Dielectric Resonator Studs for Antenna Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Antenna devices for 5G and future wireless communication systems face challenges in managing heat dissipation, especially with large grid sizes, where passive heat sinks provide limited temperature reduction, and active liquid-cooled solutions are costly and voluminous.

Innovation Solution

The antenna device incorporates a dielectric resonator body with studs having excised sections or tapered outer circumferences, enhancing thermal resistance and heat exchange with surrounding air, achieving an additional temperature reduction of 15% to 25% compared to devices without such features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If passive heat sinks are integrated in the antenna unit, then the temperature reduction of the antenna device is improved (about 9%), but the device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature reductionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator units are designed to serve dual functions: electromagnetic resonance for signal transmission and heat dissipation for thermal management. By integrating the heat dissipation function into the existing resonator structure, the patent avoids adding separate heat sink components, thus reducing device complexity while achieving effective temperature reduction

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the resonator units (such as height, width, and positioning) to optimize both their electromagnetic resonance characteristics and thermal dissipation performance. This allows the same structural elements to fulfill multiple functions effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If active liquid cooled heat sink is applied, then the temperature reduction during operation is improved, but the cost and volume increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature reductionVSAvoidvolume
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator units utilize the surrounding air for heat dissipation through their elevated stud structures, which increase surface area exposure to ambient air. This passive convection-based cooling system eliminates the need for active liquid cooling mechanisms, reducing both volume and cost while maintaining effective temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from complex active cooling systems and implements it through simple geometric modifications to the resonator studs, which naturally facilitate heat exchange with surrounding air through increased surface area and improved airflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration effectively lowers the operating temperature of the antenna device by improving thermal resistance and heat exchange, offering a cost-effective solution beyond passive heat sinks, suitable for 5G and future wireless communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

The resonator base layer and the resonator units are made of dielectric material... improving thermal resistance and heat exchange with surrounding air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat exchange with surrounding air... the effective temperature of the device during operation is lowered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

heat exchange with surrounding air... achieving an additional temperature reduction of 15% to 25%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

each antenna unit is provided with a corresponding resonator unit for achieving an adequate transmission of electromagnetic signals... a dielectric resonator body which comprises a resonator base layer... provided with a multitude of adjacent resonator units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4160818A1Antenna device suitable for wireless communications, RF transceiver containing an antenna device, use in a wireless communication system of an antenna device
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 THE ANTENNA COMPANY INT
  • EP4160818A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4160818A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4160818A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Antenna device which is suitable for wireless communications, remote sensing, and space/satellite applications at millimeter or sub-millimeter wave frequencies, wherein the antenna device comprises: i) a primary layer having a top side and a bottom side, the primary layer comprising a multitude of adjacent antenna units wherein each antenna unit has a respective electrically conductive antenna plate which is present at the top side of the primary layer, and ii) a dielectric resonator body which comprises a resonator base layer having a top side and a bottom side, which top side is provided with a multitude of adjacent resonator units, wherein the resonator base layer and the resonator units are made of dielectric material, wherein the bottom side of the dielectric resonator body is provided on the top side of the primary layer, and wherein above the antenna plate of each antenna unit a corresponding resonator unit is present, wherein the adjacent resonator units are spaced apart from each other, and each resonator unit has the form of a stud projecting from the resonator base layer, and wherein each stud is a solid structure which is provided with one or more excised sections, and/or has a tapered outer circumference.