Antenna Module Layout With Integrated Filters for Frequency Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antenna modules are bulky and complex due to the presence of a filtering substrate between the antenna and control substrates, which prevents miniaturization of communication devices.

Innovation Solution

The antenna module integrates filters directly into the antenna substrate, eliminating the need for an additional filtering substrate and reducing the number of layers, with shield through holes and filters positioned between antenna patch conductors to separate necessary and unnecessary frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filtering substrate is added between the antenna and control substrates to separate frequency bands, then the frequency separation function is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency separation functionVSAvoidsubstrate layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filtering substrate with the antenna substrate by electrically connecting filter electrodes to ground through holes formed in the antenna substrate. This integration eliminates the need for a separate filtering substrate layer, reducing device complexity while maintaining the frequency separation function through the combined structure of antenna patch electrodes, filter electrodes, and ground electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a filtering substrate is added between the antenna and control substrates to separate frequency bands, then the frequency separation function is improved, but the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency separation functionVSAvoidantenna module size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering substrate is merged with the antenna substrate through electrical connections via ground through holes, eliminating the need for additional substrate layers and reducing the overall volume of the antenna module while preserving frequency separation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter electrodes are nested within the antenna substrate structure, with ground through holes providing vertical electrical connections that integrate the filtering function into the existing antenna substrate layer, thereby reducing the required volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If multiple substrate layers are used to include filtering substrate, then the frequency separation function is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency separation functionVSAvoidsubstrate assembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the filtering substrate with the antenna substrate through ground through holes and electrical connections, the patent reduces the number of separate substrate layers that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining frequency separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design simplifies the structure, avoids multilayering, and enables miniaturization of communication devices by embedding or positioning filters on the antenna substrate, effectively separating electromagnetic waves by frequency.

Implementation Method 1

filters each electrically connected to the shield through holes and including a high-frequency filter and a low-frequency filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS11916288B2Antenna module

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

An antenna module according to the present disclosure includes a control substrate including a control circuit, an antenna substrate mounted on the control substrate and including shield through holes and a plurality of first antenna patch conductors disposed side by side when viewed in a plan view, and filters each electrically connected to the shield through holes and including a high-frequency filter and a low-frequency filter. The control substrate or the antenna substrate includes internal antennas at positions each facing one of the plurality of corresponding first antenna patch conductors. When viewed in a plan view, the shield through holes and the filters are located between adjacent ones of the plurality of first antenna patch conductors.