Patents by Inventor Mingjian Li

Mingjian Li has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12095157
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a wave-shaped ground structure for antenna arrays. A radar system may include a ground structure with a first surface having a wave shape and a second surface opposite the first surface. The ground structure includes multiple antenna arrays separated in a longitudinal direction on the first surface. Each antenna array includes one or more antenna elements configured to emit or receive electromagnetic (EM) energy. The ground structure also includes antenna feeds separated in the longitudinal direction on the second surface and operably connected to the antenna arrays. The wave shape of the ground structure configures the radar system to provide an antenna radiation pattern that provides a uniform radiation pattern among the antenna arrays. The wave shape can also be configured to provide an asymmetrical radiation pattern or a narrow beamwidth for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Shawn Shi, Zhengzheng Li
  • Patent number: 12009591
    Abstract: An electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure includes an antenna substrate layer, first conductive regions, and second conductive regions. The antenna substrate includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The first conductive regions are located on the first planar surface of the antenna substrate and separated from adjacent first conductive regions by a first distance. The second conductive regions are located on the first planar surface of the antenna substrate and are separated from the first conductive regions by a second distance and wherein the second conductive regions at least partially surround the first conductive regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Ryan K. Rossiter, Mingjian Li, Jun Yao
  • Publication number: 20240162629
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems for planar surface features for waveguides and antennas. Two structures are arranged with opposing planar surfaces fixed adjacent to a separation plane dividing a channel (e.g., a waveguide, a feed network) to provide an energy path for propagating electromagnetic energy. Part of the channel is formed between side walls of a recessed groove within one opposing surface; another channel part is formed by an arrangement of surface features spaced and shaped on the other opposing surface. At least two surface features are adjacent protrusions contoured to compliment the sidewalls of the recessed groove. An area on each opposing surface between the recessed groove and the adjacent protrusions is configured to form the energy path through the channel including to prevent energy leakage from the separation plane dividing the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20240162621
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems for planar surface features for achieving antenna coverage. A structure is configured to provide a feed network for propagating electromagnetic energy along an energy path formed under a planar surface. The planar surface includes a recessed cavity with walls surrounding a cavity floor embedded within the planar surface. The cavity floor is shaped to form radiating slot(s) open through the structure to the energy path under the planar surface. A ridge feature protrudes from the planar surface on either side of the recessed cavity with a ridge length that is parallel with the cavity walls and a ridge height set to prevent cross-interference near the radiating slot within the cavity floor, thereby narrowing coverage for the electromagnetic energy within the feed network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20240154289
    Abstract: A waveguide includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first conductive layer, a second substrate layer, and a third conductive layer. The waveguide includes a hollow channel for a dielectric that includes a first opening in a longitudinal direction through the hollow channel at one end of the waveguide and a closed wall at an opposite end of the waveguide, the third conductive layer forming a surface of the hollow channel that defines the hollow channel and a plurality of radiation slots, each of the plurality of radiation slots comprising a second opening formed in the second substrate layer, each of the plurality of radiation slots being operably connected with the dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Mingjian LI
  • Patent number: 11962047
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to monitoring and controlling emissions produced by a fuel cell or fuel cell stack in a fuel cell engine of a vehicle and/or powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Guangji Ji
  • Patent number: 11901601
    Abstract: This document describes a waveguide with a zigzag for suppressing grating lobes. An apparatus may include a waveguide with a zigzag waveguide channel to suppress grating lobes in diagonal planes of a three-dimensional radiation pattern. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The hollow channel has a zigzag shape along a longitudinal direction through the waveguide. The zigzag waveguide channel and radiation slots configure the described waveguide to suppress grating lobes in an antenna radiation pattern. This document also describes a waveguide formed in part by a printed circuit board to improve the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20230327330
    Abstract: This document describes a waveguide with radiation slots and parasitic elements for asymmetrical coverage. An apparatus may include a waveguide for providing asymmetrical coverage in an azimuth plane. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The waveguide includes an array of parasitic elements positioned on or in the surface and offset from a longitudinal side of the array of radiation slots. The radiation slots and parasitic elements configure the described waveguide to focus an antenna radiation pattern that provides an asymmetrical coverage to focus on a particular portion within the antenna field-of-view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Patent number: 11749883
    Abstract: This document describes a waveguide with radiation slots and parasitic elements for asymmetrical coverage. An apparatus may include a waveguide for providing asymmetrical coverage in an azimuth plane. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The waveguide includes an array of parasitic elements positioned on or in the surface and offset from a longitudinal side of the array of radiation slots. The radiation slots and parasitic elements configure the described waveguide to focus an antenna radiation pattern that provides an asymmetrical coverage to focus on a particular portion within the antenna field-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Patent number: 11688943
    Abstract: A radiation pattern reconfigurable antenna includes an input port, a signal divider, a filter, and first and second radiators. The signal divider is connected to the input port and configured to divide a signal at the input port into a first output and a second output. The filter is connected to the second output, wherein the filter is configured to filter signal within a first frequency band and to pass signals within a second frequency band. The first radiator is configured to receive the signal from the first output of the signal divider, wherein the first radiator receives signals within the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The second radiator is connected to the filter to receive signals provided within the second frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Zhengzheng Li
  • Patent number: 11626668
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems directed to a waveguide end array antenna to reduce grating lobes and cross-polarization. Referred to simply as the waveguide, for short, utilizes a core made of a dielectric material to guide electromagnetic energy from a waveguide input to one or more radiating slots. The dielectric core includes a main channel and one or more forks. Each fork connects the main channel to one or more tine sections, and each tine section is terminated by a closed end and a radiating slot. These radiating slots are separated from each other by a distance to enable at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy to dissipate in phase through the radiating slots. The dielectric core of the waveguide reduces grating lobes and cross-polarization associated with the electromagnetic energy. An automobile can rely on the waveguide to detect objects with increased accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20220384942
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a wave-shaped ground structure for antenna arrays. A radar system may include a ground structure with a first surface having a wave shape and a second surface opposite the first surface. The ground structure includes multiple antenna arrays separated in a longitudinal direction on the first surface. Each antenna array includes one or more antenna elements configured to emit or receive electromagnetic (EM) energy. The ground structure also includes antenna feeds separated in the longitudinal direction on the second surface and operably connected to the antenna arrays. The wave shape of the ground structure configures the radar system to provide an antenna radiation pattern that provides a uniform radiation pattern among the antenna arrays. The wave shape can also be configured to provide an asymmetrical radiation pattern or a narrow beamwidth for specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Shawn Shi, Zhengzheng Li
  • Publication number: 20220376392
    Abstract: A radiation pattern reconfigurable antenna includes an input port, a signal divider, a filter, and first and second radiators. The signal divider is connected to the input port and configured to divide a signal at the input port into a first output and a second output. The filter is connected to the second output, wherein the filter is configured to filter signal within a first frequency band and to pass signals within a second frequency band. The first radiator is configured to receive the signal from the first output of the signal divider, wherein the first radiator receives signals within the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The second radiator is connected to the filter to receive signals provided within the second frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Zhengzheng Li
  • Patent number: 11502420
    Abstract: This document describes a twin line fed dipole array antenna that may be coupled to several different types of feed networks in a space-efficient manner. The antenna makes use of a twin line feed to a plurality of dipoles that minimizes cross-polarization. The antenna may be manufactured on a printed circuit board (PCB) and has a centered feed slot that is easily coupled to several different types of waveguides or a microstrip. In some implementations, the dipole elements may have an approximately rectangular shape. In other implementations, the dipole elements may have an approximately bowtie shape, round shape, oval shape, C-shape, or L-shape. The size and placement of the dipole elements may be optimized for certain operating frequencies of the radar system to which the antenna is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20220320546
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to monitoring and controlling emissions produced by a fuel cell or fuel cell stack in a fuel cell engine of a vehicle and/or powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Mingjian LI, Guangji JI
  • Patent number: 11444377
    Abstract: A radiation pattern reconfigurable antenna includes an input port, a signal divider, a filter, and first and second radiators. The signal divider is connected to the input port and configured to divide a signal at the input port into a first output and a second output. The filter is connected to the second output, wherein the filter is configured to filter signal within a first frequency band and to pass signals within a second frequency band. The first radiator is configured to receive the signal from the first output of the signal divider, wherein the first radiator receives signals within the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The second radiator is connected to the filter to receive signals provided within the second frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Zhengzheng Li
  • Patent number: 11374333
    Abstract: An illustrative example antenna device includes a substrate. A plurality of conductive members in the substrate establish a substrate integrated waveguide. A plurality of first and second slots are on an exterior surface of a first portion of the substrate. Each of the second slots is associated with a respective one of the first slots. The first and second slots are configured to establish a radiation pattern that varies across a beam of radiation emitted by the antenna device. A plurality of parasitic interruptions include slots on the exterior surface of a second portion of the substrate. The parasitic interruptions reduce ripple effects otherwise introduced by adjacent antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Shawn Shi, Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20220200115
    Abstract: This document describes a waveguide with slot-fed dipole elements. An apparatus may include a waveguide for providing narrow coverage in an azimuth plane. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The waveguide includes an array of dipole elements positioned on or in the surface and offset from each longitudinal side of the array of radiation slots. The radiation slots and the dipole elements configure the described waveguide to focus an antenna radiation pattern that supports a narrow beamwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Mingjian Li, Shawn Shi
  • Publication number: 20220200137
    Abstract: This document describes a waveguide with radiation slots and parasitic elements for asymmetrical coverage. An apparatus may include a waveguide for providing asymmetrical coverage in an azimuth plane. The waveguide includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of radiation slots through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The waveguide includes an array of parasitic elements positioned on or in the surface and offset from a longitudinal side of the array of radiation slots. The radiation slots and parasitic elements configure the described waveguide to focus an antenna radiation pattern that provides an asymmetrical coverage to focus on a particular portion within the antenna field-of-view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Mingjian Li
  • Publication number: 20220200163
    Abstract: This document describes a twin line fed dipole array antenna that may be coupled to several different types of feed networks in a space-efficient manner. The antenna makes use of a twin line feed to a plurality of dipoles that minimizes cross-polarization. The antenna may be manufactured on a printed circuit board (PCB) and has a centered feed slot that is easily coupled to several different types of waveguides or a microstrip. In some implementations, the dipole elements may have an approximately rectangular shape. In other implementations, the dipole elements may have an approximately bowtie shape, round shape, oval shape, C-shape, or L-shape. The size and placement of the dipole elements may be optimized for certain operating frequencies of the radar system to which the antenna is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Mingjian Li