Millimeter Wave Coplanar Waveguide Isolation via Ground Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications circuitry in electronic devices faces challenges in supporting millimeter wave communications due to signal attenuation and electromagnetic isolation issues at frequencies above 10 GHz, particularly in phased antenna arrays.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wireless circuitry with stacked dielectric layers and coplanar waveguides on a dielectric substrate, where antennas are formed on both sides of the substrate, and transmission lines are used to convey millimeter wave signals, with ground conductors serving to maximize electromagnetic decoupling between signal conductors and antenna ground planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coplanar waveguides are used to convey millimeter wave signals between transceiver circuitry and antennas, then signal transmission is enabled, but electromagnetic interference between adjacent transmission lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ground conductors are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent signal-carrying coplanar waveguides. These ground conductors act as electromagnetic shields that block interference between neighboring transmission lines while maintaining signal integrity. The ground conductors are connected to ground potential, creating a reference plane that prevents electromagnetic coupling between adjacent signal paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission line structure is segmented into distinct regions by introducing ground conductors that divide the continuous space between adjacent coplanar waveguides. This segmentation creates isolated electromagnetic zones for each signal path, preventing interference while allowing each waveguide to function independently.
2Productivity
If multiple antennas are arranged in a phased antenna array for millimeter wave communications, then high data rates are supported, but electromagnetic isolation between transmission lines becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Ground conductors serve as intermediary shielding elements positioned between the transmission lines of different antennas in the phased array. These ground conductors maintain electromagnetic isolation between antenna elements while allowing the array to function as an integrated system for high-rate communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground conductor configuration is optimized locally between each pair of adjacent transmission lines. The spacing, width, and positioning of ground conductors are specifically designed to provide adequate isolation for each interface while maintaining overall array performance and enabling high data rate transmissions.
3Productivity
If millimeter wave communications are implemented, then high data rates are achieved, but signal attenuation during propagation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional coplanar waveguide structures to three-dimensional stacked dielectric layer configurations. By routing transmission lines through multiple vertical layers with ground conductors on different planes, the design reduces electromagnetic interference and signal loss by utilizing the third dimension for spatial separation and shielding.
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 electromagnetic isolation and improves signal transmission efficiency for millimeter wave communications, reducing interference and maintaining performance even when external objects obstruct antennas.
Implementation Method 1
Transmission lines such as coplanar waveguides may be used to convey signals in frequency bands between 10 GHz and 300 GHz such as millimeter wave signals between the transceiver circuitry and the first and second antennas
Implementation Method 2
The ground conductors in the first coplanar waveguide may be shorted to the ground conductors in the second coplanar waveguide... the ground conductors may serve to isolate the first and second signal conductors to maximize electromagnetic decoupling between the first and second coplanar waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a millimeter wave transceiver, a first antenna having a first resonating element at a first side of a substrate, and a second antenna having a second resonating element at a second side of the substrate. A first coplanar waveguide may convey millimeter wave signals between the transceiver and the first resonating element and a second coplanar waveguide may convey millimeter wave signals between the transceiver and the second resonating element. The first coplanar waveguide may be coupled to the first resonating element through the second coplanar waveguide. The second coplanar waveguide may be coupled to the second resonating element through the first coplanar waveguide. Ground conductors in the coplanar waveguides may form antenna ground planes for the first and second antennas while serving to maximize electromagnetic decoupling between the coplanar waveguides and thus isolation between the ports of the transceiver.