Phase converter and wireless communication device including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a phase converter having low loss in a wide band and a wireless communication device including the same. The wireless communication device according to one embodiment includes a wireless communication module, a first antenna, a first transmission line for transmitting a signal between the wireless communication module and the first antenna, and a phase conversion element disposed on the first transmission line, and the phase conversion element includes a plurality of resonant unit elements that are vertically stacked and electrically connected in parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a broadband and low-loss phase converter and a wireless communication device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, in response to the trend of increasing the size and slimming down of display devices, display devices are often installed in a wall-mounted type, and for convenient wireless connection with external devices that provide source content like mobile devices, there is a trend to incorporate wireless communication modules such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark) (BT) into display devices.

[0003] However, when a large display device is installed in a wall-mounted type, mainly due to the position of the wireless communication module mounted on the back of the display panel, it is difficult for radio waves to travel from between the wall and the display panel in the direction of the front of the display. Therefore, even if an external device that is a wireless connection target with the wireless communication module of the display device is relatively close, it is difficult to exhibit excellent communication quality.

[0004] Therefore, a scheme of modifying the traveling direction (i.e., radiation pattern) of a wireless signal by attaching a phase converter to the transmission path between the wireless communication module and the antenna has been considered. Of course, in addition to the purpose of changing the traveling direction, if a 180-degree phase difference is generated between one antenna and the other antenna in a dipole antenna, it is also possible to realize the maximum efficiency of antenna gain.

[0005] However, realizing such maximum efficiency of antenna gain has a drawback that phase control is more difficult under the actual situation where antennas having an end length corresponding to 1 / 2 or, in the case of a shorter one, 1 / 4 of the minimum resonance wavelength are currently applied to most devices for miniaturization of the device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention was devised to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a phase converter having a wide bandwidth and superior phase conversion performance, and a wireless communication device including the same.

[0007] The problems addressed by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understandable to those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A wireless communication device according to one embodiment includes a wireless communication module, a first antenna, a first transmission line for transmitting signals between the wireless communication module and the first antenna, and a phase conversion element disposed on the first transmission line, wherein the phase conversion element includes a first port portion disposed on one side in a first direction and stacked vertically apart from each other and comprising a plurality of first ports disposed on the other side in the first direction and comprising a plurality of second ports stacked vertically apart from each other and comprising a plurality of conductors extending in the first direction and electrically connecting each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports that face each other in the first direction.

[0009] For example, at least a portion of each of the plurality of first ports may overlap each other in the vertical direction, and at least a portion of each of the plurality of second ports may overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0010] For example, each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports may extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0011] For example, at least some of the plurality of conductors can be superimposed on each other in the vertical direction.

[0012] For example, the multiple conductors do not necessarily have to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0013] For example, at least some of the plurality of conductors may include multiple conductors arranged side by side at a distance from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0014] For example, the plurality of first ports may be electrically connected to each other via the vertically extending first through-holes, and the plurality of second ports may be electrically connected to each other via the vertically extending second through-holes.

[0015] For example, each of the first through-hole and the second through-hole may include a half-through-hole having a semicircular planar shape.

[0016] For example, the width in the second direction of each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports may be greater than the width in the first direction, and the length in the first direction of each of the plurality of conductors may be greater than the width in the second direction.

[0017] For example, the phase conversion element further includes a barrier portion containing a plurality of third through-holes spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and each of the plurality of third through-holes can be spaced apart from the plurality of conductors in the second direction.

[0018] For example, the wireless communication device further includes a second antenna and a second transmission line for transmitting signals between the wireless communication module and the second antenna, wherein the plurality of conductors can face the second transmission line in the second direction with the barrier portion in between. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The phase converter and wireless communication device including the same according to the present invention have the following effects.

[0020] Firstly, it is possible to miniaturize it into a chip-type shape using a pattern stacking method.

[0021] Second, the amount of phase change and impedance matching can be adjusted by varying the number of layers and layer paths.

[0022] Third, it is possible to embody the function of a low-pass filter with a single element.

[0023] The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understandable to those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The drawings attached below are for helping the understanding of the present invention, and provide examples of the embodiments of the present invention together with the detailed description. However, the technical features of the present invention are not limited to a specific drawing, and the features disclosed in each drawing can be combined with each other to form a new embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to an embodiment.

[0027] [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to another embodiment.

[0028] [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to still another embodiment.

[0029] [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to still another embodiment.

[0030] [Figure 6]Figure 5 shows an example of a wireless communication device to which a phase converter is applied.

[0031] [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the coupling characteristics of a phase converter according to an embodiment.

[0032] [Figure 8] This figure illustrates the frequency band characteristics of the phase converter according to the embodiment.

[0033] [Figure 9] This figure illustrates the phase control performance characteristics of the phase converter according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention and the various methods to which they are applied will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following description for the components are added or mixed solely for the sake of ease of specification preparation and do not have any distinct meaning or role in themselves.

[0035] In the description of the embodiments, when each component is described as being formed on the "upper side or lower side" or "front side or rear side," "upper side or lower side" and "front side or rear side" include all cases where two components are in direct contact with each other or where one or more other components are positioned between the two components.

[0036] Furthermore, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., can be used in describing the components of the present invention. Such terms are merely for distinguishing a component from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, or procedure of that component. When a component is described as being "linked," "joined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while that component may be directly linked or connected to other components, other components may also be further "linked," "joined," or "connected" between each component.

[0037] Furthermore, terms such as "includes," "constitutes," or "possesses," as used above, mean that the relevant component may exist, unless otherwise specified. They do not exclude other components, but rather can further include other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in dictionaries, must be interpreted to be consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and not to be interpreted ideally or excessively formally unless explicitly defined in this invention.

[0038] Before describing in detail the phase converter according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings, the configuration of a wireless communication device to which the phase converter according to the embodiment can be applied will be described first with reference to Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless communication device configuration according to one embodiment.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, a wireless communication device according to one embodiment may include a wireless communication module 200, a first antenna 310, a second antenna 320, a first transmission line 410 arranged between the first antenna 310 and the wireless communication module 200, a second transmission line 420 arranged between the second antenna 320 and the wireless communication module 200, and a phase converter 100 connected in series with the first transmission line 410.

[0041] The wireless communication module 200 can support one or more wireless communication protocols. Here, the wireless communication protocols may include, but are not necessarily limited to, at least one of 4G / 5G, Bluetooth® (BT), and Wi-Fi.

[0042] The first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 can, but are not necessarily limited to, dipole antennas. For example, the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 can also implement MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antennas.

[0043] On the other hand, the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 can be connected to the first transmission line 410 and the second transmission line 420, respectively, via antenna terminals 510 and 520, but in some implementations (for example, a planar antenna in which the pattern is formed integrally with the transmission line), the antenna terminals 510 and 520 can be omitted.

[0044] The phase converter 100 can also be called a phase conversion element, and when signals simultaneously output from the wireless communication module 200 to the first transmission line 410 and the second transmission line 420 reach the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320, respectively, the phase difference between the two signals can be controlled to a target value. For example, if the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 embody a dipole antenna, the target value may be 180 degrees. Of course, such a target value is illustrative, and if the purpose is beam manipulation, a value other than 180 degrees can be the target value. Conversely, when receiving signals, when signals simultaneously received by the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 reach the wireless communication module 200 via the first transmission line 410 and the second transmission line 420, the phase difference between the signals input from each transmission line can also be controlled to a target value by the phase converter 100.

[0045] The structure of the phase converter 100 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0046] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to one embodiment.

[0047] Referring to Figure 2, one embodiment of the phase converter 100A may include a first port section 110A, a second port section 120A, a conductor section 130A, and a plurality of through-holes 141, 142.

[0048] The first port section 110A is arranged on one side in one axis direction and may include a plurality of first ports 111, 112, 113, 114 stacked and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (i.e., in the three axis directions).

[0049] The second port section 120A is located on the other side opposite the first port section 110A in the uniaxial direction and may include a plurality of second ports 121, 122, 123, 124 stacked and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0050] Each of the multiple conductors 131, 132, 133, and 134 constituting the conductor section 130A extends in a first direction, and can electrically connect each of the port pairs that face each other in the first direction (i.e., whose heights in the three axes are corresponding) among the multiple first ports 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the multiple second ports 121, 122, 123, and 124. For example, the first port 111 and the second port 121, which are located at the top layer in the three axes, can be electrically connected via the conductor 131, which is also located at the top layer in the three axes.

[0051] Each of the multiple first ports 111, 112, 113, 114, multiple second ports 121, 122, 123, 124, and multiple conductors 131, 132, 133, 134 may contain a conductive material such as copper. Furthermore, the multiple first ports 111, 112, 113, 114 may extend in three axial directions and be electrically connected by conductive first through-holes 141, and the multiple second ports 121, 122, 123, 124 may extend in three axial directions and be electrically connected by conductive second through-holes 142. Each of the first through-holes 141 and the second through-holes 142 may, but are not limited to, have a half-through hole shape with a semicircular planar shape.

[0052] On the other hand, the lowest-level first port 114 and second port 124 can each be electrically connected to the first transmission line 410.

[0053] Each of the multiple first ports 111, 112, 113, 114 may have at least a portion of them overlapping each other in the three-axis direction, and each of the multiple second ports 121, 122, 123, 124 may have at least a portion of them overlapping each other in the three-axis direction. Furthermore, each of the multiple first ports 111, 112, 113, 114 and the multiple second ports 121, 122, 123, 124 has a plate shape extending in two axes, and the length w1 in the two axes may be greater than the length w2 in the one axis direction. Furthermore, the wire width w3 of each of the multiple conductors 131, 132, 133, 134 may be smaller than the length w4 in the one axis direction. Furthermore, the wire width w3 may be smaller than the length w1 in the two axes of each of the multiple first ports 111, 112, 113, 114 and the multiple second ports 121, 122, 123, 124.

[0054] For example, multiple conductors 131, 132, 133, and 134 may overlap each other in at least part in the three-axis direction. However, according to other embodiments, at least part of the multiple conductors 131, 132, 133, and 134 do not have to overlap each other in the three-axis direction.

[0055] In the phase converter 100A of the above-described form, the components of the ports constituting the first port section 110A and the second port section 120A, and the conductors constituting the conductor section 130A, whose heights in the three axial directions are corresponding to each other, form a resonant unit and form an electromagnetic coupling with components having different heights in the three axial directions. This electromagnetic coupling has the effect of controlling the electrical length, and controlling the electrical length means that the phase constant (β) can be controlled on the transmission line. Therefore, this means that the phase converter 100A according to the embodiment changes the phase of the signal passing through the first transmission line 410.

[0056] Ultimately, by changing the wire width w3, wire length w4, number of layers, and distance between conductors in the conductor section 130A (for example, the separation distance between conductors in the third direction, whether or not there is overlap between conductors in the third direction, etc.), a variety of target phase difference values ​​between antennas can be obtained.

[0057] In implementation, the components whose heights in the three axial directions correspond to each other among the ports constituting the first port section 110A and the second port section 120A, and the conductors constituting the conductor section 130A, i.e., the resonant unit elements, can be embodied in the form of a single conductive printed pattern formed on a substrate (not shown). For example, as shown in Figure 2, the phase converter 100A according to one embodiment can be said to have a total of four resonant unit elements. In such a case, the phase converter 100A can be formed by stacking four substrates in the three axial directions. In other words, the uppermost resonant unit elements 111, 121, and 131 are formed on the upper surface of a first substrate (not shown) located in the uppermost layer; the second resonant unit elements 112, 122, and 132 are formed on the upper surface of a second substrate (not shown) located below the first substrate; the third resonant unit elements 113, 123, and 133 are formed on the bottom surface of a third substrate (not shown) located below the second substrate; and the lowest resonant unit elements 114, 124, and 134 are formed on the bottom surface of a fourth substrate (not shown) located below the third substrate.

[0058] Of course, the line width w3, line length w4, number of layers in the third direction, and distance between conductors shown in Figure 2 are illustrative examples, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible.

[0059] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to another embodiment.

[0060] The phase converter 100B in the other embodiment shown in Figure 3 has the same configuration as the phase converter 100A and the conductor 131' shown in Figure 2, except for the configuration of the latter. Therefore, the differences from the phase converter 100A shown in Figure 2 will be explained primarily.

[0061] Referring to Figure 3, the phase converter 100B according to another embodiment is composed of multiple multiple conductors 131' in which each conductor constituting the resonant unit element is spaced apart from one another in the second direction.

[0062] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to another embodiment.

[0063] The phase converter 100C, shown in Figure 4, is similar in configuration to the phase converter 100A shown in Figure 2, except for the addition of a barrier section 150C. Therefore, the differences from the phase converter 100A shown in Figure 2 will be explained primarily.

[0064] Referring to Figure 4, the phase converter 100C according to yet another embodiment includes a barrier section 150C containing a plurality of third through-holes 151, 152 spaced apart from each other in one axial direction. Each of the third through-holes 151, 152 constituting the barrier section 150C extends in three axial directions and can be spaced apart from the conductor section 130C in two axial directions.

[0065] Furthermore, the third through-holes 151 and 152 may each have the form of a half-through hole with a semicircular planar shape, but are not necessarily limited to this.

[0066] In implementation, when the phase converter 100C is formed using the aforementioned substrate stacking method, each of the third through-holes 151 and 152 can be manufactured by forming a conductive dummy pad DP on the surface of each substrate (not shown) on which a conductive printed pattern corresponding to a resonant unit element is formed, and then forming a through-hole that penetrates the dummy pad DP in the third direction. Here, the uppermost and lowermost dummy pads DP of each of the third through-holes 151 and 152 can be formed integrally.

[0067] On the other hand, the barrier section 150C can be electrically connected to a ground provided on the substrate (not shown) on which the phase converter 100C is mounted.

[0068] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a phase converter according to another embodiment.

[0069] The phase converter 100D according to yet another embodiment shown in Figure 5 differs from the phase converter 100C shown in Figure 4 in that the barrier portion 150D is arranged on both sides in the second direction with respect to the conductor 131, and the number of through holes constituting the one-side barrier portion 150D has increased.

[0070] Figure 6 shows an example of a wireless communication device to which the phase converter shown in Figure 5 is applied.

[0071] Figure 6 shows an example of a configuration in which a phase converter 100D according to another embodiment is mounted on the circuit board of a wireless communication device so as to be connected in series with the first transmission line 100D. Also, in Figure 6, the first antenna 310 and the second antenna 320 are not shown, and their corresponding antenna terminals 510 and 520 are shown.

[0072] Referring to Figure 6, as mentioned above, the barrier portion 150D of the phase converter 100D is positioned on the ground pad GP of the substrate. The second transmission line 420 is positioned on one side of the phase converter 100D in two axes. Therefore, the conductor portion 130D faces the second transmission line 420 with the barrier portion 150D in between in two axes, and since the barrier portion 150D is connected to the ground, it plays a shielding role, improving the EMC (Electro-Magnetic Compatibility) and EMS (Electro-Magnetic Susceptibility) performance between the transmission lines.

[0073] If the phase converter 100D in Figure 6 is to be replaced by the phase converter 100C according to yet another embodiment shown in Figure 4, it is preferable to arrange the phase converter 100C such that the barrier portion 150C is located between the conductor portion 130C and the second transmission line 420 in two axial directions.

[0074] On the other hand, in the circuit board mounting of such wireless communication devices, it is preferable to mount a phase converter such that the radiation impedance of the antenna and the transmission line impedance are matched with respect to the antenna terminals 510 and 520.

[0075] The effects of the phase converters 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D according to the embodiment will be explained below with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

[0076] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the coupling characteristics of a phase converter according to an embodiment.

[0077] Referring to Figure 7, a typical phase converter in the comparative example is generally implemented using a combination of inductors L and capacitors C, so an equivalent circuit is formed in which the inductors L are connected in series and the capacitors C are connected in parallel.

[0078] However, the phase converters 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D according to the embodiment form LC resonant blocks that have inductance and capacitance together for each resonant unit element, and electromagnetic coupling is formed at the resonant block level. Furthermore, since the resonant unit elements are connected in parallel by the first through-hole 141 and the second through-hole 142, the resistance is reduced, and it is advantageous that the skin effect is less compared to a single conductor.

[0079] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the frequency band characteristics of the phase converter according to the embodiment.

[0080] Referring to Figure 8, in a typical transmission line, the signal attenuates at a constant slope as the frequency increases. However, when the phase converters 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D according to the embodiment are applied to a transmission line, they exhibit superior transmission efficiency compared to a general transmission line at frequencies lower than a specific frequency, and pass through a low-pass filter (LPF) at frequencies higher than that frequency. Therefore, by setting the specific frequency higher than the main operating band of the wireless communication module 200, it is possible to reduce high-frequency noise while obtaining high transmission efficiency over a wide bandwidth, as well as the effect of phase control. Here, the specific frequency can be controlled by changing the line width w3, line length w4, the number of layers in the third direction, the distance between conductors, etc.

[0081] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the phase control performance characteristics of a phase converter according to an embodiment.

[0082] Referring to Figure 9, while the typical phase controller in the comparative example has a fixed value for electrical length (i.e., β) with respect to frequency, the phase controller in the embodiment can be varied in various ways depending on the line width w3, line length w4, number of stacks in the third direction, and distance between conductors. Therefore, a variety of target phase difference values ​​can be realized regardless of the topology of the wireless communication device in which the phase controller in the embodiment is implemented.

[0083] The above description has focused on embodiments, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs will understand that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of these embodiments. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. Such differences in modifications and applications should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. Modes for carrying out the invention

[0084] The modes for carrying out the invention have been sufficiently explained in the aforementioned "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention". [Industrial applicability]

[0085] The phase converter and wireless communication device including the same according to the embodiment are applicable to display devices and the like.

Claims

1. Wireless communication module and First antenna and, A first transmission line for transmitting signals between the wireless communication module and the first antenna, The first transmission line includes a phase conversion element, The aforementioned phase conversion element is A first port section includes a plurality of first ports arranged on one side in the first direction and stacked vertically apart from each other, A second port section including a plurality of second ports arranged on the other side of the first direction and stacked spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, It includes a plurality of conductors extending in the first direction and electrically connecting each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports that are opposite each other in the first direction, The wireless communication device further includes a barrier portion comprising a plurality of third through-holes spaced apart from each other in the first direction, wherein the phase conversion element is a barrier portion comprising a plurality of third through-holes spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of first ports overlaps with each other in the vertical direction, and at least a portion of each of the plurality of second ports overlaps with each other in the vertical direction.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductors do not overlap each other in the vertical direction.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of conductors overlap each other in the vertical direction.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of conductors includes multiple conductors arranged side by side at a distance from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

7. The plurality of first ports are electrically connected to each other via the first through-holes extending vertically, The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second ports are electrically connected to one another via the second through-holes extending in the vertical direction.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first through-hole and the second through-hole includes a half-through-hole having a semicircular planar shape.

9. The width in the second direction of each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports is greater than the width in the first direction. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the length of each of the plurality of conductors in the first direction is greater than the width in the second direction.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of third through-holes is separated from the plurality of conductors in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

11. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of third through-holes includes a half-through-hole having a semicircular planar shape.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the barrier portion is arranged on a ground pad of a substrate and connected to the ground.

13. The second antenna, The wireless communication module and the second antenna further include a second transmission line for transmitting signals between them. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of conductors face the second transmission line in the second direction with the barrier portion in between.

14. A first antenna terminal connecting the first antenna and the first transmission line, The wireless communication device according to claim 13, further comprising a second antenna terminal connecting the second antenna and the second transmission line.

15. Each of the first antenna and the second antenna corresponds to a dipole antenna. The wireless communication device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the target value of the phase converter is 180 degrees.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein when signals simultaneously received by the first antenna and the second antenna reach the wireless communication module via the first transmission line and the second transmission line, the phase difference between the signals input from the first transmission line and the second transmission line corresponds to the target value of the phase converter.

17. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the lowest-level first port among the plurality of first ports and the lowest-level second port among the plurality of second ports are electrically connected to the first transmission line.

18. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the width of each of the plurality of conductors in the second direction intersecting the first direction is smaller than the width of each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports in the second direction.

19. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first ports, the plurality of second ports, and the plurality of conductors, among which the vertical heights are corresponding to each other, form a resonant unit element.

20. The wireless communication device according to claim 19, wherein the resonant unit element has the form of a single conductive printed pattern.

Images