Millimeter-wave antennas for 5G applications, and vehicles equipped with such antennas.

Abstract

To provide a vehicle with a millimeter wave antenna for 5G application.SOLUTION: A millimeter wave antenna 1 is a multi-layered antenna for 5G application, in which an upper outer layer 10 includes at least a plurality of first radiating elements 14 arranged in a plurality of first dielectric sublayers 12 spaced apart from each other. A first inner layer 20 is arranged below the upper outer layer 10 and includes a plurality of through slots suitable for carrying radiated supply signals to the plurality of first radiating elements 14. A second inner layer 30 is arranged under and adjacent to the first inner layer 20, and includes at least one dielectric sublayer 32, and a plurality of conductive lines 34 suitable for conducting radiated supply signals to the plurality of first radiating elements 14 are provided on the at least one dielectric sublayer 32. A layer 40 includes a first sublayer 42 of conductive material composed of copper foil. The first sublayer 42 is arranged over a second dielectric sublayer 46.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications and a vehicle equipped with such an antenna. 【0002】 The antenna according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use in vehicles such as automobiles, buses, trains, commercial vehicles, etc. and will be described hereinafter with reference to such applications, but the description is not intended to limit its use in other potentially applicable fields. 【Background Art】 【0003】 As is well known, over the past few decades, the wireless data traffic has been increasingly assumed to increase at a certain rate, and thus, earlier and more reliable communication systems are required to be implemented. 【0004】 For this purpose, in recent years, the implementation of a system called the latest 5G communication system, which is allocated the millimeter-wave (mmW) frequency band, has been in progress. 【0005】 Specifically, for this system, one of the basic components for suitable transmission and reception of data is represented by an antenna that includes, among its essential components, a radiating element that contributes to the transmission and reception of signals and a control electronic device designed to control the operation of the radiating element itself and operate it appropriately. 【0006】 The assembly of these components causes, for example, some problems related to the actual quality of the transmitted signal. In fact, the presence of a conductive element that functions as a ground plane in the antenna structure may cause a mirror effect in the antenna due to a phase shift by the reflected signal that overlaps the transmitted signal, which may negatively affect the overall quality of the transmission. 【0007】 To avoid these drawbacks, one possible solution is to increase the distance between the radiating element and the ground plane, for example, by increasing the number of layers of dielectric material inserted between them. 【0008】 However, in this case, the cost and dimensions of the antenna are negatively affected, the space available for the antenna is limited, and furthermore, the widespread presence of metal parts that usually act as shields for the antenna itself makes it more difficult to use antennas, for example, in vehicles such as automobiles, where it is necessary to use multiple antennas placed in different locations simultaneously. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0009】 The main objective of the present invention is to provide a millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications that can solve, or at least reduce, the problem of undesirable reflections of transmitted signals, while requiring a relatively low-cost, easy-to-implement, and compact construction structure. [Means for solving the problem] 【0010】 This primary objective, as well as any other objectives which may become clearer from the following description, is achieved by a millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications, the features of which are defined in claim 1. 【0011】 This primary objective, as well as any possible further objectives, are also achieved by the vehicle described in claim 12, typically a vehicle intended for passenger transport, in particular an automobile. 【0012】 Certain embodiments constitute the subject matter of a dependent claim, and their content is understood to be an essential part of this patent specification. 【0013】 Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, which is provided for by reference to the accompanying drawings and is merely a non-limiting example. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0014】 [Figure 1] A schematic representation of a possible embodiment of the millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows a portion of the upper outer layer of the antenna shown in Figure 1, to which radiating elements are provided. [Figure 3] This figure schematically shows a portion of another layer equipped with additional radiating elements that can be used in the antenna shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 schematically shows some of the layers that can be used in the antenna shown. [Figure 5] Figure 1 schematically shows some of the layers that can be used in the antenna shown. [Figure 6] Figure 1 schematically shows some of the layers that can be used in the antenna shown. [Figure 7] Figure 1 schematically shows some of the layers that can be used in the antenna shown. [Figure 8] Figure 1 schematically shows some of the layers that can be used in the antenna shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0015】 It should be noted that in the following detailed description, components that are identical or similar in terms of structure and / or function may have the same or different reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the invention or in a different part. 【0016】 For the purpose of clearly and concisely describing the present invention, it should be noted that the figures may not necessarily be to scale, and some features in this specification may be shown somewhat schematically. 【0017】 Furthermore, the terms "adapted", "structured", "configured", "shaped" or "fixed", or any similar terms, may be used herein to refer to any component as a whole, any part of a component, or a combination of components, referring to structure, configuration, form and shape, and / or position, and are understood to correspondingly include them. 【0018】 In particular, when these terms refer to means of electronics hardware or software, they are understood to include chips, circuits, or parts of an electronic circuit, or similar components. 【0019】 In addition, when the terms "substantial" or "substantially" are used herein, they are understood to include an actual change of plus or minus 5% with respect to what is shown as a reference value, axis or position; when the terms "lateral" or "laterally" are used herein, they are understood to include a direction that is not parallel to one or more parts of the reference they refer to, or one or more directions / axes, and perpendicular is considered a particular case of lateral. 【0020】 Finally, in the following specification and claims, ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., are used for the purpose of clarity of illustration and should not be construed as limiting in any way; specifically, for example, the indication of "first layer" or the first "first sub-layer, ···" does not necessarily indicate strict requirements in all embodiments, or the presence of a further "second layer" or "second sub-layer", or vice versa, unless it is clearly evident for the proper operation of the described embodiments that there is a further "second layer" or "second sub-layer", and the order is not the same as the sequence described with reference to exemplary embodiments. 【0021】 FIG. 1 schematically shows one possible embodiment of a millimeter-wave antenna according to the present invention, which is entirely indicated by reference numeral 1. 【0022】 Specifically, the antenna 1 according to the present invention has a multi-layer structure stacked vertically along a reference direction indicated by a reference axis X in FIG. 1, and the multi-layer structure includes at least an upper outer layer 10; a first inner layer 20 disposed under the upper outer layer 10; under the first inner layer 20, a second inner layer 30 disposed adjacent to the first inner layer 20; and under the second inner layer 30, a further layer 40 disposed adjacent to the second inner layer 30 is provided. 【0023】 Specifically, in a possible embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper outer layer 10 includes at least a first dielectric sub-layer 12 made of, for example, ROGERS RO4350B material It is equipped with. , The first dielectric sublayer 12 is a plurality of first radiation elements 1 supplied with signals to be transmitted and suitable for radiation 4 is provided. 【0024】 The first radiating elements 14 are made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper, and are arranged in order, substantially aligned, and spaced apart from each other in the first dielectric sublayer 12 along a reference horizontal axis Y which is perpendicular to axis X. 【0025】 Preferably, the first radiating elements 14 are substantially identical to each other, and each has a radiating region or surface "A1" demarcated in a plane perpendicular to axis X, i.e., in the plane of the layer itself. For the simplicity of the illustration, this radiating region is clearly indicated by diagonal lines in Figure 2 for only one radiating element 14. 【0026】 In the illustrated embodiment, the first radiating element 14 is of a type that, according to national or internationally used terminology, is more precisely called a “patch,” each having a substantially constant geometric configuration, such as a square, rectangle, or circle. 【0027】 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the upper outer layer 10 is made of, for example, ROGERS RO4450 material, hereafter referred to as the first Adhesion It has a second sublayer 18, also called a sublayer 18, and the second sublayer 18 enables the entire upper outer layer 10 to connect with the multiple layers immediately below it. Adhesion The sublayer 18 has a first thickness S1. 【0028】 According to one possible embodiment shown in Figure 1, for purposes to be described in more detail below, the multi-layer structure of antenna 1 usefully comprises another inner layer 15 shown in Figure 3, the other inner layer 15 being the first Adhesion It is bonded to the sublayer 18 and is therefore inserted between the upper outer layer 10 and the first inner layer 20. 【0029】 Alternatively, in one possible embodiment, the first inner layer 20, in its upper portion, Adhesion Located directly below sublayer 18, and directly below the first Adhesion Sublayer 18 may be coupled to it; in this case, the further layer 15 is not used. 【0030】 As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the first inner layer 20 comprises at least a first sub-layer 22 of the conductive material of the first inner layer 20, which is composed of, for example, copper foil, and the first sub-layer 22 is located on a second sub-layer 26 of the dielectric material of the first inner layer 20. This second sub-layer 26 of the dielectric material may be provided, for example, to have adhesive properties and to bond with the layers immediately below it, i.e., with the second inner layer 30 in the illustrated embodiment, or it may be combined with several adhesive materials added to allow it to bond to subsequent layers. 【0031】 Conveniently, the first inner layer 20 comprises a plurality of through-slots 24, for example, having a U or C shape, through which the plurality of through-slots 24 pass through a first sub-layer 22 of conductive material and a second sub-layer 26 of dielectric material, and is suitable for carrying the radiated supply signal originating from the lower layer of the antenna 1, as described below, to at least a plurality of first radiating elements 14. 【0032】 More specifically, in the antenna 1 according to the present invention, each first radiating element 14 is provided with at least one corresponding slot 24 operably associated with the first radiating element 14; with respect to the substantially vertical direction indicated by axis X in Figure 1, each through slot 24 is realized on the first inner layer 20 at a position below it that corresponds to the position of the associated first radiating element 14 on the upper outer layer 10. 【0033】 Preferably, with respect to the vertical direction represented by axis X, each slot 24 extends such that at least one of its ends lies outside a virtual region obtained by projecting the radiating surface "A1" of the associated first radiating element onto the first inner layer 20 itself in the vertical direction (along the direction of axis X), or alternatively, by projecting each slot 24 onto the first inner layer 20, also in the vertical direction. 【0034】 In one possible embodiment, as shown in the example in Figure 4, each first radiating element 14 is provided with a corresponding pair of through-slots 24, the two through-slots 24 of each pair being formed in the first inner layer 20 at a position below the corresponding first radiating element 14 on the upper outer layer 10. 【0035】 In the embodiment described, for example, the two slots of each pair of through-slots 24, which have a C or U shape, are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. 【0036】 In this case as well, with respect to the vertical direction represented by axis X, each slot 24 extends such that at least one of its ends extends outward from the virtual region obtained by projecting the radiating surface "A1" of the associated first radiating element 14 onto the first inner layer 20 itself in the vertical direction (or alternatively, by projecting each slot 24 onto the first inner layer 20, also in the vertical direction). 【0037】 Furthermore, at least the first inner layer 20 is defined with a plurality of metallized holes 29 that pass through the sublayers 22 and 26. 【0038】 As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the second inner layer 30, which is mounted with the sublayer 26 on top, has at least the second inner layer 30 two It is equipped with a dielectric sublayer 32 (also called a third dielectric sublayer 32 to better distinguish it from the dielectric layer described earlier), and Below For example, multiple conductive lines 34, composed of copper strips, are arranged, which are suitable for transmitting the radiated supply signal to at least multiple first radiating elements. 【0039】 More specifically, at least one corresponding conductive line 34 is associated with its respective radiating element. 【0040】 In one possible embodiment, the third dielectric sublayer 32 functions as a bonding layer and therefore has adhesion properties or comprises an adhesion material that enables bonding to multiple layers immediately below the inner layer 30, i.e., layers shown as further layers 40 in exemplary embodiments. 【0041】 In detail, the third dielectric sublayer 32, which is made of, or may contain, ROGER RO4450 material, for example, has an overall thickness S2 greater than or equal to the thickness S1 of the first bonding layer 18; in this way, advantageously, an improvement in signal matching or "matching" is obtained. 【0042】 According to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the plurality of conductive lines 34 comprises, for each first radiating element 14, a corresponding pair of conductive lines 34 associated with each first radiating element 14, for example, having different shapes from each other. 【0043】 More specifically, according to this embodiment, each pair of conductive lines 34 comprises a first conductive line 34a, formed, for example, by a copper strip having substantially straight extension, capable of transmitting a radiated supply signal to the corresponding first radiating element 14 in a first polarization direction, and a second conductive line 34b, formed, for example, by an L-shaped copper strip, capable of transmitting a radiated supply signal to the corresponding first radiating element 14 in a second polarization direction different from the first direction. These directions may be, for example, a first direction along the reference axis Z and a second direction along the reference axis Y, as shown in Figure 5. 【0044】 Furthermore, the third inner layer 30 also has metallized holes 29, which pass through the sublayers 34 and 32 of the third inner layer 30 and are aligned vertically with corresponding metallized through-holes 29 made in the first inner layer 20; in Figure 5, for illustrative purposes, the metallized through-holes 29 are shown so that the shape of the through-channel or cylinder is clearly discernible. 【0045】 Conveniently, each conductive line 34 extends on the plane of the sublayer 32, and the metallized holes 29 are positioned parallel to both edges, following the paths of the associated conductive lines 34. 【0046】 Furthermore, in one possible embodiment shown in Figure 5, adjacent pairs of conductive lines 34a and 34b of line 34 are arranged in a mutually inverted order with respect to each other. In addition, each line may be mirror-image inverted with respect to a similar preceding line, or inverted by 180° in the plane of the layer 30 itself. 【0047】 More specifically, with respect to the direction of displacement along axis Y, starting from the outer lateral edge 31 at a position corresponding to the position of the first radiating element 14 located closest to the left edge 12A on the upper outer layer 10, the inner layer 30 has; first, a first strip 34a on which the radiated supply signal can be transmitted to the associated first radiating element 14 in a first polarization direction; and then, successively, a second conductive line 34b on which the radiated supply signal can be transmitted to the same first radiating element 14 in a second polarization direction. Continuing along direction Y, at the position of the subsequent first radiating element 14 on the upper outer layer 10, the layer 30 has a second pair of conductive lines 34a and 34b, their order reversed, with each line 34a and 34b being 180° inverted relative to the similar line of the previous pair. In fact, along axis Y, first there is a second conductive strip 34b to which the radiated supply signal can be transmitted to this subsequent radiating element 14 in a second polarization direction, and the second conductive strip 34b is arranged in an L-shape that is 180° inverted in the plane of layer 30 with respect to the similar second line 34b of the preceding pair of lines; then there is a first line 34a which can be transmitted to the same subsequent radiating element 14 in a first polarization direction (which may also be mirror-image inverted or 180° inverted with respect to the similar first line 34a of the preceding pair). The inversion of the arrangement order between the first strip 34a and the second strip 34b with respect to either the similar line of the preceding pair is regularly repeated in the radiating elements 14 that follow each of the preceding radiating elements 14. 【0048】 Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, one or more of the conductive lines 34, preferably all of them, each comprises at least one section derived parallel to the corresponding conductive line 34, preferably near the outer edge of the layer in an exemplary embodiment, but generally to coincide with transition areas found in a wider range of layers, and in particular to coincide with transitions of radio frequency signals, suitable for shifting the signal itself to different layers of the antenna without causing significant loss. This derived section allows for the artificial introduction of changes that function to further improve what is called "matching" of signal transition areas. 【0049】 The derived sections of this line may consist of, for example, further strip portions, and in Figure 5, for the sake of simplicity, only one pair of conductive lines 34 is shown by reference numeral 34c. 【0050】 As shown in more detail in Figure 6, the further layer 40, located below and adjacent to the second inner layer 30, comprises at least a first sublayer 42 of the conductive material of the further layer 40 (hereinafter also referred to as the second conductive sublayer 42, to distinguish it from the aforementioned sublayer 22), which is made of, for example, copper foil. The first sublayer 42 of the conductive material of the further layer 40 is located on a second dielectric sublayer 46 of the further layer 40 (hereinafter also referred to as the fourth dielectric sublayer 46, to distinguish it from the dielectric layer described earlier). 【0051】 The fourth dielectric sublayer 46 may similarly be made directly from a material having adhesion properties, or bonded with an additional adhesion material. 【0052】 More specifically, the further layer 40 is defined with a plurality of first through-openings 44 that pass through its sub-layers 42 and 46. 【0053】 More specifically, in the substantially vertical direction indicated by axis X in Figure 1, each of the first through-openings 44 is formed in the layer 40, in particular in the conductive material sublayer 42, at a position corresponding to at least one position related to the through-slot 24 of a plurality of through-slots 24 defined in the conductive material first sublayer 22 of the first inner layer 20. 【0054】 Conveniently, in one possible embodiment, with respect to the operation of antenna 1 at the nominal operating frequency, each first through aperture 44 measures substantially λ in the direction lateral to the reference axis X. 2 Measurements were taken in a dielectric material formed by the assembly of a third dielectric sublayer 32 immediately above the conductive material sublayer 42 and a fourth dielectric sublayer 46 immediately below the conductive material sublayer 42, and a transmission region "B" that is at least one-quarter of the square of the wavelength λ was defined. 【0055】 For the sake of simplicity in the illustration, in Figure 6, the passage region "B" is represented by diagonal lines for only one opening 44. 【0056】 In this way, the presence of through-apers 44 formed in the sublayer 42 of the conductive material, which functions as a ground plane, substantially prevents the presence of reflective effects that affect the quality of the transmitted signal, while at the same time resulting in optimized overall dimensions and lower cost compared to different solutions aimed at addressing the same problem. 【0057】 Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the further layer 40 also comprises metallized holes 29 arranged in parallel rows that pass through at least its sublayer 42 and are aligned with corresponding metallized through-holes 29 made in the first inner layer 20 and the second inner layer 30, respectively. 【0058】 As described above, in one possible embodiment, the multi-layer structure of the antenna 1 according to the present invention comprises, usefully, at least one other inner layer, represented by reference numeral 15 in Figures 1 and 2, which is inserted between the upper outer layer 10 and the first inner layer 20 and, more specifically, coupled to the first coupling layer 18 above it. 【0059】 In the embodiment shown, the inner layer 15 comprises at least a dielectric sublayer 17 of the inner layer 15 (hereinafter also referred to as a further dielectric sublayer 17), made from, for example, ROGERS RO4350B material, and a plurality of second radiating elements 16 spaced apart from each other and suitable for receiving and radiating a transmitted signal. 【0060】 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the inner layer 15 further comprises a further bonding sublayer 19 made of, for example, ROGERS RO4450 material, the further bonding sublayer 19 enabling bonding of the inner layer 15 to the underlying first inner layer 20. 【0061】 The second radiating elements 16 are made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper, and are spaced apart from each other and arranged substantially aligned along the reference axis Y in a further dielectric sublayer 17. 【0062】 More specifically, with respect to a substantially vertical reference direction indicated by axis X, each second radiating element 16 is positioned at a certain distance below and substantially aligned with the corresponding first radiating element 14. 【0063】 In this case, there is at least one conductive line 34 associated with each second radiating element 16, in particular at least one identical conductive line 34 associated with the corresponding first radiating element 14 located thereon. 【0064】 In the embodiment shown, each radiating element 16 is associated with a pair of conductive lines 34a and 34b; therefore, each pair of conductive lines 34 is associated with both the corresponding second radiating element 16 and the first radiating element 14 positioned above the corresponding second radiating element 16. 【0065】 Preferably, the second radiating elements 16 are substantially identical to each other, each extending over a radiating region or surface "A2" (for simplicity of illustration, only one radiating element 16 is indicated by diagonal lines in Figure 1), and in the embodiment shown, they are also called "patch" type. 【0066】 In the embodiment shown, each second radiating element 16 has a substantially constant geometric configuration, such as a square, rectangle, or circle. 【0067】 Conveniently, each second radiating element 16 has its own radiating region A2, and when measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis X, it is less than or equal to the respective radiating region A1 of the first radiating element 14, preferably the first radiating region. element Each of the 14 radiation regions has a radiation region A2 that is less than each of the radiation regions A1. 【0068】 In fact, the presence of the additional layer 15 provided on the second radiating element 16 makes it possible to appropriately widen the operating frequency range of the antenna 1 according to the present invention. 【0069】 Preferably, in this case as well, with respect to the vertical direction represented by axis X, each slot 24 extends such that at least one of its ends lies outside a virtual region obtained by projecting the radiating surface "A2" of the associated second radiating element 16 onto the further inner layer 15 itself in the vertical direction (or, alternatively, by projecting each slot 24 onto the further inner layer 15, also in the vertical direction). 【0070】 For illustrative purposes, this end of each slot 24 is represented only in Figure 3 by virtually projecting the slot 24 onto layer 15. As previously explained, a similar configuration also exists with respect to at least one end of the slot 24 that extends outside the radiating region A1 of the first radiating element 14, even though it is not depicted in Figure 2 for simplicity. 【0071】 In a further possible embodiment, the multi-layer structure of antenna 1 may comprise one or more further layers. 【0072】 In detail, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 includes, for example, a first additional layer 60 (hereinafter referred to as the third inner layer 60), a second additional layer 70 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth inner layer 70), and a third additional layer 80 (hereinafter referred to as the lower outer layer 80). 【0073】 However, depending on the application, it should be understood that in the antenna 1 according to the present invention, only one of these additional layers may be used, only two, for example, the first and second additional layers 60 and 70, the first and third additional layers 60 and 80, or the second and third additional layers 70 and 80, or all of them, as described below by the exemplary configuration shown in Figure 1. 【0074】 The first additional layer or the third inner layer 60 is coupled, for example, to a fourth dielectric sublayer 46, further Layer 4 Below 0, and further Layer 4 It is located adjacent to 0. 【0075】 In one possible embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the third inner layer 60 comprises a first sublayer 62 of the conductive material of the third inner layer 60 (hereinafter also referred to as the third conductive sublayer 62, to distinguish it from the aforementioned conductive sublayers 22 and 42), the first sublayer 62 of the conductive material of the third inner layer 60 being made of, for example, copper foil to deliver the supply voltage to the control chip of the antenna 1, and is placed on a second dielectric sublayer 66 of the third inner layer 60 (hereinafter also referred to as the fifth dielectric sublayer 66, to distinguish it from the dielectric layers described earlier), the second dielectric sublayer 66 of the third inner layer 60 being made of a material having adhesion properties or bonded with several additional adhesion materials. 【0076】 The inner layer 60 is defined by a plurality of second through-openings 64 that pass through a third conductive sublayer 62 and a fifth dielectric sublayer 66; these second through-openings 64 are preferably substantially identical in number and shape to the first through-openings 44, and each of them is substantially aligned with the corresponding first through-opening 44 in a substantially vertical reference direction defined by axis X. 【0077】 In one possible embodiment, a third inner layer, and in particular only the third conductive sublayer 62, also has a plurality of metallized through-holes (not shown in Figure 7) similar to the through-holes 29 shown above, which are also arranged to align with the corresponding metallized through-holes 29 formed in the first inner layer 20 and the further inner layer 40, respectively. 【0078】 In this case, the through-holes also pass through the dielectric layer 46 and, when viewed along the vertical direction defined by the reference axis X, form multiple through channels that start at the first sublayer 22 of the conductive material and end at the third sublayer 62 of the conductive material, as schematically shown by dashed lines in Figure 1, when the structure of the antenna 1 is assembled. 【0079】 Alternatively, these channels, formed by vertically aligned through-holes 29, may be terminated with a second sublayer 42 of the conductive material. 【0080】 When only the first additional layer 60 is used, the first additional layer 60 constitutes the lower outer layer of antenna 1, i.e., the layer located at the bottom of the stack of layers used. 【0081】 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second additional layer or fourth internal sublayer 70 is coupled, for example, to a fifth dielectric sublayer 66 and is positioned below and adjacent to the third inner layer 60. 【0082】 In one possible embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, the fourth inner layer 70 comprises at least a first sublayer 72 of the conductive material of the fourth inner layer 70 (hereinafter also referred to as the fourth conductive sublayer 72, to distinguish it from the earlier conductive sublayers 22, 42, and 62), the first sublayer 72 of the conductive material of the fourth inner layer 70 being made of, for example, copper foil which functions as a ground plane, and is placed on a second dielectric sublayer 76 of the fourth inner layer 70 (hereinafter also referred to as the sixth dielectric sublayer 76, to distinguish it from the earlier dielectric sublayer) which has adhesion properties. 【0083】 A plurality of third through-openings 74 are defined in the fourth dielectric sublayer 72; these third through-openings 74 are preferably substantially the same as the first through-openings 44 in terms of their number and shape, and each of them is substantially aligned with the corresponding first through-opening 44 in a substantially vertical reference direction defined by axis X. 【0084】 In fact, after the various layers of the antenna are assembled relative to each other, the first through-aperture 44 is substantially aligned with the second through-aperture 64 and / or the third through-aperture 74 along the vertical progression of the multi-layer structure. 【0085】 In detail, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first through-opening 44, the second through-opening 64, and the third through-opening 74 are substantially aligned with respect to one another along the vertical progression of the multi-layer structure. 【0086】 When only the second additional layer 70 is used, i.e., when the first additional layer 60 is not used, the second additional layer 70 is located below and adjacent to the further inner layer 40, and the second additional layer 70 constitutes the lower outer layer of antenna 1, i.e., the layer located at the bottom of the stack of layers used. The second additional layer 70 also constitutes the lower outer layer of antenna 1 when only the first and second additional layers 60 and 70 are used. 【0087】 According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a third additional layer or lower outer layer 80 is located beneath the fourth inner layer 70 and comprises one or more connection tracks schematically shown by dashed lines 82 in Figure 8. These connection tracks consist, for example, of copper traces positioned in conjunction with the surface of the dielectric sublayer 76 opposite the surface on which the conductive sublayer 72 is located. The connection track 82 can be connected to one or more chips (not shown) for controlling and / or adjusting (e.g., phase shifting or amplification) the supply signals radiated to at least a number of first radiating elements 14 and, if used, to a second radiating element 16. 【0088】 If the first and second additional layers 60 and 70 are not used, the third additional layer 80 is placed below and adjacent to the further inner layer 40, and if the second additional layer 70 is not used, the third additional layer 80 is placed below and adjacent to the first additional layer 60. 【0089】 In either case, the third additional layer 80, if used, is preferably intended to constitute the lower outer layer of antenna 1. 【0090】 In one possible embodiment, the antenna 1 according to the present invention further comprises a series of at least one first parasitic radiating element 11, located at least in the upper outer layer 10, and in particular in the first dielectric sublayer 14, and a series of second parasitic radiating elements 13. As shown in Figure 2, the parasitic radiating elements 11 and 13, together with a plurality of first radiating elements 14 sandwiched between them, are arranged to be aligned along two rows parallel to each other. 【0091】 The series of unpowered radiating elements 11 and 13 function to improve the matching of the irradiation beam of the transmitted signal. 【0092】 Furthermore, two additional series of unpowered radiating elements may also be associated with the second radiating element 16 if used; in this case, as described above, these additional unpowered radiating elements may be arranged along two parallel rows in the sublayer 17 of the conductive material, together with the row of the second radiating element 16 sandwiched between them. 【0093】 In fact, the antenna 1 according to the present invention has been shown to achieve its intended purpose because the phenomenon of undesirable reflection of signals overlapping with the transmitted signal in an undesirable manner is significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated, by the structure having reduced overall dimensions. In addition to the advantages described above, further benefits are obtained by the slot 24 having at least one section extending outside the radiating regions A1 and A2 to further optimize matching; furthermore, the arrangement of the conductive lines 34 in a reversed order from each other facilitates various connections without involving binding / combining connection tracks to the chip. The presence of metallized holes 29 positioned along two sides of each conductive line 34 and aligned according to its path allows for better confinement of the electromagnetic field in the region where the conductive line 34 itself exists. 【0094】 Regarding further advantages, the antenna 1 according to the present invention can, in principle, be used in any type of vehicle and can be easily incorporated into both new vehicles and, if desired, vehicles already in circulation. Accordingly, a further scope of the present invention relates to a vehicle characterized by comprising at least one antenna 1 as described above, and more specifically to a vehicle defined in the appended claims. Clearly, this vehicle may be any type capable of transmitting and receiving 5G band data, such as automobiles, buses, trains, trucks, commercial vehicles, etc. 【0095】 Naturally, without altering the principles of the present invention and without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, embodiments of manufacture or implementation and specific details can be broadly modified compared to those described and illustrated as merely preferred but non-limiting examples. The shape-form and / or position of the described components or parts thereof can be appropriately modified so that they correspond to the function and scope in which the components fall within the framework of the present invention. For example, the first radiating element 14 and / or the second radiating element 16 when used may be assumed to have a different configuration compared to those described, or the number of radiating elements used may differ compared to the eight elements 14 and 16 per layer represented in the shown example; the antenna 1 may comprise further components, e.g., a housing casing made of, for example, a plastic material, not shown in the figures, which houses the described multi-layer structure; the conductive line 34 may be configured in a different way and / or follow a different path than the described path, e.g., a curved path.

Claims

[Claim 1] A millimeter-wave antenna (1) for 5G applications, wherein at least, An upper outer layer (10) comprising a first dielectric sublayer (12); At least a plurality of first radiating elements (14) arranged in the first dielectric sublayer (12) spaced apart from each other; A first inner layer (20) located beneath the upper outer layer (10) and comprising a plurality of through slots (24) suitable for carrying the radiated supply signals to the plurality of first radiating elements (14); A second inner layer (30) is disposed below and adjacent to the first inner layer (20), wherein the second inner layer (30) comprises a second dielectric sublayer (32), and a plurality of conductive lines (34) suitable for conducting the radiated supply signal to the plurality of first radiating elements (14) are disposed on the second dielectric sublayer (32); A further layer (40) is disposed below and adjacent to the second inner layer (30), wherein the further layer (40) comprises a first through-opening (44), and each of the first through-openings (44) is formed in the further layer (40) at a position corresponding to the position of at least one associated through-slot (24) among the plurality of through-slots (24). It is characterized by having a multi-layer structure comprising, The multi-layer structure further comprises at least one further inner layer (15) inserted between the upper outer layer (10) and the first inner layer (20), wherein the further inner layer (15) comprises at least a plurality of second radiating elements (16) spaced apart and arranged in a further dielectric sublayer (17), The second radiating element (16) has a radiating region (A2) that is less than or equal to the radiating region (A1) of the first radiating element (14), and Antenna (1), wherein each through-slot (24) extends to the upper surface of the first inner layer (20), and the end of each through-slot (24) extends outward from a virtual region obtained by projecting the radiating surfaces (A1, A2) of the corresponding first radiating element (14) or second radiating element (16) onto the first inner layer (20) itself. [Claim 2] The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least the first inner layer (20) comprises a plurality of metallized through-holes (29). [Claim 3] The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the multi-layer structure further comprises a first additional layer (60) disposed below and adjacent to the further layer (40), the first additional layer (60) comprising a plurality of second through-apers (64) aligned in a vertical reference direction (X) to corresponding first through-apers (44). [Claim 4] The antenna (1) according to claim 3, further comprising a second additional layer (70) located below the further layer (40) or the first additional layer (60) and adjacent to the further layer (40) or the first additional layer (60), wherein the second additional layer (70) comprises a plurality of third through-apers (74) each aligned in a vertical reference direction (X) to at least the corresponding first through-apers (44). [Claim 5] The antenna (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a lower outer layer (80), wherein a track (82) for connection to one or more chips for adjusting the radiated supply signal is provided on the lower outer layer (80) for at least the plurality of first radiating elements (14). [Claim 6] The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper outer layer (10) further comprises a first adhesive sublayer (18) that adheres the upper outer layer (10) to one of a plurality of layers directly adjacent thereto, and the second inner layer (30) comprises a second dielectric sublayer (32) having a thickness (S2) equal to or greater than the thickness (S1) of the first adhesive sublayer (18). [Claim 7] The antenna (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive lines (34) comprises a pair of associated conductive lines, each having a first conductive line (34a) adapted to conduct the radiated supply signal to the corresponding first radiating element (14) in a first polarization direction, and a second conductive line (34b) adapted to conduct the radiated supply signal to the corresponding first radiating element (14) in a second polarization direction, wherein the first conductive line (34a) and the second conductive line (34b) of the pair of conductive lines (34) are arranged along the second inner layer (30) in a mutually inverted order with respect to each other. [Claim 8] The antenna (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least a first series of parasitic radiating elements (11) and a second series of parasitic radiating elements (13), wherein the first series of parasitic radiating elements (11) and the second series of parasitic radiating elements (13), together with the plurality of first radiating elements (14) sandwiched between them, are arranged along two rows parallel to each other in at least the upper outer layer (10). [Claim 9] A vehicle characterized by comprising at least one antenna (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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