Compact LTE Antenna with Perpendicular Ground Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compact antennas fail to effectively operate in LTE frequency bands, particularly covering bands 12, 13, 14, 17 (698 MHz-798 MHz) and 7, 38, 40 (2300-2690 MHz), which are essential for modern communication systems like LTE and WWAN.

Innovation Solution

A compact size antenna design featuring a radiation element with multiple branches, a ground extension element, and a connecting piece, where the radiation element and ground extension element are positioned on perpendicular planes, allowing for efficient signal feeding and impedance matching across various frequency bands, including LTE frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a monopole antenna or PIFA antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but it can only cover five WWAN frequency bands and cannot cover LTE frequency bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidantenna structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation element is divided into multiple branches (first radiation branch, second radiation branch, third radiation branch) with different lengths and configurations. Each branch is optimized to resonate at different frequency bands, enabling the antenna to cover both LTE and WWAN frequency ranges simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning the radiation element and ground extension element on perpendicular planes. This spatial dimensionality allows different branches to operate at different frequencies without interfering with each other, achieving multi-band coverage without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the antenna size is reduced to be compact, then the device space is saved, but the antenna cannot effectively operate in LTE frequency bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna sizeVSAvoidLTE frequency band operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna design nests multiple functional branches within a compact footprint. The first, second, and third radiation branches are arranged in a nested configuration where shorter branches are positioned within the spatial envelope of longer branches, allowing the antenna to maintain electrically large dimensions for LTE operation while occupying physically small space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The ground extension element is positioned on a plane perpendicular to the radiation element, utilizing the vertical dimension to extend the effective electrical length of the antenna without increasing the horizontal footprint. This allows the compact antenna to achieve the resonant lengths needed for LTE frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple frequency bands are covered, then the antenna versatility is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-band coverageVSAvoidantenna structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna merges multiple resonant structures into a single integrated radiation element with three branches. Instead of using separate antennas for different frequency bands, the design combines them into one structure where each branch naturally resonates at its designated frequency range, simplifying the overall system while achieving multi-band coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The radiation element is designed as a universal structure that serves multiple functions: the first branch handles lower frequency WWAN bands, the second and third branches handle LTE bands, and the ground extension element provides grounding for all frequency ranges. This multi-functional design achieves broad frequency coverage without requiring separate specialized antennas for each band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2493012B1Compact size antenna operating in LTE frequency bands
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 ACER INC
  • EP2493012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2493012B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2493012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compact size antenna operating in LTE frequency bands includes a radiation element, a ground plane, a connecting piece, and a ground extension element. The radiation element at least includes a first radiation branch extending toward a first direction, wherein a connection end of the radiation element has a signal feeding point. The connecting piece is coupled to the ground plane. The ground extension element includes: a metal arm, coupled to the ground plane through the connecting piece; a first ground branch, coupled to the metal arm, and extending toward the first direction; a second ground branch coupled to the metal arm, and extending toward a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a third ground branch, coupled to the metal arm, coupled to the second ground branch, and extending toward the first direction.