Straight Microstrip Line Antenna With Shared Aperture Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT antennas face challenges in compact size, multi-standard operation, and reduced cost, particularly in integrating multiple sub-antenna units for 5G applications that require wide-band operation covering both sub-6-GHz and mm-wave bands, leading to strong surface waves and spatial inductive coupling.
Innovation Solution
A shared-aperture IoT antenna system with a substrate, a single straight microstrip line, a microstrip power divider, and a ground plane featuring three concentric square slots, which allows for octaband operation from 1.05-6.151 GHz and 27.4-28.4 GHz, reducing coupling through a cascaded 8-way power divider and shared radiating aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sub-antenna units are integrated into limited space for 5G applications, then the antenna coverage and data throughput are improved, but strong surface waves and spatial inductive coupling occur between sub-antennas deteriorating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sub-antenna units (including both sub-6 GHz and mm-wave antennas) into a single integrated MIMO antenna structure. This merging approach allows the antenna to provide wide-band operation covering multiple frequency bands while maintaining compact size. The coupled-slot architecture enables the sub-antennas to share a common ground structure, which helps manage coupling effects through controlled electromagnetic interaction rather than isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple slot antennas are coupled and integrated within a compact MIMO antenna unit. The sub-antenna units are arranged in a nested configuration that allows them to coexist in limited space while maintaining their individual radiation patterns. The concentric or coupled slot designs enable inner and outer slots to interact electromagnetically, creating a compact multi-element structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the spacing of sub-antenna units is reduced to fit more units in limited space, then integration density is improved, but coupling between sub-antennas increases deteriorating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sub-antenna units into a single integrated MIMO antenna structure with reduced spacing. The coupled-slot architecture allows sub-antennas to be positioned closer together while sharing a common electromagnetic environment. This merging approach enables high integration density in compact IoT devices while the controlled coupling through the shared ground structure manages performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different slot configurations and coupling structures to different regions of the MIMO antenna. Each sub-antenna unit has its specific slot geometry and coupling arrangement optimized for its position and function. This local optimization allows certain sub-antennas to have stronger coupling for desired radiation patterns while others maintain isolation, enabling high integration density without uniform performance loss.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If decoupling circuits and decoupling networks are used to reduce coupling between antennas, then coupling is reduced, but additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the decoupling function into the fundamental antenna structure itself through the coupled-slot design. Rather than adding separate decoupling circuits or networks, the slots are intentionally designed to couple with each other, and this coupling is exploited to achieve both radiation and decoupling functions simultaneously. The shared ground structure serves as both the mounting platform and the decoupling mechanism, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming decoupling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the ground structure and slot configurations serve multiple functions: radiation, impedance matching, and decoupling. The coupled slots provide both the radiating elements and the decoupling mechanism in a single integrated structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate decoupling circuits, achieving coupling reduction without additional space requirements.
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 antenna design achieves efficient operation across multiple frequency bands with reduced coupling, high gain, and omnidirectional radiation patterns, making it suitable for next-generation 5G-enabled IoT devices with improved performance and compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a single straight microstrip line on the top side of the substrate... a microstrip power divider (PD) on the top side of the substrate... Three concentric square slots are etched on the ground plane
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system and a method for fabricating an antenna system are disclosed. The antenna system includes a substrate having a top side and a bottom side, a single straight microstrip line on the top side of the substrate, a microstrip power divider (PD) on the top side of the substrate, and a ground plane on the bottom side. An input end of the single straight microstrip line is adjacent and vertical to a first edge of the substrate, and an output end of the single straight microstrip line is open. An input end of the microstrip PD is adjacent and vertical to a second edge of the substrate, and eight output ends of the microstrip PD are open. The first edge is parallel to the second edge. Further, three concentric square slots are etched on the ground plane.