Antenna module

Abstract

The antenna module (100) includes a radiation element (121a) and a dielectric substrate (105). The dielectric substrate (105) has: a flat portion (130) where external terminals (T) for connecting to an RFIC (110) are disposed, a flat portion (131) where the radiation element (121a) is disposed, a bent portion (135), a feed line (170), and a ground electrode (GND1). The feed line (170) extends inside the flat portions (130, 131) and the bent portion (135) and is used to connect the external terminals (T) to the radiation element (121a). The ground electrode (GND1) extends along the feed line (170) inside the flat portions (130, 131) and the bent portion (135). In the bent portion (135), the thickness of the feed line (170) is larger than the thickness of the ground electrode (GND1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module including a dielectric substrate having a bent portion where a feed line connecting an external terminal and a radiating element is disposed. Background Art

[0002] An antenna module disclosed in International Publication No. 2019 / 163376 includes: a feeding component (RFIC); a radiating element (antenna element); and a dielectric substrate having a flat shape. The dielectric substrate includes: a surface on which the feeding component is disposed; a surface on which the radiating element is disposed; a feed line that extends inside the dielectric substrate and is used to connect the feeding component and the antenna element; and a ground electrode that extends along the surface on which the feeding component is disposed. By supplying a high-frequency signal from the feeding component to the radiating element via the feed line, radio waves are radiated from the radiating element.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 163376 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Generally, in an antenna module, heat is generated in the feeding component when the feeding component supplies a high-frequency signal to the radiating element. Therefore, it is desirable to easily dissipate the heat generated in the feeding component to the outside.

[0008] In the antenna module disclosed in International Publication No. 2019 / 163376, the dielectric substrate has a flat shape, so that the length of the feed line connecting the feeding component and the radiating element can be made relatively short. Thus, the heat generated in the feeding component can easily be transferred to the radiating element via the feed line, and thus the heat generated in the feeding component can easily be dissipated to the outside from the radiating element.

[0009] However, in an antenna module, there is also the following antenna module: the antenna module includes a dielectric substrate having a partially bent shape, and a first flat portion on which an external terminal for connecting a feeding component is disposed is connected to a second flat portion on which a radiating element is disposed via a bent portion. In such a structure, the length of the feed line becomes longer, and the heat generated in the feeding component is difficult to be transferred to the radiating element via the feed line. Therefore, there may be a problem that it is difficult to dissipate the heat generated in the feeding component from the radiating element.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to ensure heat dissipation of an antenna module in an antenna module including a dielectric substrate having a bent portion in which a feeder line connecting an external terminal and a radiating element is disposed.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] The antenna module of the present disclosure includes a first radiating element and a dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate has: a first flat portion on which an external terminal is disposed; a second flat portion on which the first radiating element is disposed; a bent portion connecting the first flat portion and the second flat portion; a first feeder line; and a first ground electrode. The first feeder line extends through the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion and is configured to connect the external terminal and the first radiating element. The first ground electrode extends along the first feeder line through the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion. The thickness of the first feeder line in the bent portion is larger than the thickness of the first ground electrode in the bent portion.

[0013] In the above antenna module, in the bent portion, the thickness of the feeder line (dimension in the normal direction of the bent portion) is larger than the thickness of the first ground electrode. Thereby, heat of the first flat portion on which the external terminal is disposed can be easily transferred to the second flat portion through the feeder line in the bent portion and then dissipated to the outside from the first radiating element. As a result, heat dissipation of the antenna module can be ensured.

[0014] Effect of the invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, heat dissipation of an antenna module can be ensured in an antenna module including a dielectric substrate having a bent portion in which a feeder line connecting an external terminal and a radiating element is disposed. Description of the drawings

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. is an example of a block diagram of a communication device to which the antenna module is applied.

[0017] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view (Part 1) of the antenna module.

[0018] Figure 3 FIG. is a cross-sectional view (Part 1) of the antenna module.

[0019] Figure 4 FIG. is a cross-sectional view (Part 2) of the antenna module.

[0020] Figure 5 FIG. is a cross-sectional view (Part 3) of the antenna module.

[0021] Figure 6 FIG. is a cross-sectional view (Part 4) of the antenna module.

[0022] Figure 7It is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module (its 5).

[0023] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of the flat part in the antenna module.

[0024] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module (its 6).

[0025] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module (its 7).

[0026] Figure 11 It is a perspective view of the antenna module (its 2).

[0027] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module (its 8). Detailed implementation mode

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0029] (Basic structure of the communication device)

[0030] Figure 1 It is an example of a block diagram of a communication device 10 to which the antenna module 100 according to the present embodiment is applied. The communication device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, or a tablet computer, or a personal computer having a communication function. An example of the frequency band of the radio wave used by the antenna module 100 according to the present embodiment is a radio wave in the millimeter wave band centered on, for example, 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and 60 GHz, but radio waves in frequency bands other than the above can also be applied.

[0031] Refer to Figure 1 , the communication device 10 includes an antenna module 100 and a BBIC 200 that constitutes a baseband signal processing circuit. The antenna module 100 includes an RFIC 110 as an example of a feeding component and an antenna device 120. The communication device 10 up-converts the signal transmitted from the BBIC 200 to the antenna module 100 into a high-frequency signal and radiates it from the antenna device 120, and down-converts the high-frequency signal received by the antenna device 120 and processes the signal through the BBIC 200.

[0032] In Figure 1 , for ease of explanation, only the structure corresponding to 4 of the plurality of radiation elements 121 that make up the antenna device 120 is shown, and the structures corresponding to the other radiation elements 121 having the same structure are omitted. In addition, in Figure 1In [the figure], an example is shown in which the antenna device 120 is formed of a plurality of radiation elements 121 arranged in a two-dimensional array. However, the radiation elements 121 do not have to be plural, and the antenna device 120 may be formed of one radiation element 121. Alternatively, the plurality of radiation elements 121 may be arranged in a one-dimensional array in a row. In the present embodiment, the radiation element 121 is a patch antenna having a substantially square flat plate shape.

[0033] The RFIC 110 includes switches 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D, 117, power amplifiers 112AT to 112DT, low noise amplifiers 112AR to 112DR, attenuators 114A to 114D, phase shifters 115A to 115D, a signal combiner / divider 116, a mixer 118, and an amplifier circuit 119.

[0034] When transmitting a high-frequency signal, the switches 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D are switched to the power amplifier 112AT to 112DT side, and the switch 117 is connected to the transmission-side amplifier of the amplifier circuit 119. When receiving a high-frequency signal, the switches 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D are switched to the low noise amplifier 112AR to 112DR side, and the switch 117 is connected to the reception-side amplifier of the amplifier circuit 119.

[0035] The signal transmitted from the BBIC 200 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 119 and up-converted by the mixer 118. The up-converted transmission signal as a high-frequency signal is divided into four waves by the signal combiner / divider 116, and after passing through four signal paths, is fed to different respective radiation elements 121. At this time, by independently adjusting the phase shift degrees of the phase shifters 115A to 115D arranged in each signal path, the directivity of the antenna device 120 can be adjusted.

[0036] The reception signals as high-frequency signals received by the respective radiation elements 121 are combined by the signal combiner / divider 116 after passing through different four signal paths. The combined reception signal is down-converted by the mixer 118, amplified by the amplifier circuit 119, and then transmitted to the BBIC 200.

[0037] The RFIC 110 is formed, for example, as a monolithic integrated circuit component including the above circuit structure. Alternatively, for the devices (switches, power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, attenuators, phase shifters) in the RFIC 110 corresponding to the respective radiation elements 121, they may be formed as monolithic integrated circuit components for each corresponding radiation element 121.

[0038] (Structure of the antenna module)

[0039] Next, details of the structure of the antenna module 100 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0040] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the antenna module 100. As described above, the antenna module 100 includes an antenna device 120 and an RFIC 110. The antenna device 120 has radiation elements 121 (radiation elements 121a, 121b) and a dielectric substrate 105.

[0041] The dielectric substrate 105 is, for example, a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) multilayer substrate, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating multiple resin layers made of resins such as epoxy resin and polyimide, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating multiple resin layers made of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) having a lower dielectric constant, a multilayer resin substrate formed by laminating multiple resin layers made of fluororesin, or a ceramic multilayer substrate other than LTCC. In addition, the dielectric substrate 105 does not necessarily have to be a multilayer structure and may be a single-layer substrate.

[0042] The cross-sectional shape of the dielectric substrate 105 is substantially L-shaped, including a flat portion 130 in the shape of a flat plate on which the RFIC 110 is disposed, a flat portion 131 in the shape of a flat plate on which the radiation element 121a is disposed, and a bent portion 135 that connects the flat portion 130 and the flat portion 131. The normal direction of the flat portion 130 and the normal direction of the flat portion 131 are substantially orthogonal to each other. Hereinafter, as Figure 2 shown, the normal direction of the flat portion 130 is also referred to as the "Z-axis direction", the normal direction of the flat portion 131 is also referred to as the "X-axis direction", and the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is also referred to as the "Y-axis direction". In addition, in the present embodiment, the flat portion 130 can correspond to the "first flat portion" of the present disclosure, the flat portion 131 can correspond to the "second flat portion" of the present disclosure, and the bent portion 135 can correspond to the "bent portion" of the present disclosure.

[0043] In this specification, the "thickness" refers to the dimension in the normal direction of each of the flat portion 130, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131. Additionally, in this specification, the "width" refers to the dimension in the Y-axis direction.

[0044] The RFIC 110 is disposed on the surface of the flat portion 130 (first flat portion) on the negative Z-axis side.

[0045] In the flat part 131 (second flat part), a plurality of radiation elements 121a are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined interval. By supplying a high-frequency signal from the RFIC 110 to the feeding point SP of each radiation element 121a, radio waves are radiated from each radiation element 121a in the positive X-axis direction. In addition, the number of radiation elements 121a does not have to be limited to a plurality, and may be one.

[0046] In the present embodiment, also in the flat part 130 (first flat part), a plurality of radiation elements 121b are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined interval. By supplying a high-frequency signal from the RFIC 110 to the feeding point SP of each radiation element 121b, radio waves are radiated from each radiation element 121b in the positive Z-axis direction. In addition, in the antenna module of the present disclosure, a structure without the radiation element 121b may also be employed.

[0047] The bent part 135 is arranged in a bent state to connect the flat part 130 and the flat part 131 having different normal directions.

[0048] In the present embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the flat part 130 and the flat part 131 are connected by a plurality of bent parts 135 arranged at a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction. The thickness (dimension in the normal direction) of each bent part 135 is smaller than the thickness of the flat part 130 and the thickness of the flat part 131. In addition, the width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of each bent part 135 is smaller than the width of the flat part 130 and the width of the flat part 131.

[0049] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100. The flat parts 130, 131 and the bent part 135 constituting the dielectric substrate 105 all have a multilayer structure.

[0050] In the flat part 130, the radiation element 121b, the feeding wire 170, and the ground electrode GND1 are laminated at a predetermined interval in this order from the positive direction to the negative direction of the Z axis. On the surface on the negative Z-axis side of the flat part 130, an external terminal T for connecting the RFIC 110 is arranged. The radiation element 121b extends in a plate shape along the in-plane direction of the flat part 130. The feeding wire 170 extends in a linear shape along the X-axis direction. The ground electrode GND1 is arranged in the layer between the layer in which the feeding wire 170 extends and the surface on which the external terminal T is arranged, and extends in a plate shape along the in-plane direction of the flat part 130.

[0051] In the bent part 135, the feeding wire 170 and the ground electrode GND1 are laminated at a predetermined interval in this order from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the bent part 135. In the flat part 131, the radiation element 121a and the ground electrode GND1 are laminated at a predetermined interval in this order from the positive direction to the negative direction of the X axis.

[0052] The feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 are integrally formed across the flat portion 130, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131. One end of the feeder line 170 is connected to the external terminal T in the flat portion 130. The other end of the feeder line 170 is connected to the radiating element 121a in the flat portion 131. Thus, in the flat portion 130, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131, a signal line of a microstrip line based on the feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 is formed. By supplying a high-frequency signal from the RFIC 110 to the radiating element 121a via the feeder line 170, radio waves are radiated from the radiating element 121a in the positive X-axis direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, the feeder line 170 can correspond to the "first feeder line" of the present disclosure, and the ground electrode GND1 can correspond to the "first ground electrode" of the present disclosure.

[0053] The radiating element 121b in the flat portion 130 is connected to the RFIC 110 by a feeder line (not shown) disposed inside the flat portion 130. By supplying a high-frequency signal from the RFIC 110 to the radiating element 121b, radio waves are radiated from the radiating element 121b in the positive Z-axis direction.

[0054] In addition, in Figure 3 an example is shown in which the feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 extend inside the dielectric substrate 105 (the flat portion 130, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131), but the feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 are not limited to being disposed inside the dielectric substrate 105. For example, the feeder line 170 may be disposed on the surface layer on the surface side of the dielectric substrate 105, and the ground electrode GND1 may be disposed on the surface layer on the back side of the dielectric substrate 105.

[0055] (Heat dissipation of the antenna module)

[0056] In the antenna module 100, when the RFIC 110 supplies a high-frequency signal to the radiating element 121a, heat is generated in the RFIC 110. The heat generated in the RFIC 110 is transferred from the external terminal T to the flat portion 130. Therefore, it is desirable to easily dissipate the heat transferred from the RFIC 110 to the flat portion 130 to the outside of the antenna module 100.

[0057] In the case where the length of the feeder line 170 is assumed to be short, the heat of the flat portion 130 is easily transferred to the flat portion 131 via the feeder line 170. Therefore, it is easy to transfer the heat transferred from the RFIC 110 to the flat portion 130 to the radiating element 121a of the flat portion 131 and dissipate it to the outside from the radiating element 121a.

[0058] However, in the antenna module 100 of the present embodiment, the flat portion 130 for connecting the external terminal T of the RFIC 110 and the flat portion 131 provided with the radiation element 121a are connected via the bent portion 135. Under this influence, the length of the feeder line 170 becomes longer, so it is difficult for the heat of the flat portion 130 to be transferred to the flat portion 131 via the feeder line 170. Therefore, without taking any countermeasures, there is a concern that the heat transferred from the RFIC 110 to the flat portion 130 stays in the flat portion 130, and thus the flat portion 130 becomes overheated.

[0059] In view of this problem, in the antenna module 100 of the present embodiment, a special design for ensuring the heat dissipation of the antenna module 100 (more specifically, the heat dissipation of the flat portion 130 connecting the RFIC 110) is implemented.

[0060] Specifically, in order to promote heat transfer using the feeder line 170, in the bent portion 135, the thickness (dimension in the normal direction) of the feeder line 170 is larger than the thickness of the ground electrode GND1. In this way, by increasing the thickness of the feeder line 170, whose thermal conductivity is larger than that of the dielectric, in the bent portion 135, it is easy for the heat of the flat portion 130 to be transferred to the flat portion 131 via the feeder line 170 in the bent portion 135. As a result, the heat dissipation of the antenna module 100 (the heat dissipation of the flat portion 130) can be ensured, and thus it is easy to prevent the flat portion 130 from becoming overheated.

[0061] Moreover, in the present embodiment, not only in the bent portion 135, but also in the flat portion 130 and the flat portion 131, the thickness of the feeder line 170 is larger than the thickness of the ground electrode GND1. Therefore, it is easy for the heat of the flat portion 130 to be transferred through the flat portion 131 via the feeder line 170.

[0062] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in order to improve the heat dissipation of the bent portion 135, a special design is also implemented for the shape of the bent portion 135. Specifically, the thickness of the bent portion 135 is smaller than the thickness of the flat portion 130. Thereby, in the bent portion 135, the dimension from the feeder line 170 to the outer peripheral side surface of the bent portion 135 is shortened, making it easy for the heat of the feeder line 170 to dissipate from the outer peripheral side surface of the bent portion 135. And the width of the bent portion 135 is smaller than the width of the flat portion 130 and the width of the flat portion 131. Thereby, in the bent portion 135, the dimension from the feeder line 170 to the side surface of the bent portion 135 is shortened, making it easy for the heat of the feeder line 170 to dissipate to the outside from the side surface of the bent portion 135.

[0063] In addition, in the present embodiment, by increasing the thickness of the feeder line 170, the resistance of the feeder line 170 becomes smaller. As a result, the amount of Joule heat generated in the feeder line 170 when a high-frequency signal passes through the feeder line 170 is reduced, and thus it is easier to prevent the feeder line 170 from becoming overheated.

[0064] Moreover, when the bent portion 135 is bent, tensile stress is generated on the outer peripheral side of the bent portion 135. In the present embodiment, the feeder line 170 having a thickness larger than that of the ground electrode GND1 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the bent portion 135. Therefore, in the bent portion 135, it is less likely that the feeder line 170 is broken.

[0065] [Modification Example]

[0066] Next, a modification (modification example) of the antenna module 100 will be described.

[0067] (Modification Example 1)

[0068] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100A of this Modification Example 1. The antenna module 100A has additional radiation elements 122a and 122b with respect to the antenna module 100 Figure 3 shown above.

[0069] Specifically, the antenna module 100A includes an antenna device 120A and an RFIC 110. The antenna device 120A includes a dielectric substrate 105A including a flat portion 130A, a flat portion 131A, and a bent portion 135.

[0070] The flat portion 130A has an additional radiation element 122b on the upper side (positive Z-axis direction side) of the radiation element 121b with respect to the flat portion 130 Figure 3 shown above. In addition, the flat portion 131A has an additional radiation element 122a on the upper side (positive X-axis direction side) of the radiation element 121a with respect to the flat portion 131 Figure 3 shown above. In this way, a plurality of radiation elements may be stacked in the flat portions 130A and 131A, respectively.

[0071] In addition, the additionally added radiation elements 122a and 122b in this Modification Example 1 are not connected to the RFIC 110. As Figure 4 shown, by adding the radiation elements 122a and 122b on the upper sides of the radiation elements 121a and 121b, the frequency band radiated from the radiation elements 121a and 121b can be expanded.

[0072] In addition, the radiation elements 122a and 122b can also be added to the lower side (the side closer to the ground electrode GND1) of the radiation elements 121a and 121b. In this case, the added radiation elements 122a and 122b function as so-called non-fed elements, and a dual-band type antenna module can be realized.

[0073] Even in the case where two radiation elements 121a and 122a are stacked and the feeder line 170 is connected to one of the radiation elements 121a, heat can be conducted between the radiation elements 121a and 122a due to the close distance between them, and the heat can be radiated to the outside. In addition, when observing the two radiation elements 121a and 122a from the X-axis direction, if the element size of the radiation element on the lower side (the side closer to the ground electrode GND1) is larger than that of the radiation element on the upper side (the side farther from the ground electrode GND1), heat can be radiated to the outside from the area of the lower radiation element that does not overlap with the upper radiation element.

[0074] (Modification 2)

[0075] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100B of this Modification 2. The antenna module 100B adds radiation elements 123a and 123b and a feeder line 171 to the antenna module 100 Figure 3 shown above.

[0076] Specifically, the antenna module 100B includes an antenna device 120B and an RFIC 110. The antenna device 120B includes a dielectric substrate 105B including a flat portion 130B, a flat portion 131B, and a bent portion 135B.

[0077] In the flat portion 130B, the radiation element 123b, the radiation element 121b, the feeder line 170, the ground electrode GND1, and the feeder line 171 are stacked at a predetermined interval in this order from the positive direction to the negative direction of the Z axis.

[0078] In the bent portion 135B, the feeder line 170, the ground electrode GND1, and the feeder line 171 are stacked at a predetermined interval in this order from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the bent portion 135B.

[0079] In the flat portion 131B, the radiation element 123a, the radiation element 121a, and the ground electrode GND1 are stacked at a predetermined interval in this order from the positive direction to the negative direction of the X axis.

[0080] The feeder line 171 extends in a layer that faces the feeder line 170 with the ground electrode GND1 interposed therebetween inside the flat portion 130B, the bent portion 135B, and the flat portion 131B. One end of the feeder line 171 is connected to the external terminal T in the flat portion 130B. The other end of the feeder line 171 is connected to the radiation element 123a in the flat portion 131B. The radiation element 123a and the feeder line 171 of this Modification 2 can correspond to the "second radiation element" and the "second feeder line" of the present disclosure, respectively. In addition, the radiation element 123b in the flat portion 130B and the RFIC 110 are connected by a feeder line (not shown) disposed inside the flat portion 130B.

[0081] Thus, in the flat portion 131B, the radiation elements 121a and 123a can also be stacked, and the radiation elements 121a and 123a are connected to the RFIC 110 via the feeder lines 170 and 171, respectively. In this case, by supplying high-frequency signals having different frequencies to the feeder lines 170 and 171, the antenna module 100B can be used as a dual-band type antenna module. By connecting the two feeder lines 170 and 171 to the two stacked radiation elements 121a and 123a, respectively, the heat transfer paths from the flat portion 130B to the flat portion 131B are dispersed, so that the heat dissipation effect can be further improved.

[0082] Also, in the bent portion 135B of this Modification 2, the two feeder lines 170 and 171 are stacked in the thickness direction (normal direction) of the bent portion 135B. Thereby, compared with the case where the two feeder lines 170 and 171 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the bent portion 135B, the width of the bent portion 135B can be reduced. Therefore, it is easy for the heat of the feeder lines 170 and 171 to dissipate to the outside from the side surface of the bent portion 135B.

[0083] In addition, in the flat portion 131B, the radiation element 123a may be omitted, and the feeder lines 170 and 171 may be connected to two feeding points of the radiation element 121a, respectively. In this case, a so-called dual-polarization type antenna module can be realized.

[0084] (Modification 3)

[0085] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100C of this Modification 3. The antenna module 100C is obtained by adding a ground electrode GND2 to the above-described Figure 3 shown antenna module 100.

[0086] Specifically, the antenna module 100C includes an antenna device 120C and an RFIC 110. The antenna device 120C includes a dielectric substrate 105C including a flat portion 130C, a flat portion 131C, and a bent portion 135.

[0087] The flat portion 130C, with respect to the flat portion described above Figure 3 shown flat portion 130, has a ground electrode GND2 added to the layer between the radiation element 121b and the feeder line 170. Thus, the ground electrode GND2 extends in the layer of the flat portion 130C that faces the ground electrode GND1 across the feeder line 170. In the flat portion 130C, a stripline signal line is formed based on the feeder line 170, the ground electrode GND1, and the ground electrode GND2. In addition, the ground electrode GND2 functions as the ground electrode of the radiation element 121b.

[0088] In addition, the ground electrode GND2 is restricted within the flat portion 130C and does not extend to the bent portion 135. Thus, in the bent portion 135, a signal line of a microstrip line is formed based on the feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1. The ground electrode GND2 of this modification example 3 can correspond to the "second ground electrode" of the present disclosure.

[0089] The flat portion 131C, with respect to the flat portion described above Figure 3 shown flat portion 131, has a ground electrode GND2 added to the layer between the radiation element 121a and the ground electrode GND1.

[0090] Thus, in the flat portion 130C, a ground electrode GND2 can also be added to the layer between the radiation element 121b and the feeder line 170. Thereby, the isolation between the radiation element 121b of the flat portion 130C and the radiation element 121a connected to the feeder line 170 of the flat portion 131C can be improved. In addition, a heat transfer path to the outside can be ensured from the ground electrode GND2, so the heat transfer paths are dispersed, and thus a further improvement in the heat dissipation effect can also be expected.

[0091] (Modification Example 4)

[0092] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100D of this modification example 4. The antenna module 100D, with respect to the antenna module described above Figure 3 shown antenna module 100, has radiation elements 123a, 123b, a feeder line 171, and a ground electrode GND2 added. That is, the antenna module 100D, with respect to the antenna module described above Figure 5 shown antenna module 100B, has a ground electrode GND2 added.

[0093] Specifically, the antenna module 100D includes an antenna device 120D and an RFIC 110. The antenna device 120D includes a dielectric substrate 105D including a flat portion 130D, a flat portion 131D, and a bent portion 135B.

[0094] The flat portion 130D, with respect to the flat portion described aboveFigure 5 In the flat portion 130B shown, a ground electrode GND2 is added to the layer between the radiation element 121b and the feeder line 170. Therefore, the ground electrode GND2 extends in the layer of the flat portion 130D that faces the ground electrode GND1 across the feeder line 170. In addition, the ground electrode GND2 is restricted within the flat portion 130D and does not extend to the bent portion 135.

[0095] The flat portion 131D with respect to the above Figure 5 In the flat portion 131B shown, a ground electrode GND2 is added to the layer between the radiation element 121a and the ground electrode GND1.

[0096] In this way, in the flat portion 131D, similar to the modified example 2, the radiation elements 121a and 123a can also be stacked, and the radiation elements 121a and 123a are respectively connected to the RFIC 110 via the feeder lines 170 and 171. Thus, the antenna module 100D can be used as a dual-band antenna module.

[0097] Moreover, in the flat portion 130D, similar to the modified example 3, a ground electrode GND2 can also be added to the layer between the radiation element 121b and the feeder line 170. Thereby, the isolation between the radiation element 121b in the flat portion 130D and the radiation element 121a connected to the feeder line 170 in the flat portion 131D can be improved.

[0098] The radiation element 123a and the feeder line 171 of this modified example 4 can respectively correspond to the "second radiation element" and the "second feeder line" of the present disclosure. In addition, the ground electrode GND2 of this modified example 4 can correspond to the "second ground electrode" of the present disclosure.

[0099] (Modified Example 5)

[0100] In the antenna module 100 of the above-described embodiment, a microstrip line based on the feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 is formed in the flat portion 130 and the bent portion 135. In addition, in the antenna module 100C of the above-described modified example 3, a strip line based on the feeder line 170 and the ground electrodes GND1 and GND2 is formed in the flat portion 130C.

[0101] However, a so-called coplanar line can also be formed by adding ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 that extend across the feeder line 170 in the same layer as the feeder line 170.

[0102] Figure 8FIG. 0 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the flat portion 130E of the antenna device 120E in the antenna module 100E of the fifth modification along the YZ plane orthogonal to the X axis. The flat portion 130E has additional ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 with respect to the flat portion 130C of the antenna module 100C of the third modification described above.

[0103] The ground electrode GND1 and the ground electrode GND2 are arranged to face each other across the feeder line 170 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the flat portion 130E. In contrast, the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 are arranged in the same layer as the feeder line 170 and extend across the feeder line 170. The thicknesses of the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 are the same as the thickness of the feeder line 170. Further, although not shown, the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 are integrally formed across the flat portion 130E and the bent portion 135 of the antenna module 100E.

[0104] In this way, in the flat portion 130E and the bent portion 135, a coplanar line based on the feeder line 170 and the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 can also be formed by adding the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 that extend across the feeder line 170 in the same layer as the feeder line 170. By adding the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4, a heat transfer path from the ground electrodes GND3 and GND4 to the outside can also be ensured. Therefore, the heat transfer paths can be dispersed to further improve the heat dissipation effect.

[0105] (Sixth Modification)

[0106] In the antenna module 100 of the above-described embodiment, the feeder line 170 extends in the same layer within the dielectric substrate 105. Further, the ground electrode GND1 also extends along the feeder line 170 in the same layer within the dielectric substrate 105.

[0107] However, the layer in which the feeder line 170 extends can be changed by via connections. Similarly, the layer in which the ground electrode GND1 extends can be changed by via connections.

[0108] Figure 9 FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100F of the sixth modification. The antenna module 100F changes the feeder line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 of the antenna module 100 shown above to a feeder line 170F and a ground electrode GND1F, respectively. Figure 3 The feeder line 170F and the ground electrode GND1F extend across the flat portion 130, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131. The layer in which the feeder line 170F extends is changed by via connections in the bent portion 135. The layer in which the ground electrode GND1F extends is changed by via connections in the bent portion 135.

[0109] ​

[0110] Thus, the layer in which the feeder line 170F extends can also be changed by via connections. Similarly, the layer in which the ground electrode GND1F extends can also be changed by via connections.

[0111] (Modification Example 7)

[0112] In the antenna module 100C of the above Modification Example 3 (refer to Figure 6 ), the radiating elements 121a and 121b and the ground electrodes GND1 and GND2 are arranged on the same dielectric substrate 105C. In addition, the flat portions 130C, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131C are arranged on the same dielectric substrate 105C.

[0113] However, the radiating elements 121a and 121b and the ground electrodes GND1 and GND2 may also be arranged on different substrates. In addition, the flat portions 130C, the bent portion 135, and the flat portion 131C may also be arranged on different substrates.

[0114] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module 100G of this Modification Example 7. The antenna module 100G is different from the antenna module 100C shown above Figure 6 in that the substrate forming the flat portion 131a on which the radiating element 121a is arranged, the substrate forming the flat portion 131b on which the ground electrodes GND1 and GND2 for the radiating element 121a are arranged, the substrate forming the flat portion 130a on which the radiating element 121b is arranged, the substrate forming the flat portion 130b on which the ground electrodes GND1 and GND2 for the radiating element 121b are arranged, and the substrate forming the bent portion 135G are each set as a different substrate.

[0115] With the substrates forming the bent portion 135G, the flat portion 130b, and the flat portion 131b being set as different substrates, the feeder line 170G is divided into a feeder line 170a arranged on the flat portion 130b, a feeder line 170b arranged on the bent portion 135G, and a feeder line 170c arranged on the flat portion 131b. Moreover, the feeder line 170b and the feeder line 170a are connected by a connector on the upper surface of the flat portion 130b (the surface on the side that abuts against the flat portion 130a). The feeder line 170b and the feeder line 170c are connected by a connector on the upper surface of the flat portion 131b (the surface on the side that abuts against the flat portion 131a). In addition, the position of the connector may be any one of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the side surface of the substrate (flat portions 130b and 131b).

[0116] (Modification Example 8)

[0117] In the antenna module 100 of the above-described embodiment, the plurality of feed lines 170 may also be arranged in parallel on the same layer within the dielectric substrate 105.

[0118] Figure 11 It is a perspective view of the antenna module 100H of Modification Example 8. In the antenna module 100H, two feed lines 170 are arranged side by side and in parallel in the Y-axis direction on the same layer within the dielectric substrate 105 (bending portion 135). It can be modified in this way.

[0119] (Modification Example 9)

[0120] Figure 12 It is a perspective view of the antenna module 100I of Modification Example 9. In the antenna module 100I, by bending one flexible substrate 105I, a flat portion 130I (first flat portion), a bending portion 135I, and a flat portion 131I (second flat portion) are formed, and the feed line 170 and the ground electrode GND1 extend inside the one flexible substrate 105I.

[0121] One end of the feed line 170 is connected to the connector terminal C provided on the flat portion 130I (first flat portion). The connector terminal C is configured to be connectable to an RFIC (not shown) mounted on a different substrate. The other end of the feed line 170 is connected to the radiation element 121a provided on the flat portion 131I (second flat portion).

[0122] In such an antenna module 100I, it is also possible to easily transfer the heat of the flat portion 130I transmitted from the RFIC mounted on a different substrate via the connector terminal C to the flat portion 131I through the feed line 170 in the bending portion 135I. Therefore, the heat dissipation performance of the antenna module 100I (the heat dissipation performance of the flat portion 130I) is ensured.

[0123] In addition, the features in the above-described embodiment and its Modification Examples 1-9 can be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs.

[0124] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiments, but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0125] Description of Reference Numerals

[0126] 10: Communication device; 100, 100A to 100I: Antenna module; 105, 105A to 105D: Dielectric substrate; 105I: Flexible substrate; 111A to 111D, 113A to 113D, 117: Switch; 112AR to 112DR: Low-noise amplifier; 112AT to 112DT: Power amplifier; 114A to 114D: Attenuator; 115A to 115D: Phase shifter; 116: Signal combiner / divider; 118: Mixer; 119: Amplification circuit; 120, 120A to 120D: Antenna device; 121, 121a, 121b, 122a, 122b, 123a, 123b: Radiating element; 130, 130A to 130D, 130I, 130a, 130b, 131, 131A to 131D, 131I, 131a, 131b: Flat portion; 135, 135B, 135I: Bending portion; 170, 170F, 170G, 171: Feeder line; GND1, GND1F, GND2: Ground electrode; SP: Feeding point; T: External terminal.

Claims

1. An antenna module, comprising: A first radiation element; and A dielectric substrate, The dielectric substrate having: A first flat portion on which external terminals are disposed; A second flat portion on which the first radiation element is disposed; A bent portion that connects the first flat portion and the second flat portion; A first feeder line that extends through the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion and is configured to connect the external terminals and the first radiation element; And A first ground electrode that extends along the first feeder line through the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion, The thickness of the first feeder line in the bent portion is greater than the thickness of the first ground electrode in the bent portion.

2. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein The thickness of the bent portion is smaller than the thickness of the first flat portion.

3. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein A second ground electrode is disposed on the first flat portion and extends in a layer that faces the first ground electrode with the first feeder line therebetween, The second ground electrode does not extend to the bent portion.

4. The antenna module according to claim 3, wherein The first ground electrode and the second ground electrode are separated by the first feeder line in the thickness direction of the dielectric substrate, In the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion, a third ground electrode and a fourth ground electrode are disposed and extend with the first feeder line therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction.

5. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein In the bent portion, the first feeder line is disposed at a position closer to the outer peripheral side of the bent portion than the first ground electrode.

6. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The dielectric substrate further includes a second feeder line in addition to the first feeder line, The second feeder line extends through the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion in a layer that faces the first feeder line with the first ground electrode therebetween.

7. The antenna module according to claim 6, wherein In the second flat portion, a second radiation element is disposed in addition to the first radiation element, The second feeder line connects the external terminals and the second radiation element.

8. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The width of the bent portion is smaller than the width of the first flat portion.

9. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The first feeder line and the first ground electrode extend through the first flat portion, the bent portion, and the second flat portion.

10. The antenna module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein A feeding component is further included, and the feeding component is connected to the external terminals of the first flat portion and is configured to supply a high-frequency signal to the first radiation element.

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