Dual Antenna PCB Layout for Mobile Device Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of antennas in mobile devices faces challenges due to the limited space caused by the growing screen size and shrinking keyboard area, which restricts the available space for antenna design, especially in achieving high bandwidth performance.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a dual-antenna configuration where a first main antenna is printed on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and a second main antenna is configured outside the PCB, connected through a connection component, with a parasitic unit optionally added to enhance performance, allowing for efficient use of limited space and improved electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monopole antenna is used to achieve high bandwidth, then antenna performance is improved, but the occupied wiring space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into two separate main antennas (first main antenna and second main antenna) with different functional characteristics. The first main antenna is designed for high frequency operation with compact structure, while the second main antenna handles low frequency operation with extended structure, allowing each to be optimized independently for performance while controlling overall space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna design transitions from a single-plane PCB layout to a three-dimensional configuration by extending the second main antenna outside the PCB boundary. This spatial dimensionality change allows the antenna system to achieve the required electrical length for low frequency operation without increasing the footprint area on the PCB, effectively utilizing vertical and external space
2Adaptability or versatility
If screen size is increased, then user experience is improved, but the design space for antenna is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first main antenna is nested within the PCB boundary as a compact printed structure, while the second main antenna is positioned outside the PCB but integrated into the terminal housing space. This nesting arrangement allows the antenna system to coexist with the enlarged screen design by utilizing previously unused spatial zones around and outside the main circuit board
Solution Approach 2:
The design moves antenna elements from the constrained two-dimensional PCB surface into the three-dimensional terminal housing volume. The second main antenna extends outside the PCB in the vertical/Z dimension, utilizing the depth and external housing space that becomes available when screen size increases, thereby decoupling antenna design space from screen area constraints
3Shape
If terminal shape is made thinner, then appearance is improved, but the longitude design space is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design compensates for reduced longitudinal space within the thin terminal body by extending antenna elements in lateral directions outside the PCB boundary. The second main antenna utilizes the horizontal/X and vertical/Y dimensions of the terminal housing rather than relying on increased thickness, effectively trading Z-dimension constraints for X-Y plane utilization
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An antenna and a terminal device includes: a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a first main antenna, a second main antenna and a connection component. The first main antenna is printed on the PCB, and the second main antenna is configured outside the PCB, and electrically connected to the first main antenna through the connection component. In the above technical solution, by connecting the antenna printed on the PCB with the antenna configured outside the PCB, the limitation that wiring space is not enough in the existing antenna design is made up, and the utilization of the limited space can be significantly improved when the wiring of the antenna is designed.