An antenna module

Abstract

The application discloses an antenna module, comprising a body, wherein a low-frequency Yagi antenna, a millimeter wave end-fire electric dipole array and a millimeter wave end-fire magnetic dipole array are arranged on the body, the low-frequency Yagi antenna is located between the millimeter wave end-fire electric dipole array and the millimeter wave end-fire magnetic dipole array, the beams of the millimeter wave end-fire electric dipole array and the millimeter wave end-fire magnetic dipole array are opposite, the millimeter wave end-fire magnetic dipole array comprises a plurality of magnetic dipole units arranged in a row, and the millimeter wave end-fire electric dipole array comprises a plurality of electric dipole units arranged in a row. The antenna module has the advantages of novel structure, compactness, coverage of 5G terminal low-frequency N78 frequency band and 5G mmWave frequency band, high isolation, high gain and large scanning angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an antenna module. Background Technology

[0002] According to 3GPP TS38.101-2 5G Terminal RF Technical Specification and TR38.817 Terminal RF Technical Report, 5G mmWave antennas need to cover N257 (26.5-29.5GHz), N258 (24.25-27.25GHz), N260 (37-40GHz), and N261 (27.5-28.35GHz). However, 5G terminals also need to accommodate traditional low-frequency SUB-6 antennas. While designing separate low-frequency and mmWave antennas would achieve good results, it would occupy a large area, failing to meet the trend of antenna module miniaturization. Therefore, integrating the two is a good solution; however, current technology lacks antenna modules that can cover both the low-frequency N78 band and the 5G mmWave band in 5G terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to provide an antenna module that can cover the low-frequency N78 band and the 5G mmWave band in 5G terminals.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: an antenna module, including a body, wherein a low-frequency Yagi antenna, a millimeter-wave radio dipole array, and a millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array are provided on the body. The low-frequency Yagi antenna is located between the millimeter-wave radio dipole array and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array. The beam directions of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array are opposite. The millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array includes a plurality of magnetic dipole elements arranged in a row, and the millimeter-wave radio dipole array includes a plurality of electric dipole elements arranged in a row.

[0005] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the antenna module has a novel and compact structure, can cover the low-frequency N78 band and the 5G mmWave band in 5G terminals, and has advantages such as high isolation, high gain and large scanning angle. Attached Figure Description

[0006] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0007] Figure 1 This is a top view of the antenna module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the antenna module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 3 This is the S-parameter-gain curve of the low-frequency Yagi antenna in the antenna module of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 This is the S-parameter-gain curve of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array in the antenna module of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 This is the S-parameter-gain curve of the millimeter-wave end-fire magnetic dipole array in the antenna module of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a scanning angle diagram of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array in the antenna module of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a scanning angle diagram of the millimeter-wave end-fire magnetic dipole array in the antenna module of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 8 This is an isolation curve of the antenna module in the low-frequency band according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 9 This is an isolation curve of the antenna module in the millimeter-wave band according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0017] 1. Main body; 11. First dielectric substrate; 12. Second dielectric substrate; 13. Third dielectric substrate;

[0018] 2. Low-frequency Yagi antenna; 21. First feed port;

[0019] 3. Millimeter-wave radio dipole array; 31. Electric dipole unit; 32. Third feed port; 33. Fifth conduction post; 34. Sixth conduction post;

[0020] 4. Millimeter-wave end-fire magnetic dipole array; 41. Magnetic dipole unit; 42. Second feed port;

[0021] 5. Strata;

[0022] 61. First metal sheet; 611. First conductive post; 612. Gap; 613. Sub-metal sheet; 614. Fourth conductive post; 62. Second metal sheet; 621. Second conductive post; 63. Third metal sheet; 631. Third conductive post;

[0023] 7. Insulating metal sheet. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The objectives, features, and advantages of this invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture as shown in the attached figure. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0027] Furthermore, if the embodiments of the present invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," such descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature.

[0028] Furthermore, if the meaning of "and / or" appears throughout the text, it refers to three parallel solutions. For example, "and / or" includes solution 1, solution 2, and solution 3, which simultaneously satisfy the above conditions. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0029] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 Embodiment 1 of the present invention is: an antenna module, which is particularly suitable for 5G mobile terminal devices.

[0032] Please combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 The antenna module includes a body 1, on which a low-frequency Yagi antenna 2, a millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3, and a millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array 4 are mounted. The low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 is located between the millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3 and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array 4. The beam directions of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3 and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array 4 are opposite. The millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array 4 includes a plurality of magnetic dipole elements 41 arranged in a row, and the millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3 includes a plurality of electric dipole elements 31 arranged in a row. In this embodiment, the beam directions of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3 and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array 4 are respectively directed towards both sides of the body 1.

[0033] In this embodiment, the number of electric dipole units 31 is six, that is, the millimeter-wave end-emitting radio dipole array 3 is a 1x6 array, and the number of magnetic dipole units 41 is four, that is, the millimeter-wave end-emitting magnetic dipole array 4 is a 1x4 array. In other embodiments, the number of electric dipole units 31 can be other than six, and can be set according to actual conditions; similarly, the number of magnetic dipole units 41 can be other than four.

[0034] Specifically, the bottom surface of the body 1 is provided with a ground layer 5, and the top surface of the body 1 is provided with a first metal sheet 61, a second metal sheet 62, and a third metal sheet 63. The first metal sheet 61, the second metal sheet 62, and the third metal sheet 63 are all rectangular. The second metal sheet 62 is located between the first metal sheet 61 and the third metal sheet 63. The body 1 contains a plurality of first conductive posts 611, a plurality of second conductive posts 621, and a plurality of third conductive posts 631. The plurality of first conductive posts 611 are arranged in a row on the side of the first metal sheet 61 closest to the second metal sheet 62, and the first conductive posts 611 connect the first metal sheet 61 to the ground layer 5; the plurality of second conductive posts 621 are arranged along... The second metal sheet 62 has a U-shaped edge arrangement. The second conductive post 621 connects the second metal sheet 62 to the ground layer 5. The side of the second metal sheet 62 closest to the third metal sheet 63 does not have the second conductive post 621. Multiple third conductive posts 631 are arranged in a U-shape along the edge of the third metal sheet 63. The third conductive posts 631 connect the third metal sheet 63 to the ground layer 5. The side of the third metal sheet 63 closest to the second metal sheet 62 does not have the third conductive post 631. The bottom of the body 1 has a first feed port 21 connected to the second metal sheet 62. The ground layer 5 has a first clearance area corresponding to the first feed port 21. This section describes the structure of the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2. The second metal sheet 62 is the radiating element of the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2. Multiple first conductive posts 611 arranged in a row constitute the reflector of the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2. The third metal sheet 63 is the parasitic element (i.e., the director) of the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2.

[0035] The main reason why this antenna module has high isolation is that the reflector of the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 (especially the first conductive posts 611 arranged in a row on the side of the first metal plate 61 near the second metal plate 62) achieves the isolation between the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 and the magnetic dipole unit 41. The electric wall characteristics of the parasitic unit of the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 achieve the isolation between the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 and the electric dipole unit 31. It can also be understood that the third conductive posts 631 arranged in a row on the side of the third metal plate 63 away from the second metal plate 62 isolate the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 and the electric dipole unit 31.

[0036] The first metal sheet 61 has multiple slots 612 arranged side by side. Each slot 612 connects to the side of the first metal sheet 61 facing away from the second metal sheet 62. Rectangular sub-metal sheets 613 are formed on both sides of each slot 612. A fourth conductive post 614 is provided within the body 1, connecting the sub-metal sheet 613 to the ground layer 5. Multiple fourth conductive posts 614 are arranged in a row on both sides of each sub-metal sheet 613. No fourth conductive post 614 is provided on the side of the sub-metal sheet 613 away from the second metal sheet 62; that is, some of the first conductive posts 611 and the multiple fourth conductive posts 614 on both sides of the sub-metal sheet 613 form a U-shaped structure. A second power supply port 42 connecting the sub-metal sheet 613 is provided at the bottom of the body 1. The ground layer 5 has a second clearance area corresponding to the second power supply port 42. This section describes the structure of the magnetic dipole unit 41.

[0037] The electric dipole unit 31 is located on the side of the third metal sheet 63 away from the second metal sheet 62. The electric dipole unit 31 is hollow and T-shaped. The electric dipole unit 31 includes a first branch, a second branch, a third branch, a fourth branch, a fifth branch, a sixth branch, and a seventh branch connected vertically in sequence. The first branch and the seventh branch are arranged opposite each other. The second branch and the sixth branch are arranged collinearly. The third branch and the fifth branch are arranged opposite each other. The fourth branch and the second branch are parallel. The distance between the first branch and the seventh branch is less than the distance between the third branch and the fifth branch. The bottom of the body 1 is provided with a third power supply port 32 connected to the first branch. The body 1 is provided with a fifth conductive post 33. The end of the seventh branch away from the sixth branch is connected to the formation 5 through the fifth conductive post 33.

[0038] To improve the isolation between two adjacent electric dipole units 31, an isolation metal sheet 7 is provided on the top surface of the body 1, and the isolation metal sheet 7 is provided between two adjacent electric dipole units 31. The isolation metal sheet 7 is connected to the third metal sheet 63.

[0039] Optionally, the fifth conductive post 33 connects the third metal sheet 63 to the formation 5, and the seventh branch connects the side of the third metal sheet 63 away from the second metal sheet 62. The side of the third metal sheet 63 away from the second metal sheet 62 has a clearance area. The end of the first branch away from the second branch extends into the clearance area, and the third power supply port 32 is configured corresponding to the clearance area. The formation 5 has a third clearance area corresponding to the third power supply port 32.

[0040] In this embodiment, the main body 1 is further provided with a plurality of sixth conductive posts 34, which are arranged in a row. The sixth conductive posts 34 connect the third metal sheet 63 and the ground layer 5. The electric dipole unit 31 is provided with the sixth conductive posts 34 on both sides. The arrangement of the sixth conductive posts 34 can further improve the isolation between two adjacent electric dipole units 31, as well as the isolation between the millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3 and the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2.

[0041] Optionally, the fifth conductive post 33 is inserted in the queue of the sixth conductive post 34; that is, to a certain extent, the fifth conductive post 33 can also be considered as the sixth conductive post 34. This arrangement can further reduce the size of the antenna module. The first conductive post 611, the second conductive post 621, the third conductive post 631, the fourth conductive post 614, the fifth conductive post 33, and the sixth conductive post 34 can be metallized holes, metal posts, conductive filler paste, etc., respectively.

[0042] The body 1 is a multilayer board structure composed of multiple substrates stacked and connected together, with at least two of the substrates having different dielectric constants. In this embodiment, the body 1 includes three substrates, which are, from bottom to top, a first dielectric substrate 11, a second dielectric substrate 12, and a third dielectric substrate 13. The thickness of the first dielectric substrate 11 is 0.335 mm, the thickness of the second dielectric substrate 12 is 0.2 mm, and the thickness of the third dielectric substrate 13 is 1 mm. More specifically, the first dielectric substrate 11 and the third dielectric substrate 13 are Rogers 4350 substrates, and the second dielectric substrate 12 is a Rogers 4450 substrate. It is easy to understand that the ground layer 5 is located on the side of the first dielectric substrate 11 away from the second dielectric substrate 12, and the first metal sheet 61, the second metal sheet 62, the third metal sheet 63, and the electric dipole unit 31 are all located on the top surface of the third dielectric substrate 13.

[0043] In this embodiment, the low-frequency Yagi antenna 2 operates at 3.3 GHz, and the millimeter-wave radio dipole array 3 and the millimeter-wave radio magnetic dipole array 4 both operate at 28 GHz.

[0044] Figure 3 This is the S-parameter-gain curve of the low-frequency Yagi antenna in the antenna module of this embodiment. Figure 3 It can be seen that it can cover the N78 (3.3-3.8GHz) frequency band, indicating that it is a typical broadband antenna; its gain curve shows high gain in the N78 frequency band, indicating that it is a high-gain antenna.

[0045] Figure 4 This is the S-parameter-gain curve of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array in the antenna module of this embodiment. Figure 4 It can be seen that it can cover the 25-32GHz frequency band and has a high gain within the covered frequency band.

[0046] Figure 5 This is the S-parameter-gain curve of the millimeter-wave end-fire magnetic dipole array in the antenna module of this embodiment. Figure 5 It can be seen that it can cover the N258 frequency band and has a high gain within the covered frequency band.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a scanning angle diagram of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array in the antenna module of this embodiment. Figure 6 It can be seen that its scanning angle is ±50 degrees or more, indicating that the antenna can perform large-angle spatial scanning coverage.

[0048] Figure 7 This is a scanning angle diagram of the millimeter-wave end-fire magnetic dipole array in the antenna module of this embodiment. Figure 7 It can be seen that its scanning angle is ±30 degrees or more, indicating that the antenna can perform large-angle spatial scanning coverage.

[0049] The reason why millimeter-wave antennas and low-frequency antennas can coexist in this antenna module is that the electric walls of the low-frequency Yagi antenna have virtually no current distribution, while the current direction of the magnetic dipole unit and the electric dipole unit is perpendicular to the electric walls, so the low-frequency antenna and the millimeter-wave antenna are well isolated.

[0050] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the isolation of the antenna module in the low-frequency band in this embodiment.

[0051] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the isolation of the antenna module in the millimeter-wave band in this embodiment.

[0052] The above are merely optional embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna module, characterized in that: The device includes a main body, on which are mounted a low-frequency Yagi antenna, a millimeter-wave radio dipole array, and a millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array. The low-frequency Yagi antenna is located between the millimeter-wave radio dipole array and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array. The beam directions of the millimeter-wave radio dipole array and the millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array are opposite. The millimeter-wave magnetic dipole array includes multiple magnetic dipole units arranged in a row, and the millimeter-wave radio dipole array includes multiple electric dipole units arranged in a row. The bottom surface of the main body is provided with a ground layer, and the top surface of the main body is provided with a first metal sheet, a second metal sheet, and a third metal sheet. The first metal sheet, the second metal sheet, and the third metal sheet are all rectangular. The second metal sheet is located between the first metal sheet and the third metal sheet. The main body is provided with a plurality of first conductive posts, a plurality of second conductive posts, and a plurality of third conductive posts. The plurality of first conductive posts are arranged in a row on the side of the first metal sheet near the second metal sheet, and the first conductive posts connect the first metal sheet to the ground layer. The plurality of second conductive posts are arranged in a U-shape along the edge of the second metal sheet, and the second conductive posts connect the second metal sheet to the ground layer. The side of the second metal sheet near the third metal sheet is not provided with a second conductive post. The plurality of third conductive posts are arranged in a U-shape along the edge of the third metal sheet, and the third conductive posts connect the third metal sheet to the ground layer. The side of the third metal sheet near the second metal sheet is not provided with a third conductive post. The bottom of the main body is provided with a first power supply port for connecting the second metal sheet, and the ground layer has a first clearance area corresponding to the first power supply port.

2. The antenna module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first metal sheet has multiple slots arranged side by side, the slots connecting the side of the first metal sheet away from the second metal sheet, and rectangular sub-metal sheets formed on both sides of the slots. The main body has a fourth conductive post, which connects the sub-metal sheet to the ground layer. The sub-metal sheet has multiple fourth conductive posts arranged in a row on both sides. The side of the sub-metal sheet away from the second metal sheet does not have the fourth conductive post. The bottom of the main body has a second power supply port connected to the sub-metal sheet, and the ground layer has a second clearance area corresponding to the second power supply port.

3. The antenna module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric dipole unit is located on the side of the third metal sheet away from the second metal sheet. The electric dipole unit is hollow and T-shaped. The electric dipole unit includes a first branch, a second branch, a third branch, a fourth branch, a fifth branch, a sixth branch, and a seventh branch connected vertically in sequence. The first branch and the seventh branch are arranged opposite each other. The second branch and the sixth branch are arranged collinearly. The third branch and the fifth branch are arranged opposite each other. The fourth branch and the second branch are parallel. The distance between the first branch and the seventh branch is less than the distance between the third branch and the fifth branch. The bottom of the main body is provided with a third power supply port connected to the first branch. The main body is provided with a fifth conductive post. The end of the seventh branch away from the sixth branch is connected to the formation through the fifth conductive post.

4. The antenna module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fifth conductive post connects the third metal sheet to the ground layer, the seventh branch connects the side of the third metal sheet away from the second metal sheet, the side of the third metal sheet away from the second metal sheet is provided with a clearance zone, the end of the first branch away from the second branch extends into the clearance zone, and the third power supply port is set corresponding to the clearance zone.

5. The antenna module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The body also has a plurality of sixth conductive posts, which are arranged in a row. The sixth conductive posts connect the third metal sheet to the ground layer, and the electric dipole unit has a corresponding sixth conductive post on both sides.

6. The antenna module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the main body is provided with an isolation metal sheet, and the isolation metal sheet is provided between two adjacent electric dipole units. The isolation metal sheet is connected to the third metal sheet.

7. The antenna module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of electric dipole units is six, and the number of magnetic dipole units is four.

8. The antenna module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The body is a multilayer board structure consisting of multiple substrates stacked and connected together, with at least two of the substrates having different dielectric constants.

9. The antenna module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The body includes three substrates, which are, from bottom to top, a first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate, and a third dielectric substrate. The thickness of the first dielectric substrate is 0.335 mm, the thickness of the second dielectric substrate is 0.2 mm, and the thickness of the third dielectric substrate is 1 mm.

Images