Antenna array

Abstract

The invention discloses an antenna array which comprises a glass plate, a grounding element, a first radiation part, a second radiation part, a third radiation part, a fourth radiation part and a feed-in network. The glass plate is provided with a first surface and a second surface which are opposite. The grounding element is arranged on the second surface of the glass plate. The feed-in network is provided with a feed-in port, and the feed-in network is respectively coupled to the first radiation part, the second radiation part, the third radiation part and the fourth radiation part. The first radiation part, the second radiation part, the third radiation part, the fourth radiation part and the feed-in network are arranged on the first surface of the glass plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna array, and more particularly to an antenna array that can be integrated with a mobile device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of mobile communication technology, mobile devices have become increasingly popular in recent years, such as laptop computers, mobile phones, multimedia players and other hybrid portable electronic devices. In order to meet people's needs, mobile devices usually have the function of wireless communication. Some cover long-distance wireless communication ranges, such as mobile phones using 2G, 3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems and the 700MHz, 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz and 2500MHz frequency bands used for communication, while some cover short-distance wireless communication ranges, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth systems use 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands for communication.

[0003] Antennas are indispensable components in the field of wireless communications. However, since the internal space of mobile devices is often extremely limited, it is usually difficult to accommodate antennas with larger sizes. In view of this, it is necessary to propose a new solution to overcome the difficulties faced by the existing technology. Summary of the invention

[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention proposes an antenna array, comprising: a glass plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; a grounding element disposed on the second surface of the glass plate; a first radiating portion; a second radiating portion; a third radiating portion; a fourth radiating portion; and a feeding network having a feeding port, wherein the feeding network is respectively coupled to the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, and the fourth radiating portion; wherein the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, the fourth radiating portion, and the feeding network are all disposed on the first surface of the glass plate.

[0005] In some embodiments, each of the ground element, the first radiation portion, the second radiation portion, the third radiation portion, the fourth radiation portion, and the feeding network is implemented by a transparent element, and the transparent element includes a metal mesh layer, a transparent resin layer, and a transparent film layer.

[0006] In some embodiments, the antenna array covers an operating frequency band, and the operating frequency band is between 10 GHz and 40 GHz.

[0007] In some embodiments, a width of each of the first radiation portion, the second radiation portion, the third radiation portion, and the fourth radiation portion is substantially equal to 0.5 times the wavelength of the operating frequency band.

[0008] In some embodiments, a center-to-center distance between any two adjacent ones of the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, and the fourth radiating portion is between 0.5 times and 1 times the wavelength of the operating frequency band.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention proposes an antenna array, comprising: a glass plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; a ground radiating portion disposed on the first surface of the glass plate, wherein a first slot, a second slot, a third slot, and a fourth slot are all formed within the ground radiating portion; and a feeding network having a feeding port, wherein the feeding network is respectively adjacent to the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot; wherein the feeding network is disposed on the second surface of the glass plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the ground radiation portion and the feeding network is implemented by a transparent element, and the transparent element includes a metal mesh layer, a transparent resin layer, and a transparent film layer.

[0011] In some embodiments, a length of each of the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot is substantially equal to 0.5 times the wavelength of the operating frequency band.

[0012] In some embodiments, a center-to-center distance between any two adjacent ones of the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot is between 0.5 and 1 wavelength of the operating frequency band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1A A top view of an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 1B A side view of an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2A A side view of a transparent element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2B A top view of a transparent element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 A top view of an antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4AA top view of an antenna array according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4B A side view of an antenna array according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 A top view of an antenna system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Explanation of symbols

[0022] 100,100-1,100-2,100-N,400,400-1,400-2,400-M:antenna array110,410:glass plate

[0023] 130: First radiation part

[0024] 140: Second radiation unit

[0025] 150: The third radiation

[0026] 160: The fourth radiation

[0027] 170,470: Feed into the network

[0028] 171,471: First power distributor

[0029] 172,472: Second power distributor

[0030] 173,473: Third power distributor

[0031] 180: Display

[0032] 200: Transparent components

[0033] 210:Metal mesh layer

[0034] 220: Transparent resin layer

[0035] 230: Transparent film layer

[0036] 300,500: Antenna system

[0037] 420: Ground radiation part

[0038] 430: First slot

[0039] 440: Second slot

[0040] 450: Third slot

[0041] 460: Fourth slot

[0042] D1, D2, D3, D4: Center to center distance

[0043] E1, E3: The first surface of the glass plate

[0044] E2, E4: The second surface of the glass plate

[0045] FP1, FP2: Feed port

[0046] H1,H2:Thickness

[0047] L1, L2: Length

[0048] P1, R1: Common port of the first power divider

[0049] P2, R2: The first port of the first power divider

[0050] P3, R3: The second port of the first power divider

[0051] P4, R4: Common port of the second power divider

[0052] P5, R5: The first port of the second power divider

[0053] P6, R6: The second port of the second power divider

[0054] P7, R7: Common port of the third power divider

[0055] P8, R8: The first port of the third power divider

[0056] P9, R9: The second port of the third power distributor

[0057] W1,W2: Width

[0058] X: X-axis

[0059] Y: Y axis

[0060] Z: Z axis DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, specific embodiments of the present invention are given below with reference to the accompanying drawings for detailed description as follows.

[0062] Certain words are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. This specification and claims do not use differences in names as a way to distinguish components, but use differences in the functions of components as the criteria for distinction. The words "include" and "comprise" mentioned throughout the specification and claims are open-ended terms and should be interpreted as "include but not limited to". The word "substantially" means that within an acceptable error range, those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem and achieve the basic technical effect within a certain error range. In addition, the word "coupled" in this specification includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. Therefore, if the text describes a first device coupled to a second device, it means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device via other devices or connection means.

[0063] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement the different features of the present invention. The following disclosure describes specific examples of various components and their arrangements to simplify the description. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if the present invention describes a first feature formed on or above a second feature, it means that it may include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, and may also include an embodiment in which an additional feature is formed between the first feature and the second feature, so that the first feature and the second feature may not be in direct contact. In addition, the same reference symbols and / or marks may be reused in different examples of the following disclosure. These repetitions are for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and are not intended to limit the specific relationship between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed.

[0064] In addition, spatially related terms such as "below," "below," "lower," "above," "higher," and similar terms are used to facilitate description of the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature in the figure. In addition to the orientation shown in the drawings, these spatially related terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may be turned to different orientations (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0065] Figure 1A A top view of an antenna array 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1B A side view of an antenna array 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1A , Figure 1BThe antenna array 100 can be applied to a mobile device, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wireless access point, a router, or any device with communication function. Alternatively, the antenna array 100 can be applied to an electronic device, such as any unit in the Internet of Things (IOT).

[0066] exist Figure 1A , Figure 1B In the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna array 100 at least includes: a glass plate 110, a ground element 120, a first radiation part 130, a second radiation part 140, a third radiation part 150, a fourth radiation part 160, and a feeding network 170, wherein the ground element 120, the first radiation part 130, the second radiation part 140, the third radiation part 150, the fourth radiation part 160, and the feeding network 170 can all be made of conductive materials.

[0067] For example, the glass plate 110 may be a display protection glass plate or a car windshield glass plate, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the glass plate 110 may also be a housing glass plate. Specifically, the glass plate 110 may have a first surface E1 and a second surface E2 opposite to each other, wherein the first radiation portion 130, the second radiation portion 140, the third radiation portion 150, the fourth radiation portion 160, and the feed network 170 may be disposed on the first surface E1 of the glass plate 110, and the grounding element 120 may be disposed on the second surface E2 of the glass plate 110.

[0068] The ground element 120 may be coupled to a system ground plane (not shown) of the antenna array 100 . In some embodiments, the ground element 120 may completely cover the second surface E2 of the glass plate 110 .

[0069] Each of the first radiation portion 130, the second radiation portion 140, the third radiation portion 150, and the fourth radiation portion 160 may be approximately in the shape of a rectangle or a square. For example, the first radiation portion 130, the second radiation portion 140, the third radiation portion 150, and the fourth radiation portion 160 may be located at the four corners of a virtual rectangle or a virtual square, respectively, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the vertical projections of the first radiation portion 130, the second radiation portion 140, the third radiation portion 150, and the fourth radiation portion 160 on the second surface E2 of the glass plate 110 may be completely located inside the ground element 120.

[0070] The feeding network 170 has a feeding port FP1. The feeding port FP1 can be further coupled to a signal source (Signal Source) (not shown). For example, the aforementioned signal source can be a radio frequency (RF) module, which can be used to excite the antenna array 100. The feeding network 170 is coupled to the first radiating portion 130, the second radiating portion 140, the third radiating portion 150, and the fourth radiating portion 160 respectively. The shape and style of the feeding network 170 are not particularly limited in the present invention. In some embodiments, the feeding network 170 includes a first power splitter 171, a second power splitter 172, and a third power splitter 173.

[0071] In detail, the first power divider 171 has a common port (Common Port) P1, a first port P2, and a second port P3, wherein the common port P1 of the first power divider 171 is coupled to the feed port FP1. The second power divider 172 has a common port P4, a first port P5, and a second port P6, wherein the common port P4 of the second power divider 172 is coupled to the first port P2 of the first power divider 171, the first port P5 of the second power divider 172 is coupled to the first radiation portion 130, and the second port P6 of the second power divider 172 is coupled to the second radiation portion 140. The third power divider 173 has a common port P7, a first port P8, and a second port P9, wherein the common port P7 of the third power divider 173 is coupled to the second port P3 of the first power divider 171, the first port P8 of the third power divider 173 is coupled to the third radiating portion 150, and the second port P9 of the third power divider 173 is coupled to the fourth radiating portion 160. In some embodiments, by using the feeding network 170, the RF energy of the aforementioned signal source can be uniformly distributed to the first radiating portion 130, the second radiating portion 140, the third radiating portion 150, and the fourth radiating portion 160.

[0072] In some embodiments, if the glass plate 110 is a screen protection glass plate, the grounding element 120 may be disposed adjacent to a display device 180. It should be noted that the term "adjacent" or "adjacent" in this specification may refer to a situation where the distance between two corresponding elements is less than a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 mm or shorter), and may also include a situation where two corresponding elements are in direct contact with each other (i.e., the aforementioned distance is shortened to 0).

[0073] In some embodiments, the antenna array 100 may cover an operational frequency band, wherein the operational frequency band may be between 10 GHz and 40 GHz. Therefore, the antenna array 100 will at least support broadband operation of low earth orbit satellite (LEOS) communication or millimeter wave (mmWave) communication. According to actual measurement results, the antenna array 100 of the present invention can provide a relatively high radiation gain (especially the radiation gain in the +Z axis direction).

[0074] In some embodiments, the element size of the antenna array 100 may be as follows. The thickness H1 of the glass plate 110 (or the distance between the first surface E1 and the second surface E2) may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. The length L1 of each of the first radiating portion 130, the second radiating portion 140, the third radiating portion 150, and the fourth radiating portion 160 may be between 0.5 times and 1 times the wavelength (λ / 2~1λ) of the operating frequency band of the antenna array 100. The width W1 of each of the first radiating portion 130, the second radiating portion 140, the third radiating portion 150, and the fourth radiating portion 160 may be substantially equal to 0.5 times the wavelength (λ / 2) of the operating frequency band of the antenna array 100. The center-to-center distance D1 or D2 between any two adjacent ones of the first radiating portion 130, the second radiating portion 140, the third radiating portion 150, and the fourth radiating portion 160 can be between 0.5 times and 1 times the wavelength (λ / 2 to 1λ) of the operating frequency band of the antenna array 100. The above range of element sizes is obtained based on multiple experimental results, which helps to optimize the radiation gain, operating bandwidth, and impedance matching of the antenna array 100.

[0075] Figure 2A A side view of a transparent element 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2B A top view of a transparent element 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2A , Figure 2B In some embodiments, each of the aforementioned ground element 120, the first radiation portion 130, the second radiation portion 140, the third radiation portion 150, the fourth radiation portion 160, and the feeding network 170 can be implemented by a transparent element 200. In detail, the transparent element 200 may include a metal mesh layer 210, a transparent resin layer 220, and a transparent film layer 230, wherein the metal mesh layer 210 can be attached to the transparent film layer 230 by using the transparent resin layer 220. It should be noted that the width of each metal line of the metal mesh layer 210 is very small, so that light can easily pass through the metal mesh layer 210. Therefore, even if the ground element 120, the first radiating portion 130, the second radiating portion 140, the third radiating portion 150, the fourth radiating portion 160, and the feeding network 170 are disposed adjacent to the display 180, the user will not easily notice any visual obscuration. In other words, the antenna array 100 of the present invention can be almost regarded as a completely transparent object, which can be well integrated with related devices.

[0076] Figure 3 A top view of an antenna system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 300 includes a plurality of antenna arrays 100-1, 100-2, ..., 100-N, where "N" can be any positive integer greater than or equal to 2, for example, 16. Each of the antenna arrays 100-1, 100-2, ..., 100-N can be based on Figure 1A to Figure 1B According to actual measurement results, the antenna system 300 can provide higher radiation gain than the single antenna array 100 described above, and can also support beamforming function.

[0077] Figure 4A A top view of an antenna array 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4B A side view of an antenna array 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4A , Figure 4B .exist Figure 4A , Figure 4BIn the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna array 400 at least includes: a glass plate 410, a grounding radiation element 420, and a feeding network 470, wherein the grounding radiation element 420 and the feeding network 470 can be made of conductive materials.

[0078] The glass plate 410 may have a first surface E3 and a second surface E4 opposite to each other, wherein the ground radiation portion 420 may be disposed on the first surface E3 of the glass plate 410 , and the feeding network 470 may be disposed on the second surface E4 of the glass plate 410 .

[0079] It should be noted that a first slot 430, a second slot 440, a third slot 450, and a fourth slot 460 can all be formed in the ground radiation portion 420. Each of the first slot 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460 can be substantially in the shape of a straight bar. For example, the first slot 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460 can be independent of each other and can be located at the four corners of a virtual rectangle or a virtual square, but it is not limited thereto.

[0080] The feed network 470 has a feed port FP2. The feed network 470 is adjacent to the first slot 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460, respectively. The feed port FP2 can be further coupled to a signal source (not shown). In some embodiments, the vertical projection of the feed network 470 on the first surface E3 of the glass plate 410 can overlap at least partially with each of the first slot 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460. The shape and style of the feed network 470 are not particularly limited in the present invention. In some embodiments, the feed network 470 includes a first power divider 471, a second power divider 472, and a third power divider 473.

[0081] In detail, the first power divider 471 has a common port R1, a first port R2, and a second port R3, wherein the common port R1 of the first power divider 471 is coupled to the feed port FP2. The second power divider 472 has a common port R4, a first port R5, and a second port R6, wherein the common port R4 of the second power divider 472 is coupled to the first port R2 of the first power divider 471, the first port R5 of the second power divider 472 is used to excite the first slot 430, and the second port R6 of the second power divider 472 is used to excite the second slot 440. The third power divider 473 has a common port R7, a first port R8, and a second port R9, wherein the common port R7 of the third power divider 473 is coupled to the second port R3 of the first power divider 471, the first port R8 of the third power divider 473 is used to excite the third slot 450, and the second port R9 of the third power divider 473 is used to excite the third slot 460. In some embodiments, by using the feeding network 470 , the RF energy of the signal source can be evenly distributed to the first slot 430 , the second slot 440 , the third slot 450 , and the fourth slot 460 of the ground radiating portion 420 .

[0082] In some embodiments, the antenna array 400 may cover an operating frequency band, wherein the operating frequency band may be between 10 GHz and 40 GHz. Therefore, the antenna array 400 will at least support broadband operation of low-orbit satellite communication or millimeter wave communication. According to actual measurement results, the antenna array 400 of the present invention can provide a relatively high radiation gain (especially in the +Z axis direction and the -Z axis direction).

[0083] In some embodiments, the element size of the antenna array 400 may be as follows. The thickness H2 of the glass plate 410 (or the distance between the first surface E3 and the second surface E4) may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. The length L2 of each of the first slot 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460 may be substantially equal to 0.5 times the wavelength (λ / 2) of the operating frequency band of the antenna array 400. The width W2 of each of the first slot 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460 may be between 0.1 times and 0.125 times the wavelength (λ / 10 to λ / 8) of the operating frequency band of the antenna array 400. The center-to-center distance D3 or D4 of any two adjacent first slots 430, the second slot 440, the third slot 450, and the fourth slot 460 may be between 0.5 times and 1 times the wavelength (λ / 2 to 1λ) of the operating frequency band of the antenna array 400. The above ranges of element sizes are obtained based on multiple experimental results, which are helpful to optimize the radiation gain, operating bandwidth, and impedance matching of the antenna array 400 .

[0084] In some embodiments, each of the ground radiation portion 420 and the feeding network 470 can be implemented by a transparent element 200, the structure of which has been described in detail in Figure 2A , Figure 2B Similarly, the antenna array 400 of the present invention can be almost regarded as a completely transparent object, which can be well integrated with related devices.

[0085] Figure 5 A top view of an antenna system 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 500 includes a plurality of antenna arrays 400-1, 400-2, ..., 400-M, where "M" can be any positive integer greater than or equal to 2, for example, 16. Each of the antenna arrays 400-1, 400-2, ..., 400-M can be based on Figure 4A to Figure 4B According to actual measurement results, the antenna system 500 can provide higher radiation gain than the single antenna array 400 described above, and can also support beamforming function.

[0086] The present invention proposes a novel antenna array. Compared with the traditional design, the present invention has at least the advantages of high radiation gain and wide operating frequency band, so it is very suitable for application in various mobile communication devices or the Internet of Things.

[0087] It is worth noting that the above-mentioned element size, element shape, and frequency range are not limiting conditions of the present invention. Antenna designers can adjust these settings according to different needs. The antenna array of the present invention is not limited to Figure 1A to Figure 5 The present invention may only include Figure 1A to Figure 5 In other words, not all the features shown in the figures need to be implemented in the antenna array of the present invention at the same time.

[0088] In the present specification and claims, ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", "third", etc., have no sequential relationship with each other, and are only used to distinguish two different components with the same name.

[0089] Although the present invention is disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Anyone familiar with this technology may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the definition of the attached claims.

Claims

1. An antenna array, comprising: a glass sheet having opposing first and second surfaces; A grounding element, disposed on the second surface of the glass plate; The first radiation part; The second radiation part; The third radiation unit; The fourth radiation unit; as well as A feeding network having a feeding port, wherein the feeding network is respectively coupled to the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, and the fourth radiating portion; The first radiation part, the second radiation part, the third radiation part, the fourth radiation part, and the feeding network are all disposed on the first surface of the glass plate.

2. The antenna array as described in claim 1, wherein each of the ground element, the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, the fourth radiating portion, and the feed network is implemented by a transparent element, and the transparent element includes a metal mesh layer, a transparent resin layer, and a transparent film layer. 3 . The antenna array as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the antenna array covers an operating frequency band, and the operating frequency band is between 10 GHz and 40 GHz. 4 . The antenna array as claimed in claim 3 , wherein a width of each of the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, and the fourth radiating portion is substantially equal to 0.5 times the wavelength of the operating frequency band.

5. The antenna array as claimed in claim 3, wherein the center-to-center distance between any two adjacent ones of the first radiating portion, the second radiating portion, the third radiating portion, and the fourth radiating portion is between 0.5 and 1 wavelength of the operating frequency band.

6. An antenna array, comprising: a glass sheet having opposing first and second surfaces; A ground radiation portion is disposed on the first surface of the glass plate, wherein the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot are all formed in the ground radiation portion; as well as A feeding network having a feeding port, wherein the feeding network is respectively adjacent to the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot; The feeding network is arranged on the second surface of the glass plate. 7 . The antenna array as claimed in claim 6 , wherein each of the ground radiation portion and the feeding network is implemented by a transparent element, and the transparent element comprises a metal mesh layer, a transparent resin layer, and a transparent film layer. 8 . The antenna array as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the antenna array covers an operating frequency band, and the operating frequency band is between 10 GHz and 40 GHz. 9 . The antenna array as claimed in claim 8 , wherein a length of each of the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot is substantially equal to 0.5 times the wavelength of the operating frequency band. 10 . The antenna array as claimed in claim 8 , wherein a center-to-center distance between any two adjacent ones of the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot is between 0.5 and 1 wavelength of the operating frequency band.

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