3D Tunable Antenna Module for Wideband Mobile Band Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a small-size wideband antenna module that can effectively cover a wide range of frequency bands for mobile devices, particularly for LTE-M/NB-IoT and 5G NR operations, while maintaining communication quality and minimizing device size.
Innovation Solution
A tunable antenna module comprising a ground metal plane, a nonconductive 3D support element, first and second radiation metal elements, a switch element, and impedance elements, which allows for adjustable impedance matching to cover frequency bands from 699 MHz to 2155 MHz without a clearance region on the ground metal plane, enabling compact size and wideband operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional antenna design is used to cover wide frequency bands, then the bandwidth is sufficient, but the antenna size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into two separate radiation elements (first and second radiation metal elements) with different geometries. Each element is optimized for specific frequency bands, allowing the antenna to cover wide bandwidth through segmentation rather than using a single large antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are arranged in a three-dimensional space with specific spatial relationships (adjacent but separate positioning). This 3D arrangement allows compact integration of multiple radiation elements, achieving wideband coverage without increasing the overall footprint area.
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced for compact devices, then the device size is minimized, but the bandwidth coverage becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radiation elements targeting different frequency bands are merged into a single integrated antenna module. The first and second radiation metal elements work together to provide comprehensive bandwidth coverage (699-2155 MHz) within a compact form factor, combining the functions of what would traditionally require separate antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna module is designed to universally support multiple frequency bands and communication standards (LTE, LTE-M, NB-IoT, 5G NR) through a single compact structure. The radiation elements and impedance matching network are configured to provide multi-functional operation across diverse wireless communication protocols.
3Reliability
If impedance matching is optimized for specific frequency bands, then communication quality is improved, but the antenna becomes tuned to narrow bands
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna incorporates a switch element and multiple impedance elements that can be dynamically configured to optimize performance for different operating bands. This dynamic impedance adjustment allows the antenna to maintain high communication quality across multiple frequency bands rather than being fixed for a single band.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance characteristics of the antenna are made variable through the inclusion of switchable impedance elements. By changing the impedance parameters through the switch element, the antenna can be adapted to different frequency bands while maintaining optimal communication quality, achieving both reliability and bandwidth coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable antenna module includes a ground metal plane, a nonconductive support element, a first radiation metal element, a second radiation metal element, a switch element, and a plurality of impedance elements. The ground metal plane provides a ground voltage. The first radiation metal element is coupled to a signal source. The second radiation metal element is adjacent to and separate from the first radiation metal element. The switch element selects one of the impedance elements, such that the second radiation metal element is coupled through the selected impedance element to the ground voltage. The nonconductive support element has a 3D (Three-Dimensional) structure. The first radiation metal element and the second radiation metal element are distributed over the nonconductive support element.