Antenna Module Identification Mark Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array antenna devices face challenges in easily sighting identification marks due to their location on the back surface of the antenna substrate, which increases processing steps and can degrade antenna characteristics, especially in millimeter band applications where transmission loss is a concern.
Innovation Solution
An antenna module with patch antennas on the front surface of a dielectric substrate and an identification mark located within the antenna arrangement area, not overlapping feed points, allows for easier sighting and reduced size, while maintaining antenna performance by minimizing the impact on antenna characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the identification mark is formed on the back surface of the antenna substrate, then the antenna characteristics are maintained, but the identification mark cannot be readily sighted and the number of checking processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification mark is positioned within the antenna arrangement area on the front surface rather than on the back surface, utilizing the two-dimensional space of the front surface to achieve both sightability and process efficiency. This dimensional repositioning allows the mark to be viewed from the front without requiring additional back-surface checking steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The front surface of the antenna substrate serves multiple functions: it houses the patch antennas for radiation and simultaneously provides space within the antenna arrangement area for the identification mark. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate marking areas on the back surface.
2Productivity
If the identification mark is formed near the front surface of the antenna substrate, then the number of checking processes decreases, but the antenna characteristics are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The identification mark is placed in a specific local region within the antenna arrangement area that does not overlap with feed points. This localized positioning ensures that the mark is visible on the front surface while avoiding areas critical for antenna performance, thus maintaining antenna characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna arrangement area is effectively segmented into regions: areas overlapping with feed points (where marks should not be placed) and non-overlapping areas (where marks can be placed). This segmentation allows the identification mark to be positioned in safe zones that do not interfere with antenna functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a separated area for the identification mark is defined within the outer circumferential area, then the identification mark can be formed near the front surface, but the size of the antenna module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna arrangement area serves dual purposes: it contains the patch antennas for radiation and simultaneously provides space for the identification mark. By utilizing the existing antenna arrangement area rather than creating a separate marking area, the overall module size is minimized while maintaining front-surface visibility of the mark.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional area for antennas and the area for identification marking are merged into the same spatial region (the antenna arrangement area). This merging eliminates the need for additional separated areas, thereby reducing the overall antenna module size while still allowing the mark to be visible from the front.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna module (10) includes a dielectric substrate (110), patch antennas (100) that are disposed at locations near a first main surface of the dielectric substrate (110), a RFIC (30) that is mounted at a location near a second main surface of the dielectric substrate (110) opposite the first main surface and that is electrically connected to the patch antennas (100), and an identification mark (50) that is located in an antenna arrangement area that is an area of the dielectric substrate (110) except for an outer circumferential area in which the patch antennas (100) are not arranged. The identification mark (50) is located in the antenna arrangement area so as not to overlap feed points (115) with which the respective patch antennas (100) are provided in a plan view of the first main surface.