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 by 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 insulating substrate supported on the base substrate and a first power feed line attached on the first insulating substrate and configured to supply a 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 insulating substrate supported on the base substrate and a second power feed line attached on the first insulating substrate and 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.

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] Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology is a technology that significantly increases data transmission capacity using a large number of antennas. In a transmitter, different data is transmitted through each transmission antenna, and in a receiver, it is a spatial multiplexing technique that separates transmitted data through appropriate signal processing. As the number of transmit and receive antennas is increased simultaneously, the channel capacity increases, enabling more data to 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 compared to the current single-antenna system.

[0003] As Massive 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 individual antennas, is further emphasized. A dual-polarization antenna is a technology that transmits and receives two electromagnetic wave signals that are perpendicular to each other with one antenna element, and is regarded as a technology advantageous for miniaturization of the 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 the 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 parts in the process and the complexity of signal wiring while improving the polarization isolation and cross-polarization discrimination.

[0006] Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an antenna element with increased 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 insulating substrate supported on the base substrate and a first feeding line attached on the first insulating substrate and 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 insulating substrate supported on the base substrate and a second feeding line attached on the second insulating substrate and 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.

[0009] Further, the first feeding substrate and the second feeding substrate each include an adhesive tape pattern disposed on the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate, respectively. The first feeding line and the second feeding line include metal patterns attached to the adhesive tape pattern.

[0010] On the other hand, the metal pattern further includes a WAT treatment layer subjected to a waterproof adhesion technology treatment.

[0011] The WAT treatment layer is disposed on the adhesive tape pattern.

[0012] Also, through the thermosetting process, the WAT treatment layers of the adhesive tape pattern and the metal pattern on the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate are fixed.

[0013] On the other hand, 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 to each other in their respective central regions.

[0014] Also, 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.

[0015] On the other hand, 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, and the length of the diagonal of the radiation plate is the same as the length of the half wavelength of the center frequency of the operating frequency.

[0016] 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.

[0017] To solve the above problems, an antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a casing, one or more dual-polarization antennas described in claim 1 arranged on the casing, and a radome covering the plurality of dual-polarization antennas.

[0018] Other specific matters of the present invention are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] The dual-polarization antenna according to the present disclosure has the effect of reducing the overall component size.

[0020] In addition, 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 the cross-polarization discrimination.

[0021] In addition, 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

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] 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 on different drawings. In addition, when explaining the present invention, if it is determined that the specific explanation of related known configurations or functions obscures the gist of the present invention, the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dual-polarization antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dual-polarization antenna cut along line II-II' of Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the dual-polarization antenna along line II-II' of Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 4 is a top view of a dual-polarization antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The base substrate 10 is a plate-like 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. Thereby, the front-to-back ratio and gain of the dual-polarization antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention are improved.

[0031] The feeding unit 20 is supported on the base substrate 10 and 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 arranged to intersect each other on the base substrate 10.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 are vertically arranged upright on the base substrate 10, and the first feeding substrate 30 and the second feeding substrate 40 intersect each other perpendicularly in their respective central regions.

[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] The first power supply substrate 30 includes a first insulating substrate 310 and a first power supply line 320 disposed on the first insulating substrate 310. The second power supply substrate 40 includes a second insulating substrate 410 and a second power supply line 420 attached to the second insulating substrate 410.

[0035] 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, the first power supply line 320 and the second power supply line 420 are each illustrated as being capacitively coupled electrically with a short distance from the radiation plate 50. 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 be in direct electrical contact with the radiation plate 50 respectively.

[0036] The first power supply substrate 30 includes one or more first substrate fastening protrusions 314 formed on one long side thereof. The second power supply substrate 40 includes one or more second substrate fastening protrusions 414 formed on one long side thereof.

[0037] Correspondingly, the base substrate 10 includes a first substrate-side fastening groove into which the first substrate fastening protrusion 314 of the first power supply substrate 30 is inserted and a second substrate-side fastening groove into which the second substrate fastening protrusion 414 of the second power supply substrate 40 is inserted.

[0038] In one embodiment of the illustrated invention, two first substrate fastening protrusions 314 and two second substrate fastening protrusions 414 are respectively formed, and correspondingly, two first substrate-side fastening grooves and two second substrate-side fastening grooves are also illustrated as being formed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present invention, the number of substrate fastening protrusions and fastening grooves can be selectively varied, and further, the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 may be fastened onto the base substrate 10 by an adhesion or a separate coupling member instead of an insertion fastening method.

[0039] The first power supply substrate 30 includes a first engaging slit 316 formed on one long side thereof. The first engaging slit 316 may be a linear opening extending from the center of one long side of the first power supply substrate 30 into the first power supply substrate 30.

[0040] Similarly, the second power supply substrate 40 includes a second engaging slit 416 (not shown) formed on the other long side thereof. The second engaging slit 416 is a linear opening extending from the center of the other long side of the second power supply substrate 40 into the second power supply substrate 40.

[0041] The first power supply substrate and the second power supply substrate are arranged to intersect each other via the first engaging slit 316 and the second engaging slit 416.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 have substantially the same 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 mostly the same, except that only their respective structural features for intersecting each other, such as the direction and structure of the engaging slits and the shape of a part of the power supply lines corresponding thereto, are different from each other.

[0043] 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. 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.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the radiation plate 50 has a rectangular shape, and the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40 are exemplified as being disposed across the diagonal direction 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.

[0045] The radiation plate 50 includes one or more first radiation plate side fastening grooves 52 and one or more second radiation plate side fastening grooves 54. Correspondingly, the first power supply substrate 30 includes one or more first radiation plate fastening protrusions 312 formed on the other side long side, and the second power supply substrate 40 includes one or more second radiation plate fastening protrusions 412 formed on the other side long side.

[0046] The first radiation plate fastening protrusion 312 and the second radiation plate fastening protrusion 412 are inserted and fitted into the first radiation plate side fastening groove 52 and the second radiation plate side fastening groove 54 respectively. Thereby, the radiation plate 50 is spaced apart and firmly supported on the base substrate 10 via the first power supply substrate 30 and the second power supply substrate 40.

[0047] 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 inverse phase signal to the second point P2 of the radiation plate 50.

[0048] 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 inverse phase signal to the fourth point P4 of the radiation plate 50.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 cross-polarization isolation, the reflected power beam width, and the dielectric constant of the material of the radiation plate 50.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first point P1 and the second point P2, and the third point P3 and the fourth point P4 are adjacent to two points 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-polarized 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-polarized antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention has the most compact structure while being suitable for the operating frequency.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a dual-polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the feeding substrate and the radiation plate of the dual-polarized antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention are manufactured by a method in which a metal pattern is attached on an insulating substrate.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates the formation of one power supply substrate. According to the present invention, other power supply substrates and radiation plates are also manufactured in the same process.

[0056] First, as shown in FIG. 5(a), an insulating substrate 71 and an adhesive tape pattern 72 of the power supply substrate are prepared.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating substrate 71 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.

[0058] That is, conventionally, other materials that are not, for example, polyimide, which is a material forming a printed circuit board, may be selected, and as long as the structural stability is guaranteed, it is selected as a material that is sufficiently light and easy to process.

[0059] The adhesive tape pattern 72 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the conductive pattern to be formed on the insulating substrate 71. The adhesive tape 72 is made of a material having excellent adhesion performance to the insulating substrate 71, and its type varies depending on the material of the selected insulating substrate 71. Although not shown, the adhesive tape pattern 72 further includes a release film, and after the adhesive tape pattern 72 is attached to the insulating substrate 71, the release film is removed.

[0060] Thereafter, in the process between FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the adhesive tape pattern 72 is laminated on the insulating substrate 71.

[0061] Thereafter, in the process of FIG. 5(b), the insulating substrate 71 and the adhesive tape pattern 72 maintain a temporarily joined state.

[0062] As used herein, the temporarily joined state means a state in which sufficient adhesive force is maintained but it is not completely fixed through heat curing or the like.

[0063] Thereafter, in the process of Fig. 5(c), a metal pattern 73 subjected to waterproof adhesion technology (Waterproof Adhesion Technology, "WAT") or so-called dissimilar material adhesion technology treatment is prepared.

[0064] The WAT technology refers to a chemical / physical bonding technology for various materials, especially for dissimilar materials between metal and plastic. The WAT treatment in the present invention is understood as a technology for forming a plurality of nano-holes and nano-linkers on the metal pattern 73.

[0065] The metal pattern 73 is made of materials such as nickel-plated, STS304 (plated), phosphor bronze (plated), aluminum (plated), etc.

[0066] Thereafter, in the process between Fig. 5(c) and (d), the WAT-treated metal pattern 73 is aligned and laminated on the insulating substrate 71 and the adhesive tape pattern 72.

[0067] As a result, in Fig. 5(d), the insulating substrate 71, the adhesive tape pattern 72, and the metal pattern 73 are in a state of being temporarily joined.

[0068] Thereafter, in the process between Fig. 5(d) and (e), a heat curing process of heating at an appropriate temperature for a certain period of time is performed.

[0069] After the heat curing process, as shown in Fig. 5(e), one power supply substrate is completed.

[0070] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the formed power supply substrate.

[0071] Referring to Fig. 6, the formed power supply substrate includes an insulating substrate 71, an adhesive tape pattern layer 72 on the insulating substrate 71, a WAT treatment layer 74 on the adhesive tape pattern layer 72, and a metal pattern 73 on the WAT treatment layer 74.

[0072] In the above example, the manufacturing method of the power supply substrate has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the radiation plate 50 is also manufactured in the same manner.

[0073] Through the process described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a plastic material that is lighter, easier to handle, and more formable than a PCB is selected while meeting the requirements according to the application environment, such as insulation, heat resistance, and structural strength.

[0074] When the antenna element according to the present invention has relatively low-frequency characteristics, such characteristics are further emphasized.

[0075] This is because, for an antenna with low-frequency characteristics, the radiating element is a structure with a diagonal length close to or greater than about 10 cm. When manufacturing this using a printed circuit board, it has a significant adverse impact on size, weight, and manufacturing cost.

[0076] On the other hand, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in material selection of the insulating substrate 71 is guaranteed, and the antenna element structure can be manufactured only by processes such as material cutting, lamination, and thermosetting that enable low-cost large-scale processing.

[0077] Note that the metal pattern 73 is completely adhered to the insulating substrate 71 without any surface gap or lift. This becomes a very sensitive element when the antenna has high-frequency characteristics. That is, an antenna element structure of appropriate quality can be manufactured without using a printed circuit board.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dual-polarization antenna assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] 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 surface 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.

[0080] In this embodiment, each dual-polarized antenna is substantially the same as the dual-polarized antenna described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, and a plurality of dual-polarized antennas share one base substrate 10.

[0081] 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.

[0082] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIOIN] This patent application claims priority to Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078324, filed in Korea on June 16, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 Dual-polarized antenna 10 Base substrate 20 Power supply unit 30 First power supply substrate 40 Second power supply substrate 50 Radiation plate

Claims

1. A base substrate, A power supply unit supported on the base substrate, A radiation plate supported by the power supply unit, and includes, The power supply unit includes a first power supply substrate and a second power supply substrate arranged to intersect each other on the base substrate, The first power supply substrate includes a first insulating substrate supported on the base substrate and a first power supply line attached on the first insulating substrate, 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 supply substrate includes a second insulating substrate supported on the base substrate and a second power supply line attached on the second insulating substrate, 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 supply substrate and the second power supply substrate, Each includes an adhesive tape pattern disposed on the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate, and the first power supply line and the second power supply line include a metal pattern attached to the adhesive tape pattern, The metal pattern further includes a WAT treatment layer subjected to a waterproof adhesion technology treatment, The WAT treatment layer is a dual-polarized antenna disposed on the adhesive tape pattern.

2. The dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive tape pattern on the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate and the WAT treatment layer of the metal pattern are fixed through a heat curing process.

3. 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. The dual-polarized antenna according to claim 1.

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

5. 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. The double polarization antenna according to claim 1, wherein the length of the diagonal line of the radiation plate is the same as the length of the half wavelength of the center frequency of the operating frequency band.

6. The first feeding line is connected to the signal line of the base substrate via one soldering, The double polarization antenna according to claim 1, wherein the second feeding line is connected to another signal line of the base substrate via another soldering.

7. A casing, One or more double polarization antennas according to claim 1 disposed on the casing, A radome covering the one or more double polarization antennas, comprising: A double polarization antenna assembly.

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