Dual-Loop Antenna for High-Gain WLAN Router Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dipole antennas for wireless LANs have aesthetic and space occupancy issues due to their external structure, and built-in antennas like PIFA or shorted-monopole antennas lack sufficient gain and radiation pattern, while high-gain antennas like patch or microstrip antennas are unbalanced and space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A dual-loop antenna design with a grounding unit, shorting unit, feeding unit, first loop radiating unit, and second loop radiating unit, where each dual-loop structure consists of a balanced one-wavelength loop configuration, allowing operation in multiple frequency bands without external diplexers, and can be integrated into router designs to enhance appearance and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional dipole antenna is used for wireless LAN, then antenna function is achieved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and space is occupied due to external structure
Solution Approach 1:
The dipole antenna elements are nested within the router housing structure itself. The grounding element is positioned along the bottom surface while the radiating element is positioned along the top surface, with both elements integrated into the housing rather than protruding externally. This nesting approach maintains the antenna's functional structure while eliminating the aesthetic problem of external protruding elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If dipole antenna is used for wireless LAN, then antenna function is achieved, but space occupancy increases due to protruding structure
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are nested within the router housing volume. The grounding element occupies space along the bottom surface while the radiating element occupies space along the top surface, both within the housing boundaries. This eliminates the need for external protruding structures and reduces overall space occupancy.
3Shape
If PIFA or shorted-monopole antenna is used for built-in design, then antenna is hidden in router, but antenna gain is insufficient (max 3-4 dBi)
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into two separate dipole elements (grounding element and radiating element) positioned at different locations within the housing. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to the overall radiation pattern, achieving higher gain (6-7 dBi) compared to single-element built-in antennas while maintaining a low-profile integrated design.
4Power
If patch or microstrip antenna is used to achieve high gain (over 6 dBi), then antenna gain is improved, but device complexity increases due to two-layer structure and grounding plane requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a patch antenna's topological structure (conductive patch over grounding plane), the invention inverts the approach by using a dipole configuration where the grounding element and radiating element are positioned along opposite surfaces of the housing. This inversion achieves high gain through the dipole's inherent radiation efficiency and the housing's reflective properties, without requiring the complex two-layer patch structure.
5Power
If patch or microstrip antenna is used to achieve high gain, then antenna gain is improved, but space occupancy increases due to large radiating body
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna function is segmented into two distributed elements (grounding and radiating elements) positioned along opposite surfaces of the housing. This segmentation allows the antenna to achieve high gain through the dipole configuration and housing reflection, while utilizing the existing housing volume rather than requiring additional space for a large patch radiating body.
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
The dual-loop antenna achieves high antenna gain (up to 7 dB) with good impedance matching and isolation, enabling it to be hidden within router systems while maintaining effective WLAN performance across 2.4 and 5.2/5.8 GHz bands, reducing mutual coupling and enhancing aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
the first loop radiating unit provides a first operating frequency band... the second loop radiating unit provides a second operating frequency band
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-loop antenna includes a grounding unit, a shorting unit, a feeding unit, a first loop radiating unit and a second loop radiating unit. The shorting unit has at least one shorting pin disposed on the grounding unit. The feeding unit has at least one feeding pin separated from the shorting pin by a predetermined distance and suspended above the grounding unit at a predetermined distance. The first loop radiating unit is disposed above the grounding unit at a predetermined distance. The first loop radiating unit has two ends respectively electrically connected to the shorting unit and the feeding unit. The second loop radiating unit is disposed above the grounding unit at a predetermined distance and around the first loop radiating unit. The second loop radiating unit has two ends respectively electrically connected to the shorting unit and the feeding unit.