Antenna Array Design Reducing Coupling for 5G Bandwidth
Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices using high-frequency bands like 5G, antenna arrays face issues with narrowed bandwidth, reduced gain, and decreased radiation angle due to coupling between patch antennas, which complicates mass production and affects propagation characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An antenna array design featuring a plurality of antenna radiators arranged in an array with a ground member and conductive cells, along with feeding lines, is implemented. This design includes a substrate with a repeating pattern of conductive islands and a non-conductive layer, enhancing bandwidth and gain while reducing coupling between antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch antenna array is employed to transmit and receive millimeter waves, then the antenna can operate at extremely high frequency bands, but the bandwidth is narrowed, the gain is lowered, and the radiation angle is narrowed due to coupling between patch antennas
Solution Approach 1:
A ground member is introduced as an intermediary element between the patch antennas. This ground member has a specific pattern design that acts as a mediator to reduce the coupling effect between adjacent patch antennas, thereby preventing the narrowing of bandwidth and gain while maintaining the antenna's operation at extremely high frequency bands
Solution Approach 2:
The ground member is designed with a specific local pattern structure that varies in different regions. This local quality variation allows the ground member to effectively manage the coupling between patch antennas at different positions, optimizing the radiation characteristics and bandwidth across the entire antenna array
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spacer is used to widen the bandwidth, then the bandwidth increases, but the volume of the antenna increases and mass production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the spacing between patch antennas in the vertical dimension (which would increase volume), the invention introduces a ground member with a specific pattern design that operates in the electromagnetic field dimension. This approach widens the bandwidth by manipulating the electromagnetic coupling characteristics rather than physically separating the antennas, thereby maintaining a compact antenna volume suitable for mass production
3Reliability
If an inductive loaded antenna is used to increase the gain, then the gain increases, but the bandwidth is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful coupling effect between patch antennas into a beneficial mechanism. By designing the ground member with a specific pattern, the coupling that would normally narrow the bandwidth is transformed into a mechanism that enhances gain while maintaining bandwidth. The ground member pattern creates constructive interference in the radiation pattern, improving gain without the bandwidth penalty associated with inductive loading
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device is provided and includes a plurality of antenna radiators arranged in an array, a ground member in operable communication with the plurality of antenna radiators, a plurality of conductive cells arranged on the plurality of antenna radiators, and a plurality of feeding lines electrically connected to the plurality of antenna radiators.