Display-Integrated RF Antenna Layout for Screen Blockage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable devices face challenges in integrating radar systems capable of operating in front of display screens due to signal penetration issues, making it difficult to fit additional antennas while maintaining desired functionality.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency (RF) system utilizing a flexible substrate with a bent transmission line to propagate signals between opposing surfaces, allowing antennas to be integrated on one side of the substrate while circuitry is on the other, enabling RF signal transmission and reception through a transparent or opaque layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a radar system is integrated with a display screen to enable gesture detection and object ranging, then the device functionality is improved, but the display screen blocks RF signals from penetrating through, making radar operation in front of the display impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsignal blockage by display screen

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the radar antenna on the back surface of the display assembly rather than the front surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to resolve the signal blockage issue. This allows the antenna to transmit and receive RF signals without obstruction from the display screen while maintaining gesture detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The radar antenna is integrated within the display assembly structure, nested between the display screen and the device housing. This nested configuration allows the radar system to coexist with the display screen in a compact arrangement, enabling both functions without increasing overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If multiple antenna elements are added for beamforming and MIMO configurations, then the radar performance is improved, but the device size increases making it difficult to fit within the device casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradar performanceVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna elements are arranged in a planar array on the back surface of the display assembly, merging the radar functionality into the existing display structure. This combining approach enables beamforming and MIMO capabilities without requiring separate dedicated space for radar components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna elements are distributed across the two-dimensional back surface area of the display assembly, utilizing spatial distribution in planar dimensions rather than requiring increased device thickness or volume. This allows multiple antennas to fit within the existing device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the antenna is placed on the front surface to enable RF signal transmission, then the radar functionality is improved, but the display screen blocks the signals from reaching the antenna

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF signal transmissionVSAvoidsignal blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the antenna on the conventional front surface where it would be blocked by the display screen, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the antenna on the back surface. This inversion allows RF signals to transmit through air or housing materials that are transparent to RF frequencies, avoiding display screen blockage entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 RF signal transmission and reception on one side of the device, reducing device size by eliminating the need for a bezel and allowing for gesture control, object ranging, and motion tracking without increasing the device's size.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission line disposed on a bent region of the flexible substrate between the first portion and the second portion, the transmission line being configured to propagate the RF signals between the first portion and the second portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11828835B2Radio frequency systems integrated with displays and methods of formation thereof

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A radio frequency (RF) device includes a display screen and a flexible substrate. The display screen is configured to transmit visible light at a first side of the display screen. The flexible substrate includes a first portion overlapping the first side, and a second portion overlapping an opposite second side of the display screen. The RF device further includes a plurality of antennas disposed over the first portion of the flexible substrate and the first side, and a transmission line disposed on a bent region of the flexible substrate between the first and second portions. The plurality of antennas is configured to transmit/receive RF signals on the first side of the display screen. The display screen is opaque to the RF signals. The transmission line is configured to propagate the RF signals between the first portion and the second portion on the opposite second side of the display screen.