Millimeter wave antennas for 5g applications and vehicles including such antennas

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to millimeter wave antennas for 5G applications and vehicles comprising such antennas. A millimeter wave antenna for 5G applications comprises a multilayer structure comprising at least: an upper outer layer comprising at least a plurality of first radiating elements arranged spaced apart from each other on a first dielectric layer; a first inner layer arranged below the upper outer layer and comprising a plurality of through slots adapted to convey feed signals to be radiated towards the plurality of first radiating elements; a second inner layer arranged below and adjacent to the first inner layer, the second inner layer comprising at least one dielectric layer having a plurality of conductive lines arranged thereon, the plurality of conductive lines being adapted to conduct feed signals to be radiated towards the plurality of first radiating elements; a further layer arranged below and adjacent to the second inner layer and comprising a plurality of first through openings, each of the first through openings being formed on the further layer in a position corresponding to a position of at least one through slot of the plurality of through slots associated therewith.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to millimeter-wave antennas for 5G applications, and to vehicles including such antennas. Background Technology

[0002] The antenna according to the invention is particularly suitable for vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, trains, commercial vehicles, etc., and will be described below with reference to these applications; however, it is not thereby limiting its use in other possible application areas in any way.

[0003] As is well known, wireless data services have been increasing in proportion over the past few decades, thus requiring faster and more reliable communication systems.

[0004] To this end, the latest so-called 5G communication system is currently being implemented, in which millimeter wave (mmW) frequency bands have been allocated to the system.

[0005] Clearly, for this system, one of the basic components for correctly transmitting and receiving data is also represented by an antenna. Among their basic components, the antenna includes a radiating element dedicated to signal transmission and reception, as well as control electronics designed to control and properly drive the operation of the radiating element itself.

[0006] The assembly of these components leads to several problems, such as those related to the effective quality of the transmitted signal. In fact, the presence of conductive elements acting as ground planes in the antenna structure can create a mirror effect within the antenna, where the reflected signal overlaps with the signal to be transmitted in a phase-shifted manner, potentially negatively impacting the overall quality of the transmission.

[0007] To eliminate these drawbacks, one proposed solution is to increase the distance between the radiating element and the ground plane, for example, by adding a dielectric material layer between the inserted radiating element and the existing ground plane.

[0008] However, in this case, the cost and size of the antennas are negatively affected, making their use more difficult, for example, more difficult to use in vehicles such as automobiles, where the space available for the antennas is limited, and due to the large number of metal parts that act as shields for the antennas themselves, it is usually necessary to use multiple antennas located in different positions at the same time. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The main objective of this invention is to provide a millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications, which in particular makes it possible to solve or at least reduce problems related to unwanted reflections of the signal to be transmitted, while requiring a compact construction that is easy to implement at a relatively low cost.

[0010] This primary objective, and any other objectives that will become clearer from the following description, are achieved through millimeter-wave antennas for 5G applications. In some embodiments, the millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications includes a multilayer structure, comprising at least: an upper outer layer including at least a plurality of first radiating elements arranged spaced apart from each other on a first dielectric layer; a first inner layer disposed below the upper outer layer and including a plurality of through slots adapted to transmit a feed signal to be radiated toward the plurality of first radiating elements; a second inner layer disposed below and adjacent to the first inner layer, the second inner layer including at least one dielectric layer thereon on which a plurality of wires are arranged, the plurality of wires adapted to conduct the feed signal to be radiated toward the plurality of first radiating elements; another inner layer disposed below and adjacent to the second inner layer and including a plurality of first through openings, each of the first through openings being formed on the other inner layer at a position corresponding to the position of at least one through slot associated with the plurality of through slots; and a first additional layer disposed below and adjacent to the other inner layer, the first additional layer including a plurality of second through openings, each of the plurality of second through openings being substantially aligned with a corresponding first through opening relative to a substantially vertical reference direction.

[0011] This primary objective, and any possible further objectives, are also achieved through vehicles, typically used for transporting passengers, and in particular automobiles that include at least one millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, set forth by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A possible embodiment of the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention is illustrated schematically; Figure 2 It is shown schematically. Figure 1 The diagram shows a view of a portion of the upper outer layer of the antenna's radiating element. Figure 3 It schematically shows what can be used Figure 1 The view shown is of a portion of another layer in the antenna, which contains additional radiating elements; Figures 4 to 8 Schematic illustration of what can be used Figure 1 Parts of some layers in the antenna shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] It should be noted that in the following detailed description, the same or similar components may have the same or different reference numerals from a structural and / or functional perspective, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the invention or in different parts.

[0014] It should also be noted that, in order to clearly and concisely describe the invention, the drawings may not necessarily be drawn to scale, and some of the features described may be shown in a schematic form.

[0015] Furthermore, where the terms “suitable for” or “organized as” or “configured as” or “shaped as” or “set” or any similar terms may be used in this document to refer to any part or component or combination of components as a whole, it should be understood that it refers to and accordingly includes structure and / or configuration and / or form and shape and / or positioning.

[0016] In particular, when these terms refer to electronic hardware or software devices, they will be understood to include chips, circuits or portions of electronic circuits, or similar components.

[0017] Furthermore, when the term “basically” or “substantially” is used herein, it should be understood to include actual variations relative to ±5% of the indicated reference value, axis, or position; and when the term “lateral” or “laterally” is used herein, they will be understood to include directions that are not parallel to the reference part or direction / axis they refer to, and perpendicularity will be considered a special case of the lateral direction.

[0018] Finally, in the specification and appended claims, the ordinal numbers first, second, etc., are for illustrative purposes and should in no way be construed as limiting; in particular, indications such as "first layer" or "first sublayer..." do not necessarily imply the presence or strict requirement of a further "second layer" or "second sublayer" in all embodiments, or vice versa, unless such presence is obvious for the proper operation of the embodiments. Nor does it imply that the order is the same as that described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0019] Figure 1 A possible embodiment of the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention is schematically shown, and its entirety is indicated by reference numeral 1 in the figure.

[0020] Specifically, the antenna 1 according to the present invention includes along... Figure 1 A multi-layered structure stacked vertically in a reference direction indicated by a reference axis X, the multi-layered structure comprising at least: - Upper outer layer 10; - The first inner layer 20 is arranged below the upper outer layer 10; - A second inner layer 30, disposed below and adjacent to the first inner layer 20; and - Another layer 40 is arranged below and adjacent to the second inner layer 30.

[0021] Specifically, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the possible embodiments shown, the upper outer layer 10 includes at least a first dielectric layer 12, which is made of, for example, ROGERS RO4350B material, and a plurality of first radiating elements 14 adapted to be fed with and radiate the signal to be transmitted.

[0022] The first radiating elements 14 are made of a conductive material (e.g., copper) and are arranged spaced apart from each other on the first dielectric layer 12, and are substantially aligned sequentially along a reference horizontal axis Y perpendicular to axis X.

[0023] The first radiating elements 14 are preferably substantially identical to each other, and each has a radiating area or surface "A1" measured in a plane transverse to the axis X (that is, in the plane of the layer itself). For simplicity, in Figure 2 The radiation area is clearly indicated by a slash for only one radiating element 14.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first radiating element 14 is more precisely referred to as a "patch" in the national and international terminology used, wherein each element has a substantially regular geometric configuration, such as a square, rectangle or circle.

[0025] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the upper outer layer 10 has a second sublayer 18, also referred to hereinafter as a first bonding sublayer 18, made of, for example, ROGERS RO4450 material, which enables the upper outer layer 10 to be bonded integrally to the layer directly beneath it among a plurality of layers. The first bonding sublayer 18 has a first thickness S1.

[0026] according to Figure 1 As shown in one possible embodiment, and for the purposes of the following more detailed description, the multilayer structure of antenna 1 usefully includes Figure 3 The other inner layer 15 shown is bonded to the first bonded sublayer 18 and is thus inserted between the upper outer layer 10 and the first inner layer 20.

[0027] Alternatively, in one possible embodiment, the first inner layer 20 may be disposed directly below and directly bonded to the first bonding sublayer 18 on top of it; in this case, the other layer 15 is not used.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, the first inner layer 20 includes at least a first sublayer 22 of conductive material, such as copper foil, disposed on a second sublayer 26 of dielectric material. The second sublayer 26 of dielectric material may be prepared in a manner that has adhesive properties and enables it to bond to layers directly beneath it, i.e., in the exemplary embodiment shown with the second inner layer 30, or it may be bonded to additional adhesive materials to enable it to bond to subsequent layers.

[0029] Conveniently, the first inner layer 20 includes a plurality of through slots 24 having, for example, U or C-shaped forms, passing through the first sublayer 22 of conductive material and the second sublayer 26 of dielectric material, and is adapted to transmit feed signals originating from the lower layer of the antenna 1 to be radiated toward at least a plurality of first radiating elements 14, as will be described below.

[0030] Specifically, in the antenna 1 according to the invention, for each first radiating element 14, at least one corresponding slot 24 operatively associated therewith is provided; reference Figure 1 In a substantially vertical direction indicated by axis X, each through slot 24 is implemented on the first inner layer 20 at a lower position corresponding to the position of the first radiating element 14 associated with the upper outer layer 10.

[0031] Preferably, with reference to the vertical direction indicated by axis X, each slot 24 extends on the upper horizontal surface of the first inner layer 20 such that at least one end of it is outside a virtual region obtained by projecting the radiating surface "A1" of the associated first radiating element vertically (along the direction of axis X) onto the first inner layer 20 itself or alternatively by projecting each slot 24 vertically onto the first inner layer 20 in the same way.

[0032] In one possible embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown in the example, for each first radiating element 14, an associated pair of through slots 24 is provided, with two through slots 24 in each pair formed on the first inner layer 20 at a lower position corresponding to the position of the associated first radiating element 14 on the upper outer layer 10.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two slots of each pair of through slots 24 have, for example, a C or U shape, and they are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0034] Similarly, in this case, referring to the vertical direction indicated by axis X, each slot 24 extends on the upper horizontal surface of the first inner layer 20 in such a way that at least one end extends beyond a virtual region obtained by vertically projecting the radiating surface “A1” of the associated first radiating element 14 onto the first inner layer 20 itself (or alternatively by vertically projecting each slot 24 onto the first inner layer 20 in the same way).

[0035] In addition, at least a plurality of metallized holes 29 are defined on the first inner layer 20, passing through the sublayers 22 and 26.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the second inner layer 30 attached above the sublayer 26 includes at least its own first dielectric layer 32 (also referred to as the third dielectric layer 32, so as to better distinguish it from the dielectric layer previously described), on which a plurality of wires 34 (e.g., made of copper strips) are disposed, adapted to conduct the feed signal to be radiated toward at least a plurality of first radiating elements 14.

[0037] In particular, at least one corresponding wire 34 is associated with each radiating element.

[0038] In one possible embodiment, the third dielectric layer 32 serves as a bonding layer and thus has adhesive properties or includes an adhesive material, so as to enable bonding with the layer that is directly below the inner layer 30 among the plurality of layers, that is, bonding with another layer 40 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

[0039] In particular, the third dielectric layer 32, which may be made of, for example, ROGER RO4450 material or includes such material, has a total thickness S2 equal to or greater than the thickness S1 of the first bonding layer 18; in this way, an improvement in signal adaptation or "matching" is advantageously achieved.

[0040] according to Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, for each first radiating element 14, the plurality of wires 34 include a corresponding pair of wires 34 associated therewith, and for example have different shapes from each other.

[0041] More specifically, according to this embodiment, each pair of conductors 34 includes a first conductor 34a, for example formed of a copper strip having a substantially straight extension, capable of transmitting a feed signal to be radiated in a first polarization direction to a corresponding first radiating element 14; and a second conductor 34b, for example formed of an L-shaped copper strip, capable of transmitting a feed signal to be radiated in a second polarization direction different from the first direction to the corresponding first radiating element 14. These directions may be, for example, a first direction along the reference axis Z and a second direction along the reference axis Y, such as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0042] Furthermore, the third inner layer 30 also includes metallized vias 29, which pass through its sublayers 42 and 32 and are each perpendicularly aligned with a corresponding metallized via 29 created on the first inner layer 20; Figure 5 For illustrative purposes, the metallized through-hole 29 has been shown to clearly show the shape of the through channel or cylinder.

[0043] Conveniently, each conductor 34 extends on the plane of sublayer 32, wherein metallized vias 29 are arranged side by side on two edges and replicate the path of the associated conductor 34.

[0044] In addition, Figure 5 In one possible embodiment shown, the wires 34a and 34b of adjacent pairs of wires 34 are arranged in reverse order. Furthermore, each wire can be flipped 180° or mirrored relative to the preceding wire in the plane of layer 30 itself.

[0045] More specifically, referring to the displacement direction along the Y-axis, starting from the outer lateral edge 31 at a position corresponding to the positioning on the upper outer layer 10 of the first radiating element 14 arranged closest to the left edge 12A, the inner layer 30 is arranged with: first, a first strip 34a, capable of transmitting a feed signal to be radiated in a first polarization direction to the associated first radiating element 14; followed by a second wire 34b, capable of transmitting a feed signal to be radiated in a second polarization direction to the same first radiating element 14. Continuing along the Y-axis, at the position of the subsequent first radiating element 14 on the upper outer layer 10, a second pair of wires 34a and 34b are arranged on the layer 30, their order reversed and each wire 34a and 34b flipped 180° relative to the previous pair of similar wires. In practice, along the Y-axis, first, there is the second conductive strip 34b, which is capable of transmitting the feed signal to be radiated in the second polarization direction to the subsequent radiating element 14. It is arranged in an L-shape in the plane of layer 30, flipped 180° relative to the previous pair of similar second lines 34b. Next, a first line 34a is arranged (again flipped 180° relative to the previous pair of similar first lines 34a, or flipped to a mirror image), which is capable of transmitting the feed signal to be radiated in the first polarization direction to the same subsequent radiating element 14. In the event of any related flipping relative to the previous pair of similar lines, the reversal of the positioning order between the first line 34a and the second line 34b is regularly repeated relative to the previous radiating element at each subsequent radiating element 14.

[0046] Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, one or more conductors 34, preferably all conductors, each including at least one line segment extending parallel to the respective conductor 34, are preferably arranged to coincide with a transition region. In an exemplary embodiment, this transition region is located precisely near the outer edge of the layer, but typically it can be found within a wider layer and, particularly, coincides with the transition of the radio frequency signal, thus facilitating the shift of the signal itself to different layers of the antenna without introducing significant loss. This derived portion allows for the artificial introduction of so-called "matching" changes to further enhance the signal transition region.

[0047] The derived line segment can, for example, be composed of another part of the strip, and for the sake of simplicity, in Figure 5 The figure only refers to a pair of conductors 34, which is indicated by reference numeral 34c.

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown in more detail, another layer 40 disposed below and adjacent to the second inner layer 30 includes at least a first sublayer 42 of itself made of conductive material (hereinafter also referred to as the second conductive sublayer 42 to distinguish it from the previous sublayer 22), which is, for example, made of copper foil, disposed on its own second dielectric layer 46 (hereinafter also referred to as the fourth dielectric layer 46 to distinguish it from the dielectric layer previously described).

[0049] The fourth dielectric layer 46 can also be made directly from a material with adhesive properties, or associated with an added adhesive material.

[0050] Specifically, a plurality of first through openings 44 are defined on another layer 40, extending through its sublayers 42 and 46.

[0051] For more details, see the reference. Figure 1 In the fundamental vertical direction indicated by axis X, each of the first through openings 44 is formed on layer 40, and specifically on a sublayer 42 of conductive material, and its position corresponds to the position of at least one of the plurality of through slots 24 associated with the first sublayer 22 of conductive material defined in the first inner layer 20.

[0052] Conveniently, in one possible embodiment, the reference antenna 1 operates at a nominal operating frequency, and each first through-hole 44 defines an area "B" of the through-channel measured laterally relative to the reference axis X, which is substantially equal to at least λ. 2 / 4, which is at least one-quarter of the square of the wavelength λ measured in the dielectric material formed by the assembly of the third dielectric layer 32 immediately above the conductive material sublayer 42 and the fourth dielectric layer 46 immediately below the conductive material sublayer 42.

[0053] To simplify the explanation, Figure 6In the diagram, the area "B" of the through passage is represented by a slash only for one opening 44.

[0054] In this way, the presence of through openings 44, particularly in the conductive material sublayer 42 that serves as the ground plane, essentially prevents reflection effects that could affect the quality of the transmitted signal, while providing optimized overall size and low cost compared to different solutions aimed at solving the same problem.

[0055] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, another layer 40 also includes metallized vias 29 that pass through at least its sublayer 42 and are arranged in parallel rows, each row being aligned with a corresponding metallized via 29 created on the first inner layer 20 and the second inner layer 30.

[0056] As previously stated, in one possible embodiment, the multilayer structure of the antenna 1 according to the invention usefully includes at least one additional inner layer, in Figure 1 and 2 The first inner layer 20 is inserted between the upper outer layer 10 and the first inner layer 20, and is specifically bonded to the first bonding layer 18 thereon.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 15 includes at least its own dielectric layer 17, also referred to hereinafter as another dielectric layer 17, which is also made of, for example, ROGERS RO4350B material; and a plurality of second radiating elements 16, which are arranged at intervals from each other and adapted to feed and radiate the signal to be emitted.

[0058] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 15 further includes another bonding sublayer 19, for example made of ROGERS RO4450 material, which enables the inner layer 15 to bond to the underlying first inner layer 20.

[0059] The second radiating element 16 is made of a conductive material (e.g., copper) and is arranged spaced apart from each other on another dielectric layer 17, and is also substantially aligned along the reference axis Y.

[0060] Specifically, each second radiating element 16 is placed below and substantially aligned with the corresponding first radiating element 14 at a distance from a reference direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X.

[0061] In this case, there is at least one wire 34 associated with each second radiating element 16, in particular at least the same wire 34 associated with the corresponding first radiating element 14 located above it.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, each radiating element 16 is associated with a pair of wires 34a and 34b; thus, each pair of wires 34 is associated with a corresponding second radiating element 16 and a first radiating element 14 disposed above the corresponding second radiating element 16.

[0063] The second radiating elements 16 are preferably substantially identical to each other, and each extends over the radiating region or surface "A2" (for simplicity, in...). Figure 1 A radiating element 16 is clearly indicated by only a slash in the diagram, and in the illustrated embodiment, they are also of the so-called “patch” type.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, each second radiating element 16 has a substantially regular geometry, such as a square, rectangle, or circle.

[0065] Conveniently, each of the second radiating elements 16 has its own radiating region A2, which is also measured in a plane transverse to the axis X, and is at most equal to and preferably smaller than the radiating region A1 of each of the first radiating elements 14.

[0066] In fact, the presence of another layer 15 with the second radiating element 16 allows for a suitable widening of the operating frequency range of the antenna 1 according to the invention.

[0067] Preferably, referring to the vertical direction indicated by axis X, in the same case, each slot 24 extends on the upper horizontal surface of the first inner layer 20 in such a way that at least one end of it is outside a virtual region obtained by vertically projecting the radiating surface “A2” of the associated second radiating element 16 onto the other inner layer 15 itself (or alternatively by vertically projecting each slot 24 onto the other inner layer 15 in the same way).

[0068] For illustrative purposes, this end of each slot 24 is only... Figure 3 This is represented by virtually projecting slot 24 onto layer 15. As mentioned earlier, even for the sake of simplicity... Figure 2 The illustration is not repeated here, but a similar configuration will also appear at at least one end of the slot 24 that overflows from the radiation region A1 of the first radiating element 14.

[0069] According to another possible embodiment, the multilayer structure of antenna 1 may include one or more additional layers.

[0070] In particular, Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, for example, a first additional layer 60 (hereinafter referred to as the third inner layer 60), a second additional layer 70 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth inner layer 70) and a third additional layer 80 (hereinafter referred to as the lower outer layer 80) are shown.

[0071] However, it must be understood that, depending on the application, in the antenna 1 according to the invention, only one of these additional layers may be used, only two (e.g., the first additional layer 60 and the second additional layer 70, or the first additional layer 60 and the third additional layer 80, or the second additional layer 70 and the third additional layer 80), or all of them, as will be stated below. Figure 1 The exemplary configuration described herein.

[0072] The first additional layer or third inner layer 60 is disposed below and adjacent to another inner layer 40, for example, bonded to the fourth dielectric layer 46.

[0073] In one possible embodiment, such as Figure 1 and 7 As shown, the third inner layer 60 includes a first sublayer 62 of conductive material (hereinafter also referred to as the third conductive sublayer 62 to distinguish it from the preceding conductive sublayers 22 and 42), which is made of, for example, copper foil to bring the feed voltage to the control chip of the antenna 1, and is disposed on a second dielectric layer 66 of its own (hereinafter also referred to as the fifth dielectric layer 66 to distinguish it from the previously described dielectric layer), which is made of a material with adhesive properties or combined with some added adhesive materials.

[0074] A plurality of second through openings 64 are defined on the inner layer 60, which pass through the third conductive electron layer 62 and the fifth dielectric layer 66; these second through openings 64 are preferably substantially the same as the first through openings 44 in number and shape, wherein each second through opening is substantially aligned with the corresponding first through opening 44 with respect to a substantially vertical reference direction defined by the axis X.

[0075] In one possible embodiment, a plurality of metallized vias are also defined on the third inner layer, and specifically only on the third conductive layer 62. Figure 7 Not shown, it is similar to the through-hole 29 shown above, and it is also arranged to be aligned with the corresponding metallized through-hole 29 formed on the first inner layer 20 and the other inner layer 40.

[0076] In this case, the vias also penetrate the dielectric layer 46, and when the antenna 1 structure is assembled, viewed along the vertical direction defined by the reference axis X, multiple through channels are formed, starting from the first sublayer 22 of the conductive material and terminating in the third sublayer 62 of the conductive material, such as... Figure 1 The dotted lines in the diagram are shown schematically.

[0077] Alternatively, these channels formed by the vertically aligned through-holes 29 may terminate at a second sublayer 42 of conductive material.

[0078] When only the first additional layer 60 is used, it will form the lower outer layer of the antenna 1, that is, the layer located at the lowest position of the stack of the layers used.

[0079] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the second additional layer or fourth inner sublayer 70 is disposed below and adjacent to the third inner layer 60, for example, bonded to the fifth dielectric layer 66.

[0080] In one possible embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, the fourth inner layer 70 includes at least a first sublayer 72 of conductive material (hereinafter also referred to as the fourth conductive sublayer 72 to distinguish it from the preceding conductive sublayers 22, 42 and 62), which is made of, for example, copper foil serving as a ground plane, and is disposed on a second dielectric layer 76 of itself having adhesive properties (hereinafter also referred to as the sixth dielectric layer 76 to distinguish it from the preceding dielectric layers).

[0081] A plurality of third through openings 74 are defined on the fourth dielectric layer 72; these third through openings 74 are preferably substantially the same as the first through openings 44 in number and shape, wherein each through opening is substantially aligned with the corresponding first through opening 44 with respect to a substantially perpendicular reference direction defined by the axis X.

[0082] In fact, once the various layers of the antenna have been assembled together, the first through-hole 44 is substantially aligned with the second through-hole 64 and / or the third through-hole 74 along the vertical unfolding direction of the multi-layer structure.

[0083] In particular, Figure 1 In one embodiment, the first through opening 44, the second through opening 64, and the third through opening 74 are substantially aligned with each other along the vertical unfolding direction of the multilayer structure.

[0084] When only the second additional layer 70 is used, i.e., without using the first additional layer 60, the second additional layer 70 will be disposed below and adjacent to the other inner layer 40, and it will constitute the lower outer layer of the antenna 1, i.e., the layer located at the lowest position of the stack of the layers used. If only both the first additional layer 60 and the second additional layer 70 are used, the second additional layer 70 will also constitute the lower outer layer of the antenna 1.

[0085] according to Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the third additional layer or lower outer layer 80 is disposed below the fourth inner layer 70 and includes one or more connecting tracks, such as... Figure 8As shown by the dashed line 82. These connection tracks are, for example, made of copper traces that coincide with the surface of the dielectric layer 76, which is opposite to the surface on which the conductive layer 72 is disposed. The connection tracks 82 can be connected to one or more chips (not shown) for controlling and / or adjusting (e.g., phase shifting or amplifying) the feed signal to be radiated for at least a plurality of first radiating elements 14, and also for controlling and / or adjusting the second radiating element 16 in use.

[0086] If the first additional layer 60 and the second additional layer 70 are not used, the third additional layer 80 will be arranged below and adjacent to the other inner layer 40. If the second additional layer 70 is not used, the third additional layer 80 will be arranged below and adjacent to the first additional layer 60.

[0087] In any case, when used, the third additional layer 80 preferably means the lower outer layer constituting the antenna 1.

[0088] In one possible embodiment, the antenna 1 according to the invention further includes at least a first series of parasitic radiating elements 11 and a second series of parasitic radiating elements 13, which are arranged on at least the upper outer layer 10, particularly on the first dielectric layer 12. Figure 2 As shown, parasitic radiating elements 11 and 13 are arranged in two parallel rows aligned with each other, with a plurality of first radiating elements 14 inserted between them.

[0089] A series of parasitic radiating elements 11 and 13 are used to improve the construction of the irradiation beam for transmitting signals.

[0090] In addition, in use, two additional series of parasitic radiating elements can also be associated with the second radiating element 16; in this case, in a manner similar to that described above, these additional parasitic radiating elements can be arranged along two parallel rows on the sublayer 17 of conductive material, with the row of the second radiating element 16 interposed between them.

[0091] In fact, it has been shown that the antenna 1 according to the invention allows the intended purpose to be achieved because the structure with a reduced overall size significantly reduces (if not completely eliminates) the phenomenon of unwanted signal reflections, where the aforementioned signals overlap with the signal to be transmitted in an undesirable manner. In addition to the advantages mentioned above, further advantages are gained because the slot 24 has at least one portion extending beyond the radiation regions A1 and A2, thereby further optimizing the matching; moreover, the arrangement of the conductive lines 34 in a mutually reversed order facilitates various connections without having to wind / interlace the connection traces onto the chip. The presence of the metallized aperture 29 (arranged to be aligned along both sides of each conductive line 34 and follow its path) allows for better confinement of the electromagnetic field within the area where the conductive lines 34 themselves are located.

[0092] With further advantages, the antenna 1 according to the invention can, in principle, be used in any type of vehicle and can be easily installed on new vehicles, and if necessary, can be easily installed on vehicles already in circulation. Therefore, another object of the invention relates to a vehicle characterized by comprising at least one antenna 1 according to the foregoing. Obviously, the vehicle can be any type capable of data transmission and reception in the 5G band, such as cars, buses, trains, trucks, commercial vehicles, etc.

[0093] Of course, the principles of the invention remain unchanged, and specific details of embodiments and production or implementation can vary widely compared to what is described and shown only by preferred but non-limiting examples, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as particularly defined by the appended claims. The shape and / or positioning of the components or portions thereof can be suitably modified, provided that they are implemented in a manner compatible with the scope and function of the components conceived within the framework of the invention. For example, the first radiating element 14 and / or the second radiating element 16 (when in use) may take a different configuration than that described, or the number of radiating elements used may differ from the eight elements 14 and 16 per layer shown in the illustrated example; the antenna 1 may include additional components, such as a housing not shown in the figures, which is made of, for example, a plastic material and houses the described multilayer structure therein; the conductive lines 34 may be configured differently and / or follow a different path than those already described, such as a curved path, etc.

Claims

1. A millimeter-wave antenna (1) for 5G applications, comprising a multi-layer structure, said multi-layer structure comprising at least: - The upper outer layer (10) includes at least a plurality of first radiating elements (14) arranged spaced apart from each other on the first dielectric layer (12); - A first inner layer (20) is arranged below the upper outer layer (10) and includes a plurality of through slots (24) adapted to transmit a feed signal to be radiated toward the plurality of first radiating elements (14); - A second inner layer (30) is arranged below and adjacent to the first inner layer (20). The second inner layer (30) includes at least one dielectric layer (32) on which a plurality of wires (34) are arranged, the plurality of wires (34) being adapted to conduct a feed signal to be radiated toward the plurality of first radiating elements (14). - Another inner layer (40) is disposed below and adjacent to the second inner layer (30) and includes a plurality of first through openings (44), each of the first through openings (44) being formed on the other inner layer (40) at a position corresponding to the position of at least one through slot (24) associated with the plurality of through slots (24). as well as A first additional layer (60) is disposed below and adjacent to the other inner layer (40), the first additional layer (60) including a plurality of second through openings (64), each of the plurality of second through openings (64) being substantially aligned with a corresponding first through opening (44) with respect to a substantially vertical reference direction (X).

2. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the multilayer structure further comprises at least one additional inner layer (15) inserted between the upper outer layer (10) and the first inner layer (20), the additional inner layer (15) comprising at least a plurality of second radiating elements (16) spaced apart on an additional dielectric layer (17).

3. The antenna (1) according to claim 2, wherein each of the second radiating elements (16) has a radiating surface (A2) that is equal to or smaller than the radiating surface (A1) of the first radiating element (14).

4. The antenna (1) according to claim 3, wherein each through slot (24) extends on the upper surface of the first inner layer (20), and the end of the through slot (24) extends beyond the virtual region, which is obtained by projecting the radiating surfaces (A1, A2) of the corresponding first radiating element (14) or second radiating element (16) onto the first inner layer (20) itself.

5. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least the first inner layer (20) includes a plurality of metallized vias (29).

6. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna further comprises a second additional layer (70) disposed below and adjacent to the other inner layer (40) or the first additional layer (60), the second additional layer (70) comprising a plurality of third through openings (74), each of the plurality of third through openings (74) being substantially aligned with at least a corresponding first through opening (44) relative to the substantially perpendicular reference direction (X).

7. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna further comprises a lower outer layer (80) having a track (82) provided on the lower outer layer (80) for connection to one or more chips in order to adjust the feed signal to be radiated for at least the plurality of first radiating elements (14).

8. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper outer layer (10) further comprises a first adhesive sublayer (18) adapted to bond the upper outer layer (10) to a layer of the plurality of layers immediately adjacent to the upper outer layer (10), and wherein the thickness (S2) of the at least one dielectric layer (32) is equal to or greater than the thickness (S1) of the first adhesive sublayer (18).

9. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductors (34) comprises an associated pair of conductors for each first radiating element (14), wherein a first conductor (34a) is adapted to transmit a feed signal to the corresponding first radiating element (14) to be radiated in a first polarization direction, a second conductor (34b) is adapted to transmit a feed signal to the corresponding first radiating element (14) to be radiated in a second polarization direction, and wherein the first conductor (34a) and the second conductor (34b) of a pair of conductors (34) are arranged along a second inner layer (30) in the reverse order of the corresponding first conductors and second conductors (34a, 34b) in the preceding pair and / or the following pair of conductors.

10. The antenna (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least a first series of parasitic radiating elements (11) and a second series of parasitic radiating elements (13), the first series of parasitic radiating elements (11) and the second series of parasitic radiating elements (13) being arranged in two parallel rows on at least the upper outer layer (10), wherein the plurality of first radiating elements (14) are inserted between the two rows.

11. A vehicle, characterized in that... Includes at least one antenna (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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