Distributed Millimeter Wave Antennas for Compact Device Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in providing comprehensive millimeter and centimeter wave wireless communications due to signal attenuation and distortion, especially in compact designs where space constraints limit the coverage of wireless communications circuitry across all angles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of phased antenna arrays combined with independent antennas, which can be strategically placed within the device to form steerable signal beams, and optionally coupled with power amplifier stages to enhance gain, allowing for effective millimeter and centimeter wave coverage across a full sphere despite space limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If millimeter wave and centimeter wave antennas are used to support high bandwidth wireless communications, then communication bandwidth is improved, but signal attenuation and distortion increase during propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple distributed antennas placed at different locations within the device housing. Each antenna handles specific spatial sectors, and their combined coverage provides comprehensive omnidirectional millimeter wave and centimeter wave communication while mitigating signal attenuation through spatial diversity
Solution Approach 2:
Antennas are distributed across three-dimensional space within the device housing rather than being confined to a single plane or location. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions enables coverage across all angles around the device while compensating for signal attenuation at high frequencies
2Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact to reduce size, then device dimensions are improved, but coverage across all angles at millimeter and centimeter wave frequencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple distributed antennas placed at different locations within the compact device housing. Each antenna covers specific angular sectors, and their combined coverage provides comprehensive omnidirectional millimeter wave and centimeter wave communication while mitigating signal attenuation through spatial diversity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antennas are nested within the compact device housing, with antennas positioned in available spaces such as behind the display assembly and within the housing structure. This nested arrangement enables comprehensive angular coverage while maintaining a compact device form factor
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 ensures robust millimeter and centimeter wave coverage across all sides of the device, compensating for signal attenuation and distortion, while optimizing the use of space within the device for both active display areas and antenna placement.
Implementation Method 1
The phased antenna array may transmit radio-frequency signals within a steerable signal beam
Implementation Method 2
the independent antennas may transmit radio-frequency signals that form a part of the steerable signal beam (e.g., that constructively and destructively interfere with the radio-frequency signals transmitted by the phased antenna array to help steer the signal beam)
Implementation Method 3
Power amplifier stages may be coupled between the second transceiver and the independent antennas to boost the gain of the independent antennas (e.g., to compensate for over-the-air signal attenuation)
Implementation Method 4
The phased antenna array may be mounted behind the dielectric rear housing wall and may transmit the steerable signal beam through the dielectric rear housing wall
Implementation Method 5
millimeter wave communications signals generated by antennas can be characterized by substantial attenuation and/or distortion during signal propagation through various mediums
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry for conveying radio-frequency signals greater than 10 GHz. The wireless circuitry may include a phased antenna array that transmits a steerable signal beam and independent antennas that are separate from the array. The array may be coupled to a first transceiver and the independent antennas may be coupled to a second transceiver. Power amplifier stages may be coupled between the second transceiver and the independent antennas to boost the gain of the independent antennas. If desired, the array and the independent antennas may be coupled to ports of the same transceiver. In this arrangement, each independent antenna may include an antenna feed that is coupled to a respective pair of ports on the transceiver. This may serve to boost the gain of the independent antennas without power amplifier circuitry. The independent antennas may have smaller footprints than the phased antenna array.