UWB Antenna Module

Abstract

A UWB antenna module is disclosed, which is arranged in a lateral direction of a portable terminal to prevent deterioration of communication performance while minimizing the installation space. The disclosed UWB antenna module includes: a planar base substrate; a plurality of radiation patterns, which are arranged on the upper surface of the base substrate and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a switching element, which is arranged on the lower surface of the base substrate and connected to the plurality of radiation patterns; and a communication chipset, which is arranged to be spaced apart from the switching element on the lower surface of the base substrate and is configured to be connected to one of the plurality of radiation patterns through a switching operation of the switching element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a UWB antenna module, and more particularly, to a UWB antenna module installed in a portable terminal. Background Art

[0002] Recently, a technology of using a portable terminal to replace a vehicle smart key is being studied. In order for the portable terminal to replace the smart key, a UWB antenna module for indoor positioning is required.

[0003] Since multiple antennas have been installed in the portable terminal, there is not enough space to install the UWB antenna module. The thickness of the portable terminal is about 7 mm to 9 mm, and it is difficult to install an antenna having a thickness exceeding 1 mm in such a portable terminal.

[0004] Furthermore, if the UWB antenna module is provided in the portable terminal in the direction of the back cover, there is a problem that the metal substrate such as the back cover degrades the communication performance.

[0005] In addition, since the conventional UWB antenna module has a UWB antenna installed in the portable terminal along the direction of the back cover, and a communication chipset for processing UWB signals installed on a circuit board of the portable terminal, there is a problem of signal loss in the process of transmitting signals between the UWB antenna and the communication chipset. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] The present disclosure is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a UWB antenna module disposed in a lateral direction of a portable terminal to prevent degradation of communication performance while minimizing an installation space.

[0008] Furthermore, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a UWB antenna module in which a UWB radiation pattern and a chipset are formed on one base substrate, thereby minimizing signal loss in a signal transfer process.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] In order to achieve the objective, a UWB antenna module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a planar base substrate; a plurality of radiation patterns, the plurality of radiation patterns being arranged on the upper surface of the base substrate and the plurality of radiation patterns being arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a switching element, the switching element being arranged on the lower surface of the base substrate and the switching element being connected to the plurality of radiation patterns; and a communication chipset, the communication chipset being arranged to be spaced apart from the switching element on the lower surface of the base substrate and the communication chipset being configured to be connected to one of the plurality of radiation patterns through a switching operation of the switching element.

[0011] The UWB antenna module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: a connector provided on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the base substrate and connected to the communication chipset.

[0012] Each long axis of the plurality of radiation patterns may be arranged in different directions from each other, and an angle between the long axis of a radiation pattern and the first side of the base substrate may be different from an angle between the long axis of another radiation pattern and the first side of the base substrate. In this case, the plurality of radiation patterns may be formed into an elliptical shape having a long axis and a short axis.

[0013] The switching element may be connected to the plurality of radiation patterns, and may switch one of the plurality of radiation patterns to the communication chipset.

[0014] The UWB antenna module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: a flexible cable, which is disposed on a lower portion of the base substrate to have one side extending to the outside of the base substrate, and the flexible cable is connected to the communication chipset; and a connector, which is disposed in an area of ​​the entire area of ​​the flexible cable extending to the outside of the base substrate.

[0015] The communication chipset may be embedded in the base substrate, and may have one surface exposed to a lower surface of the base substrate.

[0016] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, a UWB antenna module may be disposed in a lateral direction of a portable terminal, thereby preventing a decrease in communication performance due to a metal substrate of the portable terminal while minimizing an installation space.

[0018] In addition, the UWB antenna module may form a UWB radiation pattern and a chipset on one base substrate, thereby minimizing a path for transmitting a signal to minimize a signal loss occurring during the signal transmission process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a portable terminal on which a UWB antenna module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is installed.

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view for explaining a UWB antenna module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 is a side view for explaining a UWB antenna module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figures 4 to 8 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining various shapes of radiation patterns according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Figures 9 to 14 Schematic diagrams for illustrating various layout structures of multiple radiation patterns according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the UWB antenna module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.16 is a perspective view for explaining a UWB antenna module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram for explaining a bottom side of a UWB antenna module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig.18 is a side view for explaining a UWB antenna module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The most preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to describe the present disclosure in detail so that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs can easily carry out the technical spirit of the present disclosure. First, when adding reference numerals to the components in each of the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that, if possible, the same components have the same reference numerals even if the same components are shown in different drawings. In addition, when describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of the relevant known structures or functions may obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, the detailed description of the relevant known structures or functions will be omitted.

[0029] Reference Figure 1, an ultra wide band (UWB) antenna module 100, 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in a portable terminal 10, and is provided in a lateral direction of the portable terminal 10. In other words, the UWB antenna module 100, 200 is provided in the portable terminal 10, and for example, according to the drawings, the UWB antenna module is provided adjacent to the right surface of the portable terminal 10. At this time, although FIG. 1 shows that the UWB antenna module 100, 200 is provided adjacent to the right surface of the portable terminal 10, the UWB antenna module is not limited thereto, and according to the drawings, the UWB antenna module may also be provided adjacent to the left surface of the portable terminal 10.

[0030] In general, according to the drawings, the user uses the portable terminal 10 in a state of holding the rear surface of the portable terminal 10 and the lower part of the side surface of the portable terminal. When the UWB antenna module 100, 200 is set to be tilted downward to the side surface of the portable terminal 10, signal loss occurs due to the user's body, thereby reducing the communication performance of the UWB antenna module 100, 200.

[0031] Therefore, the UWB antenna modules 100 and 200 are disposed on the side surface of the portable terminal 10 and are disposed to be tilted upward from the portable terminal 10. Here, for example, downward is the direction in which a microphone for voice calls is disposed, and upward is the direction in which a speaker for voice calls is disposed.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The UWB antenna module 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to include a base substrate 110 , a radiation pattern 120 , a switching element 130 , a communication chipset 140 , and a flexible cable 150 .

[0033] The base substrate 110 is formed of a planar substrate having a predetermined area. Since the UWB antenna module 100 is disposed on the side surface of the portable terminal 10, the base substrate 110 is formed of a planar substrate having a rectangular shape. At this time, the base substrate 110 is formed of a planar substrate such as a ceramic substrate or a FR4 substrate, for example.

[0034] The radiation pattern 120 is formed on the upper surface of the base substrate 110. The radiation pattern 120 is made of a metal material such as copper. At this time, since the UWB antenna module 100 uses an angle of arrival (AOA) positioning method to improve positioning accuracy, a plurality of radiation patterns 120 are configured.

[0035] The radiation pattern 120 is formed in a shape having a major axis and a minor axis. The radiation pattern 120 may be formed in various shapes according to the applied portable terminal 10, an installation area, etc.

[0036] Reference Figure 4 The radiation pattern 120 is formed in an elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis having different lengths. The radiation pattern 120 is formed in a frame shape in which a hole is formed.

[0037] Reference Figure 5 , the radiation pattern 120 may be formed in a deformed elliptical shape in which one side parallel to the long axis has a linear shape. In other words, the radiation pattern 120 may be formed such that the upper portion of the ellipse is formed linearly according to the drawings and parallel to the long axis. The radiation pattern 120 may be formed in an elliptical shape having a linear lower portion according to the drawings, and the lower portion may also be formed parallel to the long axis.

[0038] Reference Figure 6 , the radiation pattern 120 may also be formed in a shape combining a circular frame shape pattern and a linear shape pattern in which the lengths of the major axis and the minor axis are the same. In other words, the radiation pattern 120 is configured to include a circular frame pattern and a linear pattern, wherein the circular frame pattern may be disposed closer to the upper portion of the base substrate than the lower portion of the base substrate 110 according to the drawings, and one end of the linear pattern may be connected to the circular frame pattern, and the other end of the linear pattern may be formed to be located on the same line as the lower side of the base substrate.

[0039] Reference Figure 7 , the radiation pattern 120 may also be formed in a modified circular shape in which a portion of the circular frame-shaped pattern is a linear shape. In other words, the radiation pattern 120 may be formed such that the circular upper portion is formed in a linear shape according to the drawings and is parallel to the upper side of the base substrate 110. At this time, the linear pattern may be arranged to be perpendicular to the upper side (or lower side) of the base substrate 110.

[0040] Reference Figure 8 , the radiation pattern 120 may also be formed in a shape combining a polygonal pattern and a linear pattern, wherein the polygonal pattern has a plurality of sides and a plurality of vertices. In other words, according to the drawings, the radiation pattern is configured to include a pentagonal pattern and a linear pattern, wherein the pentagonal pattern may be disposed closer to the upper portion of the base substrate than the lower portion of the base substrate 110, and one end of the linear pattern may be connected to the pentagonal pattern, and the other end of the linear pattern may be formed to be located on the same line as the lower side of the base substrate.

[0041] The plurality of radiation patterns 120 are formed in the same shape, and the plurality of radiation patterns are arranged so that the axes face in different directions. In other words, the long axis of one radiation pattern 120 is arranged to face in a different direction from the long axis of another radiation pattern 120. The angle between the long axis of one radiation pattern 120 and one side of the base substrate is different from the angle between the long axis of another radiation pattern 120 and one side of the base substrate.

[0042] Reference Fig. 9 The UWB antenna module 100 may be configured to include: a first radiation pattern 122 and a second radiation pattern 124 to receive signals in the XY direction. At this time, the first radiation pattern 122 and the second radiation pattern 124 are formed to have different angles (different directions).

[0043] The first radiation pattern 122 and the second radiation pattern 124 are formed in an elliptical shape, wherein the first radiation pattern 122 is disposed such that the long axis LS1 is parallel to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, and the second radiation pattern 124 is disposed such that the long axis LS2 is perpendicular to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110. In this example, for example, the first side S1 is one of two long sides having a longer length among the four sides of the base substrate 110.

[0044] For another example, see Fig.10 The first radiation pattern 122 and the second radiation pattern 124 are formed into an elliptical shape, wherein the first radiation pattern 122 is arranged so that the long axis LS1 is parallel to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, and the second radiation pattern 124 is arranged so that the long axis LS2 is at an angle of approximately 45° to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110.

[0045] For yet another example, see Fig.11 The first radiation pattern 122 and the second radiation pattern 124 are formed into an elliptical shape, wherein the first radiation pattern 122 is arranged so that the long axis LS1 is parallel to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, and the second radiation pattern 124 is arranged so that the long axis LS2 is at an angle of approximately 135° to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110.

[0046] The UWB antenna module 100 may be configured to include: a first radiation pattern 122, a second radiation pattern 124, and a third radiation pattern 126 to receive signals in a 3D (XYZ) direction. At this time, the first radiation pattern 122, the second radiation pattern 124, and the third radiation pattern 126 are formed to have different angles (different directions).

[0047] For example, refer to Fig.12, the first radiation pattern 122, the second radiation pattern 124 and the third radiation pattern 126 are formed into an elliptical shape, wherein the first radiation pattern 122 is arranged so that the long axis LS1 is parallel to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, the second radiation pattern 124 is arranged so that the long axis LS2 is perpendicular to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, and the third radiation pattern 126 is arranged so that the long axis LS3 forms an angle of approximately 45° with the first side S1 of the base substrate 110.

[0048] For another example, see Fig.13 , the first radiation pattern 122 and the second radiation pattern 124 are formed into an elliptical shape, wherein the first radiation pattern 122 is arranged so that the long axis LS1 is parallel to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, the second radiation pattern 124 is arranged so that the long axis LS2 is perpendicular to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110, and the third radiation pattern 126 is arranged so that the long axis LS3 forms an angle of approximately 135° with the first side S1 of the base substrate 110.

[0049] At the same time, refer to Fig.14 , the UWB antenna module 100 may also be configured to include: a first radiation pattern 122, a second radiation pattern 124, a third radiation pattern 126, and a fourth radiation pattern 128. At this time, the first radiation pattern 122, the second radiation pattern 124, the third radiation pattern 126, and the fourth radiation pattern 128 are formed to have different angles (different directions). In other words, the first radiation pattern 122, the second radiation pattern 124, the third radiation pattern 126, and the fourth radiation pattern 128 are formed in an elliptical shape.

[0050] The first radiation pattern 122 is disposed such that the long axis LS1 is parallel to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110 .

[0051] The second radiation pattern 124 is arranged so that the long axis LS2 is perpendicular to the first side S1 of the base substrate 110. The third radiation pattern 126 is arranged so that the long axis LS3 forms an angle of about 45° with the first side S1 of the substrate 110. The fourth radiation pattern 128 is arranged so that the long axis LS4 forms an angle of about 135° with the first side S1 of the base substrate 110.

[0052] At the same time, although Figures 9 to 14 The installation direction of the radiation pattern based on the angle between the long axis of the elliptical shape and one side of the base substrate 110 is shown, but the installation direction is not limited to this, and the installation direction can also be classified according to the position where a specific part of the radiation pattern (for example, a linear pattern) is set.

[0053] Meanwhile, if the communication chipset 140 processes the UWB signal in a Time of Flight (RoF) method, the UWB antenna module 100 may be configured to include only one radiation pattern 120 .

[0054] The switching element 130 is disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate 110. The switching element 130 is connected to the plurality of radiation patterns 120 formed on the upper surface of the base substrate 110. At this time, the switching element 130 is connected to the plurality of radiation patterns 120 through a through hole (not shown) penetrating the base substrate 110. If the base substrate 110 is composed of a plurality of layers, the through hole may also be composed of a plurality of connection patterns (not shown) formed on the plurality of layers constituting the base substrate 110. Here, if one radiation pattern 120 is configured, the switching element 130 may also be omitted in the configuration.

[0055] The switching element 130 switches one of the plurality of radiation patterns 120 to the communication chipset 140. In other words, the plurality of radiation patterns 120 are connected to the switching element 130 through one or more through holes (not shown) or connection patterns (not shown) penetrating the base substrate 110, and the switching element 130 switches one of the plurality of radiation patterns 120 to the communication chipset 140. At this time, the switching element 130 may switch the plurality of radiation patterns 120 to the communication chipset 140 in sequence.

[0056] The communication chipset 140 is disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate 110. The communication chipset 140 is disposed to be spaced apart from the switching element 130 by a predetermined distance. The communication chipset 140 is connected to the switching element through a signal line formed on the base substrate 110. At this time, the communication chipset 140 is composed of a UWB communication element configured to process a UWB signal.

[0057] Reference Fig.15 , the switching element 130 and the communication chipset 140 may be disposed in the base substrate 110. The switching element 130 and the communication chipset 140 are disposed so that one surface is exposed from the inside of the base substrate 110 to the lower surface of the base substrate 110. At this time, the switching element 130 and the communication chipset 140 may also be configured to be accommodated in the base substrate 110 and electrically connected to the terminals formed on the lower surface of the base substrate 110.

[0058] The flexible cable 150 is disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate 110 to connect the communication chipset 140 and the circuit board of the portable terminal 10. In other words, the flexible cable 150 is formed of a planar flexible substrate. The flexible cable 150 is disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate 110 and is electrically connected to the communication chipset 140. The flexible cable 150 has one side extending to the outside of the base substrate 110.

[0059] The connector 152 is provided on one side of the flexible cable 150. At this time, the connector 152 is provided in a region of the flexible cable 150 extending to the outside of the base substrate 110, and is provided outside the base substrate 110. Here, for example, the flexible cable 150 is formed of a flexible printed circuit board on which a line for electrically connecting the communication chipset 140 and a circuit board of the mobile terminal 10 is formed.

[0060] At the same time, refer to Figures 16 to 18 The UWB antenna module 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may also be configured in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

[0061] To this end, the UWB antenna module 200 is configured to include a base substrate 210 , a plurality of radiation patterns 220 , a switching element 230 , and a communication chipset 240 .

[0062] The base substrate 210 is formed of a flexible substrate such as polyimide (PI), polyester (PET) or glass epoxy (GE). At this time, a connector 212 connected to a circuit board of the portable terminal 10 is formed on one side end of the base substrate 210.

[0063] A plurality of radiation patterns 220 are disposed on the upper surface of the base substrate 210. At this time, since the shape, number, layout structure, etc. of the radiation patterns 220 are the same as those of the radiation patterns 220 of the aforementioned first exemplary embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] The switching element 230 is disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate 210. The switching element 230 is connected to the plurality of radiation patterns 220 formed on the upper surface of the base substrate 210. At this time, the switching element 230 is connected to the plurality of radiation patterns 220 through a through hole penetrating the base substrate 210. Here, if one radiation pattern 220 is configured, the switching element 230 may also be omitted in the configuration.

[0065] The switching element 230 switches one of the plurality of radiation patterns 220 to the communication chipset 240. In other words, each of the plurality of radiation patterns 220 is connected to the switching element 230 through one or more through holes penetrating the base substrate 210. The switching element 230 switches one of the plurality of radiation patterns 220 to the communication chipset 240. At this time, the switching element 230 switches the plurality of radiation patterns 220 to the communication chipset 240 in sequence.

[0066] The communication chipset 240 is disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate 210. The communication chipset 240 is disposed to be spaced apart from the switching element 230 by a predetermined distance. The communication chipset 240 is connected to the switching element through a signal line formed on the base substrate 210. At this time, the communication chipset 240 is composed of a UWB communication chipset 240 configured to process a UWB signal.

[0067] Although preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be modified in various forms and those skilled in the art may perform various modified examples and changed examples without departing from the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A UWB antenna module, the UWB antenna module comprising: a planar base substrate; a plurality of radiation patterns disposed on an upper surface of the base substrate and disposed to be spaced apart from each other; a switching element disposed on a lower surface of the base substrate and connected to the plurality of radiation patterns; as well as a communication chipset, the communication chipset being disposed to be spaced apart from the switching element on the lower surface of the base substrate, and the communication chipset being configured to be connected to one of the plurality of radiation patterns through a switching operation of the switching element, Wherein, the plurality of radiation patterns include a first radiation pattern, a second radiation pattern, a third radiation pattern and a fourth radiation pattern; wherein the long axis of the first radiation pattern is parallel to the first side of the base substrate, the long axis of the second radiation pattern is perpendicular to the first side of the base substrate, the long axis of the third radiation pattern forms an angle of about 45° with the first side of the base substrate, and the long axis of the fourth radiation pattern forms an angle of about 135° with the first side of the base substrate; In which, each long axis of the multiple radiation patterns is arranged in different directions and at different angles to each other, and the angle between the long axis of one radiation pattern and the first side of the base substrate is different from the angle between the long axis of another radiation pattern and the first side of the base substrate.

2. The UWB antenna module according to claim 1, The UWB antenna module also includes: A connector is provided on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the base substrate and is connected to the communication chipset.

3. The UWB antenna module according to claim 1, in, The plurality of radiation patterns are formed in an elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

4. The UWB antenna module according to claim 1, in, The switching element is connected to the plurality of radiation patterns, and the switching element switches one of the plurality of radiation patterns to the communication chipset.

5. The UWB antenna module according to claim 1, The UWB antenna module also includes: A flexible cable is provided on a lower portion of the base substrate to have one side extending to the outside of the base substrate and is connected to the communication chipset.

6. The UWB antenna module according to claim 5, The UWB antenna module also includes: A connector is provided in an area extending to the outside of the base substrate over the entire area of ​​the flexible cable.

7. The UWB antenna module according to claim 1, in, The communication chipset is embedded in the base substrate and has one surface exposed to the lower surface of the base substrate.

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