Antenna structure and image display device

Abstract

An antenna structure and an image display apparatus are provided. The antenna structure includes a dielectric layer and an antenna conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the dielectric layer. The antenna conductive layer includes a radiator, first and second transmission lines connected to the radiator and extending in different directions, an upper parasitic element adjacent to an upper portion of the radiator in a plan view, and a lower parasitic element adjacent to a lower portion of the radiator, the first transmission line, and the second transmission line in the plan view.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0020584, filed on February 16, 2020, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to an antenna structure and an image display device. More particularly, this invention relates to an antenna structure comprising an antenna conductive layer and a dielectric layer, and an image display device comprising the antenna structure. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of information technology, wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are being combined with image display devices such as smartphones. In this case, antennas can be integrated with the display device to provide communication functions.

[0005] With the recent development of mobile communication technology, for example, antennas used to perform high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency communication can be coupled to image display devices.

[0006] For example, since image display devices include various functional components, an extended frequency coverage range is required for antennas used to transmit / receive various signals. Furthermore, having multiple polarizations for the antenna can improve radiation efficiency and further increase antenna coverage.

[0007] However, as the antenna's driving frequency increases, signal loss may also increase. As the signal transmission path increases, antenna gain may decrease. Furthermore, as mentioned above, as the antenna's radiation coverage increases, radiation density or antenna gain may decrease, thereby reducing radiation efficiency / reliability.

[0008] Furthermore, constructing an antenna with multipolarization and broadband characteristics that provides high gain within the limited space of an image display device may not be easy to achieve.

[0009] For example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2019-0009232 discloses an antenna module integrated into a display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, an antenna structure with improved radiation characteristics and space efficiency is provided.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image display device is provided, comprising an antenna structure having improved radiation characteristics and space efficiency.

[0012] (1) An antenna structure comprising: a dielectric layer; and an antenna conductive layer disposed on the top surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the antenna conductive layer comprises: a radiator; a first transmission line and a second transmission line extending in different directions and connected to the radiator; an upper parasitic element adjacent to the upper part of the radiator in a plan view; and a lower parasitic element adjacent to the lower part of the radiator, the first transmission line and the second transmission line in a plan view.

[0013] (2) According to the antenna structure of (1) above, the radiator has a convex portion and a concave portion, and the first transmission line and the second transmission line are connected to different concave portions in the concave portion.

[0014] (3) According to the antenna structure of (2) above, the first transmission line includes a first feed portion and a first bent portion extending from the first feed portion and connected to the radiator, and the second transmission line includes a second feed portion and a second bent portion extending from the second feed portion and connected to the radiator.

[0015] (4) According to the antenna structure of (3) above, the angle between the first bent part and the second bent part is 90°.

[0016] (5) According to the antenna structure of (3) above, the first feed part and the second feed part are used as antenna ports for which feed signals of different phases are applied.

[0017] (6) According to the antenna structure of (5) above, the phase difference between the feed signal applied to the first feed section and the feed signal applied to the second feed section is 160° to 200°.

[0018] (7) According to the antenna structure of (1) above, the upper parasitic element includes a first upper parasitic element and a second upper parasitic element that are separated from each other.

[0019] (8) According to the antenna structure of (7) above, the radiator has a convex portion and a concave portion, and the first upper parasitic element and the second upper parasitic element are arranged to be adjacent to different concave portions in the concave portion.

[0020] (9) According to the antenna structure of (8) above, the first upper parasitic element and the second upper parasitic element are opposite each other when a convex portion located at the upper part of the radiator is inserted between them.

[0021] (10) According to the antenna structure of (1) above, the lower parasitic element includes a first lateral parasitic element adjacent to the first transmission line and a second lateral parasitic element adjacent to the second transmission line.

[0022] (11) According to the antenna structure of (10) above, the lower parasitic element further includes a central parasitic element disposed between the first transmission line and the second transmission line, and the first lateral parasitic element and the central parasitic element are separated by the first transmission line inserted between them, and the second lateral parasitic element and the central parasitic element are separated by the second transmission line inserted between them.

[0023] (12) According to the antenna structure of (11) above, the first lateral parasitic element includes: a first parasite opposite to the central parasitic element when the first transmission line is inserted in the middle; a first parasitic extension protruding from the first parasitic element; and a first parasitic bend extending from the first parasitic extension toward the radiator, wherein the second lateral parasitic element includes: a second parasitic element opposite to the central parasitic element when the second transmission line is inserted in the middle; a second parasitic extension protruding from the second parasitic element; and a second parasitic bend extending from the second parasitic extension toward the radiator.

[0024] (13) According to the antenna structure of (12) above, the radiator has a mesh structure, and the central parasitic element, the first parasitic body and the second parasitic body have solid structures.

[0025] (14) According to the antenna structure of (13) above, the portion of the first transmission line located between the central parasitic element and the first parasite has a solid structure, and the remaining portion of the first transmission line has a mesh structure; and the portion of the second transmission line located between the central parasitic element and the second parasite has a solid structure, and the remaining portion of the second transmission line has a mesh structure.

[0026] (15) According to the antenna structure of (12) above, the radiator has a mesh structure, and each of the central parasitic element, the first parasitic body and the second parasitic body includes a mesh portion and a solid portion.

[0027] (16) According to the antenna structure of (1) above, the radiator has a clover shape or a cross shape.

[0028] (17) According to the antenna structure of (1) above, the radiator, the first transmission line, the second transmission line, the upper parasitic element and the lower parasitic element are all disposed at the same level on the top surface of the dielectric layer.

[0029] (18) An image display device, comprising: a display panel; and an antenna structure disposed on the display panel according to (1) above.

[0030] (19) The image display device according to (18) above further includes: an intermediate circuit board including feed lines electrically connected to a first transmission line and a second transmission line of an antenna structure; a chip mounting plate disposed below the display panel; and an antenna driver integrated circuit chip mounted on the chip mounting plate for applying a feed signal to the feed lines included in the intermediate circuit board.

[0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, the antenna structure may include a radiator having multiple convex and concave portions, and may include multiple transmission lines connected to the radiator in different directions. Coverage of multiple polarization directions and multiple frequency bands can be provided substantially by a combination of radiators and transmission lines.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, this antenna structure can achieve two, three, or more resonant frequencies. For example, this antenna structure can be used to implement a tri-band antenna.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, parasitic elements can be disposed around the radiator and transmission line. For example, the parasitic elements may include a lower parasitic element disposed around the transmission line and an upper parasitic element adjacent to the upper part of the radiator. The parasitic elements can facilitate the formation of multiple resonant frequencies, thereby enabling a substantially effective tri-band antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0035] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna package and image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged schematic top plan view used to describe an antenna package according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a schematic top plan view used to describe an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] Figures 9 to 11 This is a graph showing the radiation characteristics of the antenna structure according to the embodiments and comparative examples. Detailed Implementation

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an antenna structure is provided that includes a combination of radiators and parasitic elements to provide multi-frequency and polarization characteristics.

[0042] The antenna structure can be, for example, a microstrip patch antenna made in the form of a transparent thin film. This antenna structure can be applied to communication devices operating in high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency bands corresponding to mobile communications such as 3G, 4G, 5G, or higher.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an image display device including the antenna structure is also provided. The application of the antenna structure is not limited to image display devices, and the antenna structure can be applied to various objects or structures, such as vehicles, household appliances, buildings, etc.

[0044] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments described with reference to the drawings are provided to further understand the spirit of the invention and are not intended to limit the subject matter disclosed in the detailed description and the appended claims.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In this diagram, two directions parallel to the top surface of the dielectric layer 105 and perpendicular to each other are defined as the first direction and the second direction. For example, the first direction may correspond to the length direction of the antenna structure, and the second direction may correspond to the width direction of the antenna structure. The definitions of the first and second directions are equally applicable to all figures.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 The antenna device 100 may include an antenna conductive layer 110 formed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer 105 (see Figure 6 ).

[0048] The dielectric layer 105 may include, for example, a transparent resin material. For instance, the dielectric layer 105 may include polyester resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; cellulose resins, such as diacetylcellulose and triacetylcellulose; polycarbonate resins; acrylic resins, such as poly(meth)acrylate and poly(meth)acrylate; styrene resins, such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers; polyolefin resins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cycloolefins, or polyolefins having a norbornene structure and ethylene-propylene copolymers; vinyl chloride resins; amide resins, such as nylon and aromatic polyamides; imide resins; polyethersulfone resins; sulfone resins; polyetheretherketone resins; polyphenylene sulfide resins; vinyl alcohol resins; vinylidene chloride resins; vinyl butyral resins; allyl compounds; polyoxymethylene resins; epoxy resins; polyurethane or acrylic polyurethane resins; silicone resins, etc. They can be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0049] In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 105 may include an adhesive film such as optically transparent adhesive (OCA) or optically transparent resin (OCR).

[0050] In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 105 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, glass, etc.

[0051] In one embodiment, dielectric layer 105 may be configured as a substantially single layer. In another embodiment, dielectric layer 105 may comprise a multilayer structure of at least two or more layers.

[0052] The dielectric layer 105 can be used to connect the antenna conductive layer 110 and the ground layer 90 (see...) Figure 6 Capacitors or inductors are formed between the dielectric layers, thereby allowing adjustment of the frequency band used to operate or drive the antenna structure. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 105 can be adjusted to the range of approximately 1.5 to 12. If the dielectric constant exceeds approximately 12, the driving frequency may be excessively reduced, potentially preventing the desired high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency driving from being achieved.

[0053] The antenna conductive layer 110 may include a radiator 120, a transmission line, and parasitic elements.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the radiator 120 or the boundary of the radiator 120 may include a plurality of convex portions 122 and concave portions 124. The convex portions 122 and concave portions 124 may have arcuate shapes.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the convex portion 122 and the concave portion 124 may be alternately and repeatedly arranged along the contour of the radiator 122 in a plan view.

[0056] In some embodiments, the radiator 120 may include four convex portions 122 and may include four concave portions 124.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the radiator 120 can have an arc-shaped cross. For example, the radiator 120 can have a roughly four-leaf clover shape.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, multiple transmission lines may be connected to a radiator 120. In some embodiments, a first transmission line 130 and a second transmission line 135 may be connected to the radiator 120. For example, the transmission lines may be configured as a single component substantially integrated with the radiator 120.

[0059] The first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135 can be symmetrical to each other. For example, the first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135 can be configured to be symmetrical to each other with respect to the center line of the radiator 120 in a first direction.

[0060] Each transmission line may include a power supply section and a bend section. The first transmission line 130 may include a first power supply section 132 and a first bend section 134, and the second transmission line 135 may include a second power supply section 131 and a second bend section 133.

[0061] The first power supply section 132 and the second power supply section 131 can each interact with a circuit board included in a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) (see...). Figure 7 The feeder wires are electrically connected in the circuit. In some embodiments, the first feeder portion 132 and the second feeder portion 131 may extend in a first direction. The first feeder portion 132 and the second feeder portion 131 may be substantially parallel to each other.

[0062] The first bending portion 134 and the second bending portion 133 can be bent in the direction from the first feed portion 132 and the second feed portion 131 to the radiator 120, respectively, and can be directly connected to or in contact with the radiator 120.

[0063] The first bend 134 and the second bend 133 may extend in different directions relative to each other, thereby connecting to the radiator 122. In some embodiments, the angle between the extending directions of the first bend 134 and the second bend 133 may be substantially approximately 90°.

[0064] For example, the first bent portion 134 may be tilted 45° clockwise relative to the first direction. The second bent portion 133 may be tilted 45° counterclockwise relative to the first direction.

[0065] Based on the construction and arrangement of the bent portions 133 and 134 as described above, feeding can be performed in two directions substantially orthogonal to the radiator 120 via the first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135. Therefore, dual-polarization characteristics can be achieved with a single radiator 120.

[0066] For example, vertical and horizontal radiation characteristics can be achieved through radiator 120.

[0067] In some embodiments, the bent portions 133 and 134 may be connected to the concave portion 124 of the radiator 120. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the first bent portion 134 and the second bent portion 133 can each be connected to different concave portions 124.

[0068] In one embodiment, the first bend 134 and the second bend 133 may be connected to the lower concave portion of one of the four concave portions 124 relative to the centerline of the radiator 122 in the second direction. As used herein, the term "lower portion" may refer to the portion or region adjacent to the feed portions 131 and 132 in a plan view relative to the centerline extending in the second direction of the radiator 122.

[0069] Antenna structure 100 according to an exemplary embodiment may include parasitic elements that are physically separate from radiator 120 and transmission lines 130 and 135.

[0070] Parasitic elements may include lower parasitic elements 140, 141 and 142 adjacent to the transmission line and upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 adjacent to the radiator 120.

[0071] The lower parasitic elements 140, 141, and 142 may be located below the centerline of the radiator 122 extending in the second direction and disposed around the transmission lines 130 and 135. The lower parasitic elements 140, 141, and 142 may include a central parasitic element 140, a first lateral parasitic element 142, and a second lateral parasitic element 141. In some embodiments, the central parasitic element 140 may be omitted.

[0072] The central parasitic element 140 may be disposed between the first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135. In one embodiment, the central parasitic element 140 may be disposed between the first power supply section 132 and the second power supply section 131.

[0073] The first lateral parasitic element 142 and the second lateral parasitic element 141 may be adjacent to the two sides of the central parasitic element 140. The first lateral parasitic element 142 may include a first parasite 144, a first parasitic extension 146, and a first parasitic bend 148. The second lateral parasitic element 141 may include a second parasite 143, a second parasitic extension 145, and a second parasitic bend 147.

[0074] The first parasite 144 can be opposite the central parasitic element 140 with the first transmission line 130 inserted in the middle. The second parasite 143 can be opposite the central parasitic element 140 with the second transmission line 135 inserted in the middle.

[0075] The first parasitic extension 146 and the second parasitic extension 145 may protrude from the first parasite 144 and the second parasite 143, respectively. The first parasitic extension 146 and the second parasitic extension 145 may extend in a first direction.

[0076] The first parasitic bend 148 and the second parasitic bend 147 may extend toward the radiator 120 from the ends of the first parasitic extension 146 and the second parasitic extension 145, respectively. In one embodiment, the first parasitic bend 148 and the second parasitic bend 147 may be substantially parallel to the first bend 134 and the second bend 133, respectively.

[0077] The upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 may be arranged around the upper portion of the radiator 120 relative to the centerline of the radiator in the second direction. As used herein, the term "upper portion" may refer to a portion or region that is away from or opposite to the feed portions 131 and 132 in a plan view relative to the centerline of the radiator 120 extending in the second direction.

[0078] The upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 may be adjacent to the radiator 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 may be adjacent to the concave portion 124 included in the upper part of the radiator 120.

[0079] For example, the upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 may be partially disposed in the recess formed by the concave portion 124.

[0080] The upper parasitic element may include a first upper parasitic element 150 and a second upper parasitic element 155. The first upper parasitic element 150 and the second upper parasitic element 155 may be disposed around different concave portions 124 of the radiator 120.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first upper parasitic element 150 and the second upper parasitic element 155 may be opposite each other with a convex portion 122 included in the upper part of the radiator 120 inserted between them.

[0082] In one embodiment, the first upper parasitic element 150 and the second upper parasitic element 155 may have a substantially circular shape. However, the shapes of the first upper parasitic element 150 and the second upper parasitic element 155 may be appropriately varied depending on the shape of the radiator 120 (e.g., elliptical or polygonal).

[0083] According to the exemplary embodiments described above, the radiator 120 may be shaped to include a convex portion 122 and a concave portion 124, and the first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135 may be connected to different concave portions 124 of the radiator 120.

[0084] The dual polarization characteristics can be achieved through the radiator 120 via the aforementioned dual transmission line structure.

[0085] In some embodiments, feed signals with different phases can be applied to the first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135, respectively. For example, a first feed signal and a second feed signal having a phase difference of approximately 160° to 200°, preferably 180°, can be applied to the first transmission line 130 and the second transmission line 135, respectively.

[0086] The application of the phase difference signal, the dual transmission line structure, and the shape of the radiator 120 can be combined to enable the antenna structure 100 to be configured as a broadband antenna with multiple resonant bands.

[0087] Parasitic elements can be used as floating elements that are not connected to other conductors and can be configured to be adjacent to radiator 120 and transmission lines 130 and 135 to facilitate the formation of each band of multiple resonant frequencies realized by antenna structure 100.

[0088] Different resonant frequency bands can be distinguished by parasitic elements, allowing antenna structure 100 to function as a substantially multi-band antenna. Furthermore, lower parasitic elements 140, 141, and 142 can be disposed around transmission lines 130 and 135, and upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 can be disposed around the upper part of radiator 120. Therefore, signal enhancement and multi-band formation can be achieved in both low-frequency and high-frequency bands.

[0089] In some implementations, antenna structure 100 can be used as a tri-band antenna. For example, antenna structure 100 can provide three resonant frequency peaks in the range of 10 GHz to 40 GHz or from 20 GHz to 40 GHz.

[0090] In one embodiment, the antenna structure 100 can achieve a first resonant frequency peak in the range of 20 GHz to 25 GHz, a second resonant frequency peak in the range of 27 GHz to 35 GHz, and a third resonant frequency peak in the range of 35 GHz to 40 GHz.

[0091] The antenna conductive layer 110 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy containing at least one metal. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0092] In one embodiment, the antenna conductive layer 110 may include silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC)) or copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (e.g., copper-calcium (CuCa)) to achieve low resistance and fine linewidth patterns.

[0093] In some embodiments, the antenna conductive layer 110 may include a transparent conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), etc.

[0094] In some embodiments, the antenna conductive layer 110 may include a stacked structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer. For example, the antenna element may include a two-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer, or a three-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer-transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, the metal layer can improve flexibility, and the low resistance of the metal layer can also improve signal transmission speed. The transparent conductive oxide layer can improve corrosion resistance and transparency.

[0095] In one embodiment, the antenna conductive layer 110 may include a metamaterial.

[0096] In some embodiments, the antenna conductive layer 110 may include a blackened portion, thereby reducing the reflectivity at the surface of the antenna conductive layer 110 to suppress visual pattern recognition caused by light reflection.

[0097] In one embodiment, the surface of the metal layer included in the antenna conductive layer 110 may be converted into a metal oxide or metal sulfide to form a blackening layer. In one embodiment, a blackening layer, such as a black material coating or plating, may be formed on the antenna conductive layer 110 or the metal layer. The black material or plating may include silicon, carbon, copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, nickel, cobalt, or an oxide, sulfide, or alloy containing at least one of these materials.

[0098] The composition and thickness of the blackening layer can be adjusted by considering the reflectivity reduction effect and antenna radiation characteristics.

[0099] Radiators 120, transmission lines 130 and 135, and parasitic elements 140, 141, 142, 150 and 155 can all be disposed at the same level or in the same layer on the top surface of dielectric layer 105. In one embodiment, radiators 120, transmission lines 130 and 135, and parasitic elements 140, 141, 142, 150 and 155 can be formed by patterning the same conductive layer.

[0100] In some implementations, ground layer 90 (see...) Figure 6 It can be disposed on the lower surface of dielectric layer 105. Ground layer 90 can be disposed to overlap with radiator 120.

[0101] In some embodiments, the conductive components of the image display device or display panel 405 of the antenna structure 100 can be used as the ground layer 90.

[0102] The conductive component may include various electrodes or wirings, such as gate electrodes, source / drain electrodes, pixel electrodes, common electrodes, scan lines, data lines, etc., included in a thin-film transistor (TFT) array panel.

[0103] In one embodiment, a metal component such as an SUS plate, a sensor component (e.g., a digital converter), a heat sink, etc., disposed at the rear of the image display device can be used as a grounding layer 90.

[0104] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to some exemplary embodiments. References are omitted here. Figure 1 The descriptions are detailed descriptions of components and structures that are essentially the same or similar.

[0105] Reference Figure 2 The antenna conductive layer 110 may include a mesh structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the radiator 120 and the upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 may entirely comprise a mesh structure.

[0106] In some embodiments, transmission lines 130 and 135 and lower parasitic elements 140, 141 and 142 may partially comprise a mesh structure.

[0107] For example, the parasitic elements 140 in the center and 143 and 144 in the lateral parasitic elements may be solid patterns. The feed portions 131 and 132 of the transmission lines 130 and 135 may partially include a mesh structure.

[0108] In one embodiment, the first power supply portion 132 may include a first mesh portion 132a and a first solid portion 132b. The second power supply portion 131 may include a second mesh portion 131a and a second solid portion 131b.

[0109] The first solid portion 132b can be disposed between the central parasitic element 140 with a solid structure and the first parasite 144. The second solid portion 131b can be disposed between the central parasitic element 140 with a solid structure and the second parasite 143.

[0110] The lateral parasitic elements 141 and 142, except for the parasites 143 and 144, may have a mesh structure. The transmission lines 130 and 135, except for the solid portions 131b and 132b, may have a mesh structure.

[0111] For example, the portion of the antenna conductive layer 110 with a mesh structure can be disposed in the display area of ​​the image display device. Therefore, the light transmittance through the antenna conductive layer 110 can be increased to prevent degradation of the image quality of the image display device.

[0112] In one embodiment, a dummy mesh pattern (not shown) may be formed around the antenna conductive layer 110 in the display area to enhance the uniformity of the pattern structure and prevent the antenna conductive layer 110 from being visually recognized by the user.

[0113] The solid structure portion of the antenna conductive layer 110 can be disposed in the light-shielding area or the bezel area of ​​the image display device. Therefore, the feeding efficiency can be improved by using a low-resistance solid metal layer, and the formation of multiple frequency bands can be facilitated by the lower parasitic elements 140, 141, and 142.

[0114] Reference Figure 3 The central parasitic element 140 and the parasites 143 and 144 may also partially include a mesh structure.

[0115] The central parasitic element 140 may include a mesh element portion 140a and a solid element portion 140b. The first parasite 144 may include a first mesh 144a and a first solid 144b. The second parasite 143 may include a second mesh 143a and a second solid 143b.

[0116] The length of the mesh portion can also be extended in the feed portions 131 and 132 of the transmission lines 130 and 135. For example, the first mesh portion 132a can be positioned between the first mesh body 144a and the mesh element portion 140a. The second mesh portion 131a can be positioned between the second mesh body 143a and the mesh element portion 140a.

[0117] For example, when the border area in an image display device is reduced while the display area is expanded, the central parasitic element 140 and the parasites 143 and 144 may also partially include a mesh structure to improve optical properties.

[0118] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to some exemplary embodiments. References are omitted here. Figure 1 The descriptions are detailed descriptions of components and structures that are essentially the same or similar.

[0119] Reference Figure 4 The radiator 120 may have a cross shape. For example, the radiator 120 may include a first radiating strip 123 and a second radiating strip 125 extending in directions that are perpendicular to and intersect each other. For example, the first radiating strip 123 may extend in a first direction, and the second radiating strip 125 may extend in a second direction.

[0120] The protrusions may be defined by the radiating strips 123 and 125, and the concave portion may be defined by the space between the radiating strips 123 and 125. The upper parasitic elements 150 and 155 are configured to be adjacent to the concave portion included in the upper part of the radiator 120, and may, for example, have a rectangular shape.

[0121] Reference Figure 5 The ends of the first radiating strip 123 and the second radiating strip 125 may each have an arc shape.

[0122] As described above, the shape of the radiator 120 can be appropriately modified to take into account radiation efficiency and multi-band generation efficiency, and is not limited to that. Figures 1 to 5 The shape of the embodiment shown.

[0123] exist Figures 1 to 5 In this diagram, a radiator 120 and its coupled parasitic elements and transmission lines are represented as an antenna element. However, the antenna structure 100 may include multiple antenna elements in an array. For example, the antenna elements may be arranged repeatedly along a second direction.

[0124] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna package and image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged schematic top plan view used to describe an antenna package according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 This is a schematic top plan view used to describe an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0125] Reference Figures 6 to 8 The image display device 400 can be made in the form of, for example, a smartphone, and Figure 8 The front portion or window surface of the image display device 400 is shown. The front portion of the image display device 400 may include a display area 410 and an outer peripheral area 420. The outer peripheral area 420 may, for example, correspond to the light-shielding area or border area of ​​the image display device.

[0126] like Figure 8 As shown, the antenna elements included in the antenna conductive layer 110 can be included in the image display device 400 in an array. For ease of description, Figure 8 The illustration of parasitic elements is omitted.

[0127] The antenna structure 100 described above can be combined with the intermediate circuit board 200 to form an antenna package. The antenna structure 100 included in the antenna package can be disposed facing the front of the image display device 400, and can be disposed, for example, on the display panel 405. The radiator 120 can be disposed in the display area 410.

[0128] In this configuration, the radiator 120 may include a mesh structure, which can prevent the radiator 120 from causing a reduction in light transmittance. The lower parasitic element and feed portion included in the antenna structure 100 may include a solid metal pattern and may be disposed in the outer peripheral region 420 to prevent image quality degradation.

[0129] In some embodiments, the intermediate circuit board 200 may be bent and disposed at the rear of the image display device 400 to extend to the chip mounting plate 300 on which the antenna driver IC chip 340 is mounted.

[0130] The intermediate circuit board 200 and the chip mounting plate 300 can be coupled to each other via connector 320 to form an antenna package. Connector 320 and antenna driver IC chip 340 can be electrically connected via connection circuit 310.

[0131] For example, the intermediate circuit board 200 can be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The chip mounting board 300 can be a rigid printed circuit board (rigid PCB).

[0132] like Figure 7 As shown, the intermediate circuit board 200 may include a core layer 210 comprising a flexible resin and feed lines 220 formed on the core layer 210. Each feed line 220 may be connected via a conductive intermediate structure 180 such as an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) (see...). Figure 6 It is attached and electrically connected to the first power supply section 132 and the second power supply section 131.

[0133] The ends of the first feed section 132 and the second feed section 131, which are connected to the feed line 220, can be respectively configured as a first antenna port and a second antenna port. Feed signals can be applied from the antenna driver IC chip 340 through the first antenna port and the second antenna port.

[0134] As described above, a feed signal with a phase difference (e.g., a phase difference of 180°) can be applied to the radiator 120 through the first antenna port and the second antenna port to realize a multi-frequency antenna.

[0135] Figures 9 to 11 This is a graph showing the radiation characteristics of the antenna structure according to the embodiments and comparative examples.

[0136] Specifically, the embodiment illustrates the use of HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator) by forming a structure with... Figure 1 The same antenna structure is shown to simulate the signal loss (S-parameter; S11) curve as the frequency changes.

[0137] Comparative Example 1 shows a simulation graph with all parasitic elements omitted in the structure of the embodiment. Comparative Example 2 shows a simulation graph with the upper parasitic element omitted in the structure of the embodiment. Comparative Example 3 shows a simulation graph with the lower parasitic elements (central parasitic element and lateral parasitic element) omitted in the structure of the embodiment.

[0138] like Figures 9 to 11 As the CCP has done, three resonance peaks were observed in the embodiment. However, as Figure 9 As shown, only one resonance peak was observed near 25 GHz in Comparative Example 1.

[0139] like Figure 10 As shown, in Comparative Example 2, the upper parasitic element was omitted, the overall S11 characteristics were weakened, and a frequency shift toward lower frequencies occurred.

[0140] like Figure 11 As shown, the lower parasitic element was omitted in Comparative Example 3, and only one resonance peak was observed near 25 GHz.

[0141] like Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the upper and lower parasitic elements are combined in the radiator / transmission line structure according to the exemplary embodiment, thereby realizing a substantially tri-band antenna structure with sufficient signal strength and resonance characteristics.

Claims

1. An antenna structure, characterized by It includes: a dielectric layer; and an antenna conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the antenna conductive layer includes: a radiator; first and second transmission lines connected to the radiator and extending in different directions; an upper parasitic element adjacent to an upper portion of the radiator in a plan view; and a lower parasitic element adjacent to a lower portion of the radiator, the first transmission line, and the second transmission line in the plan view, wherein the upper parasitic element includes first and second upper parasitic elements separated from each other.

2. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein, The radiator has a convex portion and a concave portion, and the first and second transmission lines are connected to different ones of the concave portions.

3. The antenna structure of claim 2, wherein, The first transmission line includes a first feeding portion and a first bent portion connected to the radiator and extending from the first feeding portion, and the second transmission line includes a second feeding portion and a second bent portion connected to the radiator and extending from the second feeding portion.

4. The antenna structure of claim 3, wherein, An angle between the first and second bent portions is 90°.

5. The antenna structure of claim 3, wherein, The first and second feeding portions function as antenna ports to which feeding signals of different phases are applied.

6. The antenna structure of claim 5, wherein, A phase difference between a feeding signal applied to the first feeding portion and a feeding signal applied to the second feeding portion is 160° to 200°.

7. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein, The radiator has a convex portion and a concave portion, and the first and second upper parasitic elements are disposed adjacent to different ones of the concave portions.

8. The antenna structure of claim 7, wherein, The first and second upper parasitic elements face each other with the convex portion at the upper portion of the radiator interposed therebetween.

9. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein, The lower parasitic element includes first and second lateral parasitic elements adjacent to the first and second transmission lines, respectively.

10. The antenna structure of claim 9, wherein, The lower parasitic element further includes a central parasitic element disposed between the first and second transmission lines, and the first lateral parasitic element is spaced apart from the central parasitic element by the first transmission line interposed therebetween, and the second lateral parasitic element is spaced apart from the central parasitic element by the second transmission line interposed therebetween.

11. The antenna structure of claim 10, wherein, The first lateral parasitic element includes: a first parasitic body facing the central parasitic element with the first transmission line interposed therebetween; a first parasitic extension portion protruding from the first parasitic body; and a first parasitic bent portion extending from the first parasitic extension portion toward the radiator, wherein the second lateral parasitic element includes: a second parasitic body facing the central parasitic element with the second transmission line interposed therebetween; a second parasitic extension portion protruding from the second parasitic body; and a second parasitic bent portion extending from the second parasitic extension portion toward the radiator.

12. The antenna structure of claim 11, wherein, The radiator has a mesh structure, and the central parasitic element, the first parasitic body, and the second parasitic body have a solid structure.

13. The antenna structure of claim 12, wherein, A portion of the first transmission line between the central parasitic element and the first parasitic body has a solid structure, and the remaining portion of the first transmission line has a mesh structure; and A portion of the second transmission line between the central parasitic element and the second parasitic body has a solid structure, and the remaining portion of the second transmission line has a mesh structure.

14. The antenna structure of claim 11, wherein, The radiator has a mesh structure, and Each of the central parasitic element, the first parasitic body, and the second parasitic body includes a mesh portion and a solid portion.

15. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein, The radiator has a clover shape or a cross shape.

16. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein, The radiator, the first transmission line, the second transmission line, the upper parasitic element, and the lower parasitic element are all disposed at the same level on the top surface of the dielectric layer.

17. An image display device, characterized by comprising: It includes: a display panel; and the antenna structure according to claim 1 disposed on the display panel.

18. The image display device according to claim 17, wherein It further includes: an intermediate circuit board including feed lines electrically connected to the first transmission line and the second transmission line of the antenna structure; a chip mounting board disposed below the display panel; and an antenna driving integrated circuit chip mounted on the chip mounting board for applying a feed signal to the feed lines included in the intermediate circuit board.

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