Compact Multi-Band Antenna Element With Matching Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face challenges in integrating a radiating system that efficiently operates across multiple frequency bands without requiring complex and large antenna elements, which are often customized for each device model, leading to increased cost and time-to-market.
Innovation Solution
A radiating system comprising a ground plane layer and a small, non-resonant antenna element with a simple contour shape, connected via a feeding line and a matching network, allowing operation across a wide range of frequencies, including LTE700 and below, without the need for customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna elements are designed to operate in multiple frequency bands with complex mechanical designs, then the radiofrequency performance is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single antenna element with a simple contour shape that can operate across multiple frequency bands (including LTE700 and below) without requiring customization for each device model. This universal antenna design eliminates the need for complex mechanical designs while maintaining reliable radiofrequency performance across different frequency regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing a matching network that adjusts electrical parameters to enable the simple contour antenna element to resonate at different frequencies. The matching network transforms the antenna's input impedance to achieve resonance conditions across multiple frequency bands, allowing a simple physical structure to achieve complex operational requirements.
2Reliability
If antenna elements are customized for every wireless device model, then the radiofrequency performance is optimized, but the manufacturing cost and time-to-market increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating an antenna element with a simple contour shape that can be used across multiple wireless device models without customization. This universal design maintains optimized radiofrequency performance while enabling standardized manufacturing processes, thereby improving productivity and reducing time-to-market.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by using the same simple contour antenna element design across different device models. Instead of creating unique antenna designs for each model, the same antenna pattern is replicated and adapted through the matching network, reducing manufacturing complexity and improving production efficiency.
3Reliability
If the antenna element dimension is close to an integer multiple of a quarter of the wavelength, then the antenna is at resonance with good performance, but the antenna size increases occupying more device space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a matching network to alter the electrical length of the antenna element. The matching network introduces reactive components that electrically extend the antenna's resonant behavior without physically increasing its dimensions. This allows the simple contour antenna to achieve resonance at lower frequencies (including LTE700 and below) while maintaining a compact physical size.
Solution Approach 2:
The matching network serves as an intermediary between the simple contour antenna element and the transmission line. It mediates the impedance transformation and resonance conditions, enabling the compact antenna to achieve the electrical characteristics of a larger resonant antenna without increasing its physical volume.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple contour shape antenna element is used, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but achieving operation across wide frequency ranges becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The matching network acts as an intermediary that enables the simple contour antenna element to operate across a wide frequency range. It provides the necessary impedance transformation and resonance tuning to extend the operational bandwidth of the simple antenna structure without complicating its manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The matching network utilizes parameter changes by adjusting electrical reactance values to resonate the simple contour antenna at different frequencies. This allows a single simple antenna design to adapt to multiple frequency bands through electrical tuning rather than physical redesign.
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
The solution enables efficient radio-frequency performance across multiple bands with a compact antenna design, facilitating faster production, reduced manual assembly, and enabling slimmer wireless devices with more internal space for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
a radiating system configured to transmit/receive electromagnetic wave signals at least at a first frequency region and a second frequency region
Implementation Method 2
a first matching network, which is normally connected to the first feeding line, the matching network used for matching all the target frequency bands
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises an antenna element operable in multiple frequency bands and configured to be connected to a ground plane and to a radiofrequency system to provide impedance matching at the multiple frequency bands, where the radiofrequency system comprising at least a matching network. A maximum length of the antenna element is shorter than L/12 but longer than L/22, where L is the free-space wavelength corresponding to a lowest frequency related to a lowest frequency region of operation of the antenna element. A contour of the antenna element has a complexity factor F12 less than 1.25.