Transparent thin film antenna unit and module, vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a transparent thin film antenna unit, a module and a vehicle. The transparent thin film antenna unit comprises a transparent flexible substrate and a plurality of layers of radiation sheets arranged on the transparent flexible substrate, adjacent two layers of the radiation sheets are coupled and a dielectric layer is arranged between the two layers; each radiation sheet is a conductive grid structure, and comprises a first radiator and a second radiator arranged in the same layer, the first radiator is provided with a first directional structure and a second directional structure, the first directional structure is used for at least increasing the beam width of the elevation angle, the second directional structure is used for at least increasing the beam width in the horizontal direction, and the first radiator is further provided with an antenna feed point; the first radiator and the second radiator are oppositely arranged to form a gap, and the second radiator is provided with a ground feed point. Based on this, the integration difficulty of the vehicle-mounted antenna can be reduced, the directivity diagram is improved, the efficiency and the consistency between antennas are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of antenna technology, specifically to a transparent thin-film antenna unit and module, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Antennas, as components capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, play a crucial role in wireless communication systems. In recent years, with the continuous development of wireless communication technology, people's demands for it have also increased. Therefore, antennas have attracted increasing attention, and research on them is constantly deepening. In some specialized electronic devices, traditional antennas not only affect aesthetics but also compromise safety and concealment in practical environments. Because transparent conductive films possess both optical transparency and conductivity, they can be used to design transparent film antennas, achieving visual appeal, safety, reliability, and good concealment. Taking automotive UWB (Ultra Wide Band) antennas as an example, the antenna is typically designed on a printed circuit board and integrated into the ECU (Electronic Control Unit). In the context of vehicle units (computer control modules or vehicle computers) or other independent modules, existing vehicle-mounted UWB antennas typically have the following drawbacks: 1. High integration difficulty: They are usually large in size, making it difficult to flexibly integrate them onto non-planar or irregular surfaces of the vehicle's transparent glass (such as windshields, windows, rearview mirrors, etc.), especially in locations requiring large-area, curved installations, while also needing to consider antenna performance, light transmittance, and aesthetics; 2. Unsatisfactory radiation patterns: Insufficient horizontal beamwidth, or excessive gain fluctuations over a wide angle, usually greater than 3dB, affecting positioning accuracy and coverage; excessively wide pitch beamwidth, usually greater than 60°, leading to energy dispersion, reduced radar resolution and life detection sensitivity, and potentially introducing unnecessary multipath interference or ground reflection interference; 3. Poor consistency: There are significant differences in key parameters such as efficiency, gain, and radiation patterns between multiple antenna modules based on existing antenna units, especially when installed in different locations or on surfaces with different curvatures. The efficiency difference is usually greater than 1dB, leading to system-level performance instability and complex calibration. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, this application provides a transparent thin-film antenna unit and module, and a vehicle, which can improve the problems of high integration difficulty, unsatisfactory radiation pattern, low efficiency and poor consistency of traditional vehicle antennas.

[0004] This application provides a transparent thin-film antenna unit, comprising a transparent flexible substrate and several radiating sheets disposed on the transparent flexible substrate. Adjacent radiating sheets are interlayer coupled and have a dielectric layer. Each radiating sheet is a conductive mesh structure and includes a first radiator and a second radiator disposed on the same layer. The first radiator has a first directional structure and a second directional structure. The first directional structure is used at least to narrow the beamwidth in the elevation angle, and the second directional structure is used at least to increase the beamwidth in the horizontal direction. The first directional structure includes a first slot, and the second directional structure includes multiple second slots or multiple metal grids. The clearance area of ​​the first slot is larger than the clearance area of ​​any of the second slots. The first radiator also has an antenna feed point. The first radiator and the second radiator are disposed opposite each other to form a gap, and the second radiator has a ground feed point.

[0005] Optionally, the second slot or the slot shape of the metal grid is rectangular, circular, cross-shaped or triangular; at least some of the clearance areas of the second slot or the metal grid have different shapes and different areas.

[0006] Optionally, the plurality of second slots or the plurality of metal grids are arranged in multiple rows.

[0007] Optionally, the first radiator includes a main body and an extension, the first directional structure and the second directional structure are both disposed on the main body, and one end of the extension is connected to the main body; The second radiator includes a first branch and a second branch arranged opposite each other to form a slit; the other end of the extension extends into the slit between the first branch and the second branch.

[0008] Optionally, the antenna feed point is located at the extension of the first radiator; the ground feed point is coupled between the first end of the first stub and the first end of the second stub.

[0009] Optionally, the antenna feed point is located at the end of the extension and adjacent to the ground feed point.

[0010] Optionally, the transparent flexible substrate is an MPET (modified polyethylene terephthalate) substrate, a COP (Cyclic Olefin Polymer) substrate, or a CPI (Colorless Polyimide) substrate.

[0011] Optionally, the radiating sheet is a silver nanowire mesh sheet or a graphene mesh sheet.

[0012] Optionally, the light transmittance of the radiating sheet is greater than 80%.

[0013] This application provides a transparent thin-film antenna module, including an antenna array, an adapter unit, and multiple adapter interfaces. The antenna array includes multiple transparent thin-film antenna elements as described above. The adapter unit is coupled to each of the transparent thin-film antenna elements one by one, for example, by low-temperature welding. Each of the adapter interfaces is coupled to each of the transparent thin-film antenna elements through the adapter unit.

[0014] This application provides a vehicle that includes any of the above-mentioned transparent thin-film antenna units, or includes any of the above-mentioned transparent thin-film antenna modules.

[0015] As described above, in the transparent thin-film antenna unit and module and vehicle of this application, the transparent thin-film antenna unit includes several layers of radiating sheets. Each radiating sheet is a conductive mesh structure and includes a first radiator and a second radiator arranged in the same layer. That is, each radiating sheet includes a first radiator and a second radiator, which can make the footprint of the entire antenna unit smaller, meet the requirements of miniaturization design, be applicable to a variety of communication devices, have strong versatility, and low integration difficulty. Furthermore, through the interlayer coupling between the radiating sheets, the resonant frequency of the antenna can be better adjusted, thereby effectively improving bandwidth, efficiency, and gain. In addition, the first radiator is provided with a first directional structure and a second directional structure. The first directional structure narrows the beamwidth in the elevation angle, and the second directional structure increases the beamwidth in the horizontal direction, which can improve the obtained more ideal radiation pattern, making the directivity of each antenna unit more stable, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of the antenna and the consistency of the antenna design. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transparent thin-film antenna element according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transparent thin-film antenna module according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a transparent thin-film antenna module according to an embodiment of this application applied to a vehicle.

[0017] First direction x, second direction y, third direction z; Antenna element 100, transparent flexible substrate 1, several layers of radiating sheets 2, first radiator 21, second radiator 22, first directional structure 211, first slot 211, second directional structure 212, second slot 212, antenna feed point 210, ground feed point 220, main body 213, extension 214, first branch 221, second branch 222; transparent thin film antenna module 200, antenna array 201, adapter unit 202, adapter interface 203; vehicle 300. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art, the transparent thin-film antenna unit and module, and vehicle of this application include several layers of radiating sheets. Each radiating sheet is a conductive mesh structure and includes a first radiator and a second radiator arranged on the same layer. That is, each radiating sheet includes a first radiator and a second radiator. This reduces the footprint of the entire antenna unit, meets the requirements of miniaturization design, and reduces integration difficulty. Through interlayer coupling between the radiating sheets, the resonant frequency of the antenna can be better adjusted, effectively improving bandwidth, efficiency, and gain. In addition, the first radiator is provided with a first directional structure and a second directional structure. The first directional structure narrows the beamwidth in the elevation angle, and the second directional structure increases the beamwidth in the horizontal direction, resulting in a more ideal radiation pattern. This makes the directivity of each antenna unit more stable, which is beneficial to improving antenna efficiency and antenna design consistency.

[0019] The specific form of the shape, quantity, size, and other parameters of any of the radiators, directional structures, and slots can be determined according to the adaptability required by the actual scenario, and this application does not limit it.

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and their technical features can be combined with each other, and also belong to the technical solutions of this application.

[0021] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the technical solutions of the corresponding embodiments, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transparent thin-film antenna element according to an embodiment of this application. This transparent thin-film antenna element can also be referred to as an "antenna element," such as... Figure 1 As shown, the antenna unit 100 includes a transparent flexible substrate 1 and several layers of radiating sheets 2. The several layers of radiating sheets 2 are disposed on the transparent flexible substrate 1, and the number and shape of the radiating sheets 2 can be adapted to actual needs. Figure 1 This is a top view of antenna element 100, therefore Figure 1 Only one layer of radiating sheet 2 is shown. Interlayer coupling is provided between adjacent layers of the radiating sheet 2, and a dielectric layer (not shown) is provided. This dielectric layer has good electrical insulation properties, allowing the two layers of radiating sheet 2 sandwiched on both sides of the dielectric layer to be electrically insulated from each other. However, it should be noted that, for example, a conductive post can be provided between adjacent layers of the radiating sheet 2, penetrating the dielectric layer to achieve interlayer coupling between adjacent layers of the radiating sheet 2.

[0023] For ease of description and understanding, and in conjunction with the placement shown in the figure, the length direction of the antenna element 100 is referred to as the first direction x, the height direction or thickness direction as the second direction y, and the width direction as the third direction z. The first direction x, the second direction y, and the third direction z are all perpendicular to each other and can be considered as the three coordinate axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. It should be understood that the term "perpendicular" throughout this application does not require that the angle between the two directions must be 90°, but rather allows for deviations of, for example, ±10°. That is, "perpendicular" can be understood as the angle between any two directions being 80° to 100°. Similarly, the term "parallel" does not require that the angle between the two directions be 0° or 180°, but rather allows for deviations of, for example, ±10°. That is, "parallel" can be understood as the angle between any two directions being 0° to 10° or 170° to 190°.

[0024] For antenna units 100 that need to be integrated in transparent areas (such as side windows or sunroofs of vehicles), the transparent flexible substrate 1 includes, but is not limited to, an MPET substrate, a COP substrate, or a CPI substrate. It can be a single-layer substrate or a multi-layer substrate, for example, it can be formed by sequentially layering various dielectric layers. The transparent flexible substrate 1 has good electrical insulation properties, high mechanical strength, and thermal stability, thus enabling the antenna unit 100 to withstand high mechanical stress and thermal cycling.

[0025] Each radiating sheet 2 is a conductive mesh structure, and each radiating sheet 2 includes a first radiator 21 and a second radiator 22 arranged in the same layer. The first radiator 21 is provided with a first orientation structure 211 and a second orientation structure 212. The first orientation structure 211 is used at least to narrow the beamwidth in the pitch angle, and the second orientation structure 212 is used at least to increase the beamwidth in the horizontal direction.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the first orientation structure 211 can be represented as a first slot 211, and the second orientation structure 212 can be represented as multiple second slots 212 or multiple metal grids. The opening area of ​​the metal grid forms each second slot 212. The clearance area of ​​the first slot 211 (also called the "opening area") is larger than the clearance area of ​​any second slot 212.

[0027] The first radiator 21 is also provided with an antenna feed point 210, which can be connected to an antenna feed line. The first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 are arranged opposite each other to form a gap. Here, the antenna element 100 can also be called a slot antenna. The second radiator 22 is provided with a ground feed point 220, which is connected to the grounding line of the antenna element 100, thereby grounding the ground feed point 220. The so-called relative arrangement can be understood as follows: when viewed along the first direction x on the plane where the radiating plate 2 is located, or on the plane parallel to the radiating plate 2, the distance between the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 is not equal to zero.

[0028] The first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 are both copper mesh sheets, silver nanowire mesh sheets, or graphene mesh sheets, replacing traditional copper foil, and the light transmittance of both the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 is greater than 80%. While ensuring conductivity (i.e., meeting radio frequency requirements), each radiating sheet 2 and the antenna element 100 can achieve high light transmittance and visual concealment. Furthermore, the finest wires in this mesh sheet can be 4µm or less to achieve low sheet resistance performance while ensuring high light transmittance; for example, the sheet resistance can be less than 0.5Ω (ohms).

[0029] exist Figure 1 In the antenna element 100 shown, the isolation slot design of the antenna element 100 can be realized through interlayer coupling between the radiating sheets 2 and through the design of the first slot 211 and the second slot 212. The slot width of the second slot 212 can be 0.15mm and the depth can be 0.3mm, so that the isolation of the antenna element 100 is >25dB. By realizing the electromagnetic coupling suppression technology between the various antenna elements 100, the problem of crosstalk between wide and narrow band signals can be solved. In addition, the resonant frequency of the antenna element 100 can be better adjusted, effectively improving bandwidth, efficiency and gain. Specifically, the comprehensive performance of the radiating sheet 2 can be: center resonant frequency of 7987.2MHz, operating bandwidth ≥500MHz, antenna efficiency ≥80%, antenna gain ≥2dBi, in-band gain flatness less than 1dB, and S11≤-10dB.

[0030] Furthermore, the first radiator 21 is provided with a first directional structure 211 and a second directional structure 212. The first directional structure 211 narrows the beamwidth in the elevation angle, and the second directional structure 212 increases the beamwidth in the horizontal direction, thereby improving the radiation pattern to obtain a more ideal radiation pattern. This makes the directivity of each antenna element 100 more stable, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of the antenna and the consistency of the antenna design. For example, the main lobe width of the horizontal radiation pattern is ≥ ±60°, and the gain difference is less than 3dB within the ±60° range, and the beamwidth of the elevation radiation pattern is less than 60°.

[0031] The antenna element 100 structure design of this application takes into account the typical radius of curvature of the target installation location (e.g., the windshield of a vehicle). Through simulation optimization, it is ensured that the antenna element 100 is within the expected curvature range, and the changes in key parameters such as resonant frequency, efficiency, and radiation pattern are within an acceptable range. For example, even if the efficiency decreases by <0.5dB, the radiation pattern distortion is controllable.

[0032] Continue reading Figure 1 As shown, the first slot 211 can be a rectangular slot, and the second slot 212 or the metal grid can be rectangular, or other adaptable shapes such as circular, cross-shaped, or triangular. At least some of the clearance areas of the second slot 212 or the metal grid have different shapes and areas. For example, in the figure, the closer to the orientation, the smaller the center width of the second slot 212.

[0033] In one example, the plurality of second slots 212 or the plurality of metal grids are arranged in multiple rows. The two rows in the figure are only for illustrative purposes. Of course, they can also be arranged in at least one row.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, in one example, the first radiator 21 includes a main body 213 and an extension 214. The first directional structure 211 and the second directional structure 212 are both disposed on the main body 213, and one end of the extension 214 is connected to the main body 213. The second radiator 22 includes a first branch 221 and a second branch 222 disposed opposite to each other to form a gap. The other end of the extension 214 extends to the gap between the first branch 221 and the second branch 222. The antenna feed point 210 is disposed on the extension 214 of the first radiator 21; the ground feed point 220 is coupled between the first end of the first branch 221 and the first end of the second branch 222, the antenna feed point 210 is disposed at the end of the extension 214 and adjacent to the ground feed point 220; the second end of the first branch 221 and the second end of the second branch 222 are sandwiched on opposite sides of the extension 214 of the first radiator 21 along the third direction z, and are disposed opposite to the opposite sides of the extension 214 to form gaps respectively. For any gap described throughout this application, the operating frequency of the antenna element 100 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance of the gap, while controlling the return loss of the antenna element 100.

[0035] This application also provides a transparent thin-film antenna module. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the transparent thin-film antenna module 200 includes an antenna array 201, a switching unit 202, and multiple adapter interfaces 203. The antenna array 201 includes antenna elements 100 as described in any of the above embodiments. The switching unit 202 is coupled to each transparent thin-film antenna element 100, for example, by low-temperature soldering. Each adapter interface 203 is coupled to each transparent thin-film antenna element 100 through the switching unit 202. Therefore, the transparent thin-film antenna module 200 includes antenna elements 100 as described in any of the above embodiments, thus achieving the beneficial effects produced by the antenna elements 100 of the corresponding embodiments.

[0036] The number of antenna elements 100 included in the antenna array 201 and the number of adapter interfaces 203 can be adapted to the specific requirements. The four antenna elements 100 and four adapter interfaces 203 shown in the figure are merely illustrative examples. The adapter interfaces 203 can be coupled to the antenna elements 100 in a one-to-one correspondence, and each adapter interface 203 couples the corresponding antenna element 100 to the external wiring.

[0037] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the transparent thin-film antenna unit 100 of any of the above embodiments, or the transparent thin-film antenna module 200 of any of the above embodiments, and thus can have the beneficial effects of the corresponding embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0038] Combination Figure 3As shown, the vehicle 300 can be equipped with transparent thin-film antenna modules 200 at eight anchor points, which are labeled 1 to 8 respectively. The number and function of the transparent thin-film antenna modules 200 at each anchor point can be adapted to the specific situation. For example, anchor point 3 can be equipped with three transparent thin-film antenna modules 200 to achieve positioning based on AOA (Angle of Arrival). The specific implementation principle and process of this function can be found in the prior art. Anchor points 4, 5, and 6 can each be equipped with four transparent thin-film antenna modules 200. Each anchor point can achieve LPD (Radar Detection Mode) function, for example, by detecting breathing or... A heartbeat triggers an alarm indicating a child has been left in the car. Anchor points 1, 2, 7, and 8 can each be equipped with three transparent thin-film antenna modules 200. Each anchor point can achieve full-function mode. Full-function mode can be understood as being able to achieve both AOA-based positioning and LPD functions. For example, it can be automatically activated after the vehicle is turned off, and perform periodic life detection through the LPD function (scanning for 10 seconds every 2 minutes). The AOA-based positioning function maintains low-power listening (power consumption can be 0.8mW). When vital signs are detected or a wake-up signal is heard (such as a mobile phone Bluetooth proximity), it instantly switches to full-function mode.

[0039] The above description is only a part of the embodiments of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. For those skilled in the art, any equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this specification and drawings are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

[0040] Although this document uses terms such as "first," "second," etc., to describe various types of information, this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. Furthermore, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms. The terms "or" and "and / or" are interpreted as inclusive, or meaning either one or any combination thereof. Exceptions to this definition only arise when combinations of elements, functions, steps, or operations are inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

Claims

1. A transparent thin-film antenna element, characterized in that, The device includes a transparent flexible substrate and several radiating sheets disposed on the transparent flexible substrate. Adjacent radiating sheets are interlayer coupled and have a dielectric layer disposed therebetween. Each radiating sheet is a conductive grid structure and includes a first radiator and a second radiator disposed on the same layer. The first radiator is provided with a first directional structure and a second directional structure. The first directional structure is used at least to narrow the beamwidth in the pitch angle, and the second directional structure is used at least to increase the beamwidth in the horizontal direction. The first directional structure includes a first slot, and the second directional structure includes multiple second slots or multiple metal grids. The clearance area of ​​the first slot is larger than the clearance area of ​​any of the second slots. The first radiator is also provided with an antenna feed point. The first radiator and the second radiator are disposed opposite each other to form a gap, and the second radiator is provided with a ground feed point.

2. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second slot or the slot shape of the metal grid is rectangular, circular, cross-shaped or triangular; At least some of the second slots or metal grids have different shapes and areas of open space.

3. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The multiple second slots or multiple metal grids are arranged in multiple rows.

4. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first radiator includes a main body and an extension, the first directional structure and the second directional structure are both disposed on the main body, and one end of the extension is connected to the main body; The second radiator includes a first branch and a second branch arranged opposite each other to form a slit; the other end of the extension extends into the slit between the first branch and the second branch.

5. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 4, characterized in that, The antenna feed point is located at the extension of the first radiator; The grounding feed point is coupled between the first end of the first branch and the first end of the second branch.

6. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 5, characterized in that, The antenna feed point is located at the end of the extension and is located adjacent to the ground feed point.

7. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transparent flexible substrate is an MPET substrate, a COP substrate, or a CPI substrate.

8. The transparent thin-film antenna element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radiating sheet is a copper mesh sheet, a silver nanowire mesh sheet, or a graphene mesh sheet, and has a light transmittance greater than 80%.

9. A transparent thin-film antenna module, characterized in that, The device includes an antenna array, an adapter unit, and multiple adapter interfaces. The antenna array includes multiple transparent thin-film antenna elements as described in any one of claims 1 to 8. The adapter unit is coupled to each of the transparent thin-film antenna elements, and each adapter interface is coupled to each of the transparent thin-film antenna elements through the adapter unit.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, It includes the transparent thin-film antenna unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the transparent thin-film antenna module as described in claim 9.

Images