Folded Dual Radiating Elements for Compact Vehicle Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a compact, high-efficiency broadband and multiband antenna system that can fit within the limited space of a vehicle while maintaining performance across various LTE and 5G frequency bands, especially in the low frequency band (700 MHz-1 GHz) where signal interference is high and space constraints are significant.
Innovation Solution
The antenna system features two radiating elements sharing a common ground plane, with a folded configuration and parasitic elements, allowing for increased bandwidth and efficiency, and is designed to operate within a reduced height of around λ/33, enabling omni-directional patterns and integration of satellite navigation antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple LTE antennas are integrated in a single box, then the number of antenna modules is reduced and installation is simplified, but the available space is reduced and fitting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple antenna elements (main LTE antenna, diversity LTE antenna, and GNSS antenna) within a single housing structure, nesting multiple functional antennas in one box to reduce the number of separate antenna modules that need to be installed in the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the housing, utilizing vertical and horizontal spacing to accommodate multiple antennas without increasing the overall footprint excessively, fitting within constrained vehicle spaces
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna system is designed for reduced dimensions, then it can be fitted inside confined vehicle spaces, but maintaining broadband behavior and high efficiency across all frequency bands becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system divides the broadband frequency range into different segments handled by specific antenna elements - the main LTE antenna covers lower frequency bands, the diversity LTE antenna covers upper frequency bands, and the GNSS antenna handles satellite navigation frequencies, allowing each element to be optimized for its specific band while collectively providing broadband coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna element within the housing is designed with specific geometric characteristics optimized for its target frequency band, with the main LTE antenna having dimensions suited for lower bands and the diversity antenna configured for upper bands, providing locally optimized performance across the overall broadband range
3Volume of moving object
If internal antennas are used, then the antenna system is compact, but electronic noise from internal components degrades signal sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna housing is designed as an external or remotely mounted unit that can be positioned away from the vehicle's electronic noise sources such as clocks and microprocessors, extracting the antenna system from the noisy internal environment while maintaining compact dimensions through efficient internal configuration
4Shape
If antennas are hidden to preserve vehicle styling, then external appearance is improved, but the available space for antenna installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple antenna functions (LTE main, LTE diversity, and GNSS) are merged into a single integrated housing unit, allowing the antenna system to be concealed within one compact location on the vehicle, preserving styling while providing all necessary antenna functions in a space-efficient manner
Data Source
AI summary
A dual broadband and multiband antenna system of reduced dimension is preferably an external antenna for vehicles. The antenna system comprises first and second radiating elements and a flat ground plane in common for the two radiating elements. The two radiating elements are placed above the ground plane, with each radiating element being folded to form vertical and horizontal surfaces. The two vertical surfaces are orthogonal to the ground plane and parallel to each other. The horizontal surfaces are coplanar between vertical surfaces and parallel to the ground plane. Two parasitic elements are connected with the ground plane, and are parallel or coplanar with the horizontal surfaces, and extend partially around respectively the first and second radiating elements. The antenna system is preferably adapted to operate on the LTE communication network and provides 5G communication services.