Antenna Frequency Tuning via Interlayer Capacitance in Thin Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices become thinner, the proximity of antennas to metal components reduces their performance, particularly in wearable devices where the metal housing is used as an antenna, leading to degraded performance due to the human body's presence and increased circuit loss.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design that includes a conductive member forming part of the side surface, a display with a conductive layer, a printed circuit board with a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer spaced apart from the display, using an electric coupling operation between the conductive layers to tune the operating frequency in a low band, enhancing antenna performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If electronic devices become thinner and use metal materials to increase structural stiffness, then exterior design and structural strength are improved, but antenna performance is degraded due to shorter separation distance between antenna and metal parts
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal housing (which serves as antenna) and the display/conductive layers. This mediator increases the separation distance between conductive elements, reducing electromagnetic interference and improving antenna performance while maintaining the thin profile and metal housing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation distance parameter between conductive layers by introducing the non-conductive plate with specific thickness. This parameter modification optimizes the electromagnetic characteristics and antenna performance without compromising the overall device thickness
2Reliability
If antennas are spaced apart by a predetermined distance to consider frequency characteristics, then antenna performance is improved, but device size must increase or arrangements become complicated leading to circuit loss
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing horizontal separation distance between antennas, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking conductive layers at different heights separated by a non-conductive plate. This dimensional approach achieves the required electrical separation without increasing device footprint or complicating layout arrangements
3Area of stationary object
If external metal housing is used as antenna to guarantee antenna mounting space, then antenna space is secured, but performance is degraded when worn on human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions: the metal housing provides the antenna structure, while a non-conductive plate is strategically placed in specific locations to optimize electromagnetic characteristics. This localized quality differentiation improves antenna performance in the low band frequency range while maintaining the metal housing antenna configuration
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
The solution effectively implements low-band antenna performance and tunes the operating frequency, improving antenna performance in thin electronic devices, including those worn on the human body by optimizing the electric coupling between conductive layers.
Implementation Method 1
tune an operating frequency in a low band by using an electric coupling operation between a conductive plate and a conductive pattern
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device may comprise: a housing comprising a first surface, a second surface oriented in the direction opposite from the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a conductive member for forming at least a portion of the side surface; a display seen through the first surface and including a first conductive layer; a printed circuit board disposed to be spaced apart from the display between the display and the second surface in the housing, and including a second conductive layer in which at least a portion thereof faces the first conductive layer; a third conductive layer spaced apart from the display and the printed circuit board, disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and facing the first conductive layer; a support structure comprising a non-conductive plate which is formed between the third conductive layer and the printed circuit board and in which at least a portion thereof is in contact with the third conductive layer; a conductive pattern extending between the third conductive layer and the non-conductive plate and electrically connected to the second conductive layer; and a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the conductive member and configured to transmit and/or receive an RF signal. Other various embodiments may be possible.