GPS Antenna Projection for Sensitivity Without Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
In compact electronic devices like wristwatches, integrating a GPS receiver poses a challenge as thickening the antenna to improve sensitivity increases the device's thickness, while maintaining thinness is essential.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a GPS antenna with a first and second electrode, where the second electrode has a projection portion protruding towards the circuit substrate, allowing for improved sensitivity without increasing the device's thickness, and optionally functions as an electromagnetic shield, and can be configured to emit circular-polarized waves with adjustable ratios and resonance frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is thickened to improve sensitivity, then the sensitivity of the antenna is improved, but the thickness of the electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by creating a projection portion that protrudes in the thickness direction from the second electrode toward the circuit substrate. This allows the antenna to effectively increase its thickness in a specific localized region (improving sensitivity) without increasing the overall thickness of the electronic apparatus, as the projection occupies space above the circuit substrate rather than adding to the device's external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing a projection portion only in specific areas where sensitivity enhancement is needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire antenna. The projection portion is strategically positioned to protrude toward the circuit substrate in regions that benefit from increased thickness for sensitivity, while other regions maintain their original thickness to preserve overall device thinness.
2Reliability
If the projection portion occupies space on the circuit substrate surface, then the sensitivity of the antenna is improved, but the space for circuit components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The projection portion is designed to occupy only specific localized areas on the circuit substrate surface where sensitivity enhancement is prioritized. By concentrating the protrusion in strategic locations rather than distributing it uniformly, the patent achieves improved antenna sensitivity while minimizing the impact on the total surface area available for circuit components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the space conflict by utilizing the thickness dimension vertically above the circuit substrate. The projection portion extends in the thickness direction rather than spreading laterally across the surface, allowing sensitivity improvement without significantly reducing the horizontal surface area needed for circuit component placement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the second electrode covers the circuit components, then noise from the outside is blocked, but the accessibility to circuit components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dimensionality change by having the second electrode cover the circuit components from the vertical direction (thickness direction) rather than from the lateral sides. This overhead coverage effectively blocks noise from the outside while maintaining lateral accessibility to the circuit components, as the components remain exposed from the sides and can be accessed without removing the electrode layer.
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 enhances the GPS antenna's sensitivity and noise-blocking capabilities while maintaining the device's thickness, and allows for efficient use of space, improving signal reception and reducing external noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
the second electrode functions as an electromagnetic shield
Implementation Method 2
an antenna that includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is opposite to a surface, on which the circuit components are disposed, of the circuit substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a circuit substrate on which circuit components are disposed; and an antenna that includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is opposite to a surface of the circuit substrate, on which the circuit components are disposed, and includes a projection portion protruding in a direction from the second electrode toward the circuit substrate, a top portion of the projection portion not overlapping with the circuit components in plan view along a thickness direction of the circuit substrate. In the antenna including the first electrode and the second electrode, even if a surface of the antenna has an unevenness shape, as an average of thicknesses of the antenna is thicker, sensitivity of the antenna is improved.