Coupling Antenna Structure for Multi-Band Coverage in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna designs, such as flexible printed circuit (FPC) and laser direct structuring (LDS) antennas, fail to meet performance requirements due to compressed antenna space in electronic devices with metal frames and glass rear covers, especially when a higher screen-to-body ratio and larger battery capacity are integrated, limiting the ability to cover multiple frequency bands effectively.
Innovation Solution
A coupling antenna apparatus is introduced, featuring a feeding unit and a coupling unit with antenna elements on the rear cover, including floating metal antennas and slot antennas, which generate multiple resonance modes to improve bandwidth and radiation characteristics, even in limited design spaces. The apparatus can include various configurations, such as feeding support antennas, floating metal antennas, and slot antennas, optimized for specific frequency bands like Wi-Fi and LTE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antenna designs (FPC, LDS) are used in electronic devices with metal frames and glass rear covers, then the device structure can be compact, but the antenna performance requirements cannot be met due to compressed antenna space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar antenna designs (FPC, LDS) to three-dimensional floating metal antenna structures. The antenna elements are positioned at different heights and orientations in 3D space, utilizing vertical dimension to overcome the limited planar area on the rear cover, thereby achieving multi-frequency band performance in compressed space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where multiple antenna elements are integrated within a compact support framework. The floating metal antenna elements are positioned within the boundary defined by the metal frame, nesting the antenna system within the device's structural constraints while maintaining electrical performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If the screen-to-body ratio is increased and battery capacity is enlarged, then the device functionality is improved, but the antenna space is further compressed
Solution Approach 1:
As device components consume more planar space, the patent leverages the vertical dimension by positioning antenna elements at different heights above the rear cover surface. This 3D configuration allows the antenna system to maintain performance while the device achieves higher screen-to-body ratio and larger battery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The floating metal antenna structure is designed to support multiple frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz Wi-Fi, LTE bands) simultaneously through a single integrated antenna element configuration, providing multi-functionality that compensates for the reduced available space
3Reliability
If a higher screen-to-body ratio and larger battery capacity are integrated, then the device performance is improved, but the ability to cover multiple frequency bands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional positioning of antenna elements with varying heights, lengths, and orientations to create multiple resonance modes. This dimensional approach enables a single antenna structure to cover multiple frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, LTE) without requiring separate antenna elements for each band
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-frequency band coverage by varying geometric parameters of the floating metal antenna elements, including length, width, height, and positioning coordinates. By adjusting these parameters, the antenna resonates at multiple frequencies, enabling comprehensive frequency band coverage in limited space
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 coupling antenna apparatus enhances antenna performance by generating multiple resonances across various frequency bands, including 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, and LTE bands, while minimizing the impact of surrounding components and maintaining a compact design, thus addressing the space constraints in modern electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
generate resonances of a plurality of frequency bands
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna apparatus includes a feeding antenna inside an electronic device and one or more antenna elements, such as a floating metal antenna, disposed on a rear cover of the electronic device. The floating metal antenna and a feeding antenna inside the electronic device may form a coupling antenna structure. The feeding antenna may be an antenna fastened on an antenna support (which may be referred to as a support antenna). The feeding antenna may alternatively be a slot antenna formed by slitting on a metal middle frame of the electronic device. The antenna apparatus may be implemented in limited design space, thereby effectively saving antenna design space inside the electronic device. The antenna apparatus may generate excitation of a plurality of resonance modes, so that antenna bandwidth and radiation characteristics can be improved.