Low-Profile UWB Antenna Layout for Multi-Band Vehicle Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle antennas, such as shark fin antennas, detract from the external design of vehicles due to their height and placement, which is typically a quarter of a wavelength at the lowest operating frequency, making them visually unappealing and difficult to integrate without impacting vehicle aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A ultra wide band (UWB) antenna design with a low profile, incorporating two antennas and RF filters, allowing integration in less noticeable internal or external vehicle locations, such as beneath a non-conducting roof material, while supporting multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shark fin antenna is used to support wireless telecommunications, then the antenna can transmit and receive data effectively, but the antenna height (approximately one quarter of a wavelength) detracts from the external design of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the antenna structure within the vehicle's roof or body panel. The antenna is nested inside a cavity or recessed area, with only a minimal portion visible from the exterior. This nesting approach allows the antenna to maintain its functional dimensions while being concealed within the vehicle's structure, thus preserving the external design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional vertical protruding antenna to a planar or flat antenna structure that lies substantially within the surface of the vehicle roof or body panel. By changing the dimensional orientation from vertical (protruding outward) to horizontal (flush with surface), the antenna maintains its electrical length for effective communication while becoming visually imperceptible from the exterior.
2Shape
If a low-profile antenna is used to improve vehicle design, then the antenna is less noticeable and packaging space is reduced, but the antenna must operate across multiple frequency bands which increases design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single antenna structure capable of operating across multiple frequency bands (e.g., cellular bands including 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, and potentially other bands). The antenna elements and matching circuits are configured to resonate at multiple frequencies, allowing one antenna to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate antennas for different frequency bands, thereby reducing overall complexity despite the multi-frequency requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable or variable electrical parameters in the antenna design, such as variable capacitance or inductance values, to tune the antenna's resonant frequencies. By changing these electrical parameters, the same physical antenna structure can be optimized for different frequency bands, enabling multi-band operation without requiring multiple fixed-configuration antennas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are integrated to support multiple frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but the number of RF lines and packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements into a single integrated antenna assembly. The antenna structure includes multiple radiating elements that are electrically connected to support different frequency bands, and these elements are merged into a unified structure that shares common support infrastructure, feeding mechanisms, and mounting arrangements. This merging reduces the total volume required compared to having separate antennas for each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests antenna elements within each other or within the same structural cavity. Smaller antenna elements for higher frequency bands are positioned within or alongside larger elements for lower frequency bands, allowing multiple frequency-capable structures to occupy the same spatial envelope. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall packaging space while maintaining the ability to transmit and receive across multiple frequency bands.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultra wide band (UWB) antenna includes: a first antenna; a second antenna including an aperture, where the first antenna is disposed within the aperture; a distribution portion configured electrically connect directly to a feed conductor; and filters electrically connecting the distribution portion to the second antenna, where the first antenna is electrically connected to the distribution portion.