Antennas and antenna systems

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an antenna and an antenna system, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The antenna of the present disclosure comprises: a first dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface oppositely arranged along the thickness direction thereof; a radiation patch arranged on the first surface of the first dielectric layer; and a first electrode layer arranged on the second surface of the first dielectric layer and at least partially overlapping with the orthographic projection of the radiation patch on the second surface; wherein the first electrode layer has a concave portion, the opening of the concave portion faces the radiation patch, and the orthographic projection of at least part of the radiation edge of the radiation patch on the first dielectric layer at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the concave portion on the first surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to an antenna and an antenna system. Background Technology

[0002] In mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, as well as in wireless applications like microsatellites, smart windows, and smart wearables, antenna miniaturization and thin-film technology have become a development trend. Thin-film antennas facilitate conformal structure designs and reduce antenna weight. One crucial aspect of thin-film antenna technology is reducing the antenna's profile height. Therefore, how to reduce the antenna's profile height is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide an antenna and an antenna system.

[0004] This disclosure provides an antenna, which includes:

[0005] A first dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction;

[0006] A radiating patch is disposed on the first surface of the first dielectric layer;

[0007] A first electrode layer is disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer and at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the radiating patch on the second surface; wherein,

[0008] The first electrode layer has a recess, and the opening of the recess faces the radiating patch. At least a portion of the radiating edge of the radiating patch is projected onto the first dielectric layer in a positive projection, which at least partially overlaps with the positive projection of the recess onto the first surface. The depth of the recess is 1 / 4 of the equivalent wavelength.

[0009] The radiating patch comprises a first radiating edge and a second radiating edge extending along a first direction and arranged side-by-side along a second direction; the recessed portion comprises a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion; the length direction of the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion is the first direction, the width direction of the two portions is the second direction, and the depth direction of the two portions is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer; the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the first recessed portion on the first dielectric layer; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the second recessed portion on the first dielectric layer.

[0010] The radiating edge of the radiating patch further includes a third radiating edge and a fourth radiating edge extending along the second direction and arranged side by side along the first direction; the concave portion further includes a third concave portion and a fourth concave portion; the length direction of the third concave portion and the fourth concave portion is the second direction, the width direction of the two portions is the first direction, and the depth direction of the two portions is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer; the orthographic projection of the third radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the third concave portion on the first dielectric layer; the orthographic projection of the fourth radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the fourth concave portion on the first dielectric layer.

[0011] The first concave portion, the second concave portion, the third concave portion, and the fourth concave portion are sequentially connected to form a closed-loop concave portion.

[0012] The first concave portion, the second concave portion, the third concave portion, and the fourth concave portion are sequentially connected to form an open-loop concave portion.

[0013] The antenna further includes: a feed line disposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer, the feed line being electrically connected to the radiating patch; the orthographic projection of the feed line on the first dielectric layer does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the open-loop recess on the first dielectric layer.

[0014] The radiating edge of the radiating patch includes a first radiating edge and a second radiating edge that extend along a first direction and are arranged side by side along a second direction; the concave portion includes a first concave portion and a second concave portion.

[0015] The first recess includes a first main body and a first branch, the first main body and the first branch are connected, and the depth direction of the first branch is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer, and the depth direction of the first main body is the second direction; the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the first main body on the first dielectric layer;

[0016] The second recess includes a second main body and a second branch, the second main body and the second branch are connected, and the depth direction of the second branch is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer, and the depth direction of the second main body is the second direction; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the second main body on the first dielectric layer.

[0017] Wherein, the first concave portion includes two first branch portions, and the first main body portion includes two first sub-main body portions; the two first branch portions are arranged side by side along the first direction; the depth direction of the two first sub-main body portions is the first direction, and the two are arranged side by side along the first direction; the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the two first sub-main body portions on the first dielectric layer.

[0018] The second recess includes two second branch portions, and the second main body includes two second sub-main bodies; the two second branch portions are arranged side by side along the first direction; the depth direction of the two second sub-main bodies is the first direction, and the two are arranged side by side along the first direction; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the two second sub-main bodies on the first dielectric layer.

[0019] The antenna further includes:

[0020] A second dielectric layer is provided, on which a blind groove is formed; a first electrode layer is disposed on the second dielectric layer, and the blind groove defines the recessed portion.

[0021] The second dielectric layer has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region; the blind trench penetrates at least a portion of the boundary line between the central region and the peripheral region; the orthographic projection of the radiating patch on the first surface covers the orthographic projection of the central region of the reference electrode on the first surface.

[0022] The first electrode layer includes a first hollow pattern in the middle region and a second hollow pattern in the outer region; the radiating patch includes a third hollow pattern.

[0023] Wherein, the hollow portion of the first hollow pattern and the hollow portion of the third hollow pattern completely overlap on the first surface.

[0024] The bottom angle of the blind groove is 80° to 100°.

[0025] The dielectric material filling the recess includes any one of silicon, aluminum oxide, and ceramic.

[0026] Secondly, an embodiment of this disclosure provides an antenna system comprising at least one of the antennas described above.

[0027] The antenna system further includes:

[0028] A transceiver unit is used to send or receive signals.

[0029] A radio frequency transceiver, connected to the transceiver unit, is used to modulate the signal transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signal received by the antenna and then transmit it to the transceiver unit.

[0030] A signal amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the antenna;

[0031] A power amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the antenna;

[0032] The filtering unit is connected to both the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, and is also connected to the antenna. It is used to filter the received signal and send it to the antenna, or to filter the signal received by the antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the AA' of the antenna;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the AA' antenna;

[0036] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the AA' antenna;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 11 for Figure 9 The simulation diagram of the antenna shown is shown.

[0044] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the ground plane in the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0045] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a radiating patch for another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms “an,” “a,” or “the,” and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms “including,” “comprising,” or “containing,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “connected,” “linked,” or similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and these relative positional relationships may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described objects changes.

[0049] Firstly, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 for Figure 1A cross-sectional view of an antenna AA'; This disclosure provides an antenna comprising a first dielectric layer 1, a radiating patch 2, a first electrode layer, and a feed line 4. The first dielectric layer 1 includes a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction. The radiating patch 2 and the feed line 4 are disposed on the first surface of the first dielectric layer 1, and the feed line 4 is electrically connected to the radiating patch 2. The first electrode layer has a recess, which is disposed on the second surface of the first dielectric layer 1, and the opening of the recess on the first electrode layer faces the first dielectric layer 1. The orthographic projection of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the first electrode layer on the first dielectric layer 1, and at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the radiating edge of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the recess on the first surface; the depth of the recess is 1 / 4 of the equivalent wavelength; the equivalent wavelength is the vacuum wavelength divided by the refractive index of the dielectric material in the recess.

[0050] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first electrode layer includes, but is not limited to, ground layer 3, meaning that the signal applied to the first electrode layer is a ground signal. In this embodiment, ground layer 3 is used as an example for explanation. It should be understood that as long as the voltage on the first electrode layer and the radiating layer can form a loop when the thin-film antenna is working, the use of ground layer 3 for the first electrode layer does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the radiating edge of the radiating patch 2 refers to the side edge of the radiating patch 2. For example, when the outline of the radiating patch 2 is rectangular, the four sides of the rectangular radiating patch 2 are the radiating edges.

[0051] The antenna provided in this embodiment has a recessed portion on the ground layer 3, and at least a portion of the radiating edge of the radiating patch 2 has its orthographic projection on the first dielectric layer 1 located within the orthographic projection of the recessed portion on the first dielectric layer 1. This recessed portion shortens the distance between the radiating patch 2 and the ground layer 3 while maintaining a bandwidth of over 6%, and increases the maximum radiation efficiency at the resonant frequency to 40%-70%. In other words, the antenna in this embodiment can reduce the thickness of the first dielectric layer 1 and the overall profile height of the antenna, while improving the antenna's radiation efficiency.

[0052] In some examples, the recessed portion of the first electrode layer can be filled with a filling medium 5, which is a high dielectric constant material suitable for the microwave and millimeter-wave bands, such as silicon, alumina, specific ceramic materials, etc. Without filling the recessed portion with a high dielectric constant material, the radiation efficiency can be increased by 4 to 5 times compared to conventional low-profile patch antennas. However, with the high dielectric constant material, the maximum radiation efficiency can be increased by approximately 6 to 8 times, and the radiation bandwidth (at 30% radiation efficiency) will also increase to over 15%.

[0053] In some examples, the materials of the radiating patch 2, feed line 4, and ground layer 3 can all be the same. For example, at least one of copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), and silver (Ag). In this embodiment of the disclosure, the materials of the radiating patch 22, feed line 44, and ground layer 33 are all copper, as an example.

[0054] In some examples, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first dielectric layer 1 in the antenna can be a single-layer structure or a composite layer structure. When the dielectric layer 1 adopts a single-layer structure, its material includes, but is not limited to, flexible materials. For example, the first dielectric layer 1 is made of polyimide (PI) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0055] In some examples, Figure 3 for Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the antenna AA'; as shown Figure 3 As shown, when the first dielectric layer 1 is a composite film layer, it includes a first sub-dielectric layer 11, a first adhesive layer 12, a second sub-dielectric layer 13, a second adhesive layer 14, and a third sub-dielectric layer 15 stacked sequentially. A grounding layer 33 is disposed on the side of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 facing away from the first adhesive layer 12, i.e., the side of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 facing away from the first adhesive layer 12 serves as the second surface of the dielectric layer 1. A radiating patch 22 is disposed on the side of the third sub-dielectric layer 15 facing away from the second adhesive layer 14, i.e., the side of the second sub-dielectric layer 13 facing away from the second adhesive layer 14 serves as the first surface of the dielectric layer 1. The first sub-dielectric layer 11 and the third sub-dielectric layer 15 may, but are not limited to, being made of PI material; the second sub-dielectric layer 13 may, but is not limited to, being made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material. The materials of the first adhesive layer 12 and the second adhesive layer 14 may both be transparent optical adhesive (OCA). When the radiation patch 22 is disposed between the third sub-dielectric layer 15 and the second adhesive layer 14, a protective layer, such as a self-healing transparent waterproof coating, is also formed on the upper surface of the third sub-dielectric layer 15 to protect the third sub-dielectric layer 15.

[0056] In some examples, Figure 4 for Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the antenna AA'; as shown Figure 4As shown, when the first dielectric layer 1 is a composite film layer, it includes a first sub-dielectric layer 11, a first adhesive layer 12, a second sub-dielectric layer 13, a second adhesive layer 14, and a third sub-dielectric layer 15 stacked sequentially. The grounding layer 33 is disposed on the side of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 near the first adhesive layer 12, meaning the side of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 near the first adhesive layer 12 serves as the second surface of the dielectric layer 1. The radiating patch 22 is disposed on the side of the second sub-dielectric layer 13 near the second adhesive layer 14, meaning the side of the second sub-dielectric layer 13 near the second adhesive layer 14 serves as the first surface of the dielectric layer 1. In this case, the feeder 4, the radiating patch 2, and the grounding layer 3 are not exposed, thus effectively preventing water and oxygen corrosion.

[0057] In some examples, when the first dielectric layer 1 includes a first sub-dielectric layer 11, a first adhesive layer 12, a second sub-dielectric layer 13, a second adhesive layer 14, and a third sub-dielectric layer 15 stacked sequentially, the first sub-dielectric layer 11 and the third sub-dielectric layer 15 can be made of the same material, and their thicknesses are the same or approximately the same. The second sub-dielectric layer 13 differs from the first sub-dielectric layer 11 (and the third sub-dielectric layer 15) in material and thickness, and the thickness of the second sub-dielectric layer 13 is greater than that of the first sub-dielectric layer 11. Specifically, the thickness of the first sub-dielectric layer 11 (and the third sub-dielectric layer 15) is approximately 10 μm to 80 μm, and the thickness of the second sub-dielectric layer 13 is approximately 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm.

[0058] The structure of the antenna in the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to specific examples.

[0059] The first example, such as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the antenna includes a first dielectric layer 1, a radiating patch 2, a feed line 4, and a ground layer 3. The first dielectric layer 1 includes a first surface (upper surface) and a second surface (lower surface) disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction. Both the radiating patch 2 and the ground layer 3 in the antenna are plate-shaped electrodes. In embodiments of this disclosure, the shapes of the contours of the radiating patch 2 and the ground layer 3 may be the same or different. Figure 1 This example uses a square outline for the radiating patch 2 and a rectangular outline for the grounding layer 3. In practical applications, the shapes of the radiating patch 2 and the grounding layer 3 include, but are not limited to, rectangles, ellipses, and circles. (Continue referring to...) Figure 1The radiating patch 2 has a first radiating edge 201 and a second radiating edge 202 extending along a first direction and arranged side-by-side along a second direction; and a third radiating edge 203 and a fourth radiating edge 204 extending along the second direction and arranged side-by-side along the first direction. A feed line 4 is connected to one of the apex positions of the radiating patch 2 to provide microwave signals to the radiating patch 2. The ground layer 3 has two recesses (i.e., two blind slots formed on the ground layer 3) extending along the first direction and arranged side-by-side along the second direction, namely a first recess 31 and a second recess 32, which are filled with a filling medium 5. That is, the length direction of the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 is the first direction, the width direction is the second direction, and the depth direction is the thickness direction of the ground layer 3. The first radiating edge 201 of the radiating patch 2, when projected onto the first dielectric layer 1, passes through the first recess 31, which in turn passes through the second recess 32, also when projected onto the first dielectric layer 1. By providing the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 on the ground layer 3, the profile height of the antenna is reduced, thereby improving radiation efficiency.

[0060] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this disclosure, the first direction and the second direction are, for example, perpendicular to each other, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction and the second direction is a horizontal direction. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the first direction is described as vertical and the second direction as horizontal. Figure 2 Taking the provision of a first recessed portion 31 and a second recessed portion 32 in the grounding layer 3 as an example, in practice, a third recessed portion 33 and a fourth recessed portion 34 extending along the second direction and arranged side by side along the first direction can also be provided on the grounding layer 3. The orthogonal projection of the third radiating edge 203 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 passes through the orthogonal projection of the third recessed portion 33 on the first dielectric layer 1, and the orthogonal projection of the fourth radiating edge 204 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 passes through the orthogonal projection of the fourth recessed portion 34 on the dielectric layer. Of course, in the embodiments of this disclosure, only one or any combination of the first recessed portion 31, the second recessed portion 32, the third recessed portion 33, and the fourth recessed portion 34 can be provided on the grounding layer 3.

[0061] In some examples, the length of the first recess 31 is not less than the length of the first radiating edge 201, and not less than half the wavelength divided by the refractive index of the filling material; and / or the length of the second recess 32 is not less than the length of the second radiating edge 202, and not less than half the vacuum wavelength divided by the refractive index of the filling material. For example, the length of the first recess 31 is not less than the length of the first radiating edge 201, and the length of the second recess 32 is not less than the length of the second radiating edge 202. When the ground layer 3 is also provided with a third recess 33 and a fourth recess 34, the length of the third recess 33 is not less than the length of the third radiating edge 203, and / or the length of the fourth recess 34 is not less than the length of the fourth radiating edge 204. This arrangement effectively improves the radiation efficiency of the radio frequency signal.

[0062] In some examples, the depths of the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 are equal to or approximately equal to 1 / 4 of the equivalent wavelength. This equivalent wavelength is equal to or approximately equal to the vacuum wavelength divided by the refractive index of the filling medium 5.

[0063] In some examples, if the thickness of the first dielectric layer 1 is h, the width of the first recess 31 (second recess 32) of the ground layer 3 is 5h or more. Figure 2 The dimensions shown are schematic and do not represent the actual dimensions of each film layer and structure. For example, the width of the first recess 31 (second recess 32) of the grounding layer 3 is 5h-10h. Both the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 include a first side and a second side extending along the second direction and arranged side by side along the first direction. The distance between the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge 201 on the first dielectric layer 1 and the orthographic projection of the first side of the first recess 31 on the first dielectric layer 1 is a, and the distance between the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge 202 on the first dielectric layer 1 and the orthographic projection of the first side of the second recess 32 on the first dielectric layer 1 is b. The specific values ​​of a and b need to be obtained through simulation optimization based on the radiation frequency and the height of the first dielectric layer 1. The thickness of both the radiating patch 2 and the grounding layer 3 is approximately 3 skin depths.

[0064] In one example, taking the 10 mm band (30 GHz) as an example, the thickness of the first dielectric layer 1 is 20 μm, and the dielectric constant is 3; the thickness of the radiating patch 2 and the ground layer 3 is 3 μm; the width of the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 is 200 μm. The depth of the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 is 800 μm, and the filling dielectric 5 is a material with a dielectric constant of 10 (e.g., silicon or aluminum oxide). The first radiating edge 201 and the second radiating edge 202 are 3.4 μm, and the third radiating edge 203 and the fourth radiating edge 204 are 3 μm. The first recess 31 and the second recess 32 are respectively provided corresponding to the first radiating edge 201 and the second radiating edge 202. At this time, the antenna with the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 can achieve a radiation efficiency of 50% at the 30GHz frequency, while the antenna without the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 on the ground layer 3 achieves a radiation efficiency of 8.7% at the 30GHz frequency, which is nearly 6 times higher than the radiation frequency of the antenna without the recess on the ground layer 3.

[0065] The second example, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another antenna structure according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 5 As shown, this antenna has a structure roughly the same as the antenna in the first example, except that the ground layer 3 in this antenna structure not only has a first recess 31 and a second recess 32, but also includes a third recess 33 and a fourth recess 34. Figure 5As shown, the first recess 31, the second recess 32, the third recess 33, and the fourth recess 34 are connected end to end to form a closed-loop recess. The orthographic projection of the radiating edge of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the recess of the ground layer 3 on the first dielectric layer 1. That is, the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge 201 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the first recess 31 of the ground layer 3 on the first dielectric layer 1; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge 202 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the second recess 32 of the ground layer 3 on the first dielectric layer 1; the orthographic projection of the third radiating edge 203 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the third recess 33 of the ground layer 3 on the first dielectric layer 1; and the orthographic projection of the fourth radiating edge 204 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the fourth recess 34 of the ground layer 3 on the first dielectric layer 1. In other words, the grounding layer 3 not only has a first recessed portion 31 and a second recessed portion 32 extending along the first direction, but also includes a third recessed portion 33 and a fourth recessed portion 34 extending along the second direction. In this case, the antenna structure can radiate or receive microwave signals not only along the first direction but also along the second direction, thereby improving the radiation efficiency of the microwave signal. In this scenario, if the lengths of the first radiating edge 201 and the second radiating edge 202 of the radiating patch 2 are both L1, the lengths of the third radiating edge 203 and the fourth radiating edge 204 are both L2, the widths of the first recessed portion 31 and the second recessed portion 32 of the grounding layer 3 are both W1, and the widths of the third recessed portion 33 and the fourth recessed portion 34 are both W2, then the values ​​of L1, L2, W1, and W2 can be reasonably designed, and the operating frequency bands corresponding to the first and second directional polarizations can be designed based on these values. Dual-polarization feeding of the antenna can be achieved by connecting feed lines 4 to the first radiating edge 201 and the third radiating edge 203 of the radiating patch 2, or by connecting feed lines 4 to the second radiating edge 202 and the fourth radiating edge 204. Furthermore... Figure 5 The diagram only shows the connection of feed line 4 at one apex of the radiating patch 2 to achieve microwave signal feeding and reception. Fourthly, it needs to be explained... Figure 5 The power supply method shown does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0066] In some examples, such as Figure 6 As shown, the first recessed portion 31, the second recessed portion 32, the third recessed portion 33, and the fourth recessed portion 34 in the grounding layer 3 are sequentially connected to form an open-loop recessed portion. That is, the open-loop recessed portion on the grounding layer 3 has a break, and the orthogonal projection of the feed line 4 on the first dielectric layer 1 passes through the orthogonal projection of the break in the open-loop recessed portion on the grounding layer 3 onto the first dielectric layer 1. This arrangement is made so that the feed line 4 can better feed the radiating patch 2.

[0067] It should be noted that, apart from the structure described above, the structure of this type of antenna is the same as that of the antenna in the first example, so it will not be repeated here.

[0068] The third example, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another antenna structure according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 7 As shown, the structure of this antenna is roughly similar to that of the first and second examples, the only difference being the shape of the recessed portion of the ground layer 3. Figure 7 As shown, taking the example where both the radiating patch 2 and the grounding layer 3 are square, the radiating patch 2 includes a first radiating edge 201 and a second radiating edge 202 extending along a first direction and arranged side-by-side along a second direction, and a third radiating edge 203 and a fourth radiating edge 204 extending along a second direction and arranged side-by-side along a first direction. The recessed portion on the grounding layer 3 includes a first recessed portion 31 and a second recessed portion 32. The first recessed portion 31 includes a first main body portion 311 and a first branch portion 312; the second recessed portion 32 includes a second main body portion and a second branch portion. The first main body portion 311 is connected to the first branch portion 312, and the depth direction of the first main body portion 311 extends along the first direction. The depth direction of the first branch portion 312 is the thickness direction of the grounding layer 3, and the opening of the first branch portion 312 serves as the opening of the first recessed portion 31. The orthographic projection of the first radiating edge 201 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the first main body portion 311 on the first dielectric layer 1. Similarly, the second main body is connected to the second branch, and the depth direction of the second main body extends along the first direction. The depth direction of the second branch is the thickness direction of the ground layer 3, and the opening of the second branch serves as the opening of the second recess 32. The orthographic projection of the second radiating edge 202 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the second main body on the first dielectric layer 1.

[0069] In one example, the first recess 31 includes two first branch portions 312, and the first main body 311 includes two first sub-main bodies, denoted as 311a and 311b respectively. The two first branch portions 311a and 311b are arranged side-by-side along a first direction, and the depth directions of the two first sub-main bodies 311a and 311b are both along the first direction, and they are arranged side-by-side along the first direction. The orthographic projection of the first radiating edge 201 of the radiating patch 2 onto the first dielectric layer 1 lies within the orthographic projections of the two first sub-main bodies 311a and 311b onto the first dielectric layer 1. Similarly, the second recess 32 includes two second branch portions, and the second main body includes two second sub-main bodies. The two second branch portions are arranged side-by-side along a first direction, and the depth directions of the two second sub-main bodies are both along the first direction, and they are arranged side-by-side along the first direction. The orthographic projection of the second radiating edge 202 of the radiating patch 2 onto the first dielectric layer 1 lies within the orthographic projections of the two second sub-main bodies onto the first dielectric layer 1.

[0070] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first sub-body portion 311a can be connected to the bottom of a first branch portion 312, and the first sub-body portion 311b can be connected to the bottom of another first branch portion 312. In this case, if the thickness of the ground layer 3 is relatively thin, a second dielectric layer 6 can be provided on the side of the ground layer 3 facing away from the first dielectric layer 1 to provide support for the ground layer 3. Of course, as... Figure 8 As shown, if the grounding layer 3 is relatively thick, and the depths of the first recessed portion 31 and the second recessed portion 32 are sufficiently deep, then the first sub-body portion 311a can be connected to the middle region of a first branch portion 312, and the first sub-body portion 311b can be connected to the middle region of another first branch portion 312. Similarly, the second sub-body portion can be connected to the bottom of the second branch portion, or it can be connected to the middle region in the depth direction of the second branch portion.

[0071] In some illustrations, the depth of the first recess 31 is the sum of the depths of the first branch 312 and the first main body 311, and the depth of the second recess 32 is the sum of the depths of the second branch and the second main body. The depths of both the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 are equal to or approximately equal to 1 / 4 of the equivalent wavelength. This equivalent wavelength is the vacuum wavelength divided by the refractive index of the filling medium 5 material.

[0072] It should be noted that the above description only takes the setting of the first concave portion 31 and the second concave portion 32 at the positions corresponding to the first radiating edge 201 and the second radiating edge 202 of the grounding layer 3 as an example. In actual products, the third concave portion 33 and the fourth concave portion 34 can also be set at the positions corresponding to the third radiating edge 203 and the fourth radiating edge 204. The third concave portion 33 and the fourth concave portion 34 have the same shape as the first concave portion 31 and the second concave portion 32, so they will not be described again here.

[0073] The fourth example, Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another antenna structure according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 9 As shown, the antenna structure includes a first dielectric layer 1, a second dielectric layer 6, a ground layer 3, and a radiating patch 2. A blind slot is formed on the second dielectric layer 6, and the ground layer 3 is formed on the second dielectric layer 6, defining a recessed portion of the ground layer 3 through the blind slot. A filling dielectric 5 is filled within the recessed portion. The first dielectric layer 1 is disposed on the surface of the ground layer 3 facing away from the second dielectric layer 6, and the radiating patch 2 is disposed on the surface of the first dielectric layer 1 facing away from the ground layer 3. The radiating patch 2 and the ground layer 3 at least partially overlap in orthographic projection on the first dielectric layer 1, and at least a portion of the radiating edge of the radiating patch 2 has its orthographic projection on the first dielectric layer 1 located within the orthographic projection of the recessed portion on the first dielectric layer 1. Forming a blind slot on the second dielectric layer 6 and defining the recessed portion on the ground layer 3 through the blind slot also improves radiation efficiency.

[0074] For example, both the radiating patch 2 and the grounding layer 3 are rectangular. The radiating patch 2 includes a first radiating edge 201 and a second radiating edge 202 extending along a first direction and arranged side-by-side along a second direction, as well as a third radiating edge 203 and a fourth radiating edge 204 extending along a second direction and arranged side-by-side along a first direction. The second dielectric layer 6 includes a first blind trench and a second blind trench extending along a first direction and arranged side-by-side along a second direction. Correspondingly, the grounding layer 3 includes a first recessed portion 31 and a second recessed portion 32 arranged side-by-side along a first direction and a second direction. In this case, the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge 201 on the first dielectric layer 1 is located within the orthographic projection of the first recessed portion 31 on the first dielectric layer 1, and the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge 202 on the second dielectric layer 6 is located within the orthographic projection of the second recessed portion 32 on the first dielectric layer 1.

[0075] In some examples, the first and second blind slots have rectangular or trapezoidal cross-sections along the second direction. For instance, the base angles of the first and second blind slots are approximately 80° to 100°. For example, when the cross-sections of the first and second blind slots along the second direction are rectangular, the base angles are 90°; when the cross-sections of the first and second blind slots along the second direction are inverted trapezoids, the base angles are 100° (e.g., ...). Figure 10As shown), when the cross-section of the first blind slot and the second blind slot along the second direction is trapezoidal, the base angle of the first blind slot and the second blind slot is 80°.

[0076] It should be noted that, Figure 9 and 10 Taking the formation of a first blind trench and a second blind trench on the second dielectric layer 6, and correspondingly providing a first recess 31 and a second recess 32 on the ground layer 3, in practice, a third blind trench and a fourth blind trench extending along the second direction and arranged side by side along the first direction are also provided on the second dielectric layer 6. That is, a third recess 33 and a fourth recess 34 extending along the second direction and arranged side by side along the first direction are provided on the ground layer 3. The orthogonal projection of the third radiating edge 203 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 passes through the orthogonal projection of the third recess 33 on the first dielectric layer 1, and the orthogonal projection of the fourth radiating edge 204 of the radiating patch 2 on the first dielectric layer 1 passes through the orthogonal projection of the fourth recess 34 on the dielectric layer. Of course, in this embodiment, the second dielectric layer 6 may have only one or any combination of the first blind trench, the second blind trench, the third blind trench, and the fourth blind trench.

[0077] Figure 11 for Figure 9 The simulation diagram of the antenna shown is as follows; Figure 11 As shown, the dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer 6 is 3 and the thickness is 20 μm; the width of the first blind trench and the second blind trench is 200 μm and the depth is 960 μm; the thickness of the ground layer 3 is 5 μm and the dielectric constant of the filling dielectric 5 is 10. It has been verified that the maximum radiation efficiency in the 27 GHz to 28 GHz frequency band is increased from 8.7% to more than 50%.

[0078] The fifth example, Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the ground plane in the structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a radiating patch for another antenna according to an embodiment of this disclosure; as shown Figure 12 and 13 As shown, this antenna structure is largely the same as the antenna structure in the fourth example, except that both the radiating patch 2 and the grounding layer 3 in this antenna adopt a metal mesh structure. The use of a metal mesh structure for the radiating patch 2 and the grounding layer 3 can effectively improve the antenna's light transmittance and radiation efficiency.

[0079] For example, the second dielectric layer 6 has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region; a first blind slot and a second blind slot penetrate at least a portion of the boundary line between the central region and the peripheral region; the orthographic projection of the radiating patch 2 onto the first dielectric layer 1 covers the orthographic projection of the central region of the ground layer 3 onto the first dielectric layer 1; the ground layer 3 includes a first cutout pattern 301 located in the central region and a second cutout pattern 302 located in the peripheral region; the radiating patch 2 includes a third cutout pattern 200. The cutout portions of the first cutout pattern 301 and the cutout portions of the third cutout pattern 200 completely overlap on the orthographic projection of the first dielectric layer 1, which effectively improves the light transmittance of the antenna structure.

[0080] For example, the first hollow pattern 301 includes multiple first metal lines extending along a second direction and arranged side-by-side along a first direction, with the gap between adjacent first metal lines defining the hollow portion of the first hollow pattern 301. The second hollow pattern 302 includes multiple second metal lines extending along a second direction and arranged side-by-side along a first direction, with the gap between adjacent second metal lines defining the hollow portion of the second hollow pattern 302. The third hollow pattern 200 includes multiple third metal lines extending along a second direction and arranged side-by-side along a first direction, with the gap between adjacent third metal lines defining the hollow portion of the third hollow pattern 200. Since the orthographic projections of the hollow portions of the first hollow pattern 301 and the hollow portions of the third hollow pattern 200 overlap above the dielectric layer, the orthographic projections of one first metal line and one third metal line above the first dielectric layer 1 also overlap, for example, the first metal line and the third metal line are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0081] Continue to refer to Figure 13 Due to the presence of the first recess 31 and the second recess 32 in the ground layer 3, and the presence of the first perforated pattern 301 in the middle region of the ground layer 3, a portion of the second metal wire in the outer region includes a first segment distributed on the side of the first recess 31 away from the middle region, and a second segment distributed on the side of the second recess 32 away from the middle region. The extension of a metal wire overlaps with the orthographic projection of the first and second segments of a second metal wire onto the first dielectric layer 1. In this case, the first perforated pattern 301 and the perforated pattern on the first dielectric layer 1 can be formed in a single patterning process, and the transmittance of each position of the ground layer 3 formed by the first perforated pattern 301 and the second perforated pattern 302 is the same, thereby ensuring the optical uniformity of the thin-film antenna. Furthermore, since the first metal wire, the second metal wire, and the third metal wire extend in the same direction in this embodiment, the transmitted microwave or millimeter-wave energy is maximized to be scattered into free space through the first recess 31 and the second recess 32.

[0082] It should be noted that, Figure 12and 13 The example described uses the first, second, and third metal wires all extending in the same direction. However, in actual design, it is sufficient that the extending directions of the first, second, and third metal wires are all different from the extending directions of the first recessed portion 31 and the second recessed portion 32. Therefore, the fact that the extending directions of the first, second, and third metal wires are all the second direction does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0083] Secondly, Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown Figure 14 As shown, this disclosure provides an antenna system including at least one of the above-described antennas.

[0084] In some examples, the antenna system provided in this disclosure further includes a transceiver unit, a radio frequency transceiver, a signal amplifier, a power amplifier, and a filtering unit. The antenna in the antenna system can function as either a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna. The transceiver unit may include a baseband and a receiving end. The baseband provides signals in at least one frequency band, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G signals, and transmits these signals to the radio frequency transceiver. After receiving the signal, the antenna in the antenna system can process it through the filtering unit, power amplifier, signal amplifier, and radio frequency transceiver before transmitting it to the receiving end in the transmitting unit. The receiving end may be, for example, a smart gateway.

[0085] Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to the transceiver unit and is used to modulate the signals transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signals received by the antenna before transmitting them to the transceiver unit. Specifically, the RF transceiver may include a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a modulation circuit, and a demodulation circuit. After the transmitting circuit receives various types of signals provided by the baseband, the modulation circuit can modulate the various types of signals provided by the baseband and then send them to the antenna. The antenna receives the signals and transmits them to the receiving circuit of the RF transceiver. The receiving circuit then transmits the signals to the demodulation circuit, which demodulates the signals and transmits them to the receiving end.

[0086] Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to a signal amplifier and a power amplifier, which are then connected to a filtering unit. The filtering unit is connected to at least one antenna. During signal transmission, the signal amplifier improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the RF transceiver's output signal before transmitting it to the filtering unit; the power amplifier amplifies the power of the RF transceiver's output signal before transmitting it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit may include a duplexer and a filtering circuit. The filtering unit combines the signals output from the signal amplifier and power amplifier, filters out clutter, and transmits them to the antenna, which then radiates the signal. During signal reception, the antenna receives the signal and transmits it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit filters out clutter from the received signal before transmitting it to the signal amplifier and power amplifier. The signal amplifier increases the gain of the received signal, improving the SNR; the power amplifier amplifies the power of the received signal. The received signal is then processed by the power amplifier and signal amplifier before being transmitted to the RF transceiver, which in turn transmits it to the transceiver unit.

[0087] In some examples, the signal amplifier may include various types of signal amplifiers, such as low-noise amplifiers, without limitation.

[0088] In some examples, the antenna system provided in this disclosure also includes a power management unit connected to a power amplifier and providing the power amplifier with a voltage for amplifying the signal.

[0089] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna comprising: A first dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction; A radiating patch is disposed on the first surface of the first dielectric layer; A first electrode layer is disposed on a second surface of the first dielectric layer and at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the radiating patch on the second surface; wherein, The first electrode layer has a recess, and the opening of the recess faces the radiating patch. At least a portion of the radiating edge of the radiating patch is projected onto the first dielectric layer in a positive projection, which at least partially overlaps with the positive projection of the recess onto the first surface. The depth of the recess is 1 / 4 of the equivalent wavelength. The radiating patch includes a first radiating edge and a second radiating edge extending along a first direction and arranged side-by-side along a second direction; the concave portion includes a first concave portion and a second concave portion; the length direction of the first concave portion and the second concave portion is the first direction, and the width direction of the two is the second direction; the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the first concave portion on the first dielectric layer; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the second concave portion on the first dielectric layer.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The depth directions of the first recess and the second recess are the same as the thickness direction of the first electrode layer.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, wherein, The radiating edge of the radiating patch further includes a third radiating edge and a fourth radiating edge extending along the second direction and arranged side by side along the first direction; the concave portion further includes a third concave portion and a fourth concave portion; the length direction of the third concave portion and the fourth concave portion is the second direction, the width direction of the two is the first direction, and the depth direction of the two is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer; the orthographic projection of the third radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the third concave portion on the first dielectric layer; The orthographic projection of the fourth radiating edge onto the first dielectric layer lies within the orthographic projection of the fourth concave portion onto the first dielectric layer.

4. The antenna according to claim 3, wherein, The first concave portion, the second concave portion, the third concave portion, and the fourth concave portion are connected end to end in sequence to form a closed-loop concave portion.

5. The antenna according to claim 3, wherein, The first inner concave portion, the second inner concave portion, the third inner concave portion and the fourth inner concave portion are connected in sequence to form an open-loop inner concave portion.

6. The antenna according to claim 5, wherein, The antenna further includes: a feed line disposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer, the feed line being electrically connected to the radiating patch; the orthographic projection of the feed line on the first dielectric layer does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the open-loop recess on the first dielectric layer.

7. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The first recess includes a first main body and a first branch, the first main body and the first branch are connected, and the depth direction of the first branch is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer, and the depth direction of the first main body is the second direction; the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the first main body on the first dielectric layer; The second recess includes a second main body and a second branch, the second main body and the second branch are connected, and the depth direction of the second branch is the thickness direction of the first electrode layer, and the depth direction of the second main body is the second direction; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the second main body on the first dielectric layer.

8. The antenna according to claim 7, wherein, The first recess includes two first branch portions, and the first main body includes two first sub-main bodies; the two first branch portions are arranged side by side along the first direction; the depth direction of the two first sub-main bodies is the first direction, and the two are arranged side by side along the first direction; the orthographic projection of the first radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the two first sub-main bodies on the first dielectric layer. The second recess includes two second branch portions, and the second main body includes two second sub-main bodies; the two second branch portions are arranged side by side along the first direction; the depth direction of the two second sub-main bodies is the first direction, and the two are arranged side by side along the first direction; the orthographic projection of the second radiating edge on the first dielectric layer is located within the orthographic projection of the two second sub-main bodies on the first dielectric layer.

9. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein, The antenna also includes: A second dielectric layer is provided, on which a blind groove is formed; a first electrode layer is disposed on the second dielectric layer, and the blind groove defines the recessed portion.

10. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein, The second dielectric layer has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region; the blind trench penetrates at least a portion of the boundary line between the central region and the peripheral region; the orthographic projection of the radiating patch on the first surface covers the orthographic projection of the central region of the first electrode layer on the first surface; The first electrode layer includes a first hollow pattern in the middle region and a second hollow pattern in the outer region; the radiating patch includes a third hollow pattern.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, wherein, The orthographic projections of the cutout portion of the first cutout pattern and the cutout portion of the third cutout pattern onto the first surface completely overlap.

12. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein, The bottom angle of the blind groove is 80°~100°.

13. The antenna according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The medium material filled in the recess includes any one of silicon, aluminum oxide, and ceramics.

14. An antenna system comprising at least one antenna as described in any one of claims 1-13.

15. The antenna system according to claim 14, wherein, Also includes: A transceiver unit is used to send or receive signals. A radio frequency transceiver, connected to the transceiver unit, is used to modulate the signal transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signal received by the antenna and then transmit it to the transceiver unit. A signal amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the antenna; A power amplifier, connected to the radio frequency transceiver, is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the radio frequency transceiver or the signal received by the antenna; The filtering unit is connected to both the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, and is also connected to the antenna. It is used to filter the received signal and send it to the antenna, or to filter the signal received by the antenna.

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