Bent Dielectric Resonator Antenna for Thin mmWave Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in incorporating millimeter and centimeter wave communications due to substantial attenuation and distortion of radio-frequency signals, as well as the difficulty of integrating antennas with sufficient bandwidth amidst conductive device components, which limits the ability to support high-throughput wireless communications effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a phased antenna array with a bent dielectric resonator antenna that radiates signals through a display cover layer, utilizing a sapphire or dielectric cover layer, and a dielectric resonator antenna with a bent structure that reduces overall device height while optimizing radio-frequency performance, allowing for efficient communication in millimeter and centimeter wave frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a straight dielectric resonator antenna is used, then the antenna provides sufficient bandwidth and reliable signal propagation, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric resonator element is bent into a curved configuration rather than using a straight columnar shape. This curvature allows the antenna to achieve the necessary electrical length for millimeter and centimeter wave operation while reducing the overall height of the device. The bent shape maintains adequate bandwidth and signal propagation characteristics despite the reduced thickness.
2Length of moving object
If the dielectric resonator height is reduced to decrease device thickness, then the device becomes more compact, but the radio-frequency performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design transitions from a vertical height dimension to a lateral curvature dimension. By bending the dielectric resonator element horizontally and using a reflector positioned laterally, the design achieves the necessary electrical path length without increasing device thickness. This dimensional transformation maintains radio-frequency performance while reducing overall device height.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary element to redirect electromagnetic energy between the bent dielectric resonator segments. This reflector enables the antenna to achieve adequate bandwidth and signal propagation characteristics despite the reduced height of the dielectric resonator element, thereby maintaining radio-frequency performance in a compact form factor.
3Productivity
If millimeter and centimeter wave antennas are incorporated, then high-throughput wireless communications are enabled, but signal attenuation and distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design optimizes parameters including the dielectric constant of the resonator material, the bend radius of the curved element, and the positioning of the reflector to minimize signal attenuation at millimeter and centimeter wave frequencies. These parameter adjustments enable high-throughput communications while reducing energy loss during signal propagation through the device structure.
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 enables efficient wireless communications in millimeter and centimeter wave frequencies by reducing device thickness and maintaining optimal radio-frequency performance, thereby supporting high-throughput communications while minimizing space usage within the device.
Implementation Method 1
A phased antenna array may radiate at a frequency greater than 10 GHz through a display cover layer, an antenna window in the housing, a sapphire cover layer used for a camera window in the device, a dielectric cover layer on a rear housing wall for the device, or other dielectric cover layers. The phased antenna array may include a dielectric resonator antenna having a bent dielectric resonating element.
Implementation Method 2
A reflector may be provided on the angled surface to direct electromagnetic energy from the first segment to the second segment and vice versa.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may be provided with a phased antenna array having a bent dielectric resonating element. The bent dielectric resonating element may have a first segment, a second segment nonparallel to the first segment, and an angled surface that couples the first segment to the second segment. One or more feed probes may be coupled to the first segment to excite the dielectric resonating element. A reflector may be provided on the angled surface to direct electromagnetic energy from the first segment to the second segment and vice versa. The bent dielectric resonating element may exhibit less overall height than dielectric resonators having straight columns of dielectric material, thereby allowing for a reduction in the thickness of the electronic device. The angled surface and the reflector may optimize the radio-frequency performance of the antenna despite the reduction in overall height.