Printed circuit board antenna for wi-fi 6e frequency bands

Abstract

The invention relates to a printed circuit board antenna (100). The printed circuit board antenna (100) comprises an electrically conductive antenna structure (113) and an electrically conductive reference region (141, 143, 144) on a first layer (110) of a printed circuit board (101). The reference region (141, 143, 144) has a rectangular cut-out in which the antenna structure (113) is arranged such that: a first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a first longitudinal edge (171) of the antenna structure (113); a second longitudinal edge (162) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a second longitudinal edge (172) of the antenna structure (113); a first transverse edge (163) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a first transverse edge (173) of the antenna structure (113); and a second transverse edge (164) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a second longitudinal edge (174) of the antenna structure (113). Apart from a corner (150) formed by the first longitudinal edge (171) and the first transverse edge (173), the antenna structure (113) has a rectangular basic shape.

Description

[0001] PCB antenna for WiFi 6E frequency bands

[0002] The invention relates to an antenna implemented on a circuit board for transmitting or receiving radio signals, in particular WiFi 6E radio signals.

[0003] An electronic device configured to communicate via a wireless communications network typically comprises at least one antenna for receiving and / or transmitting radio signals. The electronic device may be designed to receive and transmit radio signals over a plurality of different frequency bands, in particular over two or three different frequency bands or frequency ranges. For this purpose, the device may comprise a multi-band antenna, in particular a dual-band antenna. Exemplary dual-band antennas may be provided, for example, for the frequency bands 2.2 - 2.7 GHz and 4.8 - 7.0 GHz, i.e., for WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) 6E.

[0004] Antennas typically require a reference ground or reference plane to function. The size and shape of such a reference ground typically have a significant influence on the function and radiation characteristics of an antenna. Often, an antenna is to be inserted into circuit boards of various sizes as a printed circuit board structure or as an attached metal structure (e.g., as a stamped and bent part). Circuit boards of different sizes represent different reference grounds for an antenna. Furthermore, plastic in the vicinity of the antenna (e.g., due to a housing) can also influence the properties of an antenna. As a result, a new antenna tuning is typically required for each circuit board geometry and / or application. This type of antenna tuning can be achieved by modifying the antenna structure and / or using a so-called "matching circuit."

[0005] This document addresses the technical problem of providing a particularly compact (dual-band) antenna (for WLAN or WiFi 6E) that can be efficiently integrated (in particular without requiring dedicated antenna tuning) on ​​circuit boards of different configurations. This problem is solved by the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are described, among others, in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a printed circuit board antenna is described. The printed circuit board antenna described in this document can be efficiently implemented on printed circuit boards of different dimensions and / or in different environments or applications. A printed circuit board typically comprises an electrically conductive first (outer) layer (e.g., a front layer) and an electrically conductive second (outer) layer (e.g., a bottom layer). The one or more layers can be electrically insulated from one another by one or more dielectric layers. The layers can contain an electrically conductive material, in particular copper. In particular, the layers can consist of an electrically conductive material, in particular copper.In this case, the electrically conductive material can be removed at least in regions from the respective layer, in particular in order to form (on the first layer) an (electrically non-conductive) free space between an (electrically conductive) antenna structure and an (electrically conductive) reference region.

[0007] The printed circuit board antenna comprises an electrically conductive antenna structure on the first layer of the printed circuit board. The antenna structure can have an elongated shape (e.g., like a dipole antenna). In particular, the antenna structure can form an inverted-F antenna. Furthermore, the antenna structure can have at least a first resonant frequency. In particular, the antenna structure can be configured to form a first antenna for a first frequency range around the first resonant frequency. The first frequency range can, in particular, comprise 4.8–7.0 GHz or correspond to this frequency interval.

[0008] Furthermore, the printed circuit board antenna has an electrically conductive reference region on the first layer. The reference region can be electrically conductively connected to a mass or ground of the printed circuit board. In particular, the reference region can be designed to form a reference ground for the antenna structure, so that the printed circuit board antenna is independent of the size of the reference ground. Furthermore, the printed circuit board antenna typically has an electrically conductive feed line to the antenna structure. A radio signal received by the antenna, in particular by the antenna structure, can be coupled out via the feed line. On the other hand, a radio signal to be transmitted by the antenna, in particular by the antenna structure, can be fed into the antenna structure via the feed line.

[0009] The electrically conductive reference area has a rectangular recess in which the antenna structure is arranged. In particular, the outer edge of the recess can be rectangular, with two opposite (parallel) longitudinal edges and two opposite (parallel) transverse edges, wherein the longitudinal edges and the transverse edges are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0010] The antenna structure has (apart from (possibly exactly) one corner) a rectangular basic shape, with two opposite (parallel to each other) longitudinal edges and two opposite (parallel to each other) transverse edges, whereby the longitudinal edges and the transverse edges are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0011] The antenna structure is arranged within the recess of the reference area in such a way that

[0012] • the first longitudinal edge of the reference region faces the first longitudinal edge of the antenna structure (and an electrically non-conductive free space is arranged between the two first longitudinal edges);

[0013] • the second longitudinal edge of the reference region faces the second longitudinal edge of the antenna structure (and an electrically non-conductive free space is arranged between the two second longitudinal edges);

[0014] • the first transverse edge of the reference area faces the first transverse edge of the antenna structure (and an electrically non-conductive free space is arranged between the two first transverse edges); and / or

[0015] • the second transverse edge of the reference region faces the second longitudinal edge of the antenna structure (and an electrically non-conductive free space is arranged between the two second transverse edges). The antenna structure can thus be arranged within the recess of the reference region such that an electrically non-conductive free space is arranged between the respective opposite edges.

[0016] The antenna structure has a shape that deviates from the basic rectangular shape at the corner formed by the first longitudinal edge and the first transverse edge of the antenna structure. This allows the width of the first frequency range to be increased efficiently and reliably to meet the requirements of a Wi-Fi 6E antenna.

[0017] At the corner formed by the first longitudinal edge and the first transverse edge, in particular one or more, preferably exactly two, rectangular segments of the rectangular basic shape can be missing, in particular such that one or more, preferably exactly two or three, steps are formed in the first longitudinal edge and / or in the first transverse edge. Starting from the corner formed by the first longitudinal edge and the first transverse edge, the first longitudinal edge of the antenna structure can approach the first longitudinal edge of the reference area in one or more, in particular exactly two or three, steps. Alternatively or additionally, starting from the corner formed by the first longitudinal edge and the first transverse edge, the first transverse edge of the antenna structure can approach the first transverse edge of the reference area in one or more, in particular exactly two or three, steps.

[0018] By removing a rectangular segment from the rectangular basic shape of the antenna structure, an additional step can be formed in the first longitudinal edge and / or in the first transverse edge of the antenna structure.

[0019] This allows for a gradual transition from the first longitudinal edge to the first transverse edge. This allows the requirements of the extended Wi-Fi 6E frequency range to be met in a particularly efficient and reliable manner.

[0020] The reference region can have a channel-shaped (non-conductive) recess that extends from the first longitudinal edge of the reference region away from the recess and / or from the first longitudinal edge of the antenna structure. The feed line of the antenna can extend from the first longitudinal edge of the antenna structure within the channel-shaped recess (perpendicularly) away from the first longitudinal edge of the antenna structure to the feed point of the antenna. The channel-shaped recess and the feed line can extend perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge of the reference region in a first section. Furthermore, the channel-shaped recess and the feed line can extend parallel to the first longitudinal edge of the reference region in a second section directly adjacent to the first section.Furthermore, in a third section directly adjacent to the second section, the channel-shaped recess and the feed line can again extend perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge of the reference area and away from the first longitudinal edge of the reference area. The channel-shaped recess and the feed line can each have right-angled transitions between the individual sections.

[0021] The channel-shaped recess and the feed line can thus be arranged in several straight sections, each running perpendicular to each other. This allows the requirements of a Wi-Fi 6E antenna to be met in a particularly efficient and reliable manner.

[0022] The antenna structure can be electrically conductively connected to the first longitudinal edge of the reference area at the corner formed by the first longitudinal edge and the second transverse edge via an antenna structure web (in particular to form an inverted-F antenna).

[0023] The reference area may have an electrically non-conductive interruption at the second longitudinal edge so that the second longitudinal edge and the second transverse edge of the reference area do not touch each other.

[0024] The reference area can, in particular, have a web-shaped transverse partial area extending from the first longitudinal edge of the reference area, in particular perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge of the reference area, by which the second transverse edge of the reference area is formed. Furthermore, the reference area can have a web-shaped longitudinal partial area extending from the first transverse edge of the reference area, in particular perpendicular to the first transverse edge of the reference area, by which the second longitudinal edge of the reference area is formed.

[0025] The end of the transverse partial region facing away from the first longitudinal edge of the reference region and the end of the longitudinal partial region facing away from the first transverse edge of the reference region preferably do not touch each other, so that an electrically non-conductive opening of the recess of the reference region is formed.

[0026] The longitudinal sub-area of ​​the reference range can form a second antenna for a second frequency range around a second resonant frequency, wherein the second frequency range comprises in particular 2.2 - 2.7 GHz.

[0027] The printed circuit board antenna can comprise an electrically conductive second layer of the printed circuit board. Furthermore, the printed circuit board antenna can comprise an electrically conductive further reference region on the second layer. The reference region (of the first layer) can be electrically conductively connected to the further reference region (of the second layer) via one or more vias.

[0028] The reference area can have a U-shape without the web-shaped longitudinal section and without the channel-shaped recess for the feed line. The antenna structure can be enclosed on three sides by the U-shape of the reference area. Furthermore, the longitudinal section can enclose at least part of the fourth side of the antenna structure (and run parallel to it).

[0029] The additional reference area can also have a U-shape. In a preferred example, the U-shape of the additional reference area and the U-shape of the reference area can be identically dimensioned and / or arranged directly above one another. This allows for the provision of a particularly flexible antenna.

[0030] As already explained above, the first layer and / or the second layer are typically each formed by an electrically conductive layer, in particular a copper layer, of a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the first layer and the second layer are typically insulated from each other by at least one dielectric layer.

[0031] According to a further aspect, a domestic appliance, in particular a household appliance, is described which comprises a communication unit for wireless communication (in particular via WLAN), wherein the communication unit has the printed circuit board antenna described in this document.

[0032] It should be noted that the devices and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the devices and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

[0033] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Figure 1a shows the upper or (first) outer layer of a circuit board with an antenna;

[0035] Figure 1b shows the lower layer or the second or further outer layer of a printed circuit board;

[0036] Figure 1c shows a cross-section through a circuit board with an antenna;

[0037] Figures 2a and 2b show exemplary dimensions of an antenna; and

[0038] Figure 3 shows an example frequency response of a printed circuit board antenna.

[0039] As stated above, this document addresses the provision of a (dual-band) antenna that can be efficiently integrated onto differently dimensioned and / or designed circuit boards and / or into different environments. The (dual-band) antenna is specifically designed for WLAN or WiFi 6E radio communication in the 2.4 GHz (from 2.2 GHz to 2.7 GHz) and 5-6 GHz (from 4.8 GHz to 7.0 GHz) frequency bands.

[0040] Figures 1a and 1b show an exemplary antenna 100 integrated on a circuit board 101. In particular, Fig. 1a shows the (electrically conductive) upper layer 110 of the circuit board 101, and Fig. 1b shows the (electrically conductive) lower layer 120 of the circuit board 101. As shown in Figure 1c, one or more dielectric layers 130 and, if appropriate, one or more (electrically conductive) intermediate layers (not shown) are located between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 120. The electrically conductive layers 110, 120 can each have a layer of metal, in particular copper. The metal can have been removed (e.g., etched away) in partial regions of the layers 110, 120 in order to form different electrically conductive partial regions within a layer 110, 120. The individual partial regions can be at least partially electrically insulated from one another.

[0041] The upper layer 110 has an electrically conductive antenna structure 113, which is electrically insulated from an electrically conductive reference region 141, 143, 144 via an (electrically non-conductive) free space 112 (optionally apart from an antenna structure web 116). The free space 112 can be formed by a substantially rectangular recess in the reference region 141, 143, 144. In particular, the outer border of the free space 112 can be formed by the edges 161, 162, 163, 164 of a rectangular recess in the reference region 141, 143, 144. On the other hand, the inner border of the free space 112 can be formed by the edges 171, 172, 173, 174 of the antenna structure 113.

[0042] The outer border of the free space 112 has a first longitudinal edge 161 and an opposite second longitudinal edge 162. Furthermore, the outer border of the free space 112 has a first transverse edge 163 and an opposite second transverse edge 164. The longitudinal edges 161, 162 each have a specific length, which is typically greater than the length of the transverse edges 163, 164. The longitudinal edges 161, 162 each extend along (and parallel to) the y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system shown in Figures 1a and 1b. The transverse edges 163, 164 each extend along (and parallel to) the x-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system shown. The second longitudinal edge 162 may face a longitudinal edge of the circuit board 110, and the first longitudinal edge 161 may face away from the longitudinal edge of the circuit board 101. The first and second longitudinal edges 161, 162 may each run parallel to the longitudinal edge of the circuit board 101.Furthermore, the second transverse edge 164 can face a transverse edge of the circuit board 110, and the first transverse edge 163 can face away from the transverse edge of the circuit board 110. The first and second transverse edges 163, 164 can each run parallel to the transverse edge of the circuit board 101. The reference region 141, 143, 144 has a main sub-region 141, through which the first longitudinal edge 161 and the first transverse edge 163 of the outer perimeter of the free space 112 are formed. Starting from the first transverse edge 163, a (web-shaped) longitudinal sub-region 143 can extend along (and parallel to) the y-axis, thus forming the second longitudinal edge 162 of the outer perimeter of the free space 112. Furthermore, starting from the first longitudinal edge 161, a (web-shaped) transverse partial region 144 can extend along (and parallel to) the x-axis, thus forming the second transverse edge 164.The transverse partial region 144 can extend along the x-axis up to the level of the longitudinal partial region 143 and / or up to the longitudinal edge of the circuit board 101. On the other hand, the longitudinal partial region 143 preferably does not extend along the y-axis up to the level of the transverse partial region 144 and / or up to the transverse edge of the circuit board 101, so that an opening 142 is formed at the second longitudinal edge 162 of the outer border of the free space 112. The free space 112 is not bordered by the reference region 141, 143, 144 in the region of the opening 142. In other words, the outer border of the free space 112 is incomplete and / or interrupted in the region of the opening 142. The opening 142 may extend a length along the y-axis of 20% or more and / or 50% or less of the total length of the second longitudinal edge 162.

[0043] The main sub-area 141 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 has a channel-shaped recess 117, which extends from the first longitudinal edge 161 (along the x-axis) away from the outer perimeter of the free space 112 and / or from the antenna structure 113. The channel-shaped recess 117 has differently aligned sections, in particular

[0044] • a first section extending from the first longitudinal edge 161 along (and parallel to) the x-axis (away from the first longitudinal edge 161 of the outer perimeter of the free space 112 and / or from the longitudinal edge of the circuit board 101);

[0045] • a subsequent second section extending along (and parallel to) the y-axis (towards the transverse edge of the circuit board 101); and

[0046] • a subsequent third section extending along (and parallel to) the x-axis (away from the first longitudinal edge 161 of the outer perimeter of the free space 112 and / or from the longitudinal edge of the circuit board 101). An electrically conductive feed line 115 extends within the channel-shaped recess 117 (in a manner corresponding to the shape of the channel-shaped recess 117), which is electrically conductively connected to the antenna structure 113 at the first longitudinal edge 161 of the outer perimeter of the free space 112, and which has a feed point 111 at the opposite end for coupling a signal into or out of the antenna 100.

[0047] The antenna structure 113 has a rectangular basic shape. The antenna structure 113 can have a first longitudinal edge 171 (which faces the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference region 141, 143, 144 and preferably runs parallel to the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference region 141, 143, 144) and an opposite second longitudinal edge 172 (which faces the second longitudinal edge 162 of the reference region 141, 143, 144 and preferably runs parallel to the second longitudinal edge 162 of the reference region 141, 143, 144), each of which runs along (and parallel to) the y-axis. Furthermore, the antenna structure 113 may have a first transverse edge 173 (facing the first transverse edge 163 of the reference region 141, 143, 144) and an opposite second transverse edge 174 (facing the second transverse edge 164 of the reference region 141, 143, 144), each extending along (and parallel to) the x-axis.

[0048] The antenna structure 113 can be used for transmitting or receiving signals in a specific first frequency range (approximately 4.8 - 7.0 GHz). In particular, the antenna structure 113 can form a λ / 4 radiator for a specific first frequency range due to the total length of the antenna structure 113 (along the y-axis).

[0049] On the other hand, the free space 112 between the antenna structure 113 and the longitudinal sub-region 143 of the reference region 141, 143, 144 and / or the web-shaped longitudinal sub-region 143 itself can be used as a (slot) antenna for a further (second) frequency range (approximately 2.2 - 2.7 GHz). For this purpose, the free space 112 and in particular the longitudinal sub-region 143 can have a specific length (along the y-axis), so that the free space 112 and / or the longitudinal sub-region 143 form a λ / 4 radiator for a further (second) frequency range. Furthermore, the antenna structure 113 is preferably electrically conductively connected to the main sub-region 141 of the reference region 141, 143, 144, in particular to the first longitudinal edge 161 of the main sub-region 141, via an electrically conductive antenna structure web (in particular via a short-circuit web) 116.The electrically conductive antenna structure web 116 can be arranged on the antenna structure 113 in alignment with the second transverse edge 174 of the antenna structure 113 and can extend along the x-axis from the first longitudinal edge 171 of the antenna structure 113 to the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference region 141, 143, 144. The antenna structure 113 can, in particular, form a (planar) inverted-F antenna.

[0050] The impedance of the antenna structure 113 can be adjusted to a desired value (e.g., 50 ohms) by adjusting the distance (along the y-axis) between the antenna structure web 116 and the feed line 115. Furthermore, the antenna structure web 116 can be used to shield electrostatic discharges from the transmit / receive electronics of the antenna 100 (not shown).

[0051] The antenna structure 113 has a shape that deviates from a rectangular shape at the corner 150 formed by the first longitudinal edge 171 and the first transverse edge 173. In particular, the antenna structure 113 can have one or more steps at the corner 150. In particular, one or more rectangular segments 151, 152 may have been removed from the antenna structure 113, so that the first transverse edge 173 of the antenna structure 113 (starting from the corner 150 and along the x-axis) approaches the first transverse edge 163 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 in one or more stages, and / or so that the first longitudinal edge 171 of the antenna structure 113 (starting from the corner 150 and along the y-axis) approaches the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 in one or more stages.By means of a stepped corner 150 of the antenna structure 113, the width of the first frequency range can be increased so that the requirements for a WiFi 6E antenna can be met in an efficient and reliable manner.

[0052] Fig. 1b shows the lower layer 120 of the printed circuit board 101. The lower layer 120 is preferably constructed at least partially identically to the upper layer 110. In particular, in the example shown, the lower layer 120 has a reference region 121, 124 having a main sub-region 121 which (apart from the channel-shaped recess 117 and the antenna structure web 116) is constructed identically to the main sub-region 141 of the reference region 141, 143, 144 of the upper layer 110. The reference region 121, 124 further has a transverse sub-region 124 which is preferably constructed identically to the transverse sub-region 144 of the upper layer 110. However, the reference region 121, 124 of the lower layer 120 preferably does not have a longitudinal sub-region corresponding to the longitudinal sub-region 143 of the upper layer 110. In the illustrated example, the reference region 121, 124 has a U-shape.

[0053] The reference region 141, 143, 144 of the upper layer 110 can be electrically connected to the reference region 121, 124 of the lower layer 120 via one or more vias or through-contacts 114 (as shown by way of example in Fig. 1c).

[0054] Figures 2a and 2b show different dimensions of the antenna 100 from Figures 1a and 1b. In particular, Figure 2a (for the upper layer 110) shows along the y-axis:

[0055] • the length 201 of the second section of the channel-shaped recess 117 (along the y-axis);

[0056] • the width 202 of the channel-shaped recess 117;

[0057] • the width 203 of the antenna structure web 116 (along the y-axis);

[0058] • the distance 204 (along the y-axis) between the antenna structure web 116 and the feed line 115;

[0059] • the distance 205 (along the y-axis) between the feed line 115 and the first transverse edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144;

[0060] • the distance 206 (along the y-axis) between the second transverse edge 174 of the antenna structure 113 and the first step of the first transverse edge 173 of the antenna structure 113;

[0061] • the distance 207 (along the y-axis) between the second transverse edge 174 of the antenna structure 113 and the second step of the first transverse edge 173 of the antenna structure 113; • the distance 208 (along the y-axis) between the second transverse edge 174 of the antenna structure 113 and the third (and last) step of the first transverse edge 173 of the antenna structure 113;

[0062] • the distance 209 (along the y-axis) between the third (and last) step of the first transverse edge 173 of the antenna structure 113 and the first transverse edge 163 of the reference area 141, 143, 144;

[0063] • the length 210 (along the y-axis) of the longitudinal sub-area 143 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 (starting from the first transverse edge 163 of the reference area 141, 143, 144);

[0064] • the distance 211 (along the y-axis) between the second transverse edge 174 of the antenna structure 113 and the second transverse edge 164 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 (which is formed by the transverse partial area 144 of the reference area 141, 143, 144);

[0065] • the width 212 (along the y-axis) of the transverse sub-area 144 of the reference area 141, 143, 144.

[0066] Furthermore, Figure 2a (for the upper layer 110) shows along the x-axis:

[0067] • the length 221 of the third section of the channel-shaped recess 117 (along the x-axis);

[0068] • the length 222 of the first section of the channel-shaped recess 117 (along the x-axis);

[0069] • the length 223 (along the x-axis) of the transverse partial area 144 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 (starting from the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144);

[0070] • the total length 224 (along the x-axis) of the second transverse edge 174 of the antenna structure 113 and of the antenna structure web 116 (starting from the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144);

[0071] • the width 225 (along the x-axis) of the longitudinal sub-area 143 of the reference area 141, 143, 144;

[0072] • the distance 226 between the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 and the first longitudinal edge 171 of the antenna structure 113 (before the first stage); • the distance 227 between the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 and the first longitudinal edge 171 of the antenna structure 113 (after the first stage and before the second stage);

[0073] • the distance 228 between the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 and the first longitudinal edge 171 of the antenna structure 113 (after the second stage and before the third (last) stage);

[0074] • the distance 229 between the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 141, 143, 144 and the second longitudinal edge 162 of the reference area 141, 143, 144; and

[0075] • the distance 230 between the first longitudinal edge 171 of the antenna structure 113 (in front of the first stage) and the second longitudinal edge 172 of the antenna structure 113.

[0076] Furthermore, Figure 2b shows (for the lower layer 120):

[0077] • the distance 241 (along the y-axis) between the first transverse edge 163 of the reference area 121, 124 and the second transverse edge 164 of the reference area 121, 124;

[0078] • the width 242 (along the y-axis) of the transverse sub-area 124 of the reference area 121, 124; and

[0079] • the length 243 (along the x-axis) of the transverse partial area 124 of the reference area 121, 124 (starting from the first longitudinal edge 161 of the reference area 121, 124).

[0080] Preferred values ​​of the above dimensions of the antenna 100 (in particular for an antenna 100 for the frequency bands 2.2 - 2.7 GHz and 4.8 - 7.0 GHz) are (each in mm, and if applicable each with a possible deviation of up to ±10%):

[0081] • Dimension 201: 6.7071 ; and / or

[0082] • Dimension 202: 0.8598; and / or

[0083] • Dimension 203: 0.7754; and / or

[0084] • Dimension 204: 4.7626; and / or

[0085] • Dimension 205: 7.3302; and / or

[0086] • Dimension 206: 9.2928; and / or

[0087] • Dimension 207: 11.8130; and / or

[0088] • Dimension 208: 12.1412; and / or

[0089] • Dimension 209: 1.3492; and / or • Dimension 210: 12.6109; and / or

[0090] • Dimension 211: 5.4327; and / or

[0091] • Dimension 212: 1,650; and / or

[0092] • Dimension 221: 4.0175; and / or

[0093] • Dimension 222: 2.6421 ; and / or

[0094] • Dimension 223: 7.6294; and / or

[0095] • Dimension 224: 4.0834; and / or

[0096] • Dimension 225: 1.5528; and / or

[0097] • Dimension 226: 0.80; and / or

[0098] • Dimension 227: 1.5687; and / or

[0099] • Dimension 228: 2.4698; and / or

[0100] • Dimension 229: 6.0766; and / or

[0101] • Dimension 230: 3.2834; and / or

[0102] • Dimension 241: 18.9232; and / or

[0103] • Dimension 242: 1,650; and / or

[0104] • Dimension 243: 7.6294.

[0105] The circuit board 101 can, for example, have a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm, in particular approximately 1.5 mm. The above values ​​can each fluctuate by up to ±10% (in particular to trim the resonant frequencies). Furthermore, the values ​​can be scaled with a common factor F if necessary.

[0106] The printed circuit board antenna 100 can be arranged on a printed circuit board 101 measuring 49 mm x 43 mm. Several of the described printed circuit board antennas 100 can be arranged on the printed circuit board 101, e.g., one antenna 100 on each long edge and one on each short edge of the printed circuit board 101. The individual antennas 100 can be adapted and / or optimized to their position within the printed circuit board 101 (e.g., by adjusting the above-mentioned values ​​of an antenna 100 within a range of ±10%).

[0107] The described antenna 100 can be an extended form of a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA, for English: Planar Inverted F-Shaped Antenna) (where the inverted-F antenna is formed by the antenna structure 113). The antenna 110 has an additional resonator (formed by the longitudinal sub-region 143 of the reference region 141, 143, 144), which creates a second (relatively low) resonant frequency. The additional resonator can be capacitively excited by the inverted-F antenna 113 via the gap (i.e., the free space 112) between the inverted-F antenna 113 and the longitudinal sub-region 143. This capacitive coupling is preferably designed to be relatively weak, whereby the resonances of the inverted-F antenna 113 and the longitudinal sub-area 143 become relatively broadband.

[0108] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary frequency response 300 with several resonance frequencies in the first frequency range 301 and another resonance frequency in the second frequency range 302.

[0109] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed devices and systems.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1) Printed circuit board antenna (100), wherein - the printed circuit board antenna (100) comprises an electrically conductive antenna structure (113) and an electrically conductive reference region (141, 143, 144) on a first layer (110) of a printed circuit board (101); - the reference area (141, 143, 144) has a rectangular recess in which the antenna structure (113) is arranged, so that - a first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a first longitudinal edge (171) of the antenna structure (113); - a second longitudinal edge (162) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a second longitudinal edge (172) of the antenna structure (113); - a first transverse edge (163) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a first transverse edge (173) of the antenna structure (113); and - a second transverse edge (164) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) faces a second longitudinal edge (174) of the antenna structure (113); and - the antenna structure (113) has a rectangular basic shape apart from a corner (150) formed by the first longitudinal edge (171) and the first transverse edge (173). 2) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to claim 1, wherein at the corner (150) formed by the first longitudinal edge (171) and the first transverse edge (173), one or more rectangular segments (151, 152) of the rectangular basic shape are missing, in particular such that one or more steps are formed in the first longitudinal edge (171) and / or in the first transverse edge (173). 3) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first longitudinal edge (171) of the antenna structure (113) extends from the corner formed by the first longitudinal edge (171) and the first transverse edge (173) (150) approaches the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference area (141, 143, 144) in one or more steps. 4) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first transverse edge (173) of the antenna structure (113) approaches the first transverse edge (163) of the reference area (141, 143, 144) in one or more stages, starting from the corner (150) formed by the first longitudinal edge (171) and the first transverse edge (173). 5) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the reference region (141, 143, 144) has a channel-shaped recess (117) which extends from the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) away from the recess and / or from the first longitudinal edge (171) of the antenna structure (113); and - the antenna (100) has a feed line (115) which extends from the first longitudinal edge (171) of the antenna structure (113) within the channel-shaped recess (117) away from the first longitudinal edge (171) of the antenna structure (113) to a feed point (111) of the antenna (100). 6) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to claim 5, wherein the channel-shaped recess (117) and the feed line (115) extend in a first section perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference area (141, 143, 144). 7) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to claim 6, wherein the channel-shaped recess (117) and the feed line (115) - extend in a second section directly adjacent to the first section parallel to the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference area (141, 143, 144); and - in a third section directly adjoining the second section, extend perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference area (141, 143, 144) and away from the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference area (141, 143, 144). 8) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna structure (113) is electrically conductively connected to the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) at a corner formed by the first longitudinal edge (171) and the second transverse edge (174) via an antenna structure web (116). 9) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reference region (141, 143, 144) has an electrically non-conductive interruption at the second longitudinal edge (162) such that the second longitudinal edge (162) and the second transverse edge (164) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) do not touch. 10) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reference area (141, 143, 144) - a web-shaped transverse partial region (144) extending from the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144), in particular perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144), by which the second transverse edge (164) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) is formed; and - a web-shaped longitudinal partial region (143) extending from the first transverse edge (163) of the reference region (141, 143, 144), in particular perpendicular to the first transverse edge (163) of the reference region (141, 143, 144), by means of which the second longitudinal edge (162) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) is formed; wherein the end of the transverse partial region (144) facing away from the first longitudinal edge (161) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) and the end of the longitudinal partial region (143) facing away from the first transverse edge (163) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) do not touch, so that an electrically non-conductive opening (142) of the recess of the reference region (141, 143, 144) is formed. 11) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to claim 10, wherein - the antenna structure (113) forms a first antenna for a first frequency range around a first resonant frequency; - the longitudinal sub-region (143) forms a second antenna for a second frequency range around a second resonant frequency; and - the first frequency range comprises in particular 4.8 - 7.0 GHz and the second frequency range comprises in particular 2.2 - 2.7 GHz. 12) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the circuit board antenna (100) comprises an electrically conductive second layer (120) of the circuit board (101); - the printed circuit board antenna (100) comprises an electrically conductive further reference region (121, 123, 124) on the second layer (120); and - the reference region (141, 143, 144) is electrically connected to the further reference region (121, 123, 124) via one or more vias (114). 13) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to claim 12, wherein - the reference region (141, 143, 144) has a U-shape apart from a longitudinal partial region (143) by which the second longitudinal edge (162) of the reference region (141, 143, 144) is formed; - the further reference area (121, 123, 124) has a U-shape; and - the U-shape of the further reference area (121, 123, 124) and the U-shape of the reference area (141, 143, 144) are in particular identically dimensioned and arranged directly above one another. 14) Printed circuit board antenna (100) according to one of claims 12 to 13, wherein - the first layer (110) and the second layer (120) are each formed by an electrically conductive layer, in particular by a copper layer, of the printed circuit board (101); and / or - the first layer (110) and the second layer (120) are insulated from each other by at least one dielectric layer (130). 15) A household appliance comprising a communication unit with a printed circuit board antenna (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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