Antenna Module Cavity Ground Electrode Impedance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to downsize antenna modules while maintaining communication characteristics, as reducing the thickness of antenna modules with dividers leads to increased parasitic capacitance and impedance issues, affecting communication quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The antenna module incorporates a multilayer dielectric substrate with a Wilkinson divider and ground electrodes, where a cavity is formed at the ground electrode to reduce parasitic capacitance, allowing for thinner designs without compromising impedance and communication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the height (thickness) of the antenna module is decreased to reduce size, then the size reduction is achieved, but the parasitic capacitance component of the divider is increased and the desired impedance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a cavity structure in the ground electrode layer, creating a three-dimensional spatial configuration that compensates for the reduced thickness. The cavity provides additional electrical path length and adjusts the impedance characteristics without increasing the overall module height, effectively resolving the contradiction between size reduction and impedance maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical structure of the ground electrode by introducing a cavity, which modifies the electrical parameters (parasitic capacitance, impedance) of the divider circuit. This structural parameter change allows the system to maintain desired impedance characteristics even when the overall module thickness is reduced.
2Length of moving object
If the height (thickness) of the antenna module is decreased to reduce size, then the size reduction is achieved, but communication characteristics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure in the ground electrode introduces a vertical dimension feature that maintains electrical performance. By creating a localized three-dimensional structure within the thin profile, the invention preserves communication characteristics such as signal integrity and impedance matching while achieving overall size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity modification changes the electrical parameters of the ground electrode and divider circuit, adjusting parasitic capacitance and impedance values to maintain optimal communication characteristics despite the reduced module thickness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a divider is provided in the antenna module for Massive MIMO, then the functionality for multiple antenna elements is achieved, but the parasitic capacitance increases when thickness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure in the ground electrode layer creates a vertical spatial feature that compensates for the increased parasitic capacitance caused by the divider. This three-dimensional configuration provides additional electrical path length and reduces the harmful capacitive effects while maintaining the thin profile required for Massive MIMO functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful parasitic capacitance effect into a beneficial design feature by strategically placing the cavity structure. The cavity's geometry and position are optimized to control and utilize the parasitic capacitance in a way that maintains impedance matching and signal integrity for Massive MIMO operations.
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 enables the reduction of antenna module thickness while maintaining desired impedance and communication characteristics, reducing signal reflection and loss, and thus hindering degradation of communication quality.
Implementation Method 1
when the height (thickness) of the entire antenna module is decreased, the parasitic capacitance component of the divider is increased
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna module (100) includes a dielectric substrate (125), antenna groups (123A, 123B) including a plurality of antenna elements (121), RFICs (110A, 110B) configured to supply radio-frequency power to the antenna groups (123A, 123B), a divider (140) configured to divide a radio-frequency signal between the RFICs (110A, 110B), and a ground electrode (GND2). The RFICs (110A, 110B) are mounted at a mounting surface (126) of the dielectric substrate (125). The divider (140) is provided closer to the mounting surface (126) than to the layer in which the antenna groups (123A, 123B) are provided. The divider (140) includes a first path having lower impedance and a second path having higher impedance. When viewed in plan view in a normal-line direction with respect to the mounting surface (126), a cavity (300) is formed at a portion of the ground electrode (GND2), the portion facing the second path.