Antenna structure, antenna array, and frequency correction method for antenna structure

Abstract

The present invention provides an antenna structure, which is used to receive a set of feed signals through a set of signal feed nodes for resonance. The antenna structure includes a frame component and a radiation component. The frame component has four side walls, and the four side walls form a resonance cavity. Two of the four side walls include two conductive holes. The two conductive holes are electrically connected to the set of signal feed nodes and are used to receive the set of feed signals. Thereby, the antenna structure can be applied to dual bands. The present invention also provides an antenna array and a frequency calibration method for the antenna structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna structure, an antenna array and a frequency correction method for an antenna structure, and in particular to an antenna structure, an antenna array and a frequency correction method for an antenna structure applied to 5G millimeter waves. Background Art

[0002] Existing three-dimensional millimeter wave antennas are difficult to be used in practice due to the complex structure of their resonance cavities. Therefore, most millimeter wave antennas are planar patch antennas and can only be used in a single frequency band.

[0003] Furthermore, although the antenna has been tested during the manufacturing stage to ensure that the frequency of the productized antenna is within a preset frequency range, when the antenna is installed on an electronic device, its frequency may be disturbed by the housing of the electronic device and may be offset.

[0004] In view of this, how to develop an antenna structure with a simple structure and adjustable frequency is also a goal and direction that related industries must strive to develop and break through. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an antenna structure, an antenna array and a frequency correction method for an antenna structure, which combine a three-dimensional frame component and a planar radiation component to be applied to dual frequency bands and can be further used to correct the frequency.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the structural state of the present invention, an antenna structure is provided for receiving a set of feed signals through a set of signal feed nodes for resonance. The antenna structure includes a frame component and a radiation component. The frame component has four side walls. The four side walls form a resonant cavity. Two of the four side walls include two conductive holes. The two conductive holes are electrically connected to the set of signal feed nodes and are used to receive the set of feed signals. The radiation component is correspondingly connected to the frame component. Two of the four side walls are adjacent.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the structural state of the present invention, an antenna array is provided for receiving multiple groups of feed signals respectively through multiple groups of signal feed nodes for resonance. The antenna array includes multiple antenna structures. Each antenna structure includes a frame component and a radiation component. The frame component has four side walls. The four side walls form a resonant cavity. Two of the four side walls include two conductive holes. The two conductive holes are electrically connected to one of these groups of signal feed nodes and are used to receive one of these groups of feed signals. The radiation component is correspondingly connected to the frame component. Two of the four side walls are adjacent.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a frequency correction method of an antenna structure is provided to correct a radiation resonance frequency of an antenna structure to obtain a radiation correction resonance frequency. The antenna structure includes a frame component and a radiation component. The radiation component corresponds to the radiation resonance frequency. The frequency correction method of the antenna structure includes an antenna setting step, a frequency measurement step and a radiation component replacement step. The antenna setting step is to set the antenna structure in a shell. The frequency measurement step is to measure the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure. The radiation component replacement step is to remove the radiation component from the antenna structure and connect another radiation component to the frame component accordingly to adjust the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure to the radiation correction resonance frequency. The other radiation component corresponds to the radiation correction resonance frequency. The frame component has four side walls. The four side walls form a resonant cavity. Two of the four side walls include two conductive holes. The two conductive holes are electrically connected to a group of signal feed nodes and are used to receive a group of feed signals. Two of the four side walls are adjacent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram illustrating an antenna structure of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 It is shown according to Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of the antenna structure of the first embodiment;

[0011] Figure 3 It is shown according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the radiation resonance frequency and S parameters of the antenna structure of the first embodiment;

[0012] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram illustrating an antenna array according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a frequency calibration method for an antenna structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 6 It is shown according to Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the frequency down-calibration steps and S parameters of the frequency calibration method for the antenna structure of the third embodiment; and

[0015] Figure 7 It is shown according to Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the frequency up-calibration steps and S parameters of the frequency calibration method for the antenna structure of the third embodiment.

[0016] The reference numerals are described as follows:

[0017] 100: Antenna structure

[0018] 120: Frame components

[0019] 121: Resonance Cavity

[0020] 122: Via hole

[0021] 123: Sidewall

[0022] 140, 140a: Radiating components

[0023] 141: Radiant substrate

[0024] 142: Patch structure

[0025] 160: Carrier board

[0026] 161: Solder pad

[0027] 162: Microstrip line

[0028] 200: Antenna array

[0029] F: Signal feeding node

[0030] S10: Frequency correction method

[0031] S01: Antenna Setup Steps

[0032] S02: Frequency measurement steps

[0033] S03: Radiant Component Replacement Steps

[0034] S03a: Frequency reduction correction steps

[0035] S03b: Frequency Up Calibration Steps DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram illustrating an antenna structure 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 It is shown according to Figure 1An exploded schematic diagram of the antenna structure 100 of the first embodiment. The antenna structure 100 is used to receive a set of feed signals (not shown) through a set of signal feed nodes F for resonance. The antenna structure 100 includes a frame component 120 and a radiation component 140. The frame component 120 has four side walls 123. The four side walls 123 form a resonant cavity 121. Two of the four side walls 123 include two conductive holes 122. The two conductive holes 122 are electrically connected to the set of signal feed nodes F (i.e., two signal feed nodes F) and are used to receive the set of feed signals (two feed signals). The radiation component 140 is correspondingly connected to the frame component 120. Two of the four side walls 123 are adjacent. In this way, the antenna structure 100 of the present invention is applied to dual bands through the three-dimensional frame component 120 and the planar radiation component 140, and dual polarization is achieved through dual feeding, thereby receiving and transmitting signals in the vertical polarization direction and the horizontal polarization direction.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the frame component 120 may be a glass fiber substrate (FR4), or a printed circuit board with a hollowed-out center and a frame. The hollow of the frame component 120 forms a resonant cavity 121. The frame component 120 is square and has four side walls 123, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The conductive holes 122 (which may be blind holes) in two adjacent side walls 123 of the frame component 120 correspond to the signal feeding node F for feeding the feed signal.

[0038] The radiation element 140 may include a radiation substrate 141 and a patch structure 142. One side of the radiation substrate 141 faces the resonance cavity 121. The patch structure 142 is disposed on the other side of the radiation substrate 141. In the first embodiment, the radiation substrate 141 may be a ceramic substrate, and the frame element 120 and the radiation element 140 may be connected by welding, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 3 It is shown according to Figure 1A schematic diagram of the radiation resonance frequency and S parameters of the antenna structure 100 of the first embodiment. Since the antenna structure 100 of the first embodiment includes a frame component 120 and a radiation component 140, a resonance frequency band of the antenna structure 100 may include a cavity resonance frequency and a radiation resonance frequency. The cavity resonance frequency corresponds to the resonance cavity 121. The radiation resonance frequency corresponds to the radiation component 140. The cavity resonance frequency is higher than the radiation resonance frequency. In other words, when the feed signal is fed into the antenna structure 100 from the signal feed node F, the resonance cavity 121 in the frame component 120 resonates at the cavity resonance frequency, and the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140 resonates at a radiation resonance frequency lower than the cavity resonance frequency. In the first embodiment, the cavity resonance frequency may be greater than or equal to 37 GHz and less than or equal to 40 GHz, and the radiation correction resonance frequency may be greater than or equal to 26.5 GHz and less than or equal to 29.5 GHz, that is, the resonance frequency band of the first embodiment is between 26.5 GHz and 29.5 GHz and 37 GHz and 40 GHz, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, a simple resonance cavity 121 is formed using common circuit board materials, and combined with a radiation element 140 made of a high dielectric constant ceramic substrate, the antenna structure 100 of the present invention supports the frequency bands n257, n260 and n261 of 5G FR2 (Frequency Range 2).

[0040] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The antenna structure 100 may further include a carrier board 160. The carrier board 160 is provided for the frame component 120 to be disposed, and includes a plurality of solder pads 161 and two microstrip lines 162. The two microstrip lines 162 are electrically connected to the two vias 122 respectively. The set of feed signals is transmitted to the two vias 122 through the two microstrip lines 162. The frame component 120 is soldered to the solder pads 161 of the carrier board 160 by surface mount technology (SMT).

[0041] Specifically, the carrier 160 is disposed at the bottom of the frame assembly 120, and the frame assembly 120 is fixed to the pad 161 by welding. The two microstrip lines 162 are electrically connected to the two vias 122, respectively, so that a set of feed signals (i.e., two feed signals) can be fed into the two microstrip lines 162 from the signal feed node F, respectively, and electrically connected to the two vias 122.

[0042] In addition, the antenna structure 100 may further include another radiating element 140a (see Figure 6 and Figure 7). The radiation component 140 and another radiation component 140a are replaceable with each other and are both detachably connected to the frame component 120; that is, by configuring that the two radiation components 140 and 140a are both detachably connectable to the frame component 120, the radiation component 140 can be replaced with a radiation component 140a having a patch structure 142 of a different size as needed. In detail, the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140 corresponds to the radiation resonance frequency, and the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140 has a first area. The patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140a corresponds to the radiation correction resonance frequency, and the radiation component 140a has a second area. Thereby, the antenna structure 100 of the present invention can adjust the resonance frequency band of the antenna structure 100 by replacing the radiation components 140 and 140a with patch structures 142 of different areas or patterns.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the antenna array 200 of the second embodiment of the present invention. The antenna array 200 is used to receive multiple groups of feed signals respectively through multiple groups of signal feed nodes F for resonance. The antenna array 200 includes multiple antenna structures 100. The antenna structure 100 of the antenna array 200 is the same as the antenna structure 100 of the first embodiment and will not be repeated. In the second embodiment, the number of antenna structures 100 is four, and the positions of the signal feed nodes F of the four antenna structures 100 are the same, but the present invention is not limited to this. Thereby, the gain of the antenna array 200 of the present invention in the low frequency band is at least higher than 12.2dBi, and the gain in the high frequency band is at least higher than 13.3dBi, which meets the high gain requirements of 5G.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , Figure 51 is a flow chart illustrating a frequency calibration method S10 for an antenna structure 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The frequency calibration method S10 for the antenna structure 100 is used to calibrate a radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure 100 to obtain a radiation calibration resonance frequency. The frequency calibration method S10 for the antenna structure 100 includes an antenna setting step S01, a frequency measurement step S02, and a radiation component replacement step S03. The antenna setting step S01 is to set the antenna structure 100 in a housing (not shown). The frequency measurement step S02 is to measure the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure 100. The radiation component replacement step S03 is to remove the radiation component 140 from the antenna structure 100, and to connect another radiation component 140a to the frame component 120 accordingly, so as to adjust the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure 100 to the radiation calibration resonance frequency. The radiation component 140 corresponds to the radiation resonance frequency. The other radiation component 140a corresponds to the radiation calibration resonance frequency.

[0045] In the third embodiment, the antenna structure 100 is the same as the antenna structure 100 of the first embodiment, and will not be described in detail. Figure 3 However, when the antenna structure 100 is assembled in the housing of an electronic device (such as a mobile phone) through the antenna setting step S01 , the resonance frequency band of the antenna structure 100 may be affected by the housing and changed.

[0046] The radiation component replacement step S03 replaces the radiation component 140 on the antenna structure 100 with another radiation component 140a to adjust the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure 100. In detail, the radiation component replacement step S03 uses a hot air gun to desolder the frame component 120 and the radiation component 140 connected by welding, and removes the radiation component 140 fixed to the frame component 120. Different radiation resonance frequencies can be generated by adjusting the pattern or size of the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140. The pattern or size of the patch structure 142 on the other radiation component 140a is different from that of the radiation component 140. Thereby, when the frequency correction method S10 of the antenna structure 100 of the present invention causes the resonance frequency band to shift due to the setting environment of the antenna structure 100, the radiation resonance frequency can be corrected by replacing the radiation component 140, thereby avoiding the need to reprint the antenna pattern due to the resonance frequency band shift, thereby reducing the verification schedule.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 6 It is shown according to Figure 5Schematic diagram of the frequency down-correction step S03a and S parameters of the frequency correction method S10 of the antenna structure 100 of the third embodiment. The radiation component replacement step S03 may include a frequency down-correction step S03a and a frequency up-correction step S03b. The frequency down-correction step S03a is to correct the radiation resonance frequency higher than the preset frequency band to the radiation correction resonance frequency located in the preset frequency band, wherein when the radiation resonance frequency is higher than the radiation correction resonance frequency, a second area of ​​a patch structure 142 of another radiation component 140a is larger than a first area of ​​a patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140. When the radiation resonance frequency is higher than the preset frequency band, the frequency down-correction step S03a is performed; when the resonance frequency is lower than the preset frequency band, the frequency up-correction step S03b is performed. Further, when the radiation resonance frequency measured by the frequency measurement step S02 exceeds the preset frequency band and is higher than the preset frequency band, the radiation component 140 is removed through the frequency reduction correction step S03a and replaced with a radiation component 140a having a larger area (second area) of the patch structure 142, so that the radiation correction resonance frequency meets the preset frequency band. In the third embodiment, the preset frequency band is the resonance frequency band when the antenna structure 100 is not set in the shell (i.e., the resonance frequency band of the antenna structure 100 of the first embodiment), the first area of ​​the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140 is 2.2×2.2 square millimeters, and the second area of ​​the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140a is 2.4×2.4 square millimeters, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , Figure 7 It is shown according to Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the frequency up-correction step S03b and S parameters of the frequency correction method S10 of the antenna structure 100 of the third embodiment. The frequency up-correction step S03b is to correct the radiation resonance frequency lower than the preset frequency band to the radiation correction resonance frequency within the preset frequency band. When the radiation resonance frequency is lower than the radiation correction resonance frequency, the second area of ​​the patch structure 142 of another radiation component 140a is smaller than the first area of ​​the patch structure 142 of the radiation component 140. In detail, when the radiation resonance frequency measured by the frequency measurement step S02 exceeds the preset frequency band and is lower than the preset frequency band, the radiation component 140 is removed through the frequency up-correction step S03b and replaced with the radiation component 140a with a smaller area (second area) of the patch structure 142, so that the radiation correction resonance frequency meets the preset frequency band. In the third embodiment, the first area of ​​the patch structure 142 of the radiation element 140 is 2.2×2.2 square millimeters, and the second area of ​​the patch structure 142 of the radiation element 140a is 2.0×2.0 square millimeters, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0049] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An antenna structure, used to receive a set of feed signals through a set of signal feed nodes for resonance, characterized in that: The antenna structure comprises: A frame component having four side walls, the four side walls forming a resonant cavity, wherein two of the four side walls include two conductive holes, the two conductive holes are electrically connected to the group of signal feeding nodes and are used to receive the group of feeding signals; as well as a radiation component, correspondingly connected to the frame component; Wherein, two of the four side walls are adjacent to each other.

2. The antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A resonant frequency band of the antenna structure includes: a cavity resonance frequency corresponding to the resonance cavity; and a radiation resonance frequency corresponding to the radiation component; Wherein, the cavity resonance frequency is higher than the radiation resonance frequency.

3. The antenna structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The radiator assembly includes: a radiation substrate, one side of which faces the resonance cavity; and A patch structure is arranged on the other side of the radiation substrate; The patch structure corresponds to one of the radiation resonance frequency and a radiation correction resonance frequency.

4. The antenna structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The antenna structure further comprises: Another radiation component, the other radiation component and the radiation component can be replaced with each other and are both detachably connected to the frame component.

5. The antenna structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The patch structure of the radiation component corresponds to the radiation resonance frequency, and the patch structure of the radiation component has a first area; A patch structure of the other radiation element corresponds to the radiation correction resonance frequency, and the patch structure of the other radiation element has a second area; When the radiation resonance frequency is higher than the radiation correction resonance frequency, the second area is larger than the first area; When the radiation resonance frequency is lower than the radiation correction resonance frequency, the second area is smaller than the first area.

6. The antenna structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cavity resonance frequency is greater than or equal to 37 GHz and less than or equal to 40 GHz, and the radiation correction resonance frequency is greater than or equal to 26.5 GHz and less than or equal to 29.5 GHz.

7. The antenna structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The frame component is a glass fiber substrate (FR4), and the radiation substrate is a ceramic substrate.

8. The antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame component is connected to the radiation component by welding.

9. The antenna structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antenna structure further comprises: A carrier plate for the frame assembly to be mounted on, the carrier plate comprising: a plurality of solder pads; and Two microstrip lines are electrically connected to the two conductive vias respectively, wherein the group of feed signals is transmitted to the two conductive vias through the two microstrip lines; Wherein, the frame assembly is fixed to the carrier through the plurality of welding pads.

10. An antenna array, used to receive multiple groups of feed signals respectively through multiple groups of signal feed nodes to resonate, characterized in that: The antenna array contains: A plurality of antenna structures, each of the antenna structures comprising: a frame component having four side walls, the four side walls forming a resonant cavity, wherein two of the four side walls include two conductive holes, the two conductive holes are electrically connected to one of the plurality of signal feeding nodes and are used to receive one of the plurality of feeding signals; and a radiation component, correspondingly connected to the frame component; Wherein, two of the four side walls are adjacent to each other.

11. A frequency calibration method for an antenna structure, for calibrating a radiation resonance frequency of an antenna structure to obtain a radiation calibration resonance frequency, the antenna structure comprising a frame component and a radiation component, the radiation component corresponding to the radiation resonance frequency, characterized in that: The frequency correction method of the antenna structure comprises: An antenna setting step is to set the antenna structure on a housing; a frequency measurement step, measuring the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure; and a radiation component replacement step, which is to remove the radiation component from the antenna structure and connect another radiation component to the frame component accordingly, so as to adjust the radiation resonance frequency of the antenna structure to the radiation correction resonance frequency, wherein the other radiation component corresponds to the radiation correction resonance frequency; The frame component has four side walls, which form a resonance cavity, wherein two of the four side walls include two conductive holes, which are electrically connected to a group of signal feeding nodes and used to receive a group of feeding signals; and the two of the four side walls are adjacent.

12. The frequency calibration method of the antenna structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The radiation component replacement steps include: a frequency down-correction step, which corrects the radiation resonance frequency higher than a preset frequency band to the radiation correction resonance frequency within the preset frequency band, wherein when the radiation resonance frequency is higher than the radiation correction resonance frequency, a second area of ​​a patch structure of the other radiation component is larger than a first area of ​​a patch structure of the radiation component; and a frequency up-correction step, which corrects the radiation resonance frequency lower than the preset frequency band to the radiation correction resonance frequency located in the preset frequency band, wherein when the radiation resonance frequency is lower than the radiation correction resonance frequency, the second area of ​​the patch structure of the other radiation component is smaller than the first area of ​​the patch structure of the radiation component; When the radiation resonance frequency is higher than the preset frequency band, the frequency reduction correction step is performed; when the resonance frequency is lower than the preset frequency band, the frequency increase correction step is performed.

13. The frequency calibration method of the antenna structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: A resonant frequency band of the antenna structure includes a cavity resonant frequency and the radiation resonant frequency. The cavity resonant frequency corresponds to the resonant cavity. The cavity resonant frequency is greater than or equal to 37 GHz and less than or equal to 40 GHz. The radiation correction resonant frequency is greater than or equal to 26.5 GHz and less than or equal to 29.5 GHz.

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