Antenna Assembly with Electrically Extended Ground Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal antenna designs face challenges in balancing ground plane size with performance, often resulting in undesirable electromagnetic interference and practical manufacturing issues, while also needing to conform to physical device constraints and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The antenna assembly electrically extends the ground plane by coupling a conductive member to form a loop spaced less than a predetermined fraction of a wavelength from the ground plane, allowing for improved electrical characteristics without increasing physical dimensions, achieved through strategic placement and configuration of conductive members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ground plane size is increased to improve antenna performance, then antenna efficiency and bandwidth are improved, but the physical dimensions of the device increase and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional ground plane to a three-dimensional structure by adding conductive members that extend vertically and form loops. This spatial extension creates additional electromagnetic pathways without increasing the device's footprint, effectively decoupling antenna performance from planar ground plane area.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive members are positioned to form loops that enclose portions of the ground plane, creating a nested configuration where the three-dimensional loop structure contains the two-dimensional ground plane within its enclosed space. This nesting allows the ground plane to serve dual purposes: as a traditional reference plane and as part of the extended electromagnetic structure.
2Reliability
If transversal slots are added to control ground plane wavemodes, then antenna performance is improved, but electromagnetic interference increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavemode control function from the ground plane itself by introducing separate conductive members that form loops. These loops provide the necessary electromagnetic path control without requiring slots to be cut into the ground plane, thereby eliminating the source of electromagnetic interference while maintaining wavemode control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ground plane control function into separate components: the original ground plane remains intact for reference potential, while additional conductive members are introduced as independent elements that form loops to control electromagnetic pathways. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without compromising the other.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ground plane area is extended to distribute electric field, then SAR is reduced, but the device physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses SAR reduction by extending the electromagnetic structure into the third dimension through vertical conductive members forming loops. This volumetric extension provides additional space for electric field distribution without increasing the device's planar footprint, allowing SAR reduction while maintaining compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electromagnetic structure combining the original ground plane material with additional conductive members. This composite configuration provides multiple pathways for current flow and electric field distribution, enhancing SAR performance through the synergistic interaction of different conductive elements in three-dimensional space.
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 approach enhances antenna performance by creating a virtually extended ground plane, improving efficiency, bandwidth, and reducing Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) levels, while maintaining device aesthetics and compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
at least one conductive member electrically coupled to the ground plane such that the at least one conductive member forms a loop spaced from the ground plane by a distance that is less than a predetermined fraction of one wavelength of the operating frequency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2E~2G
AI summary
Antenna assembly (200A-200H) having an electrically or virtually extended ground plane, adapted for use in a mobile communications device (400), for example. The antenna assembly (200A-200H) comprises at least one radiation element (204) having an operating frequency and a ground plane (202) coupled to the radiation element (204). At least one conductive member (211A, 211B) is electrically coupled to the ground plane (202) at one or more connection points (208A, 208B) such that the conductive member (211A, 211B) forms a loop (206) with the ground plane (202) having a minimum distance (h) therefrom that is less than a predetermined fraction of one wavelength of the operating frequency.