Antenna element, antenna structure including the same, and display including the same

Abstract

To provide an antenna element having improved radiation characteristics, an antenna structure including the same, and a display including the same.SOLUTION: An antenna element includes a radiator, transmission lines including a first transmission line and a second transmission line connected to the radiator and facing each other, and a relay pattern located between the first and second transmission lines and connected to the radiator. The relay pattern allows for dual-band radiation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna element, an antenna structure including the same, and an image display device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the development of the information society, wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark) have been combined with image display devices, for example, in the form of smartphones. In this case, an antenna is combined with the image display device, and a communication function can be performed.

[0003] Furthermore, with the development of mobile communication technology, it is necessary to combine an antenna for performing communication in high frequency or ultra-high frequency bands with the image display device.

[0004] In addition, as image display devices incorporating antennas become thinner and lighter, the installation space for the antennas may become smaller, making it difficult to simultaneously transmit and receive high-frequency and wideband signals within a limited space.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to design antennas that can transmit and receive various signals in multiple bands within a limited space. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide an antenna element having improved radiation characteristics.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna structure including an antenna element having improved radiation characteristics.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device including an antenna element with improved radiation characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] 1. An antenna element comprising a radiator, a transmission line connected to the radiator and including a first transmission line and a second transmission line facing each other, and a relay pattern arranged between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and connected to the radiator.

[0010] 2. The antenna element according to item 1, wherein the relay pattern is directly connected to the radiator.

[0011] 3. The antenna element according to item 1, wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line are respectively connected to both sides of a first side of the radiator.

[0012] 4. The antenna element according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line extend in different directions from the radiator.

[0013] 5. The antenna element according to item 4, wherein an extension direction of the first transmission line and an extension direction of the second transmission line are symmetrical with respect to an extension direction of the relay pattern.

[0014] 6. The antenna element according to item 1, wherein the radiator includes a mesh structure, and the transmission line and the relay pattern include solid structures.

[0015] 7. An antenna structure comprising the antenna element described above and a circuit board electrically connected to the antenna element.

[0016] 8. The antenna structure according to item 7, wherein the circuit board includes a core layer and signal wiring arranged on one surface of the core layer and connected to the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

[0017] 9. The antenna structure according to item 8, wherein the circuit board is arranged in the same layer as the signal wiring and further includes a first ground arranged around the signal wiring and spaced apart from the signal wiring.

[0018] 10. The antenna structure according to claim 9, wherein the relay pattern is connected to the first ground.

[0019] 11. The antenna structure according to item 8, wherein the circuit board further includes a second ground arranged on the other surface of the core layer opposite to the one surface.

[0020] 12. The antenna structure according to claim 8, wherein the antenna element further includes a signal pad connected to the transmission line and bonded to the signal wiring.

[0021] 13. The antenna structure according to claim 12, wherein the antenna element further includes a ground pad arranged around the signal pad and spaced apart from the signal pad.

[0022] 14. An image display device comprising a display panel and the antenna structure described above. Effect of the Invention

[0023] An antenna element according to an exemplary embodiment may include a first transmission line and a second transmission line connected to a radiator and facing each other, thereby providing two polarization directions (dual polarization) in one radiator.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna element may include a relay pattern disposed between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and connected to the radiator, which may provide a radiation band of about 35 GHz or more or a resonant frequency band of about 36 GHz to 40 GHz.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the radiator can realize a radiation band of a resonant frequency band of about 28 GHz or more, and the relay pattern can realize a radiation band of a resonant frequency band of about 35 GHz or more or about 36 GHz to 40 GHz, thereby realizing signal transmission and reception in two bands (dual band). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an antenna structure according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph of the 2D radiation patterns of the antenna elements of the example and the comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing antenna gains of antenna elements according to an exemplary embodiment and a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an antenna element including a radiator, an antenna structure including the antenna element and a circuit board, and an image display device including the antenna element.

[0028] The antenna element may be, for example, a microstrip patch antenna made in the form of a transparent film. The antenna element may be applied, for example, to communication devices for mobile communication at high or very high frequencies (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G or higher). However, the use of the antenna element is not limited to image display devices, but may also be applied to various structures such as vehicles, home appliances, and buildings.

[0029] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings attached to this specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to aid in further understanding of the technical concept of the present invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters depicted in the drawings.

[0030] As used in this specification, terms such as "first," "second," "one side," "other side," "one end," "other end," "top," "bottom," "upper part," "lower part," and "bottom side" are not intended to limit absolute positions or orders, but are used in a relative sense to distinguish different configurations or parts.

[0031] 1 and 2 are schematic plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment, for example, FIG 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II' in FIG 1 in the thickness direction.

[0032] 1 and 2, the antenna structure may include an antenna element 100 and a circuit board 200 electrically connected to the antenna element 100.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna element 100 may include a first dielectric layer 110 and an antenna unit 120 disposed on the first dielectric layer 110 .

[0034] In some embodiments, the antenna element 100 may further include the first dielectric layer 110 and a second dielectric layer 130 disposed on the antenna unit 120. The second dielectric layer 130 may cover at least a portion of the upper surface of the antenna unit 120. This may adjust the impedance of the antenna unit 120 and protect the antenna unit 120 from impact.

[0035] In some embodiments, the antenna element 100 may further include a third dielectric layer 140 disposed below the bottom surface of the first dielectric layer 110 .

[0036] The first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130 and / or the third dielectric layer 140 may include a transparent resin film including polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; cellulose-based resins such as diacetyl cellulose and triacetyl cellulose; polycarbonate-based resins; acrylic-based resins such as polymethyl (meth)acrylate and polyethyl (meth)acrylate; styrene-based resins such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers; polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins having a cyclo- or norbornene structure, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; vinyl chloride-based resins; amide-based resins such as nylon and aromatic polyamides; imide-based resins; polyethersulfone-based resins; sulfone-based resins; polyetheretherketone-based resins; polyphenylene sulfide-based resins; vinyl alcohol-based resins; vinylidene chloride-based resins; vinyl butyral-based resins; arylate-based resins; polyoxymethylene-based resins; epoxy-based resins; urethane-based or acrylic urethane-based resins; silicone-based resins, etc. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130 and / or the third dielectric layer 140 may include an adhesive film such as an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), an Optically Clear Resin (OCR), or the like.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130, and / or the third dielectric layer 140 may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, glass, or the like.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130 and / or the third dielectric layer 140 may be provided in substantially a single layer.

[0040] In an embodiment, the first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130, and / or the third dielectric layer 140 may each include a multi-layer structure having at least two layers. For example, the first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130, and / or the third dielectric layer 140 may include a base layer and a dielectric layer, and may also include an adhesive layer between the base layer and the dielectric layer.

[0041] The first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130 and / or the third dielectric layer 140 form an impedance or inductance to the antenna unit 120, and can adjust the frequency band in which the antenna structure can be driven or sensed. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer 110, the second dielectric layer 130 and / or the third dielectric layer 140 can be adjusted to a range of about 1.5 to 12. If the dielectric constant exceeds about 12, the driving frequency is too low and driving in a high frequency band may not be realized.

[0042] In one embodiment, an antenna ground 150 may be disposed beneath the bottom surface of the first dielectric layer 110 and / or the third dielectric layer 140 .

[0043] In one embodiment, the antenna ground 150 may be provided on a conductive member of a visual display device or display panel to which the antenna structure is applied.

[0044] For example, the conductive member may include electrodes or wiring such as a gate electrode, a source / drain electrode, a pixel electrode, a common electrode, a data line, a scan line, etc., included in a thin film transistor (TFT) array panel.

[0045] In one embodiment, the antenna ground 150 can also be provided for a stainless steel plate arranged on the rear surface of the image display device, a sensor member such as a digitizer, or a metallic member such as a heat dissipation sheet.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna unit 120 may include a radiator 122 and a transmission line 124 connected to the radiator 122. The transmission line 124 may extend from the radiator 122.

[0047] For example, the radiator 122 has a polygonal plate shape. The transmission line 124 has a width smaller than the width of the radiator 122 and can be connected to one end or one side of the radiator 122. The radiator 122 and the transmission line 124 can be formed as a single member that is integrally connected to one another.

[0048] The shape and size of the radiator 122 can adjust the target resonant frequency of the antenna element 100. In a non-limiting embodiment, the radiator 122 can be designed to be capable of radiating in high frequency and ultra-high frequency bands such as 3G, 4G, 5G, or higher. For example, the radiator 122 can achieve a radiation band of 0.5 GHz or higher, 1 GHz or higher, 10 GHz or higher, 20 GHz or higher, 30 GHz or higher, or 40 GHz or higher.

[0049] For example, the radiator 122 may provide a high frequency band radiating portion of the antenna unit 120. In one embodiment, the resonant frequency of the radiator 122 may be approximately 28 GHz or greater.

[0050] The transmission line 124 may include a first transmission line 124a and a second transmission line 124b that are connected to the radiator 122 and face each other, thereby providing two polarization directions (dual polarization) in one radiator.

[0051] In some embodiments, each of the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b can be connected to both sides of the bottom side (first side) of the emitter 122 (e.g., both vertices of the bottom side (the side facing the circuit board 200) of the emitter 122 in FIG. 1).

[0052] The first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b can extend in different directions from the radiator 122. This makes it possible to achieve dual polarization characteristics from a single radiator 122.

[0053] In some embodiments, the angle between the extension directions of the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b may be about 90°. For example, the extension directions of the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b may be perpendicular to each other. In one embodiment, the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b may each extend in a direction passing through the center of the radiator 122.

[0054] This allows the radiator 122 to be fed in two substantially orthogonal directions via the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b. For example, both vertical and horizontal radiation can be achieved from the radiator 122.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b can be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. For example, the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b can be arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line passing through the center of the radiator 122. This can make the signal strength in the two polarization directions substantially uniform.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna unit 120 may include a relay pattern 125 disposed between the first transmission line 124 a and the second transmission line 124 b and connected to the radiator 122 .

[0057] For example, the relay pattern 125 can be provided by an ultra-high frequency band radiating portion of the antenna unit 120. For example, the relay pattern 125 can realize a radiation band of about 35 GHz or higher, or a resonant frequency band of about 36 GHz to 40 GHz.

[0058] According to one embodiment, a radiation band of a resonant frequency band of about 28 GHz or more can be realized by the radiator 122, and a radiation band of a resonant frequency band of about 35 GHz or more or about 36 GHz to 40 GHz can be realized by the relay pattern 125. This makes it possible to realize signal transmission and reception in two bands (dual band).

[0059] For example, the relay pattern 125 can guide the current direction at the bottom end of the radiator 122 to the center of the radiator 122. This reduces the amount of offset current in the radiator 122, making it possible to realize a dual-band dual-polarized antenna.

[0060] In some embodiments, the relay pattern 125 can be directly connected to the radiator 122. For example, the relay pattern 125 and the radiator 122 can be formed of a single member that is integrally connected to one another.

[0061] For example, the relay pattern 125 may include a bar shape extending from the lower side of the radiator 122. According to an embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b may extend from both sides of the lower side of the radiator 122, and the relay pattern 125 may extend from the center of the lower side of the radiator 122. According to an embodiment, the radiator 122, the transmission line 124, and the relay pattern 125 may be formed of a single member that is integrally connected to each other.

[0062] In some embodiments, the extension direction of the first transmission line 124a and the extension direction of the second transmission line 124b may be symmetrical with respect to the extension direction of the relay pattern 125. This makes it possible to realize dual-band radiation while making the signal strength in the two polarization directions substantially uniform.

[0063] In some embodiments, a signal pad 126 may be located at the end of the transmission line 124. The signal pad 126 may be a unitary member that is substantially integral with the transmission line 124. In this case, the transmission line 124 may be terminated at the signal pad 126.

[0064] For example, the radiator 122 and the signal pad 126 may be electrically connected via a transmission line 124 .

[0065] The circuit board 200 and the antenna unit 120 can be electrically connected via the signal pad 126. This allows signal transmission and reception between the antenna driving integrated circuit (IC) chip of the circuit board 200 and the radiator 122.

[0066] In some embodiments, the antenna unit 120 may further include a ground pad 128 arranged around the signal pad 126 and spaced apart from the signal pad 126. The ground pad 128 may be electrically and physically separated from the transmission line 124 and the signal pad 126. In one embodiment, a pair of ground pads 128 may be arranged to face each other across the signal pad 126. This may reduce the generation of noise in the signal transmitted through the signal pad 126.

[0067] In some embodiments, a relay pad 127 may be disposed at an end of the relay pattern 125. The relay pad 127 may be a single member that is substantially integral with the relay pattern 125. In this case, the end of the relay pattern 125 may be provided by the relay pad 127.

[0068] For example, the radiator 122 and the relay pad 127 can be electrically connected via the relay pattern 125 .

[0069] For example, the signal pad 126, the ground pad 128 and the relay pad 127 may be disposed in a bonding region (BR) where the antenna element 100 and the circuit board 200 are bonded.

[0070] For example, the ground pad 128 can improve the bonding stability of the antenna element 100 and the circuit board 200 in the bonding region (BR).

[0071] In one embodiment, the signal pad 126, the ground pad 128 and the relay pad 127 may include a solid structure, which can suppress an increase in resistance due to bonding at the connection between the antenna element 100 and the circuit board 200 and improve power supply efficiency.

[0072] In one embodiment, the antenna element 100 may further include a protective layer 160 disposed on the second dielectric layer 130. The protective layer 160 may include substantially the same type of material as the dielectric layers 110, 120, and 130.

[0073] In one embodiment, the protective layer 160 may include a cover window. The cover window may include, for example, glass (e.g., Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG)) or a transparent resin film. This may reduce or offset an external impact applied to the antenna element 100.

[0074] The antenna unit 120 and / or the antenna ground 150 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), or an alloy containing at least one of these. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0075] In one embodiment, the antenna unit 120 may include silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., a silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy), or copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (e.g., a copper-calcium (CuCa) alloy) to achieve low resistance and fine linewidth.

[0076] In some embodiments, the antenna unit 120 may also include a transparent metal oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), or the like.

[0077] In some embodiments, the antenna unit 120 may include a laminated structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer, for example, a two-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer, or a three-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer-transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, the metal layer can improve flexibility and reduce resistance to improve signal transmission speed, and the transparent conductive oxide layer can improve corrosion resistance and transparency.

[0078] The antenna unit 120 may include a blackening treatment portion, which reduces the reflectance on the surface of the antenna unit 120 and reduces the visibility of the pattern due to light reflection.

[0079] In one embodiment, the surface of a metal layer included in the antenna unit 120 may be converted to a metal oxide or metal sulfide to form a blackening layer. In one embodiment, a blackening layer such as a black material coating layer or a plating layer may be formed on the antenna unit 120 or the metal layer. The black material or plating layer may include silicon, carbon, copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, or an oxide, sulfide, alloy, etc. containing at least one of these elements.

[0080] The composition and thickness of the blackening layer can be adjusted taking into consideration the effect of reducing reflectance and the radiation characteristics of the antenna.

[0081] In some embodiments, the radiator 122 may include a mesh structure, and the transmission line 124 and relay pattern 125 may include a solid structure. For example, at least a portion of the radiator 122 may be formed in a mesh structure, and the remaining portion may be formed in a solid structure.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the lower part of the radiator 122, the transmission line 124 and the relay pattern 125 are included in the non-display area (NDA) of the image display device and can be formed into a solid structure. In this case, the remaining part of the radiator 122 is included in the display area (DA) of the image display device and can be formed into a mesh structure. This can improve the signal transmission and reception efficiency while preventing the antenna unit 120 from being visually recognized by the user.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board 200 may include a core layer 210 and signal wiring 220 disposed on one side of the core layer 210. In one embodiment, the circuit board 200 may include flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs).

[0084] For example, the core layer 210 may include a flexible resin such as a polyimide resin, a modified polyimide (MPI), an epoxy resin, a polyester, a cycloolefin polymer (COP), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), etc. In one embodiment, the core layer 210 may include a polyimide resin or an MPI.

[0085] In some embodiments, the signal wiring 220 can be connected to each of the first transmission line 124a and the second transmission line 124b. For example, one end of the signal wiring 220 can be bonded to the signal pad 126 to connect the transmission line 124 and the signal wiring 220. This allows signal transmission / reception and / or power supply between the antenna driving IC chip of the circuit board 200 and the antenna unit 120.

[0086] In some embodiments, the circuit board 200 may include a first ground 230 disposed on the same layer or level as the signal wiring 220 .

[0087] The first ground 230 may be disposed around the signal wiring 220 at a predetermined distance from the signal wiring 220. This can block noise around the signal wiring 220 and improve the concentration of power supply by the signal wiring 220.

[0088] In some embodiments, the relay pattern 125 of the antenna unit 120 can be electrically connected to the first ground 230 of the circuit board 200. This can improve the sensitivity of the relay pattern 125 in transmitting and receiving signals in the super-high frequency band, and reduce noise.

[0089] 2, the antenna structure may further include a conductive intermediary structure 250 disposed between the antenna element 100 and the circuit board 200 in the bonding region (BR). For example, the transmission line 124 and the circuit wiring 220, and / or the relay pattern 125 and the first ground 230 may be bonded to each other via the conductive intermediary structure 250. For example, the antenna unit 120, the conductive intermediary structure 250, and the circuit wiring 220 / first ground 230 in the bonding region (BR) may be contacted or stacked in sequence.

[0090] For example, the conductive intermediary structure 250 may be attached together onto the signal pad 126, the ground pad 128, and the relay pad 127 of the antenna unit 120. Then, one end of the signal wiring 220 and the first ground 230 may be bonded onto the signal pad 126 and the relay pad 127, respectively, by a heat and pressure process. The ground pad 128 serves as a bonding pad bonded to the first ground 230 to enhance bonding stability and absorb noise around the signal pad 126 and discharge it from the first ground 230.

[0091] This allows the signal wiring 220 and the transmission line 124 to be connected via the signal pad 126 , and the first ground 230 and the relay pattern 125 to be connected via the relay pad 127 .

[0092] For example, the signal wiring 220 and the first ground 230 can be disposed together on one side of the circuit board 200 .

[0093] In some embodiments, the circuit board 200 may further include a second ground 240 disposed on the other surface opposite to the one surface of the core layer 210. This improves the concentration of signals transmitted to the signal wiring 220 and can shield noise in the vertical direction.

[0094] In some embodiments, the signal line 220, the first ground 230 and / or the second ground 240 may include the same types of materials as the antenna unit 120 described above.

[0095] In one embodiment, a coverlay film can be disposed on one side and / or the other side of the core layer 210 to protect the wiring and electrode layers.

[0096] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an antenna structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0097] 3, a dummy mesh layer 170 can be disposed around the radiator 122, the transmission line 124, and the relay pattern 125. The dummy mesh layer 170 can include a mesh structure that is substantially the same as the mesh structure included in the radiator 122. This makes the spatial distribution of the conductive pattern in the display area (DA) of the image display device uniform, and makes it possible to suppress the radiator 122 from being visually recognized.

[0098] Dummy mesh layer 170 may be formed together with radiator 122 by etching the same mesh layer. Dummy mesh layer 170 may be physically isolated from radiator 122 and transmission line 124 by isolation regions 175.

[0099] 4 and 5 are a schematic plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0100] 4 shows a front or window surface of the image display device 300. The front surface of the image display device 300 can include a display area (DA) 330 and a non-display area (NDA) 340. The non-display area 340 can correspond to, for example, a light shielding portion or a bezel portion of the image display device 300.

[0101] The antenna element 100 according to the exemplary embodiment may be disposed towards the front side of the image display device 300, for example, on a display panel.

[0102] In some embodiments, the antenna element 100 can be applied onto a display panel in the form of a film.

[0103] In one embodiment, the antenna element 100 may be formed across a display area 330 and a non-display area 340 of the visual display device 300. In one embodiment, the radiator 122 may at least partially overlap the display area 330.

[0104] As described above, the transmission line 124, the relay pattern 125, the signal pad 126, the ground pad 128 and the relay pad 127 can overlap the non-display area 340 in the thickness direction. For example, a portion of the antenna unit 120 having a solid structure can overlap the non-display area 340.

[0105] In some embodiments, the antenna element 100 may be located at the center of one side of the image display device 300. This can prevent degradation of radiation performance on either side.

[0106] The antenna element 100 may be powered or driven by a circuit board 200 .

[0107] An antenna driving IC chip 260 may be mounted on the circuit board 200. As shown in Fig. 5, an intermediate circuit board 270, such as a rigid printed circuit board, may be disposed between the circuit board 200 and the antenna driving IC chip 260. In one embodiment, the antenna driving IC chip 260 may be mounted directly on the circuit board 200.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 5, an image display device 300 may include a display panel 310 and the above-described antenna element 100 disposed on the display panel 310 .

[0109] According to an exemplary embodiment, an optical layer 320 may further be included on the display panel 310. For example, the optical layer 320 may be a polarizing layer including a polarizer or a polarizing plate.

[0110] The circuit board 200 (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) can be bent, for example, along the side bending profile of the display panel 310 and placed on the rear side of the image display device 300, and can extend toward an intermediate circuit board 270 (e.g., a main board) on which the antenna driving IC chip 260 is mounted.

[0111] The circuit board 200 and the intermediate circuit board 270 are connected to each other by bonding or a connector, and the antenna driving IC chip 260 can feed power to the antenna element 100 and control the antenna driving.

[0112] Below, preferred embodiments are presented to aid in understanding the present invention. However, these embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications to the embodiments are possible within the scope of the scope and technical spirit of the present invention, and it is natural that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0113] Working Example An antenna element was fabricated by patterning a conductive line containing copper (Cu) on a multi-layered COP dielectric layer (first dielectric layer and third dielectric layer) as shown in Figure 1, and forming a COP dielectric layer (second dielectric layer) on the conductive line. The conductive lines were formed with a line width of 2 μm and a thickness of 0.5 μm. The resonant frequency of the antenna unit was tuned to a dual band of about 28 GHz and about 39 GHz.

[0114] Comparative Example FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an antenna structure according to a comparative example. As shown in FIG. 6, an antenna element was produced in the same manner as in the example, except that no relay pattern was formed.

[0115] Experimental Example Antenna gain and 2D radiation pattern measurements The antenna gain and radiation pattern showing the beam waveform of the radiator of the antenna element manufactured in the example and comparative example were confirmed using an HFSS simulator (Ansys, Inc.).

[0116] FIG. 7 is a graph of the 2D radiation patterns of the antenna elements of the example and the comparative example.

[0117] The graphs in Fig. 7A and 7B are graphs of the 2D radiation patterns of the antenna elements of the embodiment. The graphs in Fig. 7C and 7D are graphs of the 2D radiation patterns of the antenna elements of the comparative example. Specifically, the graphs in Fig. 7A and 7C are graphs of the 2D radiation patterns of the embodiment and the comparative example in the 28 GHz frequency band, and the graphs in Fig. 7B and 7D are graphs of the 2D radiation patterns of the embodiment and the comparative example in the 39 GHz frequency band.

[0118] In Figure 7, when the difference in signal strength (Cross Polarization Discrimination, XPD) between co-polarization (Co-pol) and cross polarization (X-pol) is 10 dB or more, it can be evaluated that dual polarized radiation in the corresponding frequency band has been sufficiently realized.

[0119] Table 1 below shows the XPD by frequency band for the examples and comparative examples.

[0120] [Table 1]

[0121] 7 and Table 1, in the example, the XPD in both the 28 GHz frequency band and the 39 GHz frequency band was 10 dB or more, while in the comparative example, the XPD in the 39 GHz frequency band was less than 10 dB.

[0122] Therefore, it can be seen that the antenna element of the embodiment is a dual-band, dual-polarized antenna element driven in the 28 GHz and 39 GHz frequency bands, while the antenna element of the comparative example is a single-band antenna element that does not include a relay pattern and is not driven in the 39 GHz frequency band.

[0123] FIG. 8 is a graph showing antenna gains of antenna elements according to an exemplary embodiment and a comparative example.

[0124] With reference to FIG. 8, in the embodiment, the antenna gain was measured to be high in both the 28 GHz and 39 GHz frequency bands, but in the comparative example, the antenna gain in the 39 GHz frequency band was measured to be lower than that of the embodiment.

Claims

1. A radiator; a transmission line including a first transmission line and a second transmission line connected to the radiator and facing each other; an antenna element including a relay pattern disposed between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and connected to the radiator;

2. The antenna element according to claim 1 , wherein the relay pattern is directly connected to the radiator.

3. The antenna element according to claim 1 , wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line are respectively connected to both sides of a first side of the radiator.

4. The antenna element of claim 1 , wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line extend in different directions from the radiator.

5. The antenna element according to claim 4 , wherein an extension direction of the first transmission line and an extension direction of the second transmission line are symmetrical with respect to an extension direction of the relay pattern.

6. The antenna element of claim 1 , wherein the radiator comprises a mesh structure, and the transmission line and the relay pattern comprise solid structures.

7. An antenna element according to claim 1; and a circuit board electrically connected to the antenna element.

8. The antenna structure according to claim 7 , wherein the circuit board includes a core layer, and a signal wiring arranged on one surface of the core layer and connected to the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

9. The antenna structure according to claim 8 , wherein the circuit board further includes a first ground disposed in the same layer as the signal wiring and spaced apart from the signal wiring around the signal wiring.

10. The antenna structure according to claim 9 , wherein the relay pattern is connected to the first ground.

11. The antenna structure according to claim 8 , wherein the circuit board further includes a second ground disposed on the other surface of the core layer opposite to the one surface.

12. The antenna structure of claim 8 , wherein the antenna element further includes a signal pad connected to the transmission line and bonded to the signal wiring.

13. The antenna structure of claim 12 , wherein the antenna element further includes a ground pad disposed around the signal pad and spaced apart from the signal pad.

14. A display panel; An image display device comprising the antenna structure according to claim 7.

Images