Reconfigurable antenna and communication device with reconfigurable antenna

Abstract

A reconfigurable antenna and a communication device having the reconfigurable antenna include a substrate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a conductor, two ground wires, and two switches. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface, and a slot penetrating both surfaces. The first electrode layer has a first groove passing through the slot. The second electrode layer has a second groove passing through the slot. The conductor is located within the slot. The two ground wires are located on opposite sides of the first electrode layer. The two switches are located between the first electrode layer and the ground wires. When each switch is connected to its corresponding ground wire, the antenna forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern; when each switch is disconnected from its corresponding ground wire, the antenna forms a directional radiation pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an antenna structure, and more particularly to an antenna structure that can be switched between a directional radiation field and an omnidirectional radiation field. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of technology, the application fields of antennas are becoming increasingly widespread, and people's performance requirements for antennas are also gradually increasing. Antennas are widely used in the field of communication, such as in smart mobile devices. In existing technologies, in order for smart mobile devices to receive signals from all directions, MIMO (Multiple Input and Multiple Output) antennas are usually set in smart mobile devices, or multiple antennas are added to receive and amplify signals from all directions.

[0003] However, with the increasing demand for ultra-thin electronic devices, it is difficult to set up multiple antennas in a limited space, and there will inevitably be trade-offs among different antennas.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve antenna performance and overcome the above-mentioned defects through structural design improvements has become one of the important issues that this project aims to address. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a reconfigurable antenna that addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies. The antenna includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a conductor, two ground wires, and two switches. The substrate has a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a slot penetrating both surfaces. The first electrode layer is located on the first surface and has a first groove extending horizontally through the slot. The second electrode layer is located on the second surface and has a second groove corresponding to the first groove extending horizontally through the slot. The two ground wires are located on opposite sides of the first electrode layer. The conductor is located within the slot, with both ends exposed at the two ends of the slot. The two switches are located between the first electrode layer and the ground wires, with one end of each switch connected to the first electrode layer and the other end selectively connected to a ground wire. When each switch is connected to its corresponding ground wire, the antenna forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern. When each switch is disconnected from its corresponding ground wire, the antenna forms a directional radiation pattern. The resonant frequencies of the omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns are the same.

[0006] In one feasible embodiment, the resonant frequency is 2.4 GHz.

[0007] In one feasible embodiment, the substrate has two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. The long sides are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the short sides are parallel to the vertical direction. The length of the long sides ranges from 45-50 mm, and the length of the short sides ranges from 3-5 mm. The length of the first groove ranges from 28-30 mm in the horizontal direction and from 0.8-1 mm in the vertical direction. In the horizontal direction, the distance between the two switches and the two short sides ranges from 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0008] In one feasible embodiment, the slot is 19-21 mm away from one end of the first groove in the horizontal direction.

[0009] In one feasible embodiment, the second groove is generally T-shaped and includes a horizontal section and a protruding section. The protruding section protrudes from the horizontal section, and the slot is located on the horizontal section and is located next to the protruding section without contacting the protruding section.

[0010] In one feasible embodiment, the horizontal segment has a length ranging from 7-9 mm in the horizontal direction and from 0.8-1.0 mm in the vertical direction. The protruding segment has a length ranging from 0.8-1.2 mm in the horizontal direction.

[0011] The present invention also provides a communication device including the reconfigurable antenna in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0012] One of the beneficial effects of this invention is that the reconfigurable antenna provided by this invention can switch between two different radiation patterns at the same frequency, thereby increasing the performance of the reconfigurable antenna, through the technical solutions of "the antenna forming an omnidirectional radiation pattern when each switch position is connected to the corresponding ground wire" and "the antenna forming a directional radiation pattern when each switch position is disconnected from the corresponding ground wire, with the frequency points of the omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns being at the same frequency". Furthermore, the reconfigurable antenna has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. In one embodiment, the reconfigurable antenna is applied to a communication system, which can reduce the need for additional antennas and lower manufacturing costs.

[0013] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a top view of a reconfigurable antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a front view of a reconfigurable antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of a reconfigurable antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of the radiation field pattern formed on the first surface when the switch disconnects the grounding wire, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the radiation field pattern formed on the second surface when the switch disconnects the grounding wire, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the radiation field pattern formed on the first surface when the switch is connected to the ground wire, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram of the radiation field pattern formed on the second surface when the switch is connected to the ground wire, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 4A A schematic diagram of the reflection loss in the illustrated embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 5A A schematic diagram of the reflection loss in the illustrated embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the "reconfigurable antenna and communication device" disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions of actual dimensions; this is stated beforehand. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0024] It should be understood that while terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another, or one signal from another. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein should, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Please see Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is a top view of a reconfigurable antenna 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 A front view of the embodiment shown. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A bottom view of the illustrated embodiment. Wherein, Figure 1 The first surface 111 of the substrate 11 is shown. Figure 3 The second surface 112 of the substrate 11 is shown.

[0026] The reconfigurable antenna 1 includes a substrate 11, a first electrode layer 12, a second electrode layer 13, a conductor 114, two ground wires 14, and two switches 15. The substrate 11 has a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 (see...). Figure 3 The first electrode layer 12 is located on the first surface 111 and has a first groove 121 that passes through the slot 113 in the horizontal direction D1. The second electrode layer 13 is located on the second surface 112 and has a second groove 131 corresponding to the first groove 121 that passes through the slot 113 in the horizontal direction D1. A conductor 114 is located inside the slot 113 and has its two ends exposed at the two ports of the slot 113 (i.e., exposed outside the first surface 111 and the second surface 112, respectively). Two grounding wires 14 are located on opposite sides of the first electrode layer 12. Two switches 15 are located between the first electrode layer 12 and the grounding wires 14, with one end of each switch 15 connected to the first electrode layer 12 and the other end selectively connected to the grounding wire 14. When each switch 15 is connected to its corresponding ground wire 14, the antenna forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern. When each switch 15 is disconnected from its corresponding ground wire 14, the antenna forms a directional radiation pattern. The resonant frequencies of the omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns are the same.

[0027] The substrate 11 may be, but is not limited to, a combination of glass fiber and epoxy resin. In some embodiments, the substrate 11 is a ceramic substrate. In other embodiments, the substrate 11 is a Teflon plate. The first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 13 may be, but are not limited to, metal layers. In some embodiments, the metal layer is, for example, a copper foil layer. A first groove 121 and a second groove 131 are respectively formed on the two copper foil layers. The conductor 114 may be made of metal and may be, but is not limited to, a wire. Figure 1 In the described embodiment, the conductor 114 has a cylindrical structure. The switch 15 can be a switch, diode, or tuner. The switch 15 can be selectively connected to the ground wire 14, and the user or manufacturer can design the aforementioned components to connect or disconnect the ground wire 14. For example, the switch 15 is a diode, and the magnitude of the forward bias voltage (or current) determines whether the switch 15 is connected to the ground wire 14. According to... Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 15 is located in the vacancy of the first electrode layer 12 (i.e., the switch 15 sits on the substrate 11). The switch 15 can selectively disconnect or connect the ground wire 14 through internal electrical means. Thus, when the switch 15 is connected to the ground wire 14, the reconfigurable antenna 1 forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern (at this time, the length of the radiation pattern in the horizontal direction D1 is L1). When the switch 15 is disconnected from the ground wire 14, the reconfigurable antenna 1 forms a directional radiation pattern (at this time, the length of the radiation pattern in the horizontal direction D1 is k2+k3+H1). Both the omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns are at the same resonant frequency. The directional radiation pattern indicates a direction pointing outward from the first surface 111 (see...). Figure 3 ).

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the substrate 11 has two opposing short sides 11b and two opposing long sides 11a. The long sides 11a are parallel to the horizontal direction D1, and the short sides 11b are parallel to the vertical direction D2. The length L1 of the long side 11a ranges from 45 to 50 mm, and the length L2 of the short side 11b ranges from 3 to 5 mm. The length H1 of the first groove 121 in the horizontal direction D1 ranges from 28 to 30 mm, and the length H2 in the vertical direction D2 ranges from 0.8 to 1 mm. In the horizontal direction D1, the distance h1 between the slot 113 and one end of the first groove 121 ranges from 19 to 21 mm. According to... Figure 1 The specific conditions of the embodiment shown are as follows: the length L1 of the long side 11a of the substrate 11 is 47 mm, and the length L2 of the short side 11b is 4 mm. The length H1 of the first groove 121 in the horizontal direction D1 is 29 mm, and the length H2 in the vertical direction D2 is 0.8 mm. In the horizontal direction D1, the distance h1 between the slot 113 and one end of the first groove 121 is 20 mm (and the distance h2 between the slot 113 and the other end is 9 mm). In the horizontal direction D1, the distance k1 between the short side 11b of the substrate 11 and the first electrode layer 12 is 1 mm, and the distance k2 between one switcher 15 and the first groove 121 is 1 mm. The distance k3 between the other switcher 15 and the groove is 13 mm. As explained above, when the reconfigurable antenna 1 forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern, the length of the radiation pattern in the horizontal direction D1 is 47 mm. When the reconfigurable antenna 1 forms a directional radiation pattern, the length of the radiation pattern in the horizontal direction D1 is 43 mm.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the second narrow channel 131 is generally T-shaped. Figure 3(Illustrated in an inverted T-shape), the second groove 131 includes a horizontal section 1311 and a protruding section 1312, the protruding section 1312 protruding from the horizontal section 1311. The slot 113 is located on the horizontal section 1311 and is located beside the protruding section 1312 without contacting it. In some embodiments, the length M1 of the horizontal section 1311 in the horizontal direction D1 ranges from 7-9 mm, and the length M2 in the vertical direction D2 ranges from 0.8-1.0 mm. The length M3 of the protruding section 1312 in the horizontal direction D1 is 0.8-1.2 mm. According to... Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment has the following specific conditions: the length M1 of the horizontal segment 1311 in the horizontal direction D1 is 8 mm, and the length M2 in the vertical direction D2 is 1 mm. The length M3 of the protruding segment 1312 in the horizontal direction D1 is 1 mm. According to... Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the resonant frequencies of both the directional and omnidirectional radiation patterns formed by the reconfigurable antenna 1 are 2.4 GHz. Therefore, by setting up an antenna, the radiation pattern can be selectively switched to meet the user's needs.

[0030] Please see Figure 4A and Figure 4B These are schematic diagrams illustrating the radiation pattern formed by the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 when the switch 15 disconnects the grounding wire 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, at a resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz, the radiated energy is concentrated on the outside of the first surface 111, while the radiated energy on the second surface 112 is relatively weakened. At this time, the reconfigurable antenna 1 forms a directional radiation pattern. The end of the conductor 114 located on the first surface 111 is the signal feed end, and the end of the conductor 114 located on the second surface 112 is the signal ground end.

[0031] Please see Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are schematic diagrams illustrating the radiation pattern formed by the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 when the switch 15 is connected to the ground wire 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, at a resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz, the radiated energy is uniformly distributed outside the first surface 111 and outside the second surface 112, at which point the reconfigurable antenna 1 forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

[0032] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 for Figure 4A A schematic diagram of the reflection loss in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 7 for Figure 5AA schematic diagram of the reflection loss of the illustrated embodiment is shown. As can be seen from the figures, the reconfigurable antenna 1 exhibits a reflection loss of less than -10 dB at a resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz, regardless of whether it is a directional or omnidirectional radiation pattern, demonstrating good transmission efficiency.

[0033] The present invention also provides a communication device equipped with a reconfigurable antenna 1. The communication device may be, for example, a smart mobile device, but is not limited to, a mobile phone. In some embodiments, the communication device is a laptop computer. Thus, for the user, the communication device allows for selective switching of the antenna's radiation pattern, resulting in good signal reception and maintaining good communication quality.

[0034] [Beneficial Effects of the Examples]

[0035] One of the beneficial effects of this invention is that the reconfigurable antenna 1 provided by this invention can switch between two different radiation patterns at the same frequency, thereby increasing the performance of the reconfigurable antenna 1, through the technical solutions of "when each switch 15 is connected to the corresponding ground wire 14, the antenna forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern" and "when each switch 15 is disconnected from the corresponding ground wire 14, the antenna forms a directional radiation pattern, with the omnidirectional and directional radiation patterns having the same frequency." Furthermore, the reconfigurable antenna 1 has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. When applied to communication systems, the reconfigurable antenna 1 can reduce the need for additional antennas and lower manufacturing costs.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the user or manufacturer controls the resonant frequency at a specific frequency, calculates the relationship between the current path and the wavelength, designs the structure of the reconfigurable antenna 1 (e.g., the position of the slot 113, the length of the first groove 121 and the length of the second groove 131, etc.), and further switches different radiation patterns by the switcher 15 to reduce the number of antennas and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0037] The content disclosed above is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings are included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable antenna, characterized in that, The reconfigurable antenna includes: A substrate has a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a slot penetrating the first surface and the second surface; A first electrode layer is located on the first surface, and the first electrode layer has a first narrow groove that passes through the slot in a horizontal direction; A second electrode layer is located on the second surface, and a second groove is formed in the second electrode layer corresponding to the first groove, the second groove passing through the slot in the horizontal direction; A conductor is located inside a slot, with its two ends exposed at the two ends of the slot. Two grounding wires are located on opposite sides of the first electrode layer, respectively; and Two switches are respectively located between the first electrode layer and the grounding wire. One end of each switch is connected to the first electrode layer, and the other end is selectively connected to the grounding wire. Wherein, one end of the conductor located on the first surface of the substrate is a signal feed terminal, and one end of the conductor located on the second surface of the substrate is a signal ground terminal; When each of the switches is connected to the corresponding grounding wire, the reconfigurable antenna forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern; when each of the switches is disconnected from the corresponding grounding wire, the reconfigurable antenna forms a directional radiation pattern, and the resonant frequencies of the omnidirectional radiation pattern and the directional radiation pattern are the same.

2. The reconfigurable antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The resonant frequency is 2.4 GHz.

3. The reconfigurable antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate has two opposite short sides and two opposite long sides. The long sides are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the short sides are parallel to a vertical direction. The length of the long sides ranges from 45 to 50 mm, and the length of the short sides ranges from 3 to 5 mm. Wherein, the length of the first narrow groove in the horizontal direction ranges from 28-30 mm, and the length in the vertical direction ranges from 0.8-1 mm; and In the horizontal direction, the distance between the two switches and the two short sides ranges from 0.5 to 1 mm.

4. The reconfigurable antenna as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The distance between the slot and one end of the first groove in the horizontal direction ranges from 19 to 21 mm.

5. The reconfigurable antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second groove is generally T-shaped and includes a horizontal section and a protruding section. The protruding section protrudes from the horizontal section, and the slot is located on the horizontal section and is located next to the protruding section without contacting the protruding section.

6. The reconfigurable antenna as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The horizontal section has a length range of 7-9 mm in the horizontal direction and a length range of 0.8-1.0 mm in the vertical direction; the protruding section has a length range of 0.8-1.2 mm in the horizontal direction.

7. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a reconfigurable antenna as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images