Antenna Ground Plane Isolation for Compact Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication terminals like smartphones, antennas are often degraded due to proximity with metal components such as USB ports, leading to interference and compromised signal performance.

Innovation Solution

The antenna is isolated from metal components by connecting it to a ground plane via conductive lines, preventing current flow through the area between the conductive lines, thus avoiding interference from nearby metal parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna is disposed close to metal components to reduce terminal size, then the compactness of the terminal is improved, but the antenna performance is degraded due to interference from metal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal sizeVSAvoidantenna performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A ground plane structure is introduced as an intermediary between the antenna and metal components (such as USB ports). The ground plane includes a first ground region connected to the antenna and a second ground region separated from the first ground region, creating an electromagnetic isolation barrier that prevents interference from metal components while allowing the antenna to be disposed close to them for compact terminal design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If metal components are disposed near the antenna to achieve high component density, then the space utilization is improved, but the signal quality is worsened due to electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent densityVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ground plane is segmented into multiple regions: a first ground region connected to the antenna feeding point, a second ground region separated from the first ground region, and optionally a third ground region. This segmentation creates electromagnetic isolation zones that protect the antenna signal from interference by nearby metal components while maintaining high component density in the terminal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 maintains the antenna's performance even when placed near metal components, ensuring effective wireless communication without signal degradation.

Implementation Method 1

the antenna is isolated from interfering metal components... by connecting it to a ground plane via conductive lines, preventing current flow through the area between the conductive lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3041085B1Communication terminal
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3041085B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3041085B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3041085B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments include a communication device, having a wireless communication processor. The communication device includes an antenna connected to a feeding point of the wireless communication processor. The communication device also includes a metal component disposed proximal the antenna and a circuit board including a ground plane. The communication device further includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line which connect the ground plane to two locations on the antenna, on one end and the other end of a location proximal the metal component.