Millimeter wave antenna systems and terminal equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a millimeter wave antenna system and terminal equipment, belonging to the field of mobile communications, the system comprising: a plurality of heat dissipation elements and a millimeter wave antenna array; a plurality of heat dissipation elements are distributed at intervals; at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation elements has a millimeter wave antenna array, or at least one heat dissipation element has a millimeter wave antenna array at a part of its position; the millimeter wave antenna array is used to receive an oscillation signal and convert the oscillation signal into an electromagnetic wave and then radiate the electromagnetic wave outward. The antenna system provided by the embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, achieves the purpose of heat dissipation through the heat dissipation element, and on the other hand, setting the millimeter wave antenna array on the heat dissipation element does not affect the available space of the millimeter wave antenna array, thereby improving the performance of the millimeter wave array in the millimeter wave antenna system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of mobile communications, and in particular relates to a millimeter wave antenna system and terminal equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the development of mobile communication technology, mobile phones, PADs, laptops, etc. have gradually become indispensable electronic products in life, and most of these electronic products use millimeter wave antenna systems for communication. During the use of millimeter wave antenna systems, the components inside the electronic products will generate heat. The heat accumulates inside and cannot be dissipated, which will affect the service life of the electronic products and is not conducive to the use of millimeter wave antenna systems. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a millimeter wave antenna system to meet the above needs.

[0003] The millimeter wave antenna system provided by the related technology includes an antenna base plate, millimeter wave antenna radiating elements distributed in an array on the antenna base plate, a main antenna feeding unit and a heat dissipation device, and the antenna radiating elements and the main antenna feeding unit are distributed at intervals.

[0004] The inventors found that the related technology has at least the following technical problems:

[0005] The introduction of the heat dissipation device reduces the available space of the millimeter wave antenna array in the millimeter wave antenna system, thereby reducing the performance of the millimeter wave antenna array in the millimeter wave antenna system. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of one or more of the above problems, the present invention provides a millimeter wave antenna system and a terminal device.

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides a millimeter wave antenna system, the system comprising: a plurality of heat dissipation elements and a millimeter wave antenna array;

[0008] Multiple heat dissipation components are distributed at intervals;

[0009] At least one of the plurality of heat dissipation elements has a millimeter wave antenna array, or at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation elements has a millimeter wave antenna array at a portion of its position;

[0010] The millimeter wave antenna array is used to receive the oscillation signal and convert the oscillation signal into electromagnetic waves and then radiate the electromagnetic waves outward.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the millimeter wave antenna array includes a signal receiving unit and a radiation unit connected to each other, and both the signal receiving unit and the radiation unit are located on a heat dissipation element.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal receiving unit includes a plurality of power division and phase shifting nodes, and the plurality of power division and phase shifting nodes are connected to the radiation unit.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal receiving unit further includes a feeder line connected to the plurality of power division and phase shifting nodes.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the radiation unit includes at least two antenna elements, and the at least two antenna elements are connected to the heat dissipation element.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the millimeter wave antenna system further includes a connecting base plate, which connects the millimeter wave antenna array to the heat dissipation element.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the radiation unit further includes a plurality of connection contacts, and the antenna element is connected to the connection base plate via the connection contacts.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna element includes a radiation unit and a support member connected to each other, and the support member is connected to a connection base plate.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the millimeter wave antenna system further includes a power division phase shift connection point, and the power division phase shift connection point connects a plurality of power division phase shift nodes.

[0019] On the other hand, the present application provides a terminal device, which includes any of the above-mentioned millimeter wave antenna systems.

[0020] The millimeter wave antenna system provided by the embodiment of the present invention receives an oscillating current through a millimeter wave antenna array, and converts the oscillating current into electromagnetic waves, which are radiated to the surrounding space in the form of electromagnetic waves to complete the communication function of the application terminal connected to the millimeter wave antenna system; the heat generated by the internal components of the application terminal is dissipated through the heat dissipation element. The antenna system provided by the embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, achieves the purpose of heat dissipation through the heat dissipation element, and on the other hand, setting the millimeter wave antenna array on the heat dissipation element does not affect the available space of the millimeter wave antenna array, thereby improving the performance of the millimeter wave array in the millimeter wave antenna system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention can be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar features.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a millimeter wave antenna system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a millimeter wave antenna system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the antenna element structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Reference numerals:

[0027] 1-heat dissipation element, 2-millimeter wave antenna array, 21-signal receiving unit, 211-power division and phase shifting node, 212-feeding line, 221-antenna vibrator, 2211-radiation monomer, 2212-support, 22-radiation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the detailed description below, many specific details are proposed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented without the need for some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is only to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the present invention. The present invention is by no means limited to any specific configuration and algorithm proposed below, but covers any modification, replacement and improvement of elements, parts and algorithms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings and the following description, known structures and technologies are not shown to avoid unnecessary ambiguity to the present invention.

[0029] With the development of mobile communication technology, mobile phones, PADs, laptops, etc. have gradually become indispensable electronic products in life, and most of these electronic products use millimeter wave antenna systems for communication. During the use of millimeter wave antenna systems, components inside electronic products will generate heat, and the heat will accumulate inside and cannot be dissipated, which will affect the service life of electronic products and is not conducive to the use of millimeter wave antenna systems. The embodiment of the present invention provides a millimeter wave antenna system to solve the above technical problems.

[0030] In one aspect, a millimeter wave antenna system is provided, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes: a plurality of heat dissipation elements 1 and a millimeter wave antenna array 2;

[0031] A plurality of heat dissipation elements 1 are distributed at intervals;

[0032] At least one of the plurality of heat dissipation elements 1 has a millimeter wave antenna array 2, or at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation elements 1 has a millimeter wave antenna array 2 at a portion of the position;

[0033] The millimeter wave antenna array 2 is used to receive the oscillation signal and convert the oscillation signal into electromagnetic waves and then radiate the electromagnetic waves outward.

[0034] The millimeter wave antenna system provided by the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0035] The millimeter wave antenna system provided in the embodiment of the present invention receives an oscillating current through the millimeter wave antenna array 2, and converts the oscillating current into electromagnetic waves, which are radiated to the surrounding space in the form of electromagnetic waves to complete the communication function of the application terminal connected to the millimeter wave antenna system; the heat generated by the internal components of the application terminal is dissipated through the heat dissipation element 1. The antenna system provided in the embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, achieves the purpose of heat dissipation through the heat dissipation element 1, and on the other hand, setting the millimeter wave antenna array 2 on the heat dissipation element 1 does not affect the available space of the millimeter wave antenna array 2, thereby improving the performance of the millimeter wave array in the millimeter wave antenna system.

[0036] The millimeter wave system provided by the embodiment of the present invention is further described below through optional embodiments.

[0037] It should be noted that millimeter wave is an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength of 1 to 10 mm. It is located in the wavelength range where microwaves and far-infrared waves overlap, and thus has the characteristics of both spectra. Millimeter wave antennas can be used to radiate electromagnetic waves.

[0038] The heat dissipation element 1 may be a heat sink in a terminal. It is understandable that a plurality of heat sinks are arranged side by side and spaced apart to form a heat dissipation device of the terminal, and the millimeter wave antenna array 2 provided in the embodiment of the present invention may be located on the heat sink. Due to the different performance of the terminal equipment used, the material of the heat sink is different, and the heat dissipation performance may also be different. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention may be provided with the millimeter wave antenna array 2 on at least one of the plurality of heat sinks, or may be provided with the millimeter wave antenna array 2 at a part of a heat sink. In this way, the use range and utilization rate of the antenna system are expanded. Among them, at least one of the plurality of heat sinks may be selected as a parallel heat sink, or an adjacent heat sink, or an interval heat sink, etc. As an example, a plurality of heat sinks may be selected from a plurality of heat sinks to be provided with the millimeter wave antenna array 2 alternately at intervals, which may improve the heat dissipation efficiency and does not occupy the space of the antenna. It may also be determined whether to provide the millimeter wave antenna array 2 on a part or the entire heat dissipation element 1 according to the energy consumption or functional use of the terminal equipment to which the antenna system is applied. As an example, the millimeter wave antenna array 2 may be distributed on the heat sink in a straight line.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, see Figure 2 The millimeter wave antenna array 2 includes a signal receiving unit 21 and a radiation unit 22 connected to each other, and both the signal receiving unit 21 and the radiation unit 22 are located on the heat dissipation element 1.

[0040] The millimeter wave antenna system can receive high-intensity oscillating current, convert the oscillating current into electromagnetic waves, and radiate the electromagnetic waves from the surroundings to achieve the purpose of transmitting signal communication. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention receives the oscillating current signal through the signal receiving unit 21, and transmits the oscillating current signal to the radiation unit 22, converts the oscillating current signal into electromagnetic waves through the radiation unit 22, and radiates it to the surroundings through the radiation unit 22 to complete the communication of the terminal device. The signal receiving unit 21 and the radiation unit 22 are connected by telecommunication or wireless communication, and the signal receiving unit 21 and the radiation unit 22 are both connected to the heat dissipation element 1.

[0041] In an optional implementation, the signal receiving unit 21 includes a plurality of power division and phase shift nodes 211 , and the plurality of power division and phase shift nodes 211 are connected to the antenna element 221 .

[0042] Power division phase shifting refers to dividing the energy of one input signal into two or more outputs of equal or unequal energy. The power division phase shifting function can be realized by a power divider. In the embodiment of the present invention, by setting a power division phase shifting node 211, the signal received by the signal receiving unit 21 can be divided into two or more energy paths, and multi-path transmission is performed to improve the efficiency of signal transmission. As an example, the number of power division phase shifting nodes 211 can be determined according to the capacity of the signal to be transmitted. For example, when the capacity of the transmitted signal is large, the number of power division phase shifting nodes 211 can be multiple to ensure the normal transmission of the signal. When the capacity of the transmitted signal is small, the number of power division phase shifting nodes 211 can be small to reduce the system manufacturing cost. By connecting the power division phase shifting node 211 to the power divider, the phase shifting of the signal can be realized. The power division phase shifting node 211 and the power divider can be electrically connected.

[0043] In an optional implementation, the signal receiving unit 21 further includes a feeder line 212, and the feeder line 212 is connected to a plurality of power division and phase shift connection points.

[0044] The current signal is transmitted to the system through the feeder 212. As an example, the feeder 212 provided in the embodiment of the present invention may be a coaxial feeder 212. It should be noted that the coaxial line is a guide system composed of two coaxial cylindrical conductors, and a wide-band microwave transmission line filled with air or high-frequency medium between the inner and outer conductors. The coaxial feeder 212 is used, and its feeding point can be selected at any position in the patch, and the influence on the antenna radiation is avoided; and the coaxial feeder 212 has low cable loss and strong anti-interference performance.

[0045] In an optional implementation, the radiation unit 22 includes at least two antenna elements 221 , and the at least two antenna elements 221 are connected to the heat dissipation element 1 .

[0046] The antenna element 221 is the most basic unit of the antenna. When an alternating current flows on the conductor, the antenna element 221 can radiate electromagnetic waves. That is to say, the oscillating current signal is received by the signal receiving unit 21 and then radiated outward through the antenna element 221 after power division and phase shifting. It should be noted that the radiating unit 22 needs to receive and convert the oscillating current signal received by the signal receiving unit 21, and the signal receiving unit 21 has at least two signals after power division and phase shifting. Therefore, at least two antenna elements 221 are required to be connected to the signal port to complete the signal reception. The number of radiating units 22 can be determined by the number of signals after power division and phase shifting. Figure 2 As shown, the embodiment of the present invention provides an example, that is, there are four power division phase shift nodes 211, and four antenna vibrators 221 are required to receive the current signal. As an example, there may also be two power division phase shift nodes 211, and two antenna vibrators 221 are required. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this number of antenna vibrators 221.

[0047] In an optional implementation, the millimeter wave antenna system further includes a connecting base plate 3 , and the connecting base plate 3 connects the millimeter wave antenna array 2 to the heat dissipation element 1 .

[0048] The bottom end of the connecting base plate 3 is connected to the heat dissipation element 1, and the millimeter wave antenna system is fixed to the heat dissipation element 1 through the connecting base plate 3. The bottom end of the connecting base plate 3 is connected to the heat dissipation element 1, and one side of the connecting base plate 3 is connected to the radiation unit 22, and the other side is connected to the signal receiving unit 21. Further, one side of the connecting base plate 3 is connected to the antenna vibrator 221, and the other side is provided with a power division phase shift node 211, and the power division phase shift node 211 is connected to the feeder 212. It should be noted that by setting the connecting base plate 3, electromagnetic waves can be reflected, that is, the feeder 212 receives an oscillating current signal, and the oscillating current signal is reflected to the antenna vibrator 221 on the other side of the connecting base plate through the connecting base plate 3 after being divided by the power division phase shift, and the electromagnetic wave signal is further radiated through the antenna vibrator 221. As an example, the material of the connecting base plate 3 can be copper. The length of the connecting base plate 3 can be determined according to the number of signal paths that require power division phase shifting. When the number of signal paths that require power division phase shifting is large, a longer connecting base plate 3 is required. When too many signals are not needed, too many antenna elements 221 are not needed, that is, the length of the connection base plate 3 can be shorter, thus saving costs while achieving the purpose of reflecting electromagnetic waves.

[0049] It should be noted that the heat dissipation element 1 provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of heat sinks and a heat dissipation base plate, and the plurality of heat sinks are arranged on the heat dissipation base plate at intervals. Therefore, the bottom end of the connecting base plate 3 provided in the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the heat dissipation base plate. When it is necessary to set a millimeter wave antenna array 2 at a certain heat sink position, the heat sink at that position is omitted and replaced with the millimeter wave antenna array 2.

[0050] In an optional implementation, the radiation unit 22 further includes a plurality of connection contacts, and the antenna element 221 is connected to the connection base plate 3 via the connection contacts.

[0051] Each antenna vibrator 221 has a plurality of connection contacts, and the antenna vibrator 221 is connected to the connection base plate 3 through the connection contacts. Furthermore, the connection base plate 3 has a connection hole adapted to the connection contact, and the connection base plate 3 is connected to the antenna array through the connection hole and the connection contact. The number of connection contacts can be determined according to the length of the connection base plate 3. For example, when the length of the connection base plate 3 is longer, the number of connection contacts can be more to ensure the connection stability between the connection floor and the heat dissipation base plate. It should be noted that the antenna vibrator 221 provided in the embodiment of the present invention has the connection contact, and the antenna vibrator 221 is connected to the power division phase shift node 211 through the connection contact.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, see Figure 3 The antenna element 221 includes a radiation unit 2211 and a support member 2212 connected to each other, and the support member 2212 is connected to the connection base plate 3 .

[0053] The shape of the radiation monomer 2211 can be as follows Figure 3 The rhombus-shaped radiation monomer 2211 shown may also be in the positive direction, in a triangle or in a rectangle. The radiation monomer 2211 adopts a millimeter-wave radiation monomer 2211, which has a relatively high radiation bandwidth. The support member 2212 may be made of metal, and the support member 2212 may be a rectangular support rod. The embodiment of the present invention can control the impedance of the antenna vibrator 221 by controlling the setting of the metal support member 2212, so that the frequency band radiated by the millimeter-wave antenna system presents a high-impedance state at the bottom of the antenna vibrator 221. The radiation monomer 2211 and the support member 2212 may be fixedly connected, and for example, may be welded or stamped into one piece to reduce the impedance of the support member 2212.

[0054] In an optional implementation, the millimeter wave antenna system further includes a power division phase shift connection point, and the power division phase shift connection point connects multiple power division phase shift nodes 211 .

[0055] It is understandable that when the feeder 212 transmits the current signal to the power division phase shift node 211, it is necessary to ensure that multiple power division phase shift nodes 211 are connected when the current signal is branched through the power division phase shift node 211 to ensure stable output of the signal. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention connects multiple power division phase shift nodes 211 by setting multiple power division phase shift connection points.

[0056] On the other hand, a terminal device is provided, which includes any of the above-mentioned millimeter wave antenna systems.

[0057] The terminal device provided in the embodiment of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned millimeter wave antenna system, receives the oscillating current through the millimeter wave antenna array 2, and converts the oscillating current into electromagnetic waves, radiates to the surrounding space in the form of electromagnetic waves, and completes the communication function of the application terminal connected to the millimeter wave antenna system; the heat generated by the internal components of the application terminal is dissipated through the heat dissipation element 1. The antenna system provided in the embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, achieves the purpose of heat dissipation through the heat dissipation element 1, and on the other hand, setting the millimeter wave antenna array 2 on the heat dissipation element 1 will not affect the available space of the millimeter wave antenna array 2, thereby improving the performance of the millimeter wave array in the millimeter wave antenna system.

[0058] It should be noted that the terminal device provided in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to mobile phones, computers, iPads, tablet computers, etc.

[0059] However, it should be clear that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, a detailed description of known methods and technologies is omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown, and those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications and additions, or change the order between the steps after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0060] The functional blocks shown in the above-described block diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, it can be, for example, an electronic circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), appropriate firmware, a plug-in, a function card, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of the present invention are programs or code segments that are used to perform the required tasks. The program or code segment can be stored in a machine-readable medium, or transmitted on a transmission medium or a communication link by a data signal carried in a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, optical fiber media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. The code segment can be downloaded via a computer network such as the Internet, an intranet, etc.

[0061] The present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit and essential features. For example, the algorithms described in the specific embodiments can be modified, and the system architecture does not depart from the basic spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the current embodiments are regarded as exemplary and non-restrictive in all aspects, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description, and all changes falling within the meaning and equivalent scope of the claims are thus included in the scope of the present invention.

[0062] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are exemplary rather than restrictive. Different technical features appearing in different embodiments can be combined to achieve beneficial effects. Based on the study of the drawings, the specification and the claims, those skilled in the art should be able to understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other devices or steps; the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plurality; the terms "first" and "second" are used to indicate names rather than to indicate any specific order. Any figure marks in the claims should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection. The functions of multiple parts appearing in the claims can be implemented by a single hardware or software module. The appearance of certain technical features in different dependent claims does not mean that these technical features cannot be combined to achieve beneficial effects.

Claims

1. A millimeter wave antenna system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a plurality of heat dissipation elements (1) and a millimeter wave antenna array (2); The plurality of heat dissipation elements (1) are distributed at intervals; The millimeter wave antenna array (2) is provided on at least one heat dissipation element (1) among the plurality of heat dissipation elements (1), or the millimeter wave antenna array (2) is provided on a portion of the at least one heat dissipation element (1); The heat dissipation element (1) comprises a plurality of heat dissipation fins and a heat dissipation base plate, the plurality of heat dissipation fins being arranged on the heat dissipation base plate at intervals, and the heat dissipation fins and the millimeter wave antenna array (2) being arranged selectively at positions where the heat dissipation fins are arranged; The millimeter wave antenna array (2) is used to receive an oscillation signal and convert the oscillation signal into an electromagnetic wave and then radiate the electromagnetic wave outwardly.

2. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The millimeter wave antenna array (2) comprises a signal receiving unit (21) and a radiation unit which are connected to each other, and the signal receiving unit (21) and the radiation unit are both located on the heat dissipation element (1).

3. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal receiving unit (21) comprises a plurality of power division phase shifting nodes (211), and the plurality of power division phase shifting nodes (211) are connected to the radiation unit.

4. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The signal receiving unit (21) further comprises a feeder line (212), wherein the feeder line (212) is connected to the plurality of power division and phase shifting nodes (211).

5. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The radiation unit comprises at least two antenna elements (221), and the at least two antenna elements (221) are connected to the heat dissipation element (1).

6. The millimeter wave antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The millimeter wave antenna system also includes a connecting base plate, wherein the connecting base plate connects the millimeter wave antenna array (2) to the heat dissipation element (1).

7. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The millimeter wave antenna array comprises a radiation unit, the radiation unit comprises at least two antenna elements (221), the radiation unit further comprises a plurality of connection contacts, and the antenna elements (221) are connected to the connection base plate via the connection contacts.

8. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The antenna element (221) comprises a radiation monomer (2211) and a support member (2212) connected to each other, and the support member (2212) is connected to the connection base plate.

9. The millimeter wave antenna system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The millimeter wave antenna system also includes a power division phase shift connection point, wherein the power division phase shift connection point connects a plurality of power division phase shift nodes (211).

10. A terminal device, characterized in that: The terminal comprises the millimeter wave antenna system described in any one of claims 1-9.

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