Antenna Array With Laser-Soldered Solder Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating multiple antennas into compact electronic devices is challenging due to space constraints and the need to prevent interference between them, while also ensuring efficient manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of an antenna array with a shared antenna ground and multiple resonating elements, where the electric field polarizations of some antennas are different, and the formation of solder joints using laser light to connect metal traces on a dielectric support structure to a stamped sheet metal antenna ground with slanted steps, reducing electromagnetic coupling and improving signal distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are incorporated into a compact device, then wireless communication capabilities are enhanced, but space constraints and antenna interference issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent resonating elements (at least six) that can be individually optimized for different frequency bands and polarization types. Each resonating element is a separate component that can be independently designed, positioned, and tuned, allowing diverse wireless communication capabilities to be achieved without requiring a single large antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning resonating elements around the periphery of a central ground structure at different heights and angles. The slanted steps create vertical and angular separation between elements, transforming a two-dimensional plane into a three-dimensional antenna array that maximizes space utilization while minimizing interference.
2Reliability
If multiple antennas with different polarizations are used, then antenna performance is enhanced through polarization diversity, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple resonating elements with different polarization characteristics are merged into a unified antenna array structure sharing a common central ground. This integrated approach provides polarization diversity for improved reliability while maintaining a compact, manageable structure rather than using separate antenna systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna array are assigned different polarization properties based on their local spatial orientation. Resonating elements at different positions and angles provide different polarizations locally, creating overall polarization diversity without requiring the entire structure to be complex. Each local element is optimized for its specific position and function.
3Ease of manufacture
If solder joints are formed using traditional heating methods, then manufacturing process is simple, but manufacturing precision and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional thermal conduction-based heating method is replaced with laser beam heating. The laser provides precise, localized, and rapid heating of the solder joints through optical energy, substituting mechanical/thermal diffusion processes with optical field interaction. This increases heating speed and precision while reducing overall process time.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating parameters are fundamentally changed by using laser light intensity and duration control instead of conventional thermal diffusion. The laser can be precisely controlled in terms of power, focal point, and exposure time, enabling rapid and accurate solder joint formation. This parameter control dramatically improves manufacturing precision and throughput compared to traditional methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances antenna performance by reducing interference and allowing for efficient production of compact electronic devices with multiple antennas, improving wireless communication capabilities, particularly in MIMO schemes.
Implementation Method 1
laser light may be applied to the sheet metal of the antenna ground in the vicinity of the solder paste
Implementation Method 2
The solder paste in this type of joint may be heated by applying laser light to the metal member
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless electronic device may be provided with antenna structures. The antenna structures may be formed from an antenna ground and an array of antenna resonating elements. The antenna resonating elements may be electrically connected to the antenna ground using solder. The antenna resonating elements may be formed from metal traces on a dielectric support structure that surrounds the antenna ground. The antenna ground may be formed form stamped sheet metal and may have slanted steps adjacent to the antenna resonating elements. To form a solder joint between the metal antenna resonating element traces and the sheet metal of the antenna ground, laser light may be applied to the sheet metal of the antenna ground in the vicinity of the solder paste. Separate metal members may also be provided in the vicinity of the solder paste and may be heated using the laser to join metal traces on plastic carriers.