Antenna Isolation via Global Ground Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with multiple antennas, close proximity leads to undesirable coupling effects causing interference, making it challenging to achieve successful antenna arrangements without interference.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a conductive structure acting as a global ground to electrically and electromagnetically couple antennas, creating a cancelling signal of comparable magnitude and opposite phase to reduce interference, thereby increasing isolation between antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are located in close proximity to increase band coverage or implement MIMO, then antenna functionality is improved, but interference between antennas increases
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive structure is introduced as an intermediary element between multiple antennas to provide a common reference potential. This mediator structure enables the antennas to share a unified ground reference, thereby reducing mutual interference while maintaining close proximity for enhanced band coverage and MIMO functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive structure is configured to establish equipotential regions around each antenna by providing a common reference potential. This equipotential arrangement ensures that voltage differences between antennas are minimized, reducing electromagnetic coupling and interference while allowing antennas to operate in close proximity.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple antennas are located in close proximity, then device size is reduced, but coupling effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive structure serves as a mediator that provides a common reference potential for antennas in close proximity. This intermediary element enables compact device design by allowing antennas to be positioned closer together while the conductive structure actively manages and reduces the coupling effects that would otherwise result from their proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
By establishing equipotential regions through the conductive structure, the patent enables antennas to be placed in close proximity for compact device size. The equipotential configuration ensures that voltage differences and electromagnetic coupling between closely-spaced antennas are minimized, allowing small form factor devices to maintain effective antenna operation.
3Reliability
If antennas are coupled through a global ground, then isolation between antennas is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a common reference potential for all antennas, establishes equipotential regions to reduce interference, and creates isolation between antennas. This multi-functional element improves reliability through enhanced isolation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single structure accomplishes multiple objectives.
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 solution enhances antenna performance by achieving isolation levels of 30 dB or greater, allowing antennas to operate effectively in close proximity without significant interference, improving signal-to-noise ratios and data communications throughput.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second antennas may each be electrically and/or electromagnetically coupled to the conductive structure
Implementation Method 2
The interference signal can be reduced using a deliberately created cancelling signal. The cancelling signal may be of comparable magnitude and opposite phase to that of the interference signal
Implementation Method 3
one or both antennas may have traces that are configured to form a resonant circuit. The length of the ground element trace gives rise to an inductance for the resonant circuit. A gap in the ground element trace forms a capacitance in series with the inductance
Data Source
AI summary
Antennas for electronic devices are provided. First and second antennas may be mounted within an electronic device. Free-space coupling between the first and second antennas may give rise to interference. The first and second antennas may be coupled to a global ground. The global ground may be formed using a conductive member in the electronic device such as a conductive frame member. Signals that pass between the antennas through the global ground may serve as canceling signals that reduce the magnitude of free-space interference signals and thereby improve antenna isolation. The antennas may be coupled to the global ground using electrical paths or through near-field electromagnetic coupling. Coupling efficiency to the global ground may be enhanced by configuring the conductive traces of one or both of the antennas to form a resonant circuit.