Circular Array Antenna FPCB Ground Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antenna devices with circular array structures face performance degradation due to narrow reflector plates, leading to inadequate radiation properties and increased reflection loss and isolation characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) with a metal surface and photoimageable solder resist layer, joined to the reflector plates of adjacent antennas via a choke member and plastic rivets, effectively expands the ground size and improves radiation properties without direct metal contact, which prevents performance degradations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are arranged in a circular array, then omnidirectional signal coverage is achieved, but the reflector plate size becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The FPCB merges the ground planes of multiple adjacent antennas into a unified extended ground structure. By connecting reflector plates through the FPCB's metal surface, the invention combines原本独立的ground planes into a larger continuous ground area, effectively increasing the reflector plate size while maintaining the circular array configuration for omnidirectional coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the ground plane in the horizontal dimension by using the FPCB to connect adjacent antenna reflector plates. This dimensional extension transforms the limited circular reflector plate area into an expanded ground structure that provides sufficient ground size without compromising the compact circular array layout
2Reliability
If reflector plate size is increased, then radiation properties improve, but the circular array structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The FPCB utilizes a flexible printed circuit board structure with a metal surface and PSR layer that can be joined to reflector plates. This flexible film-based approach provides an extended ground plane without requiring rigid structural modifications, thereby improving radiation properties while maintaining the flexibility and simplicity of the circular array structure
Solution Approach 2:
The FPCB acts as an intermediary element that connects adjacent antenna reflector plates. Rather than directly modifying the reflector plates or creating complex structural supports, the FPCB mediates the connection between components, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the desired ground plane extension for improved radiation characteristics
3Ease of manufacture
If reflector plate size is reduced, then manufacturing becomes easier, but reflection loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple small reflector plates into an effectively larger ground structure through the FPCB connection. This merging approach maintains the ease of manufacturing individual small components while achieving the energy reflection performance of a larger ground plane by creating a unified extended ground system
4Volume of moving object
If reflector plate size is reduced, then device compactness is achieved, but isolation characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The FPCB serves as an intermediary ground connection that improves isolation characteristics between adjacent antennas. By providing a controlled impedance path and unified ground reference through the metal surface and PSR layer structure, the FPCB enhances signal isolation while maintaining the compact circular array configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device having a circular array structure is disclosed. The disclosed device may include a multiple number of antennas positioned in a circular array and an upper board joined above the plurality of antennas, where each of the multiple antennas may include a reflector plate and at least one radiator joined to the reflector plate, and at least one FPCB joined to the reflector plates of a first antenna and a second antenna adjacent to each other from among the multiple antennas may further be included. The disclosed device can alleviate the performance degradation incurred by narrow reflector plates in an antenna device having a circular array structure and can provide radiation properties tantamount to essentially expanding the reflector plate of each antenna in an antenna device having a circular array structure.