Compact Antenna Structure with Notch Ground Plane and Tuning Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a small-size wideband antenna element for mobile devices is challenging due to limited inner space, as existing antennas struggle to accommodate multiple frequency bands efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A novel antenna structure incorporating a ground plane with a notch region, multiple feeding and radiation elements, and tuning circuits that form both planar and 3D configurations, allowing for impedance matching across multiple frequency bands without increasing the antenna's total area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to fit limited mobile device space, then the device compactness is improved, but the bandwidth coverage and impedance matching capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar antenna structure to a three-dimensional configuration by introducing vertical radiation elements and multi-layer feeding networks. This dimensional expansion allows the antenna to achieve wideband performance and multi-frequency coverage within a compact footprint by utilizing spatial volume rather than just surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna employs a nested structure where multiple feeding elements and tuning circuits are integrated within a compact arrangement. The first and second feeding elements, along with multiple radiation elements, are positioned in overlapping or adjacent spatial relationships, allowing multiple functional components to occupy minimal space while maintaining independent tuning capabilities for different frequency bands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frequency bands are supported, then the adaptability is improved, but the antenna complexity and space requirement worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is designed with multi-functional radiation elements that can operate across multiple frequency bands. The first, second, and third radiation elements, combined with the feeding network, create a universal antenna system capable of supporting GPS, WLAN 2.4GHz, and WLAN 5GHz bands simultaneously, reducing the need for separate dedicated antennas for each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna divides the frequency band coverage function into multiple independent but coordinated segments. Each radiation element and feeding element combination can be independently tuned to target specific frequency ranges, allowing the overall system to cover wide bandwidths through segmented functional units rather than requiring a single complex resonant structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna elements are shortened to reduce size, then the volume is improved, but the impedance matching and bandwidth performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple tuning circuits that can adjust electrical parameters such as capacitance and inductance to optimize impedance matching. These tuning components allow the antenna to maintain proper impedance characteristics across wide frequency bands even with shortened physical element lengths, compensating for the reduced electrical length through parameter adjustment rather than requiring full-wavelength dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding elements act as intermediaries between the signal source and radiation elements, providing impedance transformation and matching functionality. The multi-element feeding network includes tuning circuits that serve as intermediary components to bridge impedance discontinuities and optimize power transfer, enabling compact element lengths while maintaining reliable impedance matching through the intermediary feeding structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna structure includes a ground plane, a first feeding element, a second feeding element, a connection element, a first radiation element, a second radiation element, a third radiation element, a first tuning circuit, a second tuning circuit, a third tuning circuit, and a fourth tuning circuit. The ground plane has a notch region. The first tuning circuit is coupled between a signal source and the first feeding element. The second tuning circuit is coupled between the first feeding element and the second feeding element. The third tuning circuit is coupled between the second feeding element and the ground plane. The first radiation element is coupled to the first feeding element. The fourth tuning circuit is coupled between the first radiation element and the ground plane. Both the second radiation element and the third radiation element are coupled through the connection element to the second feeding element.