Flexible Substrate End-Fire Antenna Array for 60 GHz Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas using planar printed circuit board (PCB) technology are limited in steering their radiation patterns, particularly in certain dimensions or directions, which restricts their ability to achieve maximum gain, especially in applications like 60 GHz wireless communications.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible substrate with an end-fire antenna array that can be oriented to achieve array gain perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, allowing for beam steering and increased antenna gain through physical folding of the substrate, effectively utilizing a third dimension to double the number of antennas in a fixed area and enhance millimeter wave radio performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar PCB technology is used for antenna implementation, then manufacturing is simplified and cost is reduced, but the ability to steer radiation patterns in certain dimensions or directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar PCB antenna to a three-dimensional folded antenna structure. The flexible substrate is folded to create vertical stacking of antenna elements, enabling radiation pattern steering in the vertical dimension while maintaining planar manufacturing benefits. This dimensional transformation allows the antenna to achieve beam steering capabilities that were impossible with conventional planar designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase control mechanisms that dynamically adjust the phase of signals fed to different antenna elements. This dynamic phase control enables electronic beam steering without mechanical movement, allowing the radiation pattern to be steered in real-time while maintaining the fixed folded structure. The dynamic adjustment of phase parameters provides versatility in beam direction control.
2Power
If antenna elements are stacked in the third dimension using flexible substrate folding, then antenna gain is increased by approximately 6 dB, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by folding the flexible substrate to stack antenna elements vertically. This stacking in the vertical dimension increases the effective aperture and array factor, resulting in approximately 6 dB gain improvement. The folded structure maintains a compact form factor while achieving higher gain through spatial distribution of elements in three dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible substrate that can be folded without compromising electrical performance. This flexible film approach allows the antenna elements to be arranged in a compact folded configuration, achieving vertical stacking for gain enhancement while maintaining structural integrity and electrical connectivity through the flexible substrate's inherent properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a folded antenna structure is implemented, then beam steering capabilities are provided in previously unavailable directions, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves beam steering in previously unavailable vertical directions by folding the substrate to create vertical element stacking. The folded structure enables radiation patterns to be steered in the vertical plane, complementing the horizontal steering capability of planar arrays. This dimensional transformation provides omnidirectional beam steering capability while using standard planar fabrication techniques for the unfolded substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate serves as a versatile platform that can be folded into various configurations to achieve different beam steering directions. The flexibility of the thin film substrate allows it to be formed into the required folded geometry while maintaining electrical performance, enabling complex radiation pattern control without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the substrate itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a flexible substrate, and an end-fire antenna array mounted on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate is configured to be oriented so that array gain is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the flexible substrate. Embodiments are directed to mounting an end-fire antenna array on a flexible substrate, and orienting the flexible substrate so that array gain is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the flexible substrate.