Antenna Isolation Network for Close-Spaced Multi-Antenna Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wireless communication devices face challenges in accommodating multiple antennas due to limited space, poor isolation, and impedance matching issues, especially with the increasing frequency bandwidths of technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and 5G, which require more than 6 antennas and struggle with mutual coupling and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
An antenna assembly with an isolation network is introduced, featuring a conductive structure and isolation circuit between antennas, coupled to a ground plane, which includes components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors to improve isolation and impedance matching, allowing antennas to be spaced closer together and operate over a wider frequency band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If antennas are placed close to each other to reduce device size, then device thickness and weight are reduced, but isolation between antennas deteriorates causing poor wireless throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an isolation network as an intermediary component positioned between adjacent antennas. This isolation network includes a conductive structure coupled to a ground plane, creating an electromagnetic shield that reduces mutual coupling between antennas. The isolation network acts as a mediator that allows antennas to be placed closer together while maintaining adequate isolation, thus resolving the contradiction between compact device size and antenna isolation.
2Device complexity
If antennas are placed close to each other to accommodate more antennas in limited space, then device complexity is reduced, but impedance matching deteriorates due to mutual coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation network serves as an intermediary that mitigates mutual coupling effects between closely spaced antennas. By placing the conductive structure coupled to ground between the antennas, it creates an electromagnetic barrier that reduces interference, thereby maintaining impedance matching performance even when antennas are positioned close together for simpler device integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more antennas are added to support Wi-Fi 6E and 5G frequency bands, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation network enables denser antenna placement by reducing mutual coupling between adjacent antennas. This allows the device to accommodate multiple antennas required for Wi-Fi 6E and 5G frequency bands within a smaller area, thus improving wireless communication capability without proportionally increasing the device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation network utilizes the vertical dimension by coupling the conductive structure to a ground plane, creating isolation in the vertical direction rather than requiring horizontal spacing. This dimensional approach allows antennas to be placed closer together in the planar area while maintaining isolation through the vertical ground plane coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide an antenna assembly and associated systems, devices, and methods. The antenna assembly may include two or more antennas, including a first antenna and a second antenna, coupled to a ground plane. The antenna assembly may further include an isolation network coupled to the ground plane between the first and second antennas. The isolation network may include a conductive structure between conductive antenna portions of the first and second antennas, and an isolation circuit coupled between the conductive structure and the ground plane. The isolation circuit may include a resistor, an inductor, and/or a capacitor (e.g., coupled in parallel with one another). Other embodiments may be described and claimed.