Flex Cable Fed Millimeter-Wave Antenna System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of wireless communication devices requires compact antenna solutions that can support multiple communication protocols and frequencies, such as 4G, 5G, and WLAN, while existing modules are often too thick and limited in placement, affecting communication coverage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communication antenna system that includes a radio-frequency circuit coupled to a printed circuit board with broadside and end-fire cavity radiators, utilizing flex cables with signal conductors to excite these radiators, allowing for dual-polarization millimeter-wave radiation without significant thickness increase, and enabling flexible placement within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate millimeter-wave module is used to support multiple communication protocols and frequencies, then communication capabilities are improved, but the module thickness increases and placement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication technologies (4G, 5G, WLAN) and multiple radiator types (broadside and end-fire radiators) into a single integrated antenna system on one printed circuit board, eliminating the need for separate millimeter-wave modules while maintaining all communication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - supporting both 4G and 5G communications, WLAN operations, and dual-polarization millimeter-wave radiation through a unified structure that shares common substrates and circuitry
2Reliability
If a separate millimeter-wave module is used to provide dual-polarization millimeter-wave radiation, then radiation performance is improved, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements end-fire radiators that radiate along the thickness direction of the printed circuit board, utilizing the Z-dimension for radiation purposes. This allows dual-polarization millimeter-wave radiation without increasing the board's thickness, as the radiation occurs along rather than perpendicular to the board surface
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing antenna modules are used to support multiple frequencies and protocols, then communication versatility is improved, but placement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into functionally independent radiator elements (broadside radiators for certain polarizations, end-fire radiators for other polarizations) that can be selectively activated or configured, allowing flexible placement and optimization based on specific communication requirements while maintaining integration on a single board
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 provides a low-cost, wideband, dual-polarization millimeter-wave antenna system that simplifies the integration of millimeter-wave radiation into wireless communication devices, reducing thickness and enhancing communication coverage without the need for separate modules, allowing for easier placement and coupling of radiators to the radio-frequency circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a broadside radiator configured and disposed to radiate first millimeter-wave energy at a first boresight away from a broadside surface of the printed circuit board; an end-fire radiator configured and disposed to radiate second millimeter-wave energy at a second boresight away from a side surface of the printed circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication antenna system includes: a radio-frequency circuit configured to couple to a printed circuit board; a broadside radiator configured and disposed to radiate first millimeter-wave energy at a first boresight away from a broadside surface of the printed circuit board; an end-fire radiator configured and disposed to radiate second millimeter-wave energy at a second boresight away from a side surface of the printed circuit board; and at least one flex cable each including a substrate, the at least one flex cable including a plurality of signal conductors coupled to the radio-frequency circuit; where at least one of the broadside radiator or the end-fire radiator is a cavity radiator; and where respective signal conductors of the plurality of signal conductors are disposed to excite the broadside radiator and the end-fire radiator.