Antenna device and front end module using the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an antenna device and a front end module using the same, the device including a plurality of first antenna elements including a Yagi-Uda antenna, and a plurality of second antenna elements including a monopole antenna and alternately arranged with the first antenna elements in a first direction on the same plane, thereby overcoming the limitations of an antenna device including only a single type of antenna element, having a wide beam coverage, and being capable of transmitting and receiving signals with high output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an antenna device, and more specifically, to an antenna device in which multiple antenna elements with different characteristics are arranged together to transmit wireless signals over long distances with high output power, and a front-end module using the antenna device. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, various multimedia services such as video, music, and games are provided via wireless communication systems. To ensure smooth delivery of multimedia services through wireless communication systems, high data transmission rates for large volumes of multimedia data must be guaranteed. Therefore, research is underway to improve the performance of antenna devices in communication terminals.

[0003] This is because the antenna device in a communication terminal is essentially responsible for transmitting and receiving data for multimedia services. In recent years, a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna device has been proposed as an antenna device installed in the communication terminal of a wireless communication system. A MIMO antenna device includes multiple antenna elements. In a MIMO antenna device, high-speed data transmission can be achieved by transmitting and receiving signals within a specific frequency band through the antenna elements.

[0004] Due to the demands for high speed, large capacity, and high density, future mobile communication services require data transmission speeds exceeding 100 Gbps in mobile communication networks. Terahertz (THz) technology holds promise as a crucial wireless transmission technology for achieving this performance. To date, research on terahertz technology has primarily focused on non-destructive and non-contact short-range detection based on optical principles. However, research on terahertz wireless transmission technologies for long-range transmission using radio waves remains insufficient. With the commercialization of fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication and ongoing research into sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication technologies, there is a need to investigate high-gain antennas capable of long-range transmission with high output power utilizing the terahertz (THz) band. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is to provide an antenna device and a front-end module using the antenna device, which overcomes the limitations of antenna devices including a single type of antenna element, provides wide beam coverage, and is capable of transmitting and receiving signals with high output power.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure is to provide a high-gain antenna device capable of long-distance transmission within the terahertz band and a front-end module using the antenna device.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] The antenna device according to this disclosure for achieving the above aspects may include: a plurality of first antenna elements, each first antenna element including a Yagi-Uda antenna; and a plurality of second antenna elements, each second antenna element including a monopole antenna. The plurality of second antenna elements may be alternately arranged with the plurality of first antenna elements in a first direction on the same plane.

[0010] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of first antenna elements can output highly directional signals, and a plurality of second antenna elements can output omnidirectional signals.

[0011] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the plurality of second antenna elements may be smaller than the area of ​​the plurality of first antenna elements.

[0012] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the plurality of second antenna elements may range from 45% to 55% of the area of ​​the plurality of first antenna elements.

[0013] In an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of a plurality of first antenna elements may include a core layer, an upper build-up layer disposed above the core layer, and a lower build-up layer disposed below the core layer. The upper build-up layer may include a first antenna.

[0014] In an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first antenna may include: a feed part disposed on a first insulating layer and configured to supply power; a first inductor disposed on the first insulating layer and configured to receive power from the feed part and radiate radio waves; at least one director disposed on the first insulating layer and spaced apart from the first inductor in a first direction; a reflector disposed on a second insulating layer disposed below the first insulating layer and connected to ground; and a second inductor disposed on the second insulating layer at a position corresponding to the first inductor and spaced apart from the reflector.

[0015] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first inductor and the second inductor may have a planar dipole antenna structure.

[0016] In an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one director may include: a first director spaced apart from a first inductor and a second inductor in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a second director spaced apart from the first director in the second direction.

[0017] In the antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spacing between the reflector and the second inductor may be greater than the spacing between the first inductor and the first director.

[0018] In the antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spacing between the first inductor and the first director may be smaller than the spacing between the first director and the second director.

[0019] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, each of a plurality of second antenna elements may include a core layer, an upper stacked layer disposed above the core layer, and a lower stacked layer disposed below the core layer. The second antenna may include a ground radiating portion formed in the lower stacked layer and an antenna portion formed in the upper stacked layer.

[0020] In an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the grounding radiating portion may include: a first conductor connected to a grounding terminal and extending in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction; a second conductor disposed on an insulating layer below an insulating layer on which the first conductor is disposed, and connected to the first conductor through a first via; a third conductor disposed on an insulating layer below an insulating layer on which the second conductor is disposed, and connected to the second conductor through a second via; and a fourth conductor disposed on an insulating layer below an insulating layer on which the third conductor is disposed, and connected to the third conductor through a third via.

[0021] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the fourth conductor among the first to fourth conductors may have the largest area.

[0022] In an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna portion may include: a fifth conductor connected to a feed portion and extending in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction; a sixth conductor disposed on an insulating layer above an insulating layer on which the fifth conductor is disposed, and connected to the fifth conductor through a fourth via; a seventh conductor disposed on an insulating layer above an insulating layer on which the sixth conductor is disposed, and connected to the sixth conductor through a fifth via; and an eighth conductor disposed on an insulating layer above an insulating layer on which the seventh conductor is disposed, and connected to the seventh conductor through a sixth via.

[0023] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the eighth conductor among the fifth to eighth conductors may have the largest area.

[0024] In the antenna device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the S-parameter in a frequency band ranging from 110 GHz to 170 GHz can be at least 6 dB.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] By combining a Yagi-Uda antenna element with a length corresponding to half a wavelength and a monopole antenna element with a length corresponding to a quarter wavelength, the antenna device according to this disclosure can achieve a compact structure, high output power, and wide beam coverage.

[0027] The antenna device according to this disclosure can achieve long-distance transmission in the terahertz band. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The arrangement and embodiments can be described in detail with reference to the following figures, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic view illustrating the construction of an antenna device according to this disclosure; Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the first antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure; Figure 3 This is a view showing the arrangement of components constituting the first antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure; Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken by line A–A' in the diagram; Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the second antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure; Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken by line B–B' in the diagram; Figure 7 This is a view specifically illustrating the construction of the antenna device according to this disclosure; Figure 8 It is a graph showing the S-parameters of the first antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure; Figure 9 It is a graph showing the S-parameters of the second antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure; Figure 10 and Figure 11 This is a view showing the radiation pattern of the first antenna element in the antenna device according to the present disclosure in the vertical and horizontal directions; Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is a view showing the radiation pattern of the second antenna element in the antenna arrangement according to this disclosure in the vertical and horizontal directions; and Figure 14 This is a block diagram schematically illustrating the construction of a front-end module according to the present disclosure.

[0029] Best practice

[0030] Various exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only a few exemplary embodiments are shown. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative details provided for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments. However, this disclosure may be implemented in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limiting to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0031] Therefore, although various modifications and alternative forms can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed. Rather, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0032] It should be understood that although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0033] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intermediate elements. Other terms used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" and "directly between," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.). Similarly, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as "set on" another element, the element may be directly set on the surface of the other element, or it may be set on top of the surface of the other element at a distance from it.

[0034] The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising” or “having” as used herein indicate the presence of a feature, integer, step, operation, element, component, or combination thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Terms such as those defined in common dictionaries shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as the term in the context of the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted as having an idealized or over-formalized meaning unless expressly defined in this specification.

[0036] Furthermore, when a particular embodiment can be implemented in different ways, the functions or operations specified in a particular block can be executed in a different order than that shown in the flowchart. For example, depending on the relevant functions or operations, two consecutive blocks can be executed simultaneously, or they can be executed in reverse order.

[0037] The antenna device according to this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, the antenna device will be described using a Cartesian coordinate system (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis), but other coordinate systems may also be used. In a Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are perpendicular to each other, but the embodiments are not limited to this. That is, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be inclined to intersect each other.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic view illustrating the construction of an antenna device according to the present disclosure. As shown, the antenna device 1 according to the present disclosure includes a first antenna element 10 and a second antenna element 20. The first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 are alternately arranged.

[0039] Specifically, the first antenna element 10 includes a first-1 antenna element 11 and a first-2 antenna element 12, with a second-1 antenna element 21 located between them. The second antenna element 20 includes a second-1 antenna element 21 and a second-2 antenna element 22, with the first-2 antenna element 12 located between them.

[0040] In one embodiment, the first antenna element 10 may include an antenna configured to transmit and receive signals in a horizontally polarized mode. Specifically, the first antenna element 10 may include an antenna configured to transmit and receive signals that oscillate horizontally relative to the direction of signal propagation. In one embodiment, the first antenna element 10 may include a Yagi-Uda antenna, which includes a dipole inductor, a director, and a reflector. In one embodiment, the first antenna element 10 may be configured to have a length corresponding to half the wavelength λ of the signal and may transmit and receive highly directional signals. For ease of illustration, the following description will be based on the example where the first antenna element 10 is a Yagi-Uda antenna.

[0041] The second antenna element 20 may include an antenna configured to transmit and receive signals in a vertically polarized mode. Specifically, the second antenna element 20 may include an antenna configured to transmit and receive signals that oscillate vertically relative to the direction of signal propagation. In one embodiment, the second antenna element 20 may include a monopole antenna. In one embodiment, the second antenna element 20 may be formed to have a length corresponding to one-quarter of the wavelength λ and may transmit and receive omnidirectional signals. For ease of illustration, the following description will be based on the example of the second antenna element 20 being a monopole antenna.

[0042] Antenna elements 11 and 12 have the same first width W1 in the x-axis direction (first direction). Antenna elements 21 and 22 have the same second width W2 in the x-axis direction (first direction). The second width W2 of the second antenna element 20 is smaller than the first width W1 of the first antenna element 10. When the first antenna element 10 is implemented as a Yagi-Uda antenna, it can have a length corresponding to λ / 2; when the second antenna element 20 is implemented as a monopole antenna, it can have a length corresponding to λ / 4. Therefore, the width W2 of the second antenna element 20 can be smaller than the width W1 of the first antenna element 10.

[0043] The first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 can have the same length in the y-axis direction (second direction). Therefore, the area of ​​the second antenna element 20 can be smaller than the area of ​​the first antenna element 10. For example, the second antenna element 20 has an area ranging from 30% to 70% of the area of ​​the first antenna element 10. Specifically, the second antenna element 20 has an area ranging from 40% to 60% of the area of ​​the first antenna element 10. More specifically, the second antenna element 20 has an area ranging from 45% to 55% of the area of ​​the first antenna element 10. In yet another embodiment, the area of ​​the second antenna element 20 is half the area of ​​the first antenna element 10.

[0044] although Figure 1 The illustration shows a configuration where the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 each comprise two antenna elements, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 may comprise one or more antenna elements. In this case, the one or more antenna elements may be arranged alternately.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the first antenna element of the antenna device according to this disclosure. The following is a description of... Figure 2 The description of the first antenna element 10 shown can also be applied to each of the first antenna element 11 and the first antenna element 12 described above.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the first antenna element 10 of the antenna device 1 according to the present disclosure can be implemented as a substrate, which includes a core layer 204, a lower stacked layer 210 disposed below the core layer 204, and an upper stacked layer 220 disposed above the core layer 204.

[0047] The lower stacked layer 210 includes a plurality of insulating layers 201 to 203, a lower insulating layer 101, and a wiring layer, which are stacked vertically while being spaced apart from each other. The upper stacked layer 220 includes a plurality of insulating layers 205 to 207, an upper insulating layer 102, and a wiring layer, which are stacked vertically while being spaced apart from each other. In this case, the wiring layer includes an antenna wiring layer constituting an antenna. In one embodiment, the wiring layer may also include a routing wiring layer. The routing wiring layer may include transmission lines, signal patterns, power supply patterns, or resistor patterns for controlling the antenna. The wiring layer may be disposed between the plurality of insulating layers 101, 102, 201 to 203, and 205 to 207, or disposed in a region penetrating the insulating layers.

[0048] In this way, the first antenna element 10 can be implemented as a substrate in which seven layers are stacked. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first antenna element 10 can be implemented as a substrate without the core layer 204. For example, the first antenna element 10 can be implemented as a substrate in which each of the lower stacked layer 210 and the upper stacked layer 220 comprises fewer than three layers or more than three layers.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first antenna element 10 may include an antenna wiring layer implemented as an upper layer 220. For example, the first antenna element 10 may include a feed section 310, a first inductor 320, a first director 331, a second director 332, a reflector 410, and a second inductor 420.

[0050] Specifically, a feed section 310 configured to supply power, a first inductor 320 configured to receive power from the feed section 310 and radiate radio waves, and directors 331 and 332 configured to enhance the directivity and intensity of the radio waves radiated from the first inductor 320 are disposed on the upper insulating layer 102. Furthermore, a reflector 410 connected to ground and configured to reflect the radiated radio waves, and a second inductor 420 configured to reflect radio waves together with the first inductor 320, are disposed on a seventh insulating layer 207 disposed below the upper insulating layer 102. In other words, the first inductor 320 and the second inductor 420 can together form a planar dipole antenna structure.

[0051] In one embodiment, one end of the feed section 310 is connected to a surface of the upper insulating layer 102, and its other end extends along the y-axis direction (second direction). A first inductor 320 is connected to the other end of the feed section 310 and is formed in an L-shape. For example, the first inductor 320 may include a first portion extending from the feed section 310 in the y-axis direction and a second portion extending in the x-axis direction (first direction). Each of the directors 331 and 332 may be spaced apart from the first inductor 320 in the y-axis direction. For example, the first director 331 may be spaced apart from the first inductor 320 in the y-axis direction and may extend in the x-axis direction. The second director 332 may be spaced apart from the first director 331 in the y-axis direction and may extend in the x-axis direction.

[0052] Reflector 410 may be disposed on one surface of the seventh insulating layer 207. Second inductor 420 extends from reflector 410 and is formed in an L-shape. For example, second inductor 420 may include a first portion extending from reflector 410 in the y-axis direction and a second portion extending in the x-axis direction. In this case, the second portion of second inductor 420 may extend in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the second portion of first inductor 320. That is, second inductor 420 may be formed as an L-shape symmetrical to first inductor 320 with respect to the y-axis direction. In one embodiment, the first portion of first inductor 320 and the first portion of second inductor 420 may overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a view showing the arrangement of components constituting the first antenna element of the antenna device according to this disclosure. Specifically, Figure 3 This is a view showing the antenna wiring layer when viewed from above as the first antenna element 10.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 The first inductor 320 and the second inductor 420 can together form a dipole inductor. The length L2 of the dipole inductor can be defined as the distance along the x-axis from the end of the second portion of the first inductor 320 that is not connected to the first portion of the first inductor 320 to the end of the second portion of the second inductor 420 that is not connected to the first portion of the second inductor 420. The length L2 of the dipole inductor is designed according to the frequency of the signal and corresponds to approximately half of the wavelength λ corresponding to the signal frequency. Typically, in dipole antennas such as the Yagi-Uda antenna, the length of the dipole inductor refers to the length of the corresponding antenna.

[0055] Specifically, the length L2 of the dipole inductor corresponds to 0.4 to 0.6 times the wavelength λ. More specifically, the length L2 of the dipole inductor corresponds to 0.45 to 0.55 times the wavelength λ. In yet another embodiment, the length L2 of the dipole inductor corresponds to 0.458 to 0.55 times the wavelength λ. The length L1 of the reflector 410 corresponds to 0.5λ to 0.6λ. In one embodiment, the length L1 of the reflector 410 may correspond to 0.55λ to 0.58λ.

[0056] In one embodiment, the two directors 331 and 332 may have the same length L3, and the length L3 may correspond to 0.3λ to 0.5λ. In another embodiment, the length L3 of the two directors 331 and 332 may correspond to 0.35λ to 0.45λ. In yet another embodiment, the length L3 of the two directors 331 and 332 may correspond to 0.4λ to 0.45λ. In one embodiment, the length of the second director 332 may be less than the length of the first director 331. For example, the length of the first director 331 may correspond to 0.45λ, and the length of the second director 332 may correspond to 0.4λ. In the configuration where the length of the second director 332 is less than the length of the first director 331, the length of the second director 332 is not limited to the examples described above. The length of the second director 332 can be set to any value, as long as the value falls within the range of the aforementioned length L3 and is less than the length of the first director 331. In one embodiment, the lengths of the components may satisfy the relationship L1 ≥ L2 ≥ L3.

[0057] The reflector 410 is spaced apart from the second portion of the inductors 320 and 420 by a distance D1 in the y-axis direction (second direction), and the distance D1 corresponds to 0.2 to 0.4 times the wavelength λ. In another embodiment, the distance D1 corresponds to 0.35λ.

[0058] Inductors 320 and 420 are spaced apart from the first director 331 by a distance D2 in the y-axis direction, and the distance D2 corresponds to 0.1 to 0.2 times the wavelength λ. In another embodiment, the distance D2 corresponds to 0.125λ.

[0059] The first director 331 and the second director 332 are spaced apart from each other by a distance D3 in the y-axis direction, and the distance D3 corresponds to 0.1 to 0.3 times the wavelength λ. In another embodiment, the distance D3 corresponds to 0.2λ. In one embodiment, the distance between the components can satisfy the relationship D1 ≥ D3 ≥ D2.

[0060] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2The figure shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A–A'. As shown, on the upper insulating layer 102, the power supply section 310, the first inductor 320, and the first director 331 and the second director 332 are sequentially arranged in the y-axis direction (second direction). On the seventh insulating layer 207 disposed below the upper insulating layer 102, the reflector 410 and the second inductor 420 are sequentially arranged in the y-axis direction. The power supply section 310 may at least partially overlap the reflector 410 in the z-axis direction (third direction). The first inductor 320 may at least partially overlap each of the reflector 410 and the second inductor 420 in the z-axis direction.

[0061] Although the first antenna element 10 is shown and described in this disclosure as comprising two directors 331 and 332, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first antenna element 10 may include one, three or more directors.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the second antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure, and Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The following is a cross-sectional view taken by line B–B'. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The description of the second antenna element 20 shown can also be applied to each of the second-1 antenna element 21 and the second-2 antenna element 22 described above.

[0063] As shown in the figure, the second antenna element 20 of the antenna device 1 according to the present disclosure can be implemented as a substrate, which includes a core layer 204, a lower stacked layer 210 disposed below the core layer 204, and an upper stacked layer 220 disposed above the core layer 204.

[0064] The lower stack 210 includes multiple insulating layers 201 to 203, a lower insulating layer 101, and a wiring layer, which are stacked vertically while being spaced apart from each other. The upper stack 220 includes multiple insulating layers 205 to 207, an upper insulating layer 102, and a wiring layer, which are stacked vertically while being spaced apart from each other. In this case, the wiring layer may include an antenna wiring layer and / or a routing wiring layer constituting an antenna. The routing wiring layer may include transmission lines, signal patterns, power supply patterns, or resistor patterns for controlling the antenna. The wiring layer may be disposed between the multiple insulating layers 101, 102, 201 to 203, and 205 to 207, or disposed in a region penetrating the insulating layers.

[0065] In this way, the second antenna element 20 can be implemented as a substrate with seven stacked layers. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the second antenna element 20 can be implemented as a substrate without a core layer 204. For example, the second antenna element 20 can be implemented as a substrate in which each of the lower stacked layer 210 and the upper stacked layer 220 comprises less than three layers or more than three layers.

[0066] In one embodiment, the second antenna element 20 may include an antenna as an antenna wiring layer implemented as a lower stacked layer 210 and an upper stacked layer 220. For example, the second antenna element 20 may include a ground radiating portion 20-1 formed in the lower stacked layer 210 and an antenna portion 20-2 formed in the upper stacked layer 220.

[0067] Specifically, the grounding radiating portion 20-1 may include a first grounding portion 601 to a third grounding portion 603 formed in the lower stacked layer 210. Furthermore, the antenna portion 20-2 may include a fifth grounding portion 605 to a seventh grounding portion 607 formed in the upper stacked layer 220. Additionally, the lower stacked layer 210 and the upper stacked layer 220 may also include a plurality of seventh vias V7 interconnecting the grounding portions 601 to 603 to the grounding portions 605 to 607. The plurality of seventh vias V7 may be formed through the insulating layers 202, 203, 205, and 206 and the core layer 204 between the grounding portions 601 to 603 and 605 to 607.

[0068] The grounding radiating section 20-1 includes a first conductor 524, which is disposed on the third insulating layer 203 and connected to the third grounding section 603, extending in the y-axis direction (second direction). Furthermore, the grounding radiating section 20-1 includes a second conductor 523, which is disposed on the second insulating layer 202 and spaced apart from the second grounding section 602, extending in the y-axis direction. Additionally, the grounding radiating section 20-1 includes a third conductor 522, which is disposed on the first insulating layer 201 and spaced apart from the first grounding section 601, extending in the y-axis direction. Finally, the grounding radiating section 20-1 includes a fourth conductor 521 disposed on the lower insulating layer 101.

[0069] The first conductor 524 includes a first region that overlaps with the second conductor 523 in the z-axis direction (third direction). Furthermore, the second conductor 523 includes a second region that overlaps with the first conductor 524 in the z-axis direction and a third region that overlaps with the third conductor 522 in the z-axis direction. Furthermore, the third conductor 522 includes a fourth region that overlaps with the second conductor 523 in the z-axis direction and a fifth region that overlaps with the fourth conductor 521 in the z-axis direction. Furthermore, the fourth conductor 521 includes a sixth region that overlaps with the third conductor 522 in the z-axis direction.

[0070] The width of the first conductor 524 in the x-axis direction (first direction) may be equal to or less than the width of the second conductor 523 in the x-axis direction. Furthermore, the width of the second conductor 523 in the x-axis direction may be equal to or less than the width of the third conductor 522 in the x-axis direction. Furthermore, the width of the third conductor 522 in the x-axis direction may be equal to or less than the width of the fourth conductor 521 in the x-axis direction. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the relationship between the widths of the first conductor 524 and the fourth conductor 521 can be set in various ways.

[0071] The first conductor 524 and the second conductor 523 are interconnected through a first via V1. Specifically, the first via V1 penetrates the third insulating layer 203 to interconnect a first region of the first conductor 524 with a second region of the second conductor 523. The second conductor 523 and the third conductor 522 are interconnected through a second via V2. Specifically, the second via V2 penetrates the second insulating layer 202 to interconnect a third region of the second conductor 523 with a fourth region of the third conductor 522. The third conductor 522 and the fourth conductor 521 are interconnected through a third via V3. Specifically, the third via V3 penetrates the first insulating layer 201 to interconnect a fifth region of the third conductor 522 with a sixth region of the fourth conductor 521. The first via V1 to the third via V3 may include metal.

[0072] Antenna section 20-2 includes a fifth conductor 514, which is disposed on the fifth insulating layer 205 and spaced apart from the fifth ground portion 605, but connected to the fifth ground portion 605 via a feed portion (not shown), and extends in the y-axis direction (second direction). Furthermore, antenna section 20-2 includes a sixth conductor 513, which is disposed on the sixth insulating layer 206 and spaced apart from the sixth ground portion 606, and extends in the y-axis direction. Additionally, antenna section 20-2 includes a seventh conductor 512, which is disposed on the seventh insulating layer 207 and spaced apart from the seventh ground portion 607, and extends in the y-axis direction. Finally, antenna section 20-2 includes an eighth conductor 511 disposed on the upper insulating layer 102 and extending in the y-axis direction.

[0073] The fifth conductor 514 includes a seventh region that overlaps with the sixth conductor 513 in the z-axis direction (third direction). Furthermore, the sixth conductor 513 includes an eighth region that overlaps with the fifth conductor 514 in the z-axis direction and a ninth region that overlaps with the seventh conductor 512 in the z-axis direction. Furthermore, the seventh conductor 512 includes a tenth region that overlaps with the sixth conductor 513 in the z-axis direction and an eleventh region that overlaps with the eighth conductor 511 in the z-axis direction. Furthermore, the eighth conductor 511 includes a twelfth region that overlaps with the seventh conductor 512 in the z-axis direction.

[0074] The width of the fifth conductor 514 in the x-axis direction (first direction) may be equal to or less than the width of the sixth conductor 513 in the x-axis direction. Furthermore, the width of the sixth conductor 513 in the x-axis direction may be equal to or less than the width of the seventh conductor 512 in the x-axis direction. Furthermore, the width of the seventh conductor 512 in the x-axis direction may be equal to or less than the width of the eighth conductor 511 in the x-axis direction. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the relationship between the widths of the fifth conductor 514 to the eighth conductor 511 can be set in various ways.

[0075] The fifth conductor 514 and the sixth conductor 513 are interconnected via a fourth via V4. Specifically, the fourth via V4 penetrates the fifth insulating layer 205 to interconnect the seventh region of the fifth conductor 514 with the eighth region of the sixth conductor 513. The sixth conductor 513 and the seventh conductor 512 are interconnected via a fifth via V5. Specifically, the fifth via V5 penetrates the sixth insulating layer 206 to interconnect the ninth region of the sixth conductor 513 with the tenth region of the seventh conductor 512. The seventh conductor 512 and the eighth conductor 511 are interconnected via a sixth via V6. Specifically, the sixth via V6 penetrates the seventh insulating layer 207 to interconnect the eleventh region of the seventh conductor 512 with the twelfth region of the eighth conductor 511. The fourth via V4 to the sixth via V6 may include metal.

[0076] Among the first conductor 524 to the fourth conductor 521 provided in the grounding radiation section 20-1, the fourth conductor 521 may have the largest area. Furthermore, among the fifth conductor 514 to the eighth conductor 511 provided in the second antenna section 20-2, the eighth conductor 511 may have the largest area.

[0077] The length of the second antenna element 20 is designed according to the frequency of the signal and is typically set to approximately one-quarter of the wavelength λ corresponding to the signal frequency. Specifically, when the second antenna element 20 is viewed along the z-axis, its length can be defined as the length of the fifth conductor 514 to the eighth conductor 511 of the antenna section 20-2 extending in the y-axis direction. For example, the length of the second antenna element 20 can be defined as the distance in the y-axis direction from the end of the fifth conductor 514 adjacent to the ground portion to the end of the eighth conductor 511 furthest from the ground portion. Specifically, the length of the second antenna element 20 corresponds to 0.2 to 0.3 times the wavelength λ. More specifically, the length of the second antenna element 20 can correspond to 0.23λ to 0.28λ. In another embodiment, the length of the second antenna element 20 can correspond to 0.25λ.

[0078] Although the second antenna element 20 is shown and described in this disclosure as comprising eight conductors 524 to 511, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second antenna element 20 may include an even number of conductors, such as two, four, six, ten or more conductors.

[0079] Figure 7 This is a view specifically illustrating the construction of the antenna device according to the present disclosure. As shown, two first antenna elements 11 and 12 are alternately arranged with two second antenna elements 21 and 22. A feed section 310, a first inductor 320, a first director 331, and a second director 332 are sequentially arranged in the upper portion of each of the horizontal radiating elements 11 and 12 in the y-axis direction, and a reflector 410 and a second inductor 420 are arranged in their lower portion such that the horizontal polarization signal in the y-axis direction has a maximum value at the second director 332. Furthermore, in each of the second antenna elements 21 and 22, a seventh conductor 512, a sixth conductor 513, and a fifth conductor 514 are sequentially arranged in the z-axis direction below the eighth conductor 511 at the uppermost position.

[0080] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the reflection S-parameters of the first antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure, and Figure 9 This is a graph showing the S-parameters of the first antenna element of the antenna device according to the present disclosure.

[0081] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The S-parameters of the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 are shown. The S-parameters represent the ratio of the input voltage to the output voltage, expressed in dB scale over the frequency distribution. Specifically, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The S-parameter represents the return loss (S11) at the input port. (Refer to...) Figure 8 The first antenna element 10 exhibits a return loss of -6 dB or less in a frequency band ranging from 110 GHz to 145 GHz. Furthermore, the first antenna element 10 exhibits a return loss of -10 dB or less in a frequency band ranging from 113 GHz to 138 GHz. The first antenna element 10 exhibits a return loss of -12 dB at 120 GHz and -10 dB at 130 GHz. In this case, the return loss (S11) reaches a minimum of -16 dB at approximately 125 GHz. That is, the absolute value of the return loss is maximum at this frequency, indicating that the antenna exhibits excellent radiation characteristics.

[0082] Reference Figure 9The second antenna element 20 exhibits a return loss of -6 dB or less in the frequency band ranging from 115 GHz to 150 GHz. Furthermore, the second antenna element 20 exhibits a return loss of -10 dB or less in the frequency band ranging from 118 GHz to 150 GHz. The second antenna element 20 exhibits a return loss of -10 dB at approximately 118 GHz, and the return loss (S11) reaches a minimum of -17 GHz at approximately 122 GHz and approximately 142 GHz.

[0083] The antenna device 1, comprising both the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20, exhibits excellent radiation characteristics in a frequency band ranging from 110 GHz to 150 GHz, based on a return loss criterion of -6 dB. Furthermore, the antenna device 1, comprising both the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20, exhibits excellent radiation characteristics in a frequency band ranging from 113 GHz to 150 GHz, based on a return loss criterion of -10 dB.

[0084] This disclosure is not limited thereto, and the antenna device 1 can exhibit excellent radiation characteristics in the Asia-Pacific Hertz (sub-THz) band ranging from 110 GHz to 170 GHz based on a return loss criterion of -6 dB or -10 dB.

[0085] Figure 10 and Figure 11 This is a view showing the radiation pattern of the first antenna element in the antenna device according to the present disclosure in the vertical and horizontal directions, and Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is a view showing the radiation pattern of the second antenna element in the antenna device according to the present disclosure in the vertical and horizontal directions. Figure 10 and Figure 12 The antenna radiation pattern on the yz plane based on the y-axis and z-axis is shown, and Figure 11 and Figure 13 The antenna radiation pattern on the xz plane based on the x-axis and z-axis is shown in three dimensions.

[0086] Reference Figures 10 to 12 According to this disclosure, the first antenna element 10 can transmit and receive highly directional signals, and the second antenna element 20 can transmit and receive omnidirectional signals. Therefore, since the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 are arranged together, the antenna device 1 can have an increased beam coverage range.

[0087] As described above, in the antenna device according to this disclosure, a first antenna element 10 and a second antenna element 20 can be jointly arranged. The first antenna element 10 transmits and receives highly directional signals and has a length corresponding to half the wavelength, while the second antenna element 20 transmits and receives omnidirectional signals and has a length corresponding to one-quarter of the wavelength. Therefore, compared to a configuration that only includes multiple first antenna elements 10, the beam coverage of the antenna device of this disclosure can be increased, and its size can be reduced. For example, the antenna device of this disclosure can have a smaller size than an antenna with four Yagi-Uda antennas linearly arranged in one direction. In this case, the width W2 of the second antenna element 20 is approximately half the width W1 of the first antenna element 10. Therefore, compared to a configuration that includes four Yagi-Uda antennas, the total width of the antenna device can be reduced by approximately 25%. Furthermore, since the first antenna element 10 and the second antenna element 20 are jointly arranged, long-distance transmission within the terahertz band is possible.

[0088] Figure 14 This is a block diagram of the front-end module 700 according to an embodiment.

[0089] Figure 14 The front-end module 700 shown in the embodiment may include an antenna 710, a first amplifier 720, a second amplifier 740, a multilayer filter 730, and a switch 750.

[0090] The first amplifier 720 can amplify the signal received through the antenna 710 and provide the amplified signal to the multilayer filter 730. For example, the first amplifier 720 can be a low-noise amplifier (LNA).

[0091] The multilayer filter 730 can filter the signal amplified by the first amplifier 720, and the filtered signal can be output through the output terminal OUT.

[0092] The second amplifier 740 can amplify the signal received through the input terminal IN and can transmit the amplified signal through the antenna 710. For example, the second amplifier 740 can be a power amplifier (PA).

[0093] The switch 750 can be positioned between the antenna 710 and each of the input terminals of the first amplifier 720 and the output terminals of the second amplifier 740, and can be used to select the signal path therebetween.

[0094] Antenna 710 may correspond to antenna device 1 according to the above embodiment, and therefore its repeated description will be omitted.

[0095] Figure 14The configuration shown is only one exemplary embodiment of the front-end module 700, and the antenna device 1 according to the above embodiment can be applied to front-end modules having various configurations, and is not limited to... Figure 14 The construction shown.

[0096] The antenna substrate and front-end module according to the above embodiments can be applied to modules for mobile devices, base stations, repeaters, vehicles, etc., to achieve short-range or medium-range ultra-high-speed broadband communication in mobile devices or mobility devices. However, the embodiments are not limited to these specific applications.

[0097] Although exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, additions, and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure as disclosed in the appended claims.

[0098] Description of specific embodiments

[0099] Specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been fully described in the foregoing “Best Practices”.

[0100] Industrial applicability

[0101] The antenna device according to the embodiments can be used in fields such as wireless communication technology.

Claims

1. An antenna device, comprising: A plurality of first antenna elements, each of the plurality of first antenna elements including a Yagi-Uda antenna; as well as A plurality of second antenna elements, each of the plurality of second antenna elements including a monopole antenna, the plurality of second antenna elements being alternately arranged with the plurality of first antenna elements in a first direction on the same plane.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of first antenna elements output high directional signals, and The multiple second antenna elements output omnidirectional signals.

3. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of second antenna elements have a smaller area than the plurality of first antenna elements.

4. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein, The area of ​​the plurality of second antenna elements ranges from 45% to 55% of the area of ​​the plurality of first antenna elements.

5. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of first antenna elements includes: Core layer; Upper layer, the upper layer being disposed above the core layer; and The lower stacked layer is disposed below the core layer, and The upper layer includes the Yagi-Uda antenna.

6. The antenna device according to claim 5, wherein, The first antenna includes: A power supply section is disposed on a first insulating layer and configured to supply power; A first inductor is disposed on the first insulating layer and is configured to receive power from the feed section and radiate radio waves. At least one director is disposed on the first insulating layer and spaced apart from the first inductor in the first direction; A reflector, wherein the reflector is disposed on a second insulating layer disposed below the first insulating layer and is connected to ground; and The second inductor is disposed on the second insulating layer at a position corresponding to the first inductor and spaced apart from the reflector.

7. The antenna device according to claim 5, wherein, The first inductor and the second inductor have a planar dipole antenna structure.

8. The antenna device according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one director includes: A first director, spaced apart from the first inductor and the second inductor in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and A second guide is spaced apart from the first guide in the second direction.

9. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein, The distance between the reflector and the second inductor is greater than the distance between the first inductor and the first director.

10. A front-end module comprising an antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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