Dual-Frequency Patch Antennas for Wireless Power and mmWave Communications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing wireless charging and communications systems in electronic devices is challenging due to sensitivity to antenna misalignment and performance issues, necessitating improved wireless circuitry that can effectively transfer power and communicate at various frequencies while maintaining efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of dual-frequency dual-polarization patch antennas with adjustable circuitry for beam steering, allowing for dynamic phase and magnitude adjustments to ensure effective wireless power transfer and communications, even with device movement, using patch antennas with resonating elements in different planes and multiple feeds for enhanced frequency coverage and polarization handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single-frequency antennas are used for wireless charging and communications, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot achieve effective power transfer and communication across multiple frequency bands simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patch antenna is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both wireless power transfer at 2.4 GHz and millimeter wave communications at 60 GHz simultaneously. The antenna structure incorporates dual-frequency operation capability with feed networks that enable independent excitation at both frequency bands, allowing a single antenna to replace what would traditionally require separate antennas for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar antenna designs to a three-dimensional patch antenna structure with controlled thickness and layering. The antenna includes a substrate with specific thickness (0.008λ to 0.02λ at 60 GHz) and incorporates vertical stacking of conductive layers, enabling frequency separation and polarization control through the third dimension rather than only through planar geometry
2Reliability
If wireless charging and communications systems are implemented without careful antenna design, then the system can be easily integrated, but the system becomes highly sensitive to antenna misalignment and achieves poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design incorporates specific local characteristics including dual-polarization capability with orthogonal feed networks, localized resonant elements on the patch substrate, and region-specific impedance matching structures. These localized features enable the antenna to maintain consistent performance across different orientations and reduce sensitivity to misalignment by providing multiple independent radiation patterns from the same structure
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system incorporates adjustable circuitry that can dynamically steer the beam direction and adjust phase and magnitude of signals. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to changing device positions and orientations, maintaining reliable power transfer and communication links even when perfect alignment is not achieved
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable circuitry for beam steering is added to the wireless circuitry, then the system can dynamically adapt to device movement, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beam steering functionality with the existing antenna feed network by integrating phase shifters and magnitude controllers directly into the antenna substrate and feed lines. This merging approach allows beam steering to be achieved through the same physical structures that provide frequency selection and polarization control, rather than requiring separate dedicated beam steering hardware
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 solution enhances the efficiency and reliability of wireless power transfer and communications by enabling beam steering and improved antenna performance across multiple frequencies, ensuring effective operations in varying environments and device positions.
Implementation Method 1
The patch antenna may have a first resonant frequency associated with the first port and a second resonant frequency associated with the second port
Implementation Method 2
The electronic device may use the wireless circuitry to transfer power wirelessly to external equipment
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include one or more dual-frequency dual-polarization patch antennas. Each patch antenna may have a patch antenna resonating element that lies in a plane and a ground that lies in a different parallel plane. The patch antenna resonating element may have a first feed located along a first central axis and a second feed located along a second central axis that is perpendicular to the first central axis. The patch antenna resonating element may be rectangular, may be oval, or may have other shapes. A shorting pin may be located at an intersecting point between the first and second axes. The patch antennas may be used in beam steering arrays. The patch antennas may be used for wireless power transfer at microwave frequencies or other frequencies and may be used to support millimeter wave communications.