Antenna device

Abstract

To provide an antenna device capable of solving a coupling problem between antenna elements without increasing the overall size of the antenna device. The antenna device includes at least one base substrate, a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the at least one base substrate in a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base substrate and supported by the at least one base substrate, and a radome disposed to be spaced apart from the plurality of antenna elements in the height direction and configured to surround the at least one base substrate and the plurality of antenna elements. The radome includes a pattern portion disposed on one surface facing the plurality of antenna elements and configured to decouple electromagnetic waves radiated from the plurality of antenna elements.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to antenna devices, and more particularly to antenna devices including decoupling structures. [Background technology]

[0002] The material described in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Wireless communication systems require higher data transmission rates. To address this, Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology has been developed to ensure communication reliability while increasing channel capacity. The MIMO system dramatically increases data transmission capacity by using multiple antennas. The transmitter transmits different data through each transmit antenna, and the receiver separates the transmitted data through appropriate signal processing. Therefore, as the number of transmit and receive antennas simultaneously increases, channel capacity increases, enabling more data to be transmitted.

[0004] However, arranging multiple antennas in a space-constrained environment can cause coupling between the antennas, which can lead to signal leakage and reduce the efficiency of the antenna system.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an antenna device that is configured to ensure channel capacity while enabling decoupling between antenna elements, and it is also important that the overall size of the antenna device is not increased. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to solve such problems, and aims to provide an antenna device that can solve the coupling problem between antenna elements without increasing the overall size of the antenna device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an antenna device including: at least one base substrate; a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the at least one base substrate in a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base substrate and supported by the at least one base substrate; and a radome disposed to be spaced apart from the plurality of antenna elements in the height direction and configured to surround the at least one base substrate and the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the radome includes a pattern portion disposed on one surface facing the plurality of antenna elements and configured to decouple electromagnetic waves radiated from the plurality of antenna elements. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an antenna device that can solve the coupling problem between antenna elements without increasing the overall size of the antenna device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3a] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a pattern portion of an antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3b] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure taken along the line AA' in FIG. 1. [Figure 4a] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a pattern portion of an antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4b] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure taken along the line AA' in FIG. [Figure 5a] FIG. 10 illustrates some antenna elements and port-to-port isolation without a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5b] FIG. 10 illustrates some antenna elements and port-to-port isolation without a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6a] FIG. 10 illustrates some antenna elements and port-to-port isolation with a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6b] FIG. 10 illustrates some antenna elements and port-to-port isolation with a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6c] FIG. 10 illustrates some antenna elements and port-to-port isolation with a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a comparison of isolation between some specific ports with and without a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure at once. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. When assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, please note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components even if they appear in different drawings. In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed description of related known structures or functions is deemed to obscure the gist of the present disclosure, such a detailed description will be omitted.

[0011] In describing components of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference numerals such as 1, 2, i), ii), a), b) may be used. Such reference numerals are used to distinguish the components from other components, and do not limit the essence or order or sequence of the components. When a part in the specification "includes" or "has" a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but that the part may further include other components, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an antenna device 10, 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one base substrate 100, a plurality of antenna elements 120, and all or part of a radome 140.

[0015] The base substrate 100 is configured so that a plurality of antenna elements 120, which will be described later, are grounded. The base substrate 100 is a plate-like member made of plastic or metal, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0016] In the drawing, the base substrates 100 are arranged in an (8*2) arrangement, with a total of 16 base substrates 100, but the arrangement and number of the base substrates 100 are not necessarily limited to this.

[0017] The plurality of antenna elements 120 are configured to be supported by the base substrate 100 and to be able to radiate electromagnetic waves. The plurality of antenna elements 120 are also arranged on the base substrate 100 in a height direction perpendicular to the base substrate 100. Here, the height direction refers to the Z-axis direction in FIG. 1.

[0018] It is preferable that the plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged in a regular arrangement on at least one base substrate 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged in an (8*12) arrangement, for a total of 96 elements. In this case, there are 16 base substrates 100, and six antenna elements 120 are arranged on one base substrate 100. However, as long as the plurality of antenna elements 120 are arranged in a regular arrangement, the arrangement and number are not necessarily limited to those shown in Fig. 2.

[0019] Each of the plurality of antenna elements 120 includes a first feeding substrate 122 , a second feeding substrate 124 , and a radiation plate 126 .

[0020] The first power supply board 122 is disposed on the base board 100 and is a printed circuit board including a power supply line (not shown).

[0021] The second power supply board 124 is a printed circuit board including a power supply line and is disposed on the base substrate 100 so as to intersect with the first power supply board 122. Here, the first power supply board 122 and the second power supply board 124 intersect with each other at an angle of 90°, but this is not necessarily limited to this.

[0022] The radiation plate 126 is configured to be supported by one end in the height direction of the first power supply board 122 and the second power supply board 124, and is a point from which electromagnetic waves are radiated.

[0023] Here, at least a portion of one end in the height direction of the first power feed board 122 and the second power feed board 124 is configured to protrude in the height direction from the radiation plate 126. Also, at least a portion of one end in the opposite direction to the height direction of the first power feed board 122 and the second power feed board 124 is configured to protrude in the opposite direction in the height direction from the base substrate 100. For example, the first power feed board 122 and the second power feed board 124 are fitted with the base substrate 100 and the radiation plate 126, respectively.

[0024] In this case, the upper portions of the first power supply board 122 and the second power supply board 124 are supported by the radiation plate 126, and the lower portions are supported by the base board 100, thereby fixing the positions of the first power supply board 122 and the second power supply board 124.

[0025] The radome 140 is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the plurality of antenna elements 120 in the height direction, and is configured to surround at least one base substrate 100 and the plurality of antenna elements 120. Here, it is desirable that the interval between the plurality of antenna elements 120 and the radome 140 is constant for all of the plurality of antenna elements 120.

[0026] The radome 140 can not only protect at least one base substrate 100 and multiple antenna elements 120 from external factors, but also, in the present disclosure, can prevent problems caused by coupling between multiple antenna elements 120.

[0027] Meanwhile, coupling between the multiple antenna elements 120 can be categorized into direct coupling, in which the multiple antenna elements 120 are directly coupled to each other, and indirect coupling, in which at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves emitted from any one antenna element is reflected by the radome 140 and coupled with another antenna element.

[0028] The radome 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pattern portion (300 in FIG. 3a, 400 in FIG. 4a) configured to decouple electromagnetic waves radiated from the plurality of antenna elements 120. That is, by including the pattern portions 300 and 400, the radome 140 can minimize indirect coupling between the plurality of antenna elements 120.

[0029] Furthermore, the antenna device 10, 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a shielding wall (not shown) disposed between the multiple antenna elements 120 to prevent direct coupling between the multiple antenna elements 120.

[0030] FIG. 3a is a diagram showing a pattern portion of an antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure taken along the line AA' in FIG.

[0032] FIG. 4a is a diagram showing a pattern portion of an antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of an antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure taken along the line AA' in FIG.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3a, the pattern portion 300 of the antenna device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is configured so that rhombus-shaped patterns are repeatedly arranged.

[0035] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 4a, the pattern portion 400 of the antenna device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is configured so that hexagonal patterns are repeatedly arranged.

[0036] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 3b and 4b, some of the electromagnetic waves radiated from the radiation plate 126 pass through the radome 140, but some are reflected by the inner surface of the radome 140, causing a coupling phenomenon with other antenna elements.

[0037] The pattern units 300 and 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent the problem of indirect coupling between the multiple antenna elements 120 by decoupling the electromagnetic waves radiated from the radiation plate 126. For this purpose, it is desirable that the electromagnetic waves after decoupling by the pattern units 300 and 400 have an opposite phase compared to the electromagnetic waves before decoupling.

[0038] Therefore, various problems that may occur due to increased coupling between the multiple antenna elements 120, such as signal leakage and a decrease in the channel capacity of the MIMO system, can be prevented.

[0039] Although FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b illustrate diamond-shaped and hexagon-shaped patterns, the pattern portions 300, 400 of the antenna devices 10, 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to such pattern shapes.

[0040] Furthermore, the pattern units 300, 400 of the antenna devices 10, 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are disposed on one surface of the radome 140 that faces the plurality of antenna elements 120. For example, the pattern units 300, 400 are disposed on the inner surface of the radome 140. In this case, no separate cover is required to protect the pattern units 300, 400 from external factors, and a decoupling effect between the plurality of antenna elements 120 can be obtained without increasing the size of the antenna device.

[0041] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the radome 140 of the antenna device 10, 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one rib (not shown) formed on one surface facing the plurality of antenna elements 120. In this case, the pattern portions 300, 400 are formed on the rib.

[0042] However, the pattern portions 300, 400 do not necessarily have to be formed on the ribs of the radome 140, and for example, the pattern portions 300, 400 may be configured to be attached to one surface of the radome 140 that faces the multiple antenna elements 120.

[0043] 5a and 5b are diagrams illustrating some antenna elements and port-to-port isolation without a radome according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] 6a to 6c are diagrams illustrating some antenna elements and inter-port isolation with a radome according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a comparison of isolation between some specific ports with and without a radome according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] 5a, 5b, and 6a to 6c exemplarily show and compare interference between port 1 and port 3, interference between port 2 and port 3, interference between port 5 and port 3, and interference between port 6 and port 3. However, the effects below are not necessarily limited to interference between ports disclosed in FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 6a to 6c.

[0047] Referring to Figures 5b and 6c, it can be seen that the graph values in Figure 6c are generally lower than the graph values in Figure 5b, and that the negative absolute values between each port are also larger, which means that isolation is improved when the radome 140 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is included.

[0048] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7, the graph of a general antenna device that does not include a radome 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown by a solid line, and the graph of the antenna devices 10 and 20 that include a radome 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown by a dotted line.

[0049] It can be seen that the graph indicated by the dashed line shows a significantly lower degree of coupling compared to the graph indicated by the solid line, and therefore it can be seen that including the radome 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is quite effective in decoupling between the multiple antenna elements 120.

[0050] The above description merely exemplifies the technical concept of the present embodiment, and various modifications and variations may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiment is intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept of the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical concept of the present embodiment is not limited by such an embodiment. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be interpreted by the scope of the claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10,20 Antenna device, 100 Base substrate 120: Multiple antenna elements; 122: First power supply substrate 124 second power supply board, 126 radiation plate 140 radome, 300,400 pattern section

Claims

1. at least one base substrate; a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the at least one base substrate in a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base substrate and supported by the at least one base substrate; a radome arranged to be spaced apart from the plurality of antenna elements in the height direction and configured to surround the at least one base substrate and the plurality of antenna elements; Including, The radome includes a pattern portion disposed on one surface facing the plurality of antenna elements and configured to decouple electromagnetic waves radiated from the plurality of antenna elements.

2. the radome includes at least one rib formed on one surface facing the plurality of antenna elements; The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern portion is formed on the rib.

3. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern portion is configured to be attached to one surface of the radome that faces the plurality of antenna elements.

4. Each of the plurality of antenna elements a first feeding substrate disposed on the base substrate; a second feeding substrate disposed on the base substrate so as to intersect with the first feeding substrate; a radiation plate supported by one end of the first power supply board and the second power supply board in the height direction; 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, comprising:

5. at least a part of one end portion in the height direction of each of the first power supply board and the second power supply board protrudes from the radiation plate in the height direction; The antenna device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a portion of one end of the first power supply board and the second power supply board in a direction opposite to the height direction is configured to protrude from the at least one base board in a direction opposite to the height direction.

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