Display-Integrated Antenna Layout Without Ferrite Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with wireless communications capabilities face challenges in integrating multiple antennas for different frequency bands while maintaining a compact form factor and avoiding interference with other components.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a far field antenna and a near field antenna within the display of an electronic device, utilizing portions of the TFT and OLED layers, eliminates the need for ferrite layers, thereby reducing the display's thickness and allowing for efficient wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are integrated into the display for different frequency bands, then wireless communication capability is improved, but display thickness increases due to ferrite layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna types (far field antenna using TFT/OLED layers and near field antenna using coil) within the same display structure, allowing the display to support both far field and near field wireless communications simultaneously without requiring separate antenna modules that would increase thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an opaque masking layer as an intermediary component that selectively blocks electromagnetic interference from reaching specific display layers. This masking layer enables the coexistence of multiple antennas by preventing harmful interactions while maintaining display functionality and avoiding the need for thick ferrite shielding layers
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are integrated into the display, then wireless communication across frequency bands is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the visual display medium and the integration platform for multiple antenna systems. The TFT layer, OLED layer, and touch sensor layer collectively provide both display functionality and far field antenna functionality, while the coil provides near field antenna functionality, eliminating the need for separate antenna modules that would increase device footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical layering of the display structure to accommodate multiple antennas in different dimensional spaces. The far field antenna uses conductive patterns in the TFT and OLED layers, while the near field antenna uses a coil structure in a different layer, allowing spectral and spatial separation of antenna functions without increasing lateral device dimensions
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are integrated into the display, then wireless communication performance is improved, but interference with display components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque masking layer serves as an intermediary that selectively blocks electromagnetic interference pathways while allowing the antenna structures to function. By strategically positioning the masking layer, the patent prevents harmful electromagnetic coupling between the coil and sensitive display components (TFT layer, OLED layer, touch sensor layer) while maintaining wireless communication performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display structure into distinct functional zones with different electromagnetic properties. The peripheral region contains the coil with masking layer protection, while the central region maintains full display functionality. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing interference between regions
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 enables efficient wireless communication across various frequency bands without increasing the device's size, while maintaining satisfactory performance and reducing interference.
Implementation Method 1
The far field antenna may have an antenna resonating element. The antenna resonating element may include portions of the TFT layer, OLED layer, and touch sensor layer within the central region of the display panel
Implementation Method 2
The near field antenna has a coil that overlaps the peripheral region of the display panel. The coil may laterally surround a central area overlapping the central region of the display panel and the antenna resonating element of the far field antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device such as a wristwatch may be provided with a housing, a display mounted to the housing, and a near field antenna. The display may include a display panel. A central region of the display panel may emit images through the display cover layer. A peripheral region of the display panel does not emit images through the display cover layer. The near field antenna has a coil that overlaps the peripheral region of the display panel. The coil may laterally surround a central area overlapping the central region of the display panel. The coil may be interposed between the display panel and the display cover layer or may be integrated into the display panel. Integrating the near field antenna into the display in this way may allow the display to be implemented without any ferrite layers, which may reduce a thickness of the display.