Antenna structure and electronic device including same

Abstract

An antenna module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a first ground line disposed on the antenna substrate to be adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line and having one end grounded; a second ground line disposed on the antenna substrate to be adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line and having one end grounded; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and an RFIC configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna elements include: a first support part connected to the first ground line; a second support part connected to the second ground line; and an emission body connected to upper ends of the first support part and the second support part.

Description

Antenna structure and electronic device including the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna, and more particularly, to a feeding structure of a dipole antenna.

[0002] As a massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) unit (MMU) antenna, a metal patch antenna can be composed of a divider and metal patches placed on a PCB. Since the structure is simple and the connection structure with the main board is relatively simple, the product is easy to manufacture, and the assembly tolerance is small because the structure, parts, and manufacturing process are simple. The divider (e.g., T-junction divider) is designed to create a 180-degree phase difference at a fixed frequency, but it cannot create a 180-degree phase difference when using signals of different frequencies. Metal patch antennas can be used as narrowband antennas.

[0003] As an MMU antenna, a dipole antenna may include a radiator and a balun that applies a balanced signal to the radiator and supports the radiator. A dipole antenna can be constructed by connecting the balun to a substrate and connecting the radiator to the top of the balun. A balun (or balanced unbalanced, balun) can create a constant 180-degree phase difference across all frequencies, and the dipole antenna supports a wide bandwidth and also has excellent radiation characteristics, linearity, and isolation performance.

[0004] Typically, the balun in a dipole antenna is formed on a support structure. The balun is constructed by printing a pattern to output a balanced signal onto a piece of PCB that supports the radiator. This requires additional components and manufacturing processes to connect the substrate, balun, and radiator.

[0005] Recently, a manufacturing method has been developed that involves molding the substrate-support structure-radiator structure using plastic materials and a mold, and then patterning the balun, etc. While this plastic dipole antenna eliminates the need for inter-component interconnections, it requires plastic molding technology for manufacturing. Furthermore, the minimum line spacing between lines in a printable pattern on plastic is more than twice that of a typical PCB substrate, limiting design freedom. Furthermore, plastic products exhibit significant energy loss and pose a risk of permanent deformation of the product's appearance due to heat generation.

[0006] Additionally, the balun must be at least 20 mm long to operate (at 3.5G, air). This length requires a longer antenna support structure, which can limit the antenna's height design. Given these criteria, if the antenna height exceeds 10 mm, antenna performance, including gain, beamwidth, bandwidth, and CPR, deteriorates.

[0007] Based on the above discussion, the present disclosure provides a balun structure for feeding a dipole antenna, a dipole antenna, and an electronic device including the same.

[0008] In addition, the present disclosure provides a dipole antenna, a connection structure between a radiator and a balun therefor, and an electronic device including the same.

[0009] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a first ground line disposed on the antenna substrate adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line and having one end grounded; a second ground line disposed on the antenna substrate adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line and having one end grounded; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna elements include a first support portion connected to the first ground line and a second support portion connected to the second ground line; and a radiator connected to upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a base station includes an antenna unit including an antenna module; and a control unit, wherein the antenna module includes an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a first ground line disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; a second ground line disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna elements include a first support portion connected to the first ground line and a second support portion connected to the second ground line; and a radiator connected to upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0011] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a balun disposed on the antenna substrate adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna element includes a first support portion and a second support portion connected to the balun; and a radiator connected to upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a balanced signal can be supplied to a dipole antenna through a balun structure horizontally arranged on an antenna substrate, so that the antenna height can be designed regardless of the length of the balun.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of the radiator is bent to form a support portion, so the connection structure between the radiator and the support portion is simple.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the balun is placed horizontally on the substrate and the lower end of the support is connected thereto, the components of the substrate, the balun, and the radiator can be easily connected in a surface mount technology (SMT) manner.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a balun (or, balanced unbalanced, Balun) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a signal line and a balun arranged on an antenna substrate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a radiator of a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a dipole antenna patch included in an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates polarization components that can be created using a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a signal line and a balun arranged on an antenna substrate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates polarization components that can be created using a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates an antenna element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates the size of an antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates an electrical path formed on the surface of a radiator when a signal is applied to the radiator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates a resistor, bridge, or slot for electrically connecting two conductors of a balun according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of antenna performance according to an antenna structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 17 illustrates an antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of the performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 19 illustrates the average gain performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 20 illustrates an example of the average half power beam width (HPBW) performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 21 illustrates an example of average CPR performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 22 illustrates an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 23 illustrates a functional configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a balun (or, balanced unbalanced, Balun) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] The antenna module of the present disclosure may include a balun for feeding two types of signals of equal magnitude and opposite phase to a radiator to operate as a dipole antenna.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, both ends of a signal line may be referred to as port 1 (P1) and an open end (OC), respectively, and a balun may be disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line. The balun may include two ground lines corresponding to the signal line. A first ground line may be disposed adjacent to and parallel to the signal line along at least a portion of the signal line, and an end of the first ground line may be grounded. A second ground line may also be disposed adjacent to and parallel to the signal line along at least a portion of the signal line, and an end of the second ground line may also be grounded.

[0041] In the present disclosure, the length of the first ground line and the length of the second ground line may be equal to each other in order to supply two types of signals with opposite phases and the same magnitude to the radiator. The balun may refer to a marchand balun that maintains a constant phase difference between two types of signals transmitted to the radiator.

[0042] A balun may include two ground lines, each of which is a conductor having one end grounded and the other end of which may be connected to a radiator. When current flows through a signal line disposed adjacent to the ground line of the balun, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the current flowing along the signal line may be transferred to the ground line of the balun due to a coupling effect in which two adjacent conductors interfere with each other. In this way, when electrical energy is transferred from the signal line to the ground line disposed adjacent to the signal line, the ground line and the signal line may be said to be electrically coupled or coupled.

[0043] When a balun is coupled to at least a portion of a signal line, electrical energy transferred from the signal line to the balun can generate an RF signal in the balun, and the balun can transmit the RF signal to an antenna radiator connected to the balun. In other words, when the signal line and the ground line of the balun are coupled, the ground line of the balun can feed the RF signal to the radiator.

[0044] An antenna element or antenna radiator according to one embodiment is connected to a portion of the ground line of the balun, so that when an RF signal is generated due to coupling on the ground line of the balun, the RF signal can be received from the balun and radiated into the air.

[0045] Strong coupling between the signal line and the ground line means that more energy is transferred from the signal line to the ground line, and the greater the transferred energy, the more effectively impedance matching can be performed.

[0046] The spacing between the signal line and the ground line affects the magnitude of the RF signal generated from the ground line. Generally, the smaller the spacing between the signal line and the ground line, the stronger the interference between the signal line and the ground line, so that the coupling is stronger and a stronger RF signal can be generated. In the present disclosure, the spacing between the signal line and the ground line may be configured as 0.15 mm, which is the minimum spacing between lines provided in the PCB process. According to one embodiment, since two ground lines included in one balun (e.g., a first ground line and a second ground line) must be able to supply signals that are opposite in phase and of the same magnitude, the spacing between the first ground line and the signal line and the spacing between the second ground line and the signal line may be the same.

[0047] The degree of coupling between a signal line and a ground line can vary depending on the presence or absence of a ground plane, the thickness of the substrate, and the dielectric constant. For example, forming a slot in the ground plane beneath the signal line and the ground line (i.e., removing a portion of the ground) can result in strong coupling between the signal line and the ground line. For example, the thicker the dielectric, the stronger the coupling, and the thinner the dielectric, the weaker the coupling. For example, the lower the dielectric constant, the stronger the coupling, and the higher the dielectric constant, the weaker the coupling.

[0048] The ground line may be referred to as a coupling line because it couples with the signal line. When a signal is applied to the signal line through P1, the first ground line and the second ground line arranged adjacent to the signal line may be coupled with the signal line. At this time, the signal applied to the signal line may be an unbalanced signal. The degree of coupling between the signal line and the ground line may be determined based on the length of the ground line coupled to the signal line, the spacing between the signal line and the ground line, the presence or absence of a ground plane, the thickness of the substrate, and the permittivity. Whether or not the balun impedance matches can be determined based on the spacing between the signal line and the ground line.

[0049] The other end of the grounded end of the first ground line may be referred to as port 2 (P2), and the first ground line coupled with the signal line may output a first balanced signal through port 2. The other end of the grounded end of the second ground line may be referred to as port 3, and the second ground line coupled with the signal line may output a second balanced signal through port 3.

[0050] When the coupling degree between the signal line and the first ground line and the coupling degree between the signal line and the second ground line are the same, half of the electrical energy applied to the signal line can be transmitted to the first ground line, and the other half can be transmitted to the second ground line. Balanced signals having the same magnitude and opposite phase can be obtained from ports 2 and 3. By designing the length of the first ground line and the length of the second ground line to be the same, a phase difference of 180 degrees can be determined.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 1, the length of each ground line may be approximately λg / 4 with respect to the wavelength within the tube (λg). For example, the length of each ground line (i.e., the length of the balun) may be required to be 20 mm in air at 3.5 GHz. Using a dielectric may shorten the design required length of the balun depending on the permittivity, but may result in more energy loss.

[0052] In a typical antenna design, a balun can be used to feed two types of signals with a 180-degree phase difference to a dipole antenna. Typically, the balun is formed by printing or other methods on the member that supports the dipole antenna's radiator. The length of the balun printed on the support member must satisfy the design requirement based on the permittivity, thereby increasing the antenna height. An appropriate antenna height is 10 mm for 3.5 GHz, and as the antenna height increases beyond a critical value, antenna characteristics related to gain, bandwidth, CPR, and isolation may deteriorate.

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a signal line and a balun arranged on an antenna substrate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] According to one embodiment, ground lines constituting a balun may be arranged together with signal lines on an antenna substrate (e.g., a PCB). Referring to FIG. 2, a signal line (210) may be arranged on an antenna substrate (200), and the signal line (210) may include a port 1 (211) and an open end (219). A first ground line (230) and a second ground line (240) may be arranged adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line (210). One end (231) of the first ground line may be grounded and the other end may be connected to a first antenna pad (239). One end (241) of the second ground line may be grounded and the other end may be connected to a second antenna pad (249).

[0055] The length (235) of the first ground line may be the same as the length (245) of the second ground line. At this time, the size of the signal output by the first ground line coupled to the signal line may be the same as the size of the signal output by the second ground line coupled to the signal line.

[0056] The length of each ground line (235,245) is λ g / 4 can be configured. For example, the length of the ground line can be 20 mm (3.5 GHz, air reference).

[0057] In one embodiment, the length of the ground line (235,245) is λ g In order to configure / 4 and at the same time miniaturize the antenna module, the ground line (230, 240) may be designed in a bent shape as shown in Fig. 2. In another embodiment, unlike Fig. 2, the ground line may be designed in a straight line.

[0058] When a signal is applied to a signal line, a ground line coupled with the signal line can output a signal corresponding to the applied signal. In one embodiment, an unbalanced signal may be applied to the signal line, and a balanced signal may be output from a ground line coupled with the signal line. For example, when an unbalanced signal is applied to a signal line (210) through port 1 (211), a first ground line (230) coupled with the signal line may output a balanced signal, and a second ground line (240) coupled with the signal line may also output a balanced signal. In one embodiment, since the length of the first ground line and the length of the second ground line are the same, the first balanced signal and the second balanced signal may be opposite in phase (or may have a phase difference of 180 degrees). Furthermore, when the length of the first ground line and the length of the second ground line are the same, the degree to which each ground line is coupled to the signal line is the same, so the magnitudes of the first balanced signal and the second balanced signal can also be the same.

[0059] In one embodiment, an antenna element may be connected to a portion of a ground line of a balun. Specifically, a support included in the antenna element is connected to one end of the ground line of the balun (e.g., an output port of the balun), so that a signal output from the ground line of the balun coupled with a signal line may be transmitted to the support. For example, a first ground line may transmit a signal to the support through port 2 (e.g., P2 in FIG. 1). The signal transmitted to the support of the antenna element is transmitted to a radiator of the antenna element, so that the antenna element may radiate a signal received from the balun into the air. The antenna element may include a radiator that radiates a signal into the air and a support that supports the radiator on a substrate.

[0060] At this time, one end of the balun's ground line (e.g., the balun's output port) can function as a receiver for the surface mount technology (SMT) process. The lower end of the support is bonded to the balun's ground line through the SMT process, and the support can be stably fixed to the antenna substrate.

[0061] According to one embodiment, an antenna pad may be additionally provided at one end of the ground line of the balun as an SMT receptor for the antenna element. In this case, the ground line of the balun may be connected to a support of the antenna element through the antenna pad. A signal output by the ground line coupled to the signal line may be transmitted to the support through the antenna pad. For example, a first ground line may transmit a signal to the antenna pad or the support through port 2 (e.g., P2 in FIG. 1). For example, if one end of the ground line is connected to the antenna pad, the antenna pad is connected to the support, and the support is connected to the radiator, a signal output by the ground line may be transmitted to the radiator through the antenna pad and the support.

[0062] When the antenna module according to one embodiment further includes an antenna pad, the antenna pad can transmit a balanced signal generated from a ground line to a radiator. By connecting the lower end of the support portion to the antenna pad, the support portion can be fixed to the antenna substrate, and a balanced signal can be supplied to the radiator connected to the support portion through the support portion. The antenna pad can be configured to be larger than the lower end of the support portion, so that the support portion can be stably connected to the antenna substrate.

[0063] The antenna pad can function as a receiver in the SMT process. The lower end of the support is bonded to the antenna pad through the SMT process, and the support can be stably fixed to the antenna substrate. In the present disclosure, the antenna pad may also be referred to as a pad or island.

[0064] SMT is a process of placing electronic components on a substrate and attaching them using soldering. According to the SMT process, solder paste, a soldering alloy, is applied to the surface of a printed substrate, electronic components (e.g., antenna elements) are mounted on the substrate to which the solder paste has been applied, and the applied solder paste is melted to enable electrical connection between the electronic components and the substrate. The SMT process allows for high-density arrangement of components by narrowing the distance between electronic components, maximizing the use of substrate space, and miniaturization. It also enables short electrical path connections, which improves electrical characteristics. Since there are no holes in the substrate or leads on the components, the substrate can be used densely. Since the work is performed automatically, high productivity and reliability can be achieved.

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates a radiator (300) of a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] In the present disclosure, a radiator may operate as a dipole antenna when a balanced signal having the same magnitude and opposite phase is applied. According to one embodiment, a slit is formed in the radiator, and a current applied to the radiator may form an electrical path while moving along an area including the slit. Referring to FIG. 3, the radiator (300) may include at least one pair of slits that are symmetrical with respect to the center (350) of the radiator. For example, the radiator may include a first slit (310) and a third slit (330) that are symmetrical with respect to each other, and / or a second slit (320) and a fourth slit (340) that are symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0067] When a signal is applied to the center of the emitter, current flows toward the slit (310, 320, 330, or 340), and a linear potential distribution or polarity may be generated around the slit. When an electrical path is formed along the slit or in an area including the slit, a radio frequency (RF) signal of a specified frequency band can be transmitted and / or received based on the electrical path.

[0068] In another embodiment, the electrical path may be formed based on a loop included in the emitter instead of a slit formed in the emitter.

[0069] The antenna module of the present disclosure may include a balun arranged parallel to an antenna substrate. Specifically, the antenna module may include an antenna element including a radiator, a balun arranged on the antenna substrate, and a balun-support connection configuration that connects the antenna element to the substrate and supplies a signal output from the balun to a dipole antenna element and can be formed through an SMT process. The balun can supply two types of signals having the same magnitude and opposite phase to the antenna to enable the dipole antenna to operate.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the slit may be configured in a T shape, which may be referred to as a folded dipole. The length of the slit may be configured to be half the wavelength (i.e., half a wavelength) corresponding to the resonant frequency of the radiator. As shown in Fig. 3, the slit may be configured in a straight shape. In order to configure the length of the slit to be half a wavelength while simultaneously miniaturizing the antenna element, both ends of the slit may be formed by being bent at a predetermined angle.

[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates a dipole antenna patch included in an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the radiator may be composed of a conductive material or metal. Conductive materials or metals exhibit lower loss compared to other materials. Furthermore, radiators composed of metal materials are less susceptible to permanent deformation due to heat generation, unlike radiators composed of plastic materials. For example, the radiator may be composed of a metal plate.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the radiator may be formed of a conductive material, and a slit may be formed in the radiator. When a signal is applied to the radiator, an electrical path is formed based on the slit formed in the radiator, and the radiator may operate as a dipole antenna. Referring to FIG. 4, slits facing each other may be formed based on the center of the radiator. For example, a first slit (410), a second slit (420), a third slit (430), and a fourth slit (440) may be formed symmetrically based on the center of the radiator, and as shown in FIG. 4, a fifth slit (45) connecting the slits (410, 420, 430, 440) may be further formed.

[0074] For example, when a signal is applied to the center of the radiator, a current may flow on the surface of the radiator along the slit. An electrical path is formed in the area including the slit (410, 420, 430, 440), and an RF signal of a specified frequency band may be transmitted and / or received based on the electrical path.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 4, at least a portion of the slits may be positioned adjacent to and parallel to an edge of the radiator. For example, at least a portion of the first slit (410) may be positioned adjacent to and parallel to an edge (415) of the radiator. Additionally, at least a portion of each of the remaining slits (420, 430, or 440) may be positioned adjacent to and parallel to a respective edge (425, 435, or 445) of the radiator.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the slit is formed in a T shape, and the length (441) of the slit can be configured as half a wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of the radiator.

[0077] According to one embodiment, a radiator (400) may include a feeding portion (465, 485). The feeding portion (465, 485) may be located at a boundary between the radiator (400) and the support portion. Since the radiator (400) is connected to the support portion through the feeding portion (465, 485), a signal output from the balun may be fed to the radiator (400) through the feeding portion (465, 485).

[0078] The portion formed by extending the radiator (400) from the feed portion (465, 485) may be referred to as a support portion. For example, the support portion may be formed by bending a portion of the radiator (400), in which case cutting areas (460, 480) corresponding to the area of ​​the support portion may be formed on the radiator (400). The support portion is described in detail in FIG. 8.

[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates polarization components that can be created using a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 5, when a signal is applied to the power supply unit (565, 585), the signal flows along the slit, and an electrical path (513, 523, 533, 543) may be formed on the surface of the radiator (500). Based on the electrical path (513, 523, 533, 543) formed along the slit, a polarization component (520) in the A direction may be generated.

[0081] According to one embodiment, a slit may be formed by bending at least a portion of both ends. By bending at least a portion of both ends of the slit, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the path (587) may be shortened. In a dipole antenna, the shorter the path (587) depicted by the solid line, the stronger the current flowing through the electrical path, and the stronger the polarization component.

[0082] FIG. 6 illustrates a signal line and a balun arranged on an antenna substrate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] The present disclosure is not limited to an embodiment including one signal line as in FIG. 2, but can also be applied to an embodiment including two signal lines as in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, a signal line and a balun structure for a dual-polarized antenna are illustrated. In the case of a dual-polarized antenna, the signal line may include a first signal line (610) for a first polarization and a second signal line (620) for a second polarization different from the first polarization. The first polarization and the second polarization may be orthogonal to each other.

[0084] When configuring a dual polarization antenna according to one embodiment, a first signal line (610), a second signal line (620), ground lines (630, 640) coupled to the first signal line (610), and ground lines (650, 660) coupled to the second signal line (620) may be arranged on an antenna substrate (600).

[0085] The first ground lines (630, 650) of FIG. 6 may correspond to the first ground line of FIG. 2. In the description below, the ground line (630) of FIG. 6 may be referred to as a 1-1 ground line since it is a first ground line coupled with a first signal line, and the ground line (650) may be referred to as a 1-2 ground line since it is a first ground line coupled with a second signal line. Similarly, the second ground lines (640, 660) of FIG. 6 may correspond to the second ground line of FIG. 2. The ground line (640) of FIG. 6 may be referred to as a 2-1 ground line since it is a second ground line coupled with a first signal line. The ground line (660) of FIG. 6 may be referred to as a 2-2 ground line since it is a second ground line coupled with a second signal line.

[0086] Additionally, the first antenna pads (639, 659) of FIG. 6 may correspond to the first antenna pad of FIG. 2. In the description below, the first antenna pad (639) of FIG. 6 may be referred to as a 1-1 antenna pad because it is connected to a first ground line (630) coupled with a first signal line. The first antenna pad (659) may be referred to as a 1-2 antenna pad. Similarly, the second antenna pads (649, 669) of FIG. 6 may correspond to the second antenna pad of FIG. 2. The second antenna pad (649) of FIG. 6 may be referred to as a 2-1 antenna pad, and the second antenna pad (669) may be referred to as a 2-2 antenna pad.

[0087] As described in Fig. 2, the length (245) of the first ground line of Fig. 6 may be the same as the length (265) of the second ground line, and the length of each ground line (230, 240, 250, 260) may be λ g / 4 can be composed. In addition, descriptions of FIG. 6 that overlap with those of FIG. 2 may be omitted.

[0088] FIG. 7 illustrates polarization components that can be created using a dipole antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] The present disclosure may also be applied to an embodiment of a dual polarization antenna including two signal lines as shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, a signal is applied to a first signal line (610) through P1 (611) of the first signal line, a first ground line (630) and a second battery line (640) are coupled to the first signal line (610), and two types of RF signals having the same magnitude and opposite phases may be output through the first antenna pad (639) and the second antenna pad (649). When the RF signal is output through the first antenna pad (639) and the second antenna pad (649), the signal may be fed to the radiator (500) through a feeding part (e.g., 565, 585 of FIG. 5) electrically connected to the first antenna pad (639) and the second antenna pad (649). Referring to Fig. 5, a polarization component (520) in the A direction may occur.

[0090] Referring back to FIG. 6, a signal is applied to the second signal line (620) through P1 (621) of the second signal line, the first ground line (650) and the second ground line (660) are coupled to the second signal line (620), and two types of RF signals having the same magnitude and opposite phases can be output through the first antenna pads (659, 669). When the RF signal is output through the first antenna pad (639) and the second antenna pad (649), the signal can be fed to the radiator (700) through a feeding unit (e.g., 775, 795 of FIG. 7) electrically connected to the first antenna pad (639) and the second antenna pad (649).

[0091] According to one embodiment, a radiator may include four feed sections as shown in FIG. 7. For example, it may include feed sections (565, 585) for a first polarization and feed sections (775, 795) for a second polarization. Referring to FIG. 7, cutting regions (770, 790) may be additionally formed in the radiator (700).

[0092] When a signal is applied to the feeder (775, 795), the signal flows along the slit, and an electrical path (713, 723, 733, 743) may be formed on the surface of the radiator (700). Based on the electrical path (713, 723, 733, 743) formed along the slit, a polarization component (720) in the B direction may be generated. The B direction may be orthogonal to the A direction.

[0093] FIG. 8 illustrates an antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] An antenna according to one embodiment may include a balun horizontally arranged on an antenna substrate, a support connected to a portion of the balun, and a radiator (810) connected to an upper portion of the support. Referring to FIG. 8, the balun (825) may be arranged on an antenna substrate (800), an antenna element may be arranged on a portion of the balun such that the balun and the antenna element are connected, and the antenna element may include a radiator (810) and a support (819).

[0095] For convenience of explanation, FIG. 8 is based on a dual polarization antenna. For example, the antenna for the dual polarization antenna of FIG. 8 may include two signal lines, two baluns, four feed sections, and four cutting regions. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the dual polarization antenna embodiment, and may also be applied to an embodiment including one signal line and one balun, or an embodiment including two feed sections for applying two unbalanced signals to a radiator.

[0096] According to one embodiment, an antenna may further include an antenna pad at one end of a ground line of a balun, so that an antenna element may be stably coupled to the balun. Referring to FIG. 8, antenna pads (821, 822, 823, 824) may be connected to one end of the ground lines. At this time, a signal line and a balun (825) may be arranged on an antenna substrate (800) (820), a support (819) may be arranged on the antenna pads (821, 822, 823, 824) of the balun, and a radiator (810) may be arranged on an upper end of the support (819) (830).

[0097] As described above, the support (819) may be formed by bending a portion of the radiator (810), and cutting areas (815, 816, 817, 818) corresponding to the area of ​​the support may be formed on the radiator (810).

[0098] An antenna according to one embodiment can be manufactured by connecting a support (819) to one end of a ground line of a balun using the SMT method. If an antenna pad is further included at one end of the ground line of the balun, the antenna pads (821, 822, 823, 824) can function as a receptor in the SMT process.

[0099] According to one embodiment, a balun (825) for a dipole antenna is horizontally arranged (820) on the antenna substrate (800), and since the height of the antenna is not limited by the balun structure, the degree of freedom in design can be improved. Unlike conventional dipole antennas, which increase the height of the antenna by using a large and complex balun support structure to support the radiator, the dipole antenna of the present disclosure can have the height of its support (819) (i.e., the height of the antenna) changed according to the designer's intention. For example, since design elements related to the height of the support, such as the bending position, the bending length, and the additional bending length, can all be adjusted according to the design intention, the degree of freedom in designing the height of the antenna can be high.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the support member (819) may include at least one pair of metal columns symmetrical about the center of the radiator (810). Since the support member (819) includes at least one pair of metal columns symmetrical about the center of the radiator (810), the radiator can be stably supported. Alternatively, the bending positions or cutting areas formed in the radiator (810) may be symmetrical about the center of the radiator (810). The bending positions or cutting areas formed in the radiator (810) may be arranged so that the electric field formed in the antenna is symmetrical. For example, the cutting areas may be symmetrical about the center of the radiator (810).

[0101] According to one embodiment, the radiator (810) and the support (819) are composed of a metal material, and the support may be formed by bending a portion of the radiator. By utilizing a portion of the radiator (810) as the support, a laminated structure can be implemented without a separate support member, and the antenna substrate-balun-support can be easily connected using an SMT process, and since no separate parts are required for assembling the components, manufacturing tolerances can be reduced.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the antenna element includes a conductive support, and thus signals output through a balun can be transmitted through a support (819) connected to the balun. The radiator (810) can receive signals from the balun through feed parts (812, 814) and radiate the signals into the air. For example, when an antenna pad is additionally provided, signals output through the first antenna pad (821) and the second antenna pad (823) can be fed to the radiator (810) through the support (819) and the feed parts (811, 813). Alternatively, signals output through the first antenna pad (822) and the second antenna pad (824) can be fed to the radiator (810) through the support (819) and the feed parts (812, 814).

[0103] Referring to FIG. 8, the height of the antenna may be varied depending on the cutting areas (815, 816, 817, 818) and / or whether additional bending is performed. In one embodiment, the lower end of the support portion (819) formed by bending the radiator may be further bent (819A). When the radiator is further bent, the area of ​​the support portion in contact with the antenna substrate or antenna pad may increase, or the height of the support portion may decrease. Accordingly, the radiator may control the bandwidth and radiation performance through the additional bending.

[0104] FIG. 9 illustrates the size of an antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] FIG. 9 illustrates a balun (920) and an antenna element being arranged on a substrate (900). The antenna element may include a support (919) and a radiator (910). The radiator (910) may include a wing (912). The wing (912) may be formed by folding the edge of the antenna to reduce the size of the antenna while increasing the area of ​​the radiator (910).

[0106] Since the radiator (910) according to one embodiment is composed of a metal material, it requires a larger antenna length compared to a plastic radiator of the same structure. Therefore, the radiator (910) can be folded at the edges to increase the area of ​​the antenna radiator and / or reduce the size of the space occupied by the antenna (i.e., the size of the antenna).

[0107] According to one embodiment, the height (h) of the antenna may be formed to be approximately 10 mm based on 3.5 GHz. In general, as the height (h) of the antenna increases beyond 10 mm, antenna characteristics such as gain, beam width, bandwidth, CPR, and interference with other sub-arrays may deteriorate. Conventional dipole antennas have had difficulty in adjusting the height of the antenna to 10 mm due to the inclusion of a large and complex balun support structure that supports the radiator, and interference with other sub-arrays may occur. According to the present disclosure, since the balun is configured horizontally to the substrate, such as by arranging it on the substrate, the height (h) of the antenna and the length of the balun can be designed independently. In other words, since the antenna height can be designed independently regardless of the balun length, antenna miniaturization and weight reduction can be realized. In addition, by appropriately designing the antenna height, antenna characteristic degradation due to interference with other sub-arrays can be prevented.

[0108] FIG. 10 illustrates an electrical path formed on the surface of a radiator when a signal is applied to the radiator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] Referring to Fig. 10, when the frequency of the applied signal is 3.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 3.8 GHz, or 4.0 GHz, respectively, the surface current flowing on the surface of the radiator (1010, 1020, 1030, 1040) is similar. Accordingly, since the antenna performs similar operation when it is 3.4 G, 3.6 G, 3.8 G, or 4.0 G, a wideband antenna can be implemented.

[0110] For convenience of explanation below, FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate embodiments of a dual-polarized antenna, but the present disclosure is not limited to a dual-polarized antenna. In addition, to avoid duplication of explanation, one of the two signal lines constituting the dual-polarized antenna will be described, and the description of the remaining signal line will be omitted.

[0111] FIG. 11 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] In one embodiment, the ground line may be arranged on both sides of the signal line. Specifically, the first ground line (1130) includes a first conductor (1130A) and a second conductor (1130B) arranged on both sides of the signal line (1110) on the antenna substrate (1100), and may further include a resistor, a bridge, or a via connecting the first conductor (1130A) and the second conductor (1130B).

[0113] Likewise, the second ground line (1140) includes a third conductor (1140A) and a fourth conductor (1140B) arranged on both sides of the signal line (1110) on the antenna substrate (1100), and may further include a resistor, bridge, or via connecting the third conductor (1140A) and the fourth conductor (1140B).

[0114] One end (1131A) of the first conductor (1130A) of the first ground line (1130) and one end (1131B) of the second conductor (1130B) are grounded, and the other end (1138A) of the first conductor (1130A) and the other end (1138B) of the second conductor (1130B) can be connected to each other and / or to the first antenna (1139). Likewise, one end (1141A) of the first conductor (1140A) of the second ground line (1140) and one end (1141B) of the second conductor (1140B) are grounded, and the other end (1148A) of the first conductor (1140A) and the other end (1148B) of the second conductor (1140B) may be connected to each other and / or to the second antenna (1149).

[0115] When each ground line is arranged on both sides of the signal line, stronger coupling occurs between the signal line and the ground line, and impedance matching performance can be improved. For example, stronger coupling occurs when the signal line (1110) is coupled with the first conductor (1130A) having a length of 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λ) corresponding to the resonant frequency of the radiator (see the embodiment in FIG. 13 in which the signal line (1310) is coupled with the ground line (1340) having a length of λ / 4), than when the signal line (1110) is coupled with the first conductor (1130A) having a length of λ / 4 and the second conductor (1130B) having a length of λ / 4.

[0116] FIG. 12 illustrates a resistor, bridge, or slot for electrically connecting two conductors of a balun according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 12, when a balun is arranged on both sides of a signal line along a signal line, the two conductors of the balun can be electrically connected using a resistor, a bridge, or a slot. For example, a first ground line (1230) can be arranged on both sides of a signal line (1210), and the first ground line can include a first conductor (1230A) and a second conductor (1230B). In other words, the first conductor (1230A) and the second conductor (1230B) can be arranged on both sides of the signal line along the signal line (1210). To connect the first conductor (1230A) and the second conductor (1230B) that are arranged spaced apart from each other, a 0 ohm resistor or bridge can be used (1250), or a via (1270, 1280) can be used. When vias (1270, 1280) are used, slots (1207, 1208) may be formed in the ground (1201) of the antenna substrate (1200). The slots (1207, 1208) may be formed with a length and / or width corresponding to the length and / or width of the first conductor (1230A) and the second conductor (1230B). For example, a resistance of 0 ohm may be used.

[0118] FIG. 13 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the ground line may be arranged on one side of the signal line on the antenna substrate (1300). Specifically, the first ground line (1330) may be arranged on one side of the signal line (1310) and parallel to the signal line (1310). The second ground line (1340) may be arranged on one side of the signal line (1310) and parallel to the signal line (1310). Since the signal line (1310) is coupled with the ground line (1340) having a length of 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λ) corresponding to the resonant frequency of the radiator, the energy conversion efficiency, etc. may be lower than that of the embodiment of FIG. 11. However, since the first balun is composed of one conductor and the second balun is also composed of one conductor, unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, a structure for tying the first conductor and the third conductor or connecting the second conductor and the fourth conductor is not required, and thus the structure is simple.

[0120] FIG. 14 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 14, the antenna substrate (1400) may include a ground (1401) on one side (1402) of the antenna substrate on which a signal line (1410) and a ground line (1430) are arranged, and on the other side (1403). A slot may be formed in a portion (1405) of the other side (1403) corresponding to a portion (1404) of the one side (1402) of the antenna substrate (1400) on which the signal line (1410) and the ground line (1430) are arranged side by side. For example, the ground originally present in the portion (1405) of the other side corresponding to the portion (1404) of the one side may be removed. Or, for example, the ground (1401) may be formed on the remainder of the other side (1403) excluding the portion (1405) of the other side (1403).

[0122] When a slot is formed in a portion (1405) of the other side (1403) corresponding to a portion (1404) of one side of the antenna substrate (1400) where a signal line (1410) and a ground line (1430) are arranged, when coupling occurs between the signal line (1410) and the ground line (1430), energy generated from the signal line (1410) does not leak to the ground (1401) but can be coupled to the ground line (1430), so that impedance matching and energy conversion efficiency can be improved.

[0123] FIG. 15 illustrates a balloon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 15, an antenna substrate (1500) has a ground (1501) formed on one side (1503) of the antenna substrate on which a signal line (1510) and ground lines (1530, 1540) are arranged, and a first ground line (1530) and a second ground line (1540) may be arranged on a side (1502) other than the one side (1503). When an RF signal is applied to the signal line (1510), the signal line (1510) and the first ground line (1530) may be coupled through the antenna substrate (1500), and the signal line (1510) and the second ground line (1540) may be coupled through the antenna substrate (1500).

[0125] A signal line (1510) may be arranged on a portion (1505) of one side (1503) of an antenna substrate (1500), and a ground line (1530) may be arranged parallel to the signal line (1510) on the other side (1502) of the antenna substrate (1500). Since there is no ground on the portion (1505) of one side (1503) of the antenna substrate (1500) where the signal line (1510) is arranged, energy generated from the signal line (1510) may be coupled to the ground line (1530) or the ground line (1540), thereby improving impedance matching and energy conversion efficiency.

[0126] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of antenna performance according to an antenna structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] FIG. 16 illustrates a Smith chart (1610), a dB scale chart (1620), and an antenna radiation pattern (1630) to indicate impedance matching performance, bandwidth, linearity, directivity, and CPR performance for an antenna combining a merchant balun with a metal patch.

[0128] The Smith chart (1610) displays the impedance value of the reflected signal at a frequency of 3.25 to 4.3 GHz. The dB scale chart (1620) represents the Smith chart (1610) in dB scale. According to the Smith chart (1610) and the dB scale chart (1620), the impedance value of the reflected signal is at the center point of the Smith chart, so the impedance of the input terminal matches the impedance seen at the output terminal. Referring to Fig. 16, the antenna can have a bandwidth performance of 900 MHz based on 14 dB.

[0129] The antenna radiation pattern (1630) represents the level difference (CPR, cross polarization ratio) (1633) between co-pol and x-pol. The antenna radiation pattern (1630) is symmetrical without being biased left and right, which indicates that the antenna can create a constant phase difference (i.e., 180 degrees) in a wide band. In addition, the linearity of the antenna can be determined based on the degree of density of the antenna radiation pattern (1630). In an ideal case where there is no interference between antennas, the antenna radiation pattern (1630) is composed of the same graph, so the less interference between antennas (or the better the isolation performance), the more densely the antenna radiation pattern can be formed.

[0130] FIG. 17 illustrates an antenna according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] Each antenna illustrated in FIG. 17 may be referred to as an antenna element (1710), a sub-array (1720), an antenna array (1730), or a full array (1720).

[0132] Referring to FIG. 17, a plurality of antenna elements (1710) may form a row to form a sub-array (1720), and a plurality of sub-arrays (1720) may form a row to form an antenna array (1730) and a full array (1720).

[0133] Below, the performance of a sub-array composed of three antenna elements arranged in a row is evaluated. The antenna element used for the performance evaluation includes a radiator composed of a metal plate, a support for connecting the output port of the balun and the radiator and supporting the radiator. For one antenna element, two types of signal lines for a dual-polarized antenna, and a merchant balun horizontally arranged on the antenna substrate for each signal line, are used. Specifically, bandwidth performance, linearity versus frequency, and isolation performance are evaluated. In Fig. 18, the performance of the sub-array was evaluated by operating the sub-array, and in Figs. 19 to 21, the average performance of the sub-array was evaluated by operating the full array.

[0134] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of the performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0135] Figure 18 illustrates the bandwidth performance and radiation efficiency of the sub-array (1720) of Figure 17. Referring to Figure 18, the sub-array can have a bandwidth performance of 1200 MHz at -14 dB. By combining multiple antenna elements to form a sub-array, the gain can be increased.

[0136] Referring to Fig. 16, the bandwidth performance of the antenna element is 900 MHz at -14 dB. A sub-array formed by combining antenna elements can have improved bandwidth performance than the antenna elements.

[0137] Referring to the frequency-radiation efficiency graph on the right, the antenna element according to one embodiment can achieve an efficiency of 95%, which is higher than the efficiency of a dipole antenna implemented in plastic (approximately in the early 90s).

[0138] Figures 19 to 21 compare the performance of a dipole antenna and a patch antenna according to one embodiment. The dipole antenna and the patch antenna of Figures 19 to 21 may include a radiator formed of a metal plate and a support for feeding power to the radiator according to one embodiment. The dipole antenna may further include a merchant balun formed horizontally on the antenna substrate and slits formed in the metal plate, and the patch antenna may further include a T-junction divider.

[0139] FIG. 19 illustrates the average gain performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] Referring to Fig. 19, the gain value of the sub-array at a single frequency (e.g., approximately 3.8) is approximately 11 dB for both the patch antenna and the dipole antenna. At frequencies lower or higher than the single frequency, the gain value of the patch antenna decreases significantly compared to the gain value of the dipole antenna.

[0141] FIG. 20 illustrates an example of the average half power beam width (HPBW) performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0142] Referring to Figure 20, the degree of change in beam width according to frequency change is smaller in a dipole antenna than in a patch antenna. In other words, since the beam width change rate of a dipole antenna is smaller, the linearity of the dipole antenna is better.

[0143] FIG. 21 illustrates an example of average CPR performance of a sub-array according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] Referring to Figure 21, the degree of change in CPR performance with frequency is smaller for a dipole antenna than for a patch antenna. In other words, since the rate of change in CPR performance for a dipole antenna is smaller, the formability of the dipole antenna is better. (Although the CPR value of the patch antenna is larger than that of the dipole antenna in Figure 21, the difference in CPR values ​​is less than 1 / 100, so it is insignificant.)

[0145] FIG. 22 illustrates an antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 22, the antenna module (2200) may include a plurality of antenna elements (2210-1, 2210-2, 2210-3, ..., 2210-n), an antenna PCB (2220), a metal plate (2230), a calibration board, a filter, an amplifier (AMP), and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC).

[0147] The antenna module (2200) may include antenna elements (2210-1, 2210-2, 2210-3, ..., or 2210-n), a balun structure formed horizontally on an antenna PCB (2220), and an RFIC.

[0148] The antenna elements (2210-1, 2210-2, 2210-3, ..., or 2210-n) may be electrically connected to the filter via RF signal lines. The antenna elements (2210-1, 2210-2, 2210-3, ..., or 2210-n), signal lines, and baluns may be mounted on an antenna PCB (2220). The antenna PCB (2220) may include a plurality of RF signal lines connecting each antenna element and the filter. The metal plate (2230) may function as a ground plane of the antenna PCB (2220).

[0149] The RF processing unit may include an amplifier (AMP) and an RFIC, and may be implemented on the antenna PCB (2220) as well as the antenna elements (2210-1, 2210-2, 2210-3, ..., or 2210-n).

[0150] FIG. 23 illustrates a functional configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 23, an exemplary functional configuration of an electronic device (2310) is illustrated. The electronic device (2310) may include an antenna unit (2311), a filter unit (2312), an RF (radio frequency) processing unit (2313), and a control unit (2314).

[0152] The antenna unit (2311) may include a plurality of antennas. The antenna performs functions for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless channel. The antenna may include a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). The antenna may radiate an upconverted signal on a wireless channel or acquire a signal radiated by another device. Each antenna may be referred to as a radiator, an antenna element, or an antenna component. In some embodiments, the antenna unit (2311) may include an antenna array (e.g., a sub-array) in which a plurality of antenna elements form an array. The antenna unit (2311) may be electrically connected to the filter unit (2312) via RF signal lines. The antenna unit (2311) may be mounted on a PCB including a plurality of antenna elements. The PCB may include a plurality of RF signal lines connecting each antenna element to a filter of the filter unit (2312). These RF signal lines may be referred to as a feeding network. The antenna unit (2311) may provide the received signal to the filter unit (2312) or radiate the signal provided from the filter unit (2312) into the air. An antenna having a structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in the antenna unit (2311).

[0153] The antenna unit (2311) according to various embodiments may include at least one antenna module having a dual polarization antenna. The dual polarization antenna may transmit and receive signals having different polarizations. For example, the dual polarization antenna may transmit and receive a first signal having a polarization of +45° and a second signal having a polarization of -45°. Of course, the polarizations may be formed of other orthogonal polarizations other than +45° and -45°. Each antenna element may be connected to a feeding line or indirectly connected by coupling, and may be electrically connected to a filter unit (2312), an RF processing unit (2313), and a control unit (2314) described below.

[0154] According to one embodiment, the dual polarization antenna may be a patch antenna (or a microstrip antenna). Since the dual polarization antenna has the form of a patch antenna, it may be easily implemented and integrated into an array antenna. Two signals having different polarizations may be input to each antenna port. Each antenna port corresponds to an antenna element. For high efficiency, it is required to optimize the relationship between the co-pol characteristics and the cross-pol characteristics between the two signals having different polarizations. In the dual polarization antenna, the co-pol characteristics represent characteristics for a specific polarization component, and the cross-pol characteristics represent characteristics for a different polarization component from the specific polarization component.

[0155] An antenna (e.g., an antenna element, a sub-array, an antenna array) of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in an antenna unit (2311). For example, a radiator or balun of a dipole metal patch antenna-horizontal balun structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in the antenna unit (2311) of FIG. 23.

[0156] The filter unit (2312) can perform filtering to transmit a signal of a desired frequency. The filter unit (2312) can perform a function to selectively identify a frequency by forming a resonance. In some embodiments, the filter unit (2312) can form a resonance through a cavity that structurally includes a dielectric. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the filter unit (2312) can form a resonance through elements that form inductance or capacitance. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the filter unit (2312) can include an elastic filter such as a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter or a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter. The filter unit (2312) can include at least one of a band pass filter, a low pass filter, a high pass filter, or a band reject filter. That is, the filter unit (2312) may include RF circuits for obtaining signals in a frequency band for transmission or a frequency band for reception. The filter unit (2312) according to various embodiments may electrically connect the antenna unit (2311) and the RF processing unit (2313).

[0157] The RF processing unit (2313) may include a plurality of RF paths. An RF path may be a unit of a path through which a signal received through an antenna or a signal radiated through an antenna passes. At least one RF path may be referred to as an RF chain. The RF chain may include a plurality of RF components. The RF components may include amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, DACs, ADCs, etc. For example, the RF processing unit (2313) may include an up converter that up-converts a baseband digital transmission signal to a transmission frequency, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that converts the up-converted digital transmission signal to an analog RF transmission signal. The up converter and the DAC form part of a transmission path. The transmission path may further include a power amplifier (PA) or a coupler (or combiner). Also, for example, the RF processing unit (2313) may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts an analog RF reception signal into a digital reception signal and a down converter that converts the digital reception signal into a baseband digital reception signal. The ADC and the down converter form part of a receiving path. The receiving path may further include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) or a coupler (or divider). The RF components of the RF processing unit may be implemented on a PCB. The antennas and the RF components of the RF processing unit may be implemented on the PCB, and filters may be repeatedly connected between the PCBs to form a plurality of layers.

[0158] A radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and a package board (PKG) of an electronic device including an antenna element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in the RF processing unit (2313) of FIG. 23. That is, the RF processing unit (2313) may include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) as an RF component for mmWave. As described above in the present disclosure, the RFIC may be formed as an RFIC chip combined with a package board and coupled to the RU board, or the RFIC may be directly coupled by the RU board.

[0159] The control unit (2314) can control the overall operations of the electronic device (2310). The control unit (2314) can include various modules for performing communication. The control unit (2314) can include at least one processor, such as a modem. The control unit (2314) can include modules for digital signal processing. For example, the control unit (2314) can include a modem. When transmitting data, the control unit (2314) generates complex symbols by encoding and modulating a transmission bit stream. In addition, for example, when receiving data, the control unit (2314) restores a reception bit stream by demodulating and decoding a baseband signal. The control unit (2314) can perform functions of a protocol stack required by a communication standard.

[0160] FIG. 23 illustrates the functional configuration of an electronic device (2310) as a device to which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied. However, the example illustrated in FIG. 23 is merely an exemplary configuration of a device for the structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described through FIGS. 1 to 22 , and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the components of the device illustrated in FIG. 23 . Accordingly, the antenna element structure itself and the electronic device including the structure may also be understood as embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0161] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, components included in the invention are expressed in the singular or plural form, depending on the specific embodiment presented. However, the singular or plural expressions are selected to suit the presented situation for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Components expressed in the plural form may be composed of singular elements, or components expressed in the singular form may be composed of plural elements.

[0162] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples to easily explain the technical contents of the present disclosure and to help understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure are possible. In addition, each embodiment can be combined and operated with each other as needed. For example, parts of one embodiment of the present disclosure and parts of another embodiment can be combined with each other to operate a base station and a terminal. For example, parts of one embodiment of the present disclosure and parts of another embodiment can be combined with each other to configure an antenna element or an electronic device including the same.

[0163] The drawings illustrating the method of the present invention may omit some components and include only some components within a scope that does not harm the essence of the present invention.

[0164] In addition, the method of the present invention may be implemented by combining some or all of the contents included in each embodiment within a scope that does not harm the essence of the invention.

[0165] Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The foregoing description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims below rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0166] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a first ground line disposed on the antenna substrate adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line and having one end grounded; a second ground line disposed on the antenna substrate adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line and having one end grounded; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna elements include a first support portion connected to the first ground line and a second support portion connected to the second ground line; and a radiator connected to upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0167] The above radiator may be characterized in that at least one pair of slits are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the radiator.

[0168] The above-mentioned radiator may be characterized by including a metal plate.

[0169] At least a portion of the dipole may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the radiator and may be characterized as being parallel to the edge.

[0170] The first ground line transmits a first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the first ground line to the first support, and the second ground line transmits a second RF signal generated from the second ground line to the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal may be characterized in that they are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude.

[0171] The antenna module may further include a first antenna pad connected to the other end of the first ground line and a second antenna pad connected to the other end of the second ground line, wherein the first support is disposed on the first antenna pad and is connected to the first ground line, and the second support is disposed on the second antenna pad and is connected to the second ground line, wherein the first antenna pad transmits a first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the first ground line to the first support, and the second antenna pad transmits a second RF signal generated from the second ground line to the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal may be characterized in that they have opposite phases and the same magnitude.

[0172] The first support portion and the second support portion may be formed by bending a portion of the radiator, and a first cutting area corresponding to an area of ​​the first support portion and a second cutting area corresponding to an area of ​​the second support portion may be formed in the radiator, and the first cutting area may be symmetrical with the second cutting area based on the center of the radiator.

[0173] The first ground line may include a first conductor and a second conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, the second ground line may include a third conductor and a fourth conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, and the first conductor and the second conductor may be connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge, or a via, and the third conductor and the fourth conductor may be connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge, or a via.

[0174] It may be characterized in that a ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged and on a different side, and a slot corresponding to the first ground line and the second ground line is formed in the ground.

[0175] A ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged, the first ground line and the second ground line are arranged on a side different from the one side, the signal line and the first ground line are coupled through the antenna substrate, and the signal line and the second ground line are coupled through the antenna substrate.

[0176] The signal line includes a first signal line for a first polarization and a second signal line for a second polarization different from the first polarization, the first ground line includes a 1-1 ground line disposed adjacent to the first signal line and a 1-2 ground line disposed adjacent to the second signal line, the second ground line includes a 2-1 ground line disposed adjacent to the first signal line and a 2-2 ground line disposed adjacent to the second signal line, the first antenna pad includes a 1-1 antenna pad connected to the 1-1 ground line and a 1-2 antenna pad connected to the 1-2 ground line, the second antenna pad includes a 2-1 antenna pad connected to the 2-1 ground line and a 2-2 antenna pad connected to the 2-2 ground line, and the first support includes a 1-1 support part disposed on the 1-1 antenna pad and a 1-2 support part disposed on the 1-2 antenna pad, and the second The support may be characterized by including a second-first support portion disposed on the second-1 antenna pad and a second-2 support portion disposed on the second-2 antenna pad.

[0177] When coupled with the signal line, the first ground line feeds a first RF (radio frequency) signal to the radiator through the first support, and when coupled with the signal line, the second ground line feeds a second RF signal to the radiator through the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude to each other, and an electrical path is formed to the radiator based on the first RF signal and the second RF signal, and an RF signal of a designated frequency band is transmitted and / or received based on the electrical path.

[0178] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a base station includes an antenna unit including an antenna module; and a control unit, wherein the antenna module includes an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a first ground line disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; a second ground line disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna elements include a first support portion connected to the first ground line and a second support portion connected to the second ground line; and a radiator connected to upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0179] The above radiator may be characterized in that at least one pair of slits are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the radiator.

[0180] The above-mentioned radiator may be characterized by including a metal plate.

[0181] At least some of the slits may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the radiator and may be characterized as being parallel to the edge.

[0182] A first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the first ground line is transmitted to the first support, a second RF signal generated from the second ground line is transmitted to the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal may be characterized in that they are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude.

[0183] The antenna module may further include a first antenna pad connected to the other end of the first ground line and a second antenna pad connected to the other end of the second ground line, wherein the first support is disposed on the first antenna pad and is connected to the first ground line, and the second support is disposed on the second antenna pad and is connected to the second ground line, wherein the first antenna pad transmits a first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the first ground line to the first support, and the second antenna pad transmits a second RF signal generated from the second ground line to the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal may be characterized in that they have opposite phases and the same magnitude.

[0184] The first support portion and the second support portion may be formed by bending a portion of the radiator, and a first cutting area corresponding to an area of ​​the first support portion and a second cutting area corresponding to an area of ​​the second support portion may be formed in the radiator, and the first cutting area may be symmetrical with the second cutting area based on the center of the radiator.

[0185] The first ground line may include a first conductor and a second conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, the second ground line may include a third conductor and a fourth conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, and the first conductor and the second conductor may be connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge, or a via, and the third conductor and the fourth conductor may be connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge, or a via.

[0186] It may be characterized in that a ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged and on a different side, and a slot corresponding to the first ground line and the second ground line is formed in the ground.

[0187] A ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged, the first ground line and the second ground line are arranged on a side different from the one side, the signal line and the first ground line are coupled through the antenna substrate, and the signal line and the second ground line are coupled through the antenna substrate.

[0188] The signal line may include a first signal line for a first polarization and a second signal line for a second polarization different from the first polarization, the first ground line may include a 1-1 ground line disposed adjacent to the first signal line and a 1-2 ground line disposed adjacent to the second signal line, the second ground line may include a 2-1 ground line disposed adjacent to the first signal line and a 2-2 ground line disposed adjacent to the second signal line, and the first support may include a 1-1 support connected to the 1-1 ground line and a 1-2 support connected to the 1-2 ground line, and the second support may include a 2-1 support connected to the 2-1 ground line and a 2-2 support connected to the 2-2 ground line.

[0189] When coupled with the signal line, the first ground line feeds a first RF (radio frequency) signal to the radiator through the first support, and when coupled with the signal line, the second ground line feeds a second RF signal to the radiator through the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude to each other, and an electrical path is formed to the radiator based on the first RF signal and the second RF signal, and an RF signal of a designated frequency band is transmitted and / or received based on the electrical path.

[0190] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an antenna substrate; a signal line disposed on the antenna substrate; a balun disposed on the antenna substrate adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line; an array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the antenna substrate; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the antenna element includes a first support portion and a second support portion connected to the balun; and a radiator connected to upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0191] The above radiator may be characterized in that at least one pair of slits are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the radiator.

[0192] The above-mentioned radiator may be characterized by including a metal plate.

[0193] At least some of the slits may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the radiator and may be characterized as being parallel to the edge.

[0194] The balun may include a first ground line for a first RF (radio frequency) signal and a second ground line for a second RF signal, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude, the first ground line transmits the first RF signal to the first support, and the second ground line transmits the second RF signal to the second support, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude.

[0195] The antenna module may further include a first antenna pad and a second antenna pad connected to the balun, the first support being connected to the balun through the first antenna pad, the second support being connected to the balun through the second antenna pad, the first antenna pad transmitting a first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the balun to the first support, the second antenna pad transmitting a second RF signal generated in a line from the balun to the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal may be characterized in that they are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude.

[0196] The first support portion and the second support portion may be formed by bending a portion of the radiator, and a first cutting area corresponding to an area of ​​the first support portion and a second cutting area corresponding to an area of ​​the second support portion may be formed in the radiator, and the first cutting area may be symmetrical with the second cutting area based on the center of the radiator.

[0197] The balun may include a first ground line for a first RF (radio frequency) signal and a second ground line for a second RF signal, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude, the first ground line includes a first conductor and a second conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, and the second ground line includes a third conductor and a fourth conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge, or a via, and the third conductor and the fourth conductor are connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge, or a via.

[0198] It may be characterized in that a ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged and on a different side, and a slot corresponding to the balun is formed in the ground.

[0199] It may be characterized in that a ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged, the balun is arranged on a side other than the one side, and the signal line and the balun are coupled through the antenna substrate.

[0200] The signal line may include a first signal line for a first polarization and a second signal line for a second polarization different from the first polarization, the balun may include a first balun disposed adjacent to the first signal line and a second balun disposed adjacent to the second signal line, and the first support may include a first-first support connected to the first balun and a first-second support connected to the second balun, and the second support may include a second-first support connected to the first balun and a second-second support connected to the second balun.

[0201] When coupled with the signal line, the first balun feeds a first RF (radio frequency) signal to the radiator through the first support, and when coupled with the signal line, the second balun feeds a second RF signal to the radiator through the second support, and the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude to each other, and an electrical path is formed to the radiator based on the first RF signal and the second RF signal, and an RF signal of a designated frequency band is transmitted and / or received based on the electrical path.

Claims

1. In the antenna module, Antenna substrate (200); Signal lines (210, 610, 620, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510) arranged on the above antenna substrate; A first ground line (230, 630, 650, 1130, 1330, 1530) disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; A second ground line (240, 640, 660, 1140, 1340, 1540) disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; An array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements arranged on the antenna substrate; and It includes a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, The above antenna element, A first support connected to the first ground line and a second support connected to the second ground line; and An antenna module comprising a radiator (400, 500, 700, 810, 910, 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040) connected to the upper ends of the first support and the second support.

2. At the base station, An antenna section including an antenna module; and Including a control unit, The above antenna module, Antenna substrate (200); Signal lines (210, 610, 620, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510) arranged on the above antenna substrate; A first ground line (230, 630, 650, 1130, 1330, 1530) disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; A second ground line (240, 640, 660, 1140, 1340, 1540) disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate and having one end grounded; An array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements arranged on the antenna substrate; and It includes a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, The above antenna element, A first support connected to the first ground line and a second support connected to the second ground line; and A base station comprising a radiator (400, 500, 700, 810, 910, 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040) connected to the upper ends of the first support and the second support.

3. In claim 2, In the above radiator, at least one pair of slits symmetrical with respect to the center of the radiator are formed, A base station, wherein the radiator comprises a metal plate, and at least a portion of the slit is disposed adjacent to an edge of the radiator and parallel to the edge.

4. In claim 2, A first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the first ground line is transmitted to the first support, A second RF signal generated from the second ground line is transmitted to the second support, A base station wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have opposite phases and the same magnitude.

5. In claim 2, The antenna module further includes a first antenna pad connected to another end of the first ground line and a second antenna pad connected to another end of the second ground line, The first support portion is connected to the first ground line by being placed on the first antenna pad, The second support member is connected to the second ground line by being placed on the second antenna pad, The first antenna pad transmits a first RF (radio frequency) signal generated from the first ground line to the first support, The second antenna pad transmits a second RF signal generated from the second ground line to the second support, A base station wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have opposite phases and the same magnitude.

6. In claim 2, The first support portion and the second support portion are formed by bending a portion of the radiator, The above radiator is formed with a first cutting area corresponding to the area of ​​the first support and a second cutting area corresponding to the area of ​​the second support, A base station, wherein the first cutting area is symmetrical with the second cutting area with respect to the center of the radiator.

7. In claim 2, The first ground line (1130) includes a first conductor (1130A) and a second conductor (1130B) arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, The second ground line (1140) includes a third conductor (1140A) and a fourth conductor (1140B) arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, The first conductor and the second conductor are connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge or a via, A base station, wherein the third conductor and the fourth conductor are connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge or a via.

8. In claim 2, A ground is formed on one side of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged and on a different side, A base station, wherein slots corresponding to the first ground line and the second ground line are formed in the ground.

9. In claim 2, A ground is formed on one surface of the antenna substrate on which the signal line is arranged, The first ground line and the second ground line are arranged on a different side from the one side, A base station, wherein the signal line and the first ground line are coupled through the antenna substrate, and the signal line and the second ground line are coupled through the antenna substrate.

10. In claim 2, The signal line includes a first signal line (210, 610, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510) for a first polarization and a second signal line (620) for a second polarization different from the first polarization, The first ground line includes a first-first ground line (230, 630, 1130, 1330, 1530) arranged adjacent to the first signal line and a first-second ground line (650) arranged adjacent to the second signal line. The second ground line includes a 2-1 ground line (240, 640, 1140, 1340, 1540) arranged adjacent to the first signal line and a 2-2 ground line (660) arranged adjacent to the second signal line. The first support portion includes a first support portion connected to the first-first ground line and a first-second support portion connected to the first-second ground line, A base station, wherein the second support portion includes a second-1 support portion connected to the second-1 ground line and a second-2 support portion connected to the second-2 ground line.

11. In claim 2, When coupled with the signal line, the first ground line feeds a first RF (radio frequency) signal to the radiator through the first support, When coupled with the signal line, the second ground line supplies a second RF signal to the radiator through the second support, The first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude, Based on the first RF signal and the second RF signal, an electrical path is formed in the radiator, A base station in which RF signals of a designated frequency band are transmitted and / or received based on the above electrical path.

12. In the antenna module, Antenna substrate (200); Signal lines (210, 610, 620, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510) arranged on the above antenna substrate; A balun (230, 240, 630, 640, 650, 660, 1130, 1140, 1330, 1340, 1530, 1540) positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the signal line on the antenna substrate; An array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements arranged on the antenna substrate; and It includes a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to control a signal applied to the plurality of antenna elements, The above antenna element, First and second supports connected to the above balloon; and An antenna module comprising a radiator (400, 500, 700, 810, 910, 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040) connected to the upper ends of the first support and the second support.

13. In claim 12, The balun includes a first ground line (230, 630, 650, 1130, 1330, 1530) for a first RF (radio frequency) signal and a second ground line (240, 640, 660, 1140, 1340, 1540) for a second RF signal, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude, The first ground line transmits the first RF signal to the first support, The second ground line transmits a second RF signal to the second support, An antenna module wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude.

14. In claim 12, The first support portion and the second support portion are formed by bending a portion of the radiator, The above radiator is formed with a first cutting area corresponding to the area of ​​the first support and a second cutting area corresponding to the area of ​​the second support, An antenna module wherein the first cutting area is symmetrical with the second cutting area with respect to the center of the radiator.

15. In claim 12, The balun includes a first ground line for a first RF (radio frequency) signal and a second ground line for a second RF signal, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are opposite in phase and have the same magnitude, The first ground line includes a first conductor and a second conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, The second ground line includes a third conductor and a fourth conductor arranged on both sides of the signal line on the antenna substrate, The first conductor and the second conductor are connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge or a via, An antenna module wherein the third conductor and the fourth conductor are connected to each other through a resistor, a bridge or a via.

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