp’s law) in that the rendered field can be the highest when surface density J is at its maximum. Maximum excitation can be facilitated when an inductive source coupler (probe) is placed at or near location of maximum J n . Conversely, a capacitive probe can be placed at or near where Jn is minimum to excite the associated mode 
       FIG.  8    illustrates one embodiment of a system  800  comprising a processor  810  and a computer-readable medium  820  (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable medium). In one embodiment, the system  800  is a power system controller, with instructions retained on the medium  820  and executed by the processor  810 . In one embodiment, the computer-readable medium  820  is communicatively coupled to the processor  810  and stores a command set executable by the processor  810  to facilitate operation of at least one component disclosed herein (e.g., the analysis component and determination component discussed above). In one embodiment, at least one component disclosed herein (e.g., a component configured to calculate the at least some of the equations found in  FIG.  7    discussed above) can be implemented, at least in part, by way of non-software, such as implemented as hardware by way of the system  800 . In one embodiment, the computer-readable medium  820  is configured to store processor-executable instructions that when executed by the processor  810 , cause the processor  810  to perform at least part of a method disclosed herein (e.g., at least part of one of the methods  900 - 1200  discussed below). 
       FIG.  9    illustrates one embodiment of a method  900  comprising two actions  910 - 920 . At  910 , there can be powering the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    in the first edge opening  110 A of  FIG.  1    of the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    to cause radiation. At  920 , there can be powering the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    in the second edge opening  110 B of  FIG.  1    of the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    to cause radiation. The first edge opening  110 A of  FIG.  1    and the second edge opening  110 B of  FIG.  1    can be along a common axis. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates one embodiment of a method  1000  comprising four actions  910 - 920  and  1010 - 1020 . At  1010 , there can be powering the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    in the third edge opening  110 C of  FIG.  1    of the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    to cause radiation. At 1020, there can be powering the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    in the fourth edge opening  110 D of  FIG.  1    of the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    to cause radiation. The third edge opening  110 C of  FIG.  1    and the fourth edge opening  110 D of  FIG.  1    are can be along a common axis; also, the second edge opening  110 B of  FIG.  1    and the third edge opening  110 C of  FIG.  1    can be about perpendicular to one another. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates one embodiment of a method  1100  comprising two actions  1110 - 1120 . At  1110 , an UHF radiation can be caused, such as by powering the patch antenna  510  of  FIG.  5    that is coupled to the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    so the patch antenna  510  of  FIG.  5    UHF. While this occurs, the disk  100  of  FIG.  1    can radiate at VHF. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates one embodiment of a method  1200  comprising four actions  1210 - 1220 . At  1210 , a determination can be made on if desired radiation is dipole or cardioid. At  1220  a check can take place. If the check at  1220  results in dipole, then the method  1200  can power the sources in accordance with dipole radiation at  1230 ; if the check at  1220  results in cardioid, then the method  1200  can power sources in accordance with cardioid radiation at  1240 . 
     The check  1220  can function as making an identification on if the circular disk  100  of  FIG.  1    should radiate in a dipole pattern or a cardioid pattern. If the result is dipole, then at  1230  powering the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    and powering the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can occur in a manner consistent with causing the dipole pattern. If the result if cardioid, then at  1240  powering the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    and powering the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can occur in a manner consistent with causing the cardioid pattern. 
     In one embodiment, to achieve a dipole radiation pattern, the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be powered at 1 real and 0 imaginary. Also, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be powered at 1 real and 0 imaginary. 
     In one embodiment, to achieve a cardioid radiation pattern, the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be is powered at 1 real and 1 imaginary. The second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be powered at 1 real and 0 imaginary 
     In one embodiment, to achieve a cardioid radiation pattern, at the 0 degree state the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about √2 and a phase of about 45°, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about 1 and a phase of about 0°, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be shorted. At an about 90 degree state, the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about 1 and a phase of about 0°, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about √2 and a phase of about 45°. At an about 180 degree state, the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about 1 and a phase of about 0°, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about √2 and a phase of about 45°, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be shorted. At an about 270 degree state, the first voltage source  120 A of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the second voltage source  120 B of  FIG.  1    can be shorted, the third voltage source  120 C of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about √2 and a phase of about 45° and the fourth voltage source  120 D of  FIG.  1    can be powered with a magnitude of about 1 and a phase of about 0°. 
     While the methods disclosed herein are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the methods are not restricted by the order of the blocks, as some blocks can take place in different orders. Similarly, a block can operate concurrently with at least one other block.