Dual-polarization antenna and dual-polarization antenna assembly including the same

Abstract

To provide a dual polarized antenna which is advantageous for miniaturization of the antenna. [Solution] A dual polarized antenna includes a base substrate, a power feed section supported on the base substrate, and a radiation plate supported on the power feed section, the power feed section including a first power feed board and a second power feed board arranged to cross each other on the base substrate, the first power feed board including a first power feed line configured to supply the first reference phase signal to a first point of the radiation plate and to supply a first anti-phase signal having an anti-phase to the first reference phase signal to a second point of the radiation plate, the second power feed board including a second power feed line configured to supply a second reference phase signal to a third point of the radiation plate and to supply a second anti-phase signal having an anti-phase to the second reference phase signal to a fourth point of the radiation plate, the first power feed board and the first power feed line, and the second power feed board and the second power feed line are each integrally molded through heterogeneous injection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dual-polarization antenna and a dual-polarization antenna assembly including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology is a technology that epochally increases data transmission capacity using a large number of antennas. In a transmitter, different data are transmitted through respective transmission antennas, and in a receiver, spatial multiplexing is a technique of separating transmitted data through appropriate signal processing. As the number of transmission and reception antennas is simultaneously increased, the channel capacity increases so that more data can be transmitted. For example, when the number of antennas is increased to 10, about 10 times the channel capacity can be ensured using the same frequency band as compared with the current single-antenna system.

[0003] As MIMO technology requires a large number of antennas, the importance of reducing the space occupied by one antenna module, that is, reducing the size of an individual antenna, is further emphasized. A dual-polarization antenna is a technology for transmitting and receiving two electromagnetic wave signals that are perpendicular to each other with one antenna element, and is regarded as a technology advantageous for miniaturization of an antenna structure.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dual-polarization antenna advantageous for miniaturization of an antenna.

[0005] Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dual-polarization antenna that can reduce the number of connection sites and the complexity of signal wiring in the process while improving polarization isolation and cross-polarization discrimination.

[0006] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an antenna element with improved structural stability and relatively easy mass production.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To solve the above problems, a dual-polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base substrate, a feeding unit supported on the base substrate, and a radiation plate supported on the feeding unit. The feeding unit includes a first feeding substrate and a second feeding substrate arranged to intersect each other on the base substrate. The first feeding substrate includes a first feeding line configured to supply a first reference phase signal to a first point of the radiation plate and a first inverted phase signal having an inverted phase with respect to the first reference phase signal to a second point of the radiation plate. The second feeding substrate includes a second feeding line configured to supply a second reference phase signal to a third point of the radiation plate and a second inverted phase signal having an inverted phase with respect to the second reference phase signal to a fourth point of the radiation plate. The first feeding substrate and the first feeding line, and the second feeding substrate and the second feeding line are integrally formed through different injections, respectively.

[0009] On the other hand, the first feeding substrate, the first feeding line, the second feeding substrate, and the second feeding line are integrally formed through different injections.

[0010] On the other hand, the first feeding substrate and the second feeding substrate have a "+" shape.

[0011] On the other hand, at least one of the first feeding substrate and the second feeding substrate includes one or more reinforcing ribs fixed across the surface of the first feeding line or the second feeding line.

[0012] Further, the first power supply substrate and the second power supply substrate are vertically and uprightly arranged on the base substrate, and the first power supply substrate and the second power supply substrate intersect perpendicularly with each other in their respective central regions.

[0013] In addition, the first power supply substrate is arranged parallel to the straight line connecting the first point and the second point, and the second power supply substrate is arranged parallel to the straight line connecting the third point and the fourth point.

[0014] Also, the radiation plate is square, the first point, the second point, the third point and the fourth point are adjacent to four vertices of the radiation plate, and the length of the diagonal of the radiation plate is equal to the length of half the wavelength of the center frequency of the operating frequency.

[0015] On the other hand, the first power supply line is connected to the signal line of the base substrate through one soldering, and the second power supply line is connected to the other signal line of the base substrate through another soldering.

[0016] In order to solve the above problems, an antenna assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a casing, one or more dual-polarization antennas according to claim 1 arranged on the casing, and a radome covering the plurality of dual-polarization antennas.

[0017] Other specific matters of the present invention are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The dual-polarization antenna according to the present disclosure has the effect of reducing the overall component size.

[0019] The dual-polarization antenna according to the present disclosure has the effect of reducing the number of connection parts in the process and the complexity of signal wiring while improving the polarization isolation and cross-polarization discrimination.

[0020] The dual-polarization antenna according to the present disclosure has the effect of improving the structural stability and facilitating mass production.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that for the same components, as much as possible, the same numerals are used even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when explaining the present invention, if it is determined that the specific explanation of related known configurations or functions will obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dual-polarization antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dual-polarization antenna cut along the line II-II' in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dual-polarization antenna taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of the dual-polarization antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a dual-polarization antenna 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base substrate 10, a feeding unit 20, and a radiation plate 50.

[0029] The base substrate 10 is a plate-shaped member made of plastic or metal. The base substrate 10 includes a ground layer. The ground layer of the base substrate 10 provides grounding for the dual-polarization antenna while acting as a reflection surface for the radio signal radiated from the radiation plate 50. Thereby, the radio signal radiated from the radiation plate 50 toward the base substrate 10 is reflected in the main radiation direction. Therefore, the front-to-back ratio and gain of the dual-polarization antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention are improved.

[0030] The feeding unit 20 is supported on the base substrate 10 and is configured to supply a high-frequency electrical signal to the radiation plate 50. The feeding unit 20 includes a first feeding substrate 30 and a second feeding substrate 40 disposed to intersect each other on the base substrate 10.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 are vertically and uprightly disposed on the base substrate 10, and the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 intersect each other vertically in their respective central regions.

[0032] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 are exemplified as being integrally formed. That is, the feeding unit 20 composed of the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 may be in the form of an integral support base having a "+" shape in appearance.

[0033] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In a modified embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 20 includes three or more power supply substrates, and the three or more power supply substrates are supported on the base substrate 10 while intersecting each other in various ways having structural symmetry.

[0034] Note that the power supply substrates of the power supply unit 20 may be integrally formed, or may be individually manufactured and assembled with each other.

[0035] The first power supply substrate 30 includes a first power supply line 320. The second power supply substrate 40 includes a second power supply line 420.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 are integrally formed with the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40. That is, with the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 arranged inside the molding frame, the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 are simultaneously injection molded with different materials so that all components are integrated, and a "+"-shaped integrated power supply unit 20 is formed.

[0037] The first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 each supply a high-frequency electrical signal to the radiation plate 50. In the illustrated embodiment, it is exemplified that the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 are each electrically capacitively coupled to the radiation plate 50 at a short distance. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 may each be directly electrically contacted with the radiation plate 50.

[0038] The first power supply substrate 30 includes one or more first substrate fastening protrusions formed on one long side thereof. The second power supply substrate 40 includes one or more second substrate fastening protrusions formed on one long side thereof.

[0039] Correspondingly, the base substrate 10 includes a first substrate-side fastening groove into which the first substrate fastening protrusion of the first power supply substrate 30 is inserted, and a second substrate-side fastening groove into which the second substrate fastening protrusion of the second power supply substrate 40 is inserted.

[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, the number of the substrate fastening protrusions and the fastening grooves can be selectively varied. Further, the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 may be fastened onto the base substrate 10 by adhesion or separate coupling members other than the insertion fastening method.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 are substantially identical in structure and electrical characteristics. For example, the lengths, widths, and thicknesses of the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 are almost the same, except that only the respective structural features for the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 to intersect with each other, for example, the directions and structures of the coupling slits and the shapes of a part of the power supply lines corresponding thereto, are different from each other.

[0042] The radiation plate 50 is supported on the power supply unit 20, that is, on the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40, that is, on the "+"-shaped power supply unit 20. In one embodiment of the present invention, the radiation plate 50 includes a metal layer attached to one surface. The radiation plate 50 is parallel to the base substrate 10 and is disposed perpendicular to the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the radiation plate 50 has a rectangular shape, and the first power supply plate 30 and the second power supply plate 40 are illustrated as being disposed across the diagonal directions of the radiation plate 50, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The shape of the radiation plate 50 may be polygonal, circular, or annular.

[0044] The radiation plate 50 includes one or more first radiation plate-side fastening grooves and one or more second radiation plate-side fastening grooves. Correspondingly, the first power supply substrate 30 includes one or more first radiation plate fastening protrusions formed on the other long side thereof, and the second power supply substrate 40 includes one or more second radiation plate fastening protrusions formed on the other long side thereof.

[0045] The first radiation plate fastening protrusion and the second radiation plate fastening protrusion are respectively inserted and fitted into the first radiation plate side fastening groove 52 and the second radiation plate side fastening groove 54. Thereby, the radiation plate 50 is firmly supported at a distance on the base substrate 10 via the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40.

[0046] The first power supply line 320 of the first power supply substrate 30 supplies a first reference phase signal to the first point P1 of the radiation plate 50 and supplies a first inverted phase signal to the second point P2 of the radiation plate 50.

[0047] Similarly, the second power supply line 420 of the second power supply substrate 40 supplies a second reference phase signal to the third point P3 of the radiation plate 50 and supplies a second inverted phase signal to the fourth point P4 of the radiation plate 50.

[0048] Here, the first reference phase signal and the first inverted phase signal are high-frequency signals having opposite phases to each other, and the second reference phase signal and the second inverted phase signal are also high-frequency signals having opposite phases to each other.

[0049] In the dual-polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, the straight line connecting the first point P1 and the second point P2 on the radiation plate 50 and the straight line connecting the third point P3 and the fourth point P4 on the radiation plate 50 are orthogonal to each other. That is, one polarization wave (45-degree polarization wave) is radiated in the direction of the straight line connecting the first point P1 and the second point P2, and another polarization wave (-45-degree polarization wave) is radiated in the direction of the straight line connecting the third point P3 and the fourth point P4.

[0050] The distance L between the first point P1 and the second point P2 and the distance L between the third point P3 and the fourth point P4 depend on the center frequency wavelength λc of the operating frequency band, but vary depending on the target characteristics and materials. For example, it varies depending on the separation between cross-polarization waves, the reflected power beam width, and the dielectric constant of the material of the radiation plate 50.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first point P1, the second point P2, the third point P3, and the fourth point P4 are adjacent to two points that are farthest from the square radiation plate 50, for example, two vertices facing each other in the diagonal direction. That is, the first point P1 to the fourth point P4 of the dual-polarization antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention are adjacent to the four vertices of the square radiation plate 50, respectively. Therefore, the dual-polarization antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention has the smallest structure while being suitable for the operating frequency.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the feeding unit of the dual-polarization antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI' of FIG. 5.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the feeding unit 20 of the dual-polarization antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention is integrally formed by different types of injection molding of the first feeding substrate 30, the second feeding substrate 40, the first feeding line 320, and the second feeding line 420.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the feeding unit 20 including the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 may be in the form of a support base having a "+" shape in appearance.

[0056] Also, the first feeding line 320 and the second feeding line 420 are partially embedded in the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 and are supported on the surfaces of the respective feeding substrates.

[0057] That is, at least a part of the surface of the first feeding line 320 and the second feeding line 420 is embedded in the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 and the surface is covered, and the other part is exposed to the outside. Thereby, the first feeding line 320 and the second feeding line 420 are firmly supported on the respective feeding substrates without separate fixing means.

[0058] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 each include a first reinforcing rib 330 and a second reinforcing rib 430.

[0059] The first reinforcing rib 330 and the second reinforcing rib 430 are reinforcing support members that fix the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 across the surfaces of the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420, respectively.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna element is used to transmit and receive signals in a high-frequency band, and the frequency characteristics of the antenna change greatly even for very small tolerances.

[0061] In particular, since the power supply substrate made of plastic and the power supply line made of a metal pattern have different coefficients of thermal expansion, fine floating phenomena occur in the power supply line due to thermal deformation caused by heat generation during the use of the antenna or thermal deformation in a warm or cold state.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the power supply line is not only supported in a partially embedded manner on the plastic material power supply substrate by different types of injection molding, but also the partially vulnerable supported part is firmly supported by the power supply line via the first reinforcing rib 330 and the second reinforcing rib 430. Thereby, stable frequency characteristics are guaranteed and the antenna efficiency is increased.

[0063] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the power supply substrate is made of a plastic material and is selected from materials having an appropriate dielectric constant (insulating property) while having an appropriate weight, strength, and high heat resistance.

[0064] That is, other materials are selected instead of the materials forming the conventional printed circuit board, for example, polyimide, and are selected as materials that are sufficiently light and easy to process as long as structural stability is guaranteed.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dual-polarized antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, a dual-polarization antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a casing 2, one or more dual-polarization antennas disposed on one side of the casing 2, and a radome 3 covering the plurality of dual-polarization antennas. The casing 2 is configured to support one or more dual-polarization antennas.

[0067] In this embodiment, each dual-polarization antenna is substantially the same as the dual-polarization antenna described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, and the plurality of dual-polarization antennas share one base substrate 10.

[0068] The above description is only an exemplary explanation of the technical idea of this embodiment. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can make various modifications and deformations without departing from the essential characteristics of this embodiment. Therefore, this embodiment is not intended to limit the technical idea of this embodiment but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of this embodiment is not limited by such an embodiment. The protection scope of this embodiment should be interpreted according to the scope of the claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this embodiment.

[0069] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION] This patent application claims priority to Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078330, filed in Korea on June 16, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1 Dual-polarization antenna 10 Base substrate 20 Feeding unit 30 First feeding substrate 40 Second feeding substrate 50 Radiation plate

Claims

1. A base substrate and a power feeding unit supported on the base substrate, and a radiation plate supported on the power feeding unit, wherein the power feeding unit includes a first power feeding substrate and a second power feeding substrate arranged to intersect each other on the base substrate, the first power feeding substrate includes a first power feeding line configured to supply a first reference phase signal to a first point of the radiation plate and supply a first inverted phase signal having an inverted phase with respect to the first reference phase signal to a second point of the radiation plate, the second power feeding substrate includes a second power feeding line configured to supply a second reference phase signal to a third point of the radiation plate and supply a second inverted phase signal having an inverted phase with respect to the second reference phase signal to a fourth point of the radiation plate, the first power feeding substrate and the first power feeding line are integrally formed through different kinds of injection molding, the second power feeding substrate and the second power feeding line are integrally formed through different kinds of injection molding, the first power feeding substrate includes a first reinforcing rib for fixing the first power feeding line to the first power feeding substrate, a dual-polarization antenna.

2. A base substrate and a power feeding unit supported on the base substrate, and a radiation plate supported on the power feeding unit, wherein the power feeding unit includes a first power feeding substrate and a second power feeding substrate arranged to intersect each other on the base substrate, the first power feeding substrate includes a first power feeding line configured to supply a first reference phase signal to a first point of the radiation plate and supply a first inverted phase signal having an inverted phase with respect to the first reference phase signal to a second point of the radiation plate, the second power feeding substrate includes a second power feeding line configured to supply a second reference phase signal to a third point of the radiation plate and supply a second inverted phase signal having an inverted phase with respect to the second reference phase signal to a fourth point of the radiation plate, the first power feeding substrate and the first power feeding line are integrally formed through different kinds of injection molding, the second power feeding substrate and the second power feeding line are integrally formed through different kinds of injection molding, the second power feeding substrate includes a second reinforcing rib for fixing the second power feeding line to the second power feeding substrate, a dual-polarization antenna.

3. The dual-polarization antenna according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first power feeding substrate, the first power feeding line, the second power feeding substrate, and the second power feeding line are integrally formed through different kinds of injection molding.

4. The power supply unit is the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 3, having a "+" shape.

5. The first reinforcing rib fixes the first power supply line to the first power supply substrate across the surface of the first power supply line, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1.

6. The second reinforcing rib fixes the second power supply line to the second power supply substrate across the surface of the second power supply line. The dual-polarized antenna according to claim 2.

7. At least a part of the first power supply line is formed in a shape embedded in the first power supply substrate, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1 or 2.

8. At least a part of the second power supply line is formed in a shape embedded in the second power supply substrate, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The first power supply substrate and the second power supply substrate are vertically arranged upright on the base substrate, and the first power supply substrate and the second power supply substrate intersect perpendicularly to each other in their respective central regions, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The first power supply substrate is arranged parallel to the straight line connecting the first point and the second point, and the second power supply substrate is arranged parallel to the straight line connecting the third point and the fourth point, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1 or 2

11. The radiation plate is square, The first point, the second point, the third point, and the fourth point are adjacent to the four vertices of the radiation plate, The length of the diagonal of the radiation plate is equal to the length of the half-wavelength of the center frequency of the operating frequency, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The first power supply line is connected to the signal line of the base substrate through one soldering, The second power supply line is connected to the other signal line of the base substrate through another soldering, and the dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1 or 2.

13. A casing, One or more dual-polarized antennas according to claim 1 or 2 arranged on the casing, And a radome covering the one or more dual-polarized antennas. Dual-polarized antenna assembly.

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