Gap Waveguide Antenna Layout for Low-Loss PCB Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gap waveguide slot antennas experience significant energy loss due to the presence of a PCB dielectric layer, which reduces energy transmission efficiency and complicates integration with other components.
Innovation Solution
A gap waveguide antenna structure is designed with a metal layer on both sides of a dielectric layer, allowing components to be integrated without affecting performance, and incorporating a microstrip structure with via holes to enhance energy transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a PCB dielectric layer is placed between the gap waveguide and microstrip for integration, then component integration is enabled, but energy transmission efficiency deteriorates due to dielectric losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic PCB dielectric layer from the energy transmission path between the gap waveguide and microstrip. By removing this lossy dielectric medium, the invention eliminates the source of dielectric losses while preserving integration capabilities through alternative mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary metallic structure (ground plane with via holes) that serves as both a mounting substrate for components and an energy transmission medium. This metallic intermediary replaces the lossy dielectric while providing mechanical support and electrical connectivity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional waveguide slot antenna structure is used, then high-frequency performance is achieved, but feeding network complexity increases and processing precision becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feeding network functions directly into the gap waveguide structure itself. The periodic pin structure and ground plane configuration integrate impedance transformation and energy coupling functions, eliminating the need for separate complex feeding networks while maintaining high-frequency performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the waveguide, provides impedance transformation through its periodic structure, enables component mounting via the ground plane, and facilitates energy coupling to microstrip lines. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity.
3Loss of energy
If direct contact feeding mode is used between microstrip and gap waveguide, then energy transmission efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the direct contact interface into discrete coupling points through the periodic pin structure and via hole arrangement. This segmentation allows for tolerance distribution across multiple points rather than requiring precision at a single interface, reducing overall assembly precision requirements while maintaining efficient energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the periodic pin structure and via holes to optimize the coupling between microstrip and gap waveguide. By adjusting pin spacing, via hole diameter, and ground plane dimensions, the design achieves robust coupling that is insensitive to manufacturing variations.
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 design effectively reduces energy losses during transmission and facilitates integration with other components, expanding the application range of the antenna structure.
Implementation Method 1
a gap waveguide structure including a periodic pin structure and a ridge structure, a slot is formed between the periodic pin structure and the second metal layer, and a slot is formed between the ridge structure and the second metal layer
Implementation Method 2
The microstrip structure is disposed in the second metal layer, and the microstrip structure is parallel to the ridge structure
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a gap waveguide antenna structure and an electronic device, and relates to the field of communication radars. The antenna structure includes a top layer, a gap waveguide structure, a microstrip structure, and a bottom layer. The top layer is parallel to the bottom layer. A first metal layer and a second metal layer are laid on two sides of a dielectric layer of the top layer, and the microstrip structure is disposed on the second metal layer. A frame of the microstrip structure is separated from metal of the second metal layer by leaving a space. The foregoing special antenna structure can reduce a transmission loss, improve a coupling capability, and effectively improve transmission efficiency of energy or an electromagnetic wave. In addition, a component, a chip, or the like may be further disposed on the second metal layer, so that integrability of the antenna structure is improved, and an application range of the antenna structure is expanded.