Flexible Planar Antenna for Wireless Device RF Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of modern wireless data communication devices, such as cellular phones, makes them difficult to test due to internal antenna integration, external interference, and variability in real RF environments, leading to challenges in repeatability and controllability of testing processes.

Innovation Solution

A flexible planar antenna device made of a dielectric material with an integrated antenna element and adhesive elements, allowing it to be shaped and attached to the device under test for close proximity communication, reducing signal loss and interference, and enabling repeatable and controlled testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an anechoic chamber is used for testing, then RF isolation and controllability are improved, but cost and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF isolationVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of RF isolation from the complex anechoic chamber structure and implements it through a simple flexible planar antenna with adhesive elements that can be directly attached to the device under test, eliminating the need for expensive chamber infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible planar antenna is designed as a low-cost, disposable testing accessory that can be easily manufactured and discarded after use, replacing the expensive and permanent anechoic chamber infrastructure while maintaining adequate RF isolation performance for testing purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a shielded enclosure is used for testing, then RF isolation is improved, but portability and cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF isolationVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, fixed-location shielded enclosure into a dynamic, portable solution by using a flexible planar antenna that can be easily attached and removed from different devices, enabling testing to move with the device under test rather than requiring the device to be brought to a fixed testing location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible planar antenna with thin film structure that can be conformally attached to various device surfaces, providing portable RF isolation capability that adapts to different device geometries unlike rigid shielded enclosures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If cabled connections are used for testing, then repeatability is improved, but adaptability to modern devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverepeatabilityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible planar antenna serves multiple functions: it provides RF coupling, maintains repeatable positioning through adhesive attachment, and adapts to various device types including modern smartphones with internal antennas, replacing the need for device-specific cable connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cabled connection system with a wireless RF coupling system using the flexible planar antenna, eliminating the need for physical access to device connectors while maintaining repeatable and controlled testing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If open air environment is used for testing, then cost and simplicity are improved, but repeatability and controllability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidrepeatability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible planar antenna acts as an intermediary between the simple open-air environment and the need for repeatable testing, providing a controlled RF coupling interface that can be consistently positioned and attached to the device under test, thereby introducing repeatability without requiring a complex chamber environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 flexible planar antenna device provides accurate and repeatable signal coupling with minimal signal loss, allowing for efficient characterization of wireless devices in a controlled environment without the need for expensive infrastructure, and is reusable and portable.

Implementation Method 1

at least one adhesive element that enables the planar body to attach to and conform to the surface of the DUT

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10461407B2Flexible planar antenna for wireless device testing

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A flexible planar antenna device and method for using the same is disclosed. In some embodiments, the flexible planar antenna device includes a planar body comprising a flexible dielectric material that enables the planar antenna device to be flexibly shapeable to a surface of a wireless device under test (DUT). The flexible planar antenna device further includes an antenna element contained within the planar body and for communicatively coupling with at least one antenna of the wireless DUT and at least one adhesive element that enables the planar body to attach to and conform to the surface of the DUT.